French Travel Blog

5 French Festivals You Should Experience

When it comes to festivals, France knows what it is doing. We go all out, whatever the occasion, with music, food, parades and more . But, there are a lot of festivals in France, ranging from celebrity-studded, glamorous events to religious ceremonies , steeped in tradition. While all of the festivals have something fun and unique to offer, there are some that really stand out . Here are our suggestions of five of the best French festivals that you really should experience at least once in your lifetime. Cannes Film...

Charles de Gaulle Airport to Have New Terminal by 2024

By 2024, Paris’s main airport, Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle will have a fourth terminal. This will come just in time for the arrival of the Olympic athletes when Paris hosts the 2024 Olympic Games. The summer games are expected to take place between July 26 th and August 11 th . Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Currently, Charles de Gaulle airport is the 10th busiest airport in the worl d and the second busiest in Europe, after London. On average, the airport receives almost 70 million passengers per year. Its busiest routes are to New York, London, Barcelona and Dubai. The...

Why France is the World’s Top Tourist Destination

Eiffel Tower in Paris, France - a popular tourist destination

It should come as no surprise to know that France is the world’s most popular tourist destination . With 89 million visitors every year, France is a head and shoulders above the number 2 spot, which goes to Spain with 82 million visitors per year, and the number 3 spot, which goes to the USA with 78 million. These statistics confirm that France is once again the world's number one choice of destination, despite a rather turbulent few years. So, what is it exactly that makes France so incredible? We'll try to boil France down to its essence and show you why it is the most popular tourist...

Disneyland Paris Set for Major Expansion

Disneyland Paris is about to get an impressive new $2.5 billion expansion over the next few years. Those in charge have remained tight-lipped about the details of this expansion but we have managed to extract the basic gist from the powers that be. It looks like three brand new areas are going to be added to the park in the biggest expansion since the park first opened in 1992 . Situated just outside the French capital, Paris, Disneyland Paris has long been captivating visitors from around the world. Did you know that Disneyland Paris alone accounts for...

Saint Malo Named the Nicest Beach in France

Need a beach break? Head over to Saint Malo and check out France's best beaches Saint Malo Beach in Brittany, France When you think about beaches in France your mind probably conjures up images of the French Riviera . Nice, Biarritz, Montpellier and Cannes are generally considered the top beach hotspots in France. However, this does not mean that the North of France should be overlooked - in fact, Saint Malo has just been chosen as the best beach spot in France! Brittany...

Soar Over Paris With FlyView

Have you ever wondered what Paris looks like from up above? Well, thanks to FlyView’s new virtual reality experience, now you can find out. The premise of this spectacular new attraction is simple – let people soar over Paris, without a plane. Of course, you won’t actually be attached to a jet pack as you gaze down upon this bustling metropolis, but it will feel like you are. FlyView over Paris This new type of cultural attraction has already taken off in North America with FlyOver Canada and FlyOver USA. The simulator lets individuals feel like they are zooming through the air...

WWI Sites in France

War Memorials in France, WW1 sites in France

World War 1 was characterised by death and misery along the Western Front , a stretch of land that covered around 400 miles of France and Belgium . Soldiers fought one another in mud-filled trenches, greatly suffering from the poor conditions. Nowadays, this part of Europe has been transformed into a number of thriving towns and villages that live at peace with one another, no doubt thanks to the efforts of our valiant fighters. However, what took place here during the First World War has not and will not be forgotten. The former Western...

Normandy’s WWII Sites

Interested in European history? Normandy is rich with fascinating memorials and museums commemorating some of Europe's darkest days The beaches in Normandy are of great historical importance . It was here that, on the fateful day of the 6th June 1944, also known as D-Day , the Allies invaded Normandy and began the liberation of Nazi-controlled north-western Europe. On the first day, around 160,000 troops landed on the beach and by the end of June, one million soldiers had crossed the English Channel and marched on to the...

The 2018 Ryder Cup in France

Everything you need to know about the 2018 Ryder Cup in France This year, France will be the second country in Continental Europe to host the prestigious Ryder Cup . This provides an excellent and unique opportunity for golf lovers to witness the ultimate golfing tournament and also to explore some of France’s most beautiful regions. The Ryder cup will take place from the 25-30 September of 2018 at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines , a suburb of Paris . The convenient location of the tournament means that...

The Marriage of King Louis XIV and Maria Theresa of Spain

Did you know that King Louis XIV got married in Saint-Jean-de-Luz? Well, wouldn't you? In 1660, King Louis XIV of France was wedded to the Infanta Maria Theresa of Spain . The title infanta was given to the children of the king in Spain and Portugal. While the marriage itself was not a particularly happy one – King Louis had numerous public love affairs – the story of the wedding has gone down in history as being somewhat legendary. The reason the marriage was arranged in the first place was to ease the growing tensions...

9 Reasons to Visit the Southwest of France

france-just-for-you-abbadia-castle-basque-country

There are hundreds of reasons why you should visit the Southwest of France, but here are our top 9! For many people visiting France, the Southwest region, which encompasses the Basque Country , will be the highlight of their trip. With beautiful landscapes and fabulous cuisine , there is something for everyone in this part of the country. Yet, it is not just what first meets the eye that makes the Southwest of France so special. Dig a little deeper and you will find a rich history and fascinating cultural heritage, which permeates the...

Truffle hunting in France

The regions of Burgundy and Dordogne are known for being the epicentres of truffle hunting in France. French truffles are widely considered haute cuisine products. Not only is their taste uniquely pungent, but they are also incredibly elusive compared with most other ingredients. WHAT IS A FRENCH TRUFFLE? You may well have received a box of truffles for birthday or Christmas. However, when we talk about truffles in France in haute cuisine terms, we're not referring to chocolate! We mean 'the diamond of the kitchen', some of the most expensive and exquisite aromatic mushrooms in the world...

France's UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Out of the 1073 sites on the list from all over the world, France contains 43 of these sites making it the country with the fourth most concentrated variation of historical sites in the world , only after Italy (53), China (52), and Spain (46). France has always been known for its history and culture, which can often be noticed within the country's architecture and historic monuments . This has been highlighted even further through the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) list of World Heritage Sites...

The Food of the Basque Country

French cuisine has long reigned supreme on the world’s culinary stage. Fine wines, fresh baguettes and strong cheeses are just some of the gastronomic delights for which France is famed. But, what about the less-known region of the Basque Country? This region, situated in the South of France and spilling over in to Spain , has its own culinary offerings. Unique in many ways, there is a lot to be said for the gastronomy here. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting dishes that can be found on the menus of the Basque Country . The Espelette Pepper (...

Christmas Traditions in Provence

Situated in the South of France, most people think of Provence as a summer destination . With abundant nature, there is plenty of fun to be had exploring the region’s diverse and beautiful landscapes under the never-ending sunshine. Yet, there is a lot more to Provence than just days out in the sun. Come Christmas time, the whole region transforms into a winter wonderland. The region has its own special Christmas customs and this makes the festive season here particularly magical. The festivities run from the 4 th of December right through...

Christmas Markets in France

France is known for its heritage, culture and traditions. The Christmas holiday period in France is no different with a large number of traditional events happening all over the country. One of the main traditions are the French Christmas markets: the majority of cities, towns and even small villages hold traditional markets for locals and tourists to visit. Now, the 2 regions where Christmