Do you need a reason to visit Provence? No, I would go immediately perhaps avoiding July and August though!
Anyhow if you need a little persuasion, then here are 5 reasons to go courtesy of My Melange. 1. To experience art come alive. 2. The color purple. 3. Outdoor markets. 4. Hidden treasures. 5. Something original.The scent of lavender along with honey, ripe fresh produce (whatever’s in season), and fresh baguette swirls together in the air of Markets in Provence. Each day brings with it an outdoor market in a different region. Vendors typically open around eight and end their day at one. This not only provides you with delicious food, but a perfect setting for people watching and truly immersing yourself in a culture. Any trip would not be complete, in my opinion, without a memento representing my time there or just something that captures the character and culture of a place. Provence provides ample opportunity for finding just such a treasure with its many antique shops and flea markets. Some particularly well-known are the Marché à la Brocante in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and L’ Isle-sur-la-Sorge in Vaucluse. Whether your treasure be an 18th century armoire or for those more budget conscious a vintage straw hat, you can find it here along with an authentic piece of provincial pottery. For more details and photos: 5 Reasons to Visit ProvenceEnjoy the sights and scenes of Provence - video:
Paris is NOT the only place to visit in France. It may be your number 1 location but Paris is not typical France - you need explore to get a true flavour of France.
On the EconomyCarHire blog they suggest 5 Must-See Places Outside of Paris 1) Normandy 2) Lourdes 3) French Rivera 4) Disneyland Paris 5) VineyardsHere are some excerpts:Normandy: The historical region of Normandy in the north-west corner combines wondrous and dramatic coastline with evocative ties with World War II. Away from the shores, lush farmland, quaint French villages and friendly market towns lay in wait, as do the large bustling cities of Rouen and Caen. In addition, there’s a spattering of other things to see and do. Take a trip to the Caen War Memorial or the picturesque village of Giverny which lies on the banks of the River Seine, which is the home of Claude Monet. The garden of his home is said to be the inspiration of his famous water lily pieces, so naturally it proves popular with visitors. The Abbey of Mont Saint Michel, perched atop a 264ft high rocky inlet is another unmissable sight and the second most visited attraction in the country! Vineyards: Last but not least, you can’t forget the country’s best produce; the famously delicious wine. A visit and tour of one or two vineyards, if not more, is pretty much an essential item on any itinerary. Wine tasting of course goes hand in hand, and if you time your visit right, you may stumble across wine festivals and have a go at squashing some grapes for the next seasons production. Read the full article: 5 Must-See Places Outside of Paris Video: Celebrity Vineyards
The TravelAfterKids Blog (my kind of life!) have an interesting article (and lovely photos) about the splendid city of Montpellier in the heart of the Languedoc-Roussillon. Many fly into the airport at Montpellier but how many take the time to explore the city? Don't miss the opportunity. Here is an extract from their article about the Top 5 locations in Montpellier:
1. Montpellier Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Montpellier) is a Roman Catholic cathedral, and a national monument of France. It is the seat of the Archbishops, previously Bishops, of Montpellier. Originally a church attached to the monastery of Saint-Benoît (founded in 1364), the building was elevated to the status of cathedral in 1536, when the see of Maguelonne was transferred to Montpellier. It suffered extensive damage during the Wars of Religion between Catholics and Protestants in the 16th century, and was subsequently rebuilt in the 17th. 2. The Musée Fabre: The museum was founded by François-Xavier Fabre, a Montpellier painter, in 1825. Beginning in 2003, the museum underwent a 61.2 million euro renovation, which was completed in January 2007. It is one of the main sights of Montpellier and close to the city's main square, the Place de la Comédie. The museum's national importance is recognised by it being classified as a Musée de France by the French Ministry of Culture. On display are ceramics from Greece and the rest of Europe. Furthermore, the museum has a large collection of paintings from the 17th until the 19th century, with a large representation of the luminophiles movement. There are also sculptures by Antoine Bourdelle, Jean-Antoine Houdon and René Iché. 3. The Porte du Peyrou is a triumphal arch in Montpellier. It is situated at the eastern end of the Jardin de Peyrou, a park near the center of the city. The arch was designed by François Dorbay, after the model of the Porte Saint-Denis in Paris. Its construction was completed in 1693. Its rusticated surface is crowned by a Doric entablature, suitable to a martial monument. Its later panels in bas-relief and inscriptions glorifying King Louis XIV of France were added in 1715. 4. Tour de la Babote. A large medieval corner tower. In occitan, babota means an insect larvae or a silk worm chrysalis. The name is deemed to have unappealing connotations which some people believe is in keeping with the tower's appearance. Was it considered somehow more impregnable and threatening than the others. In 1739 the Sociate Royale des Sciences constructed an observatory. 5. The Place de la Comédie is the main focal point of the city of Montpellier. It is located at the south-east point of the city centre where in previous times the fortifications of the city were located. The square is first mentioned in 1755 and is named after the theatre located there, which burned down in 1785 and 1855. The Place became the main focal point of the city when, in the mid-19th century the main railway station was built some 200 metres south of it. At that time, a smaller train going to the nearby beach at Palavas-les-Flots also had its provenance on the Place. Read the complete article and admire the photos: MontpellierMontpellier Video: Explore Montpellier
It is that time of the year and the sun has come out! MyFrenchLife reports on its 65th Birthday - read on:
The first Festival de Cannes was held in 1946. The old winter casino in Southern France played host to proceedings, with father of French cinema Louis Lumière as its inaugural judge. Amongst the films on display were Walt Disney’s ‘Make Mine Music’, Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Notorious’, and Jean Cocteau’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’.¹ Over the next 65 years, the Cannes Film Festival would become synonymous with glamour, controversy, and some of the biggest stars and films ever made.For many francophiles and French people, Cannes is a representation of old world elegance; the sort that Hollywood is desperately trying to recreate. Each year, American film festivals try to dig up a more antique ambience, but revellers often find it lacking. With so much focus on box-office numbers, big budgets and wild special effects, the true essence of film can often be lost. The stars of France and beyondThe red carpets of Cannes have played host to more than a few iconic pairs of shoes. In 1949, the A-List began to arrive, with Errol Flynn and Orson Welles among the attendees. Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, and Grace Kelly followed amongst a sea of equally famous French and foreign faces. Read the complete article with photos of past stars: 65 years of a French icon: The Cannes Film FestivalEnjoy the 2012 Cannes Festival Video:
Where does France rank in the Top 10 countries to visit? Clue: France beats Britain! Enjoy the countdown! Sorry Alan Freeman no longer available with the countdown.
Gastronomy in France is a big thing! And at the top of the list is the nation's cheeses - just so many to choose from. The Carter Blog lists their top 5 cheeses - do you agree or do you have your own favourites?
France is a country with a fierce and iconic reputation for fine food. It has long been the breeding ground for some of the world’s top chefs, and constantly raises the bar when it comes to gastronomy and culinary innovation. One of Frances most famous and exquisite exports is its French Cheese. This article will at five of Frances finest cheese, so pour yourself a glass of wine and prepare to have your taste buds teased.
First up we have Bleu du Bocage, a wonderful blue cheese made from goats milk. Each wheel is aged for about three months before it is ready for consumption. It has a moist and creamy texture, and the blue/grey veins that run through it give this cheese a beautiful appearance. This is a cheese that perfectly combines the grassy flavours of the rind with sweet fruity flavours and a peppery kick. The Bleu du Bocage is best served with preserved walnuts and a glass of fine port.
Next up we have a fine Brie, Brillat Savarin. Be warned, this is not the healthiest of cheeses, but it is the most delicious Brie available. Brillat Savarin is a Brie with cream added to it, this gives it the most rich and creamy texture you could imagine. For the best tasting Brillat Savarin, look for the ones aged by Maison Mons.
Typical Les Landes style at a very attractive price! Lovely summers and mild winters make this area popular. Snap up this bargain! Town: Moustey Department: Landes Region: Aquitaine Price: € 187,200 Chalet wood types including Landes entrance covered wooden terrace overlooking vast peasant living room with fireplace, the kitchen is open plan.More Photos and Details: Les Landes Property
The video is in French but it easy to get the gist of the script, and you will discover some new places to visit. Hey you might learn some French!The following video is a presentation on tourism in France. It includes descriptions of French festivals, historical monuments, theme parks, gardens, Perpignan and more!
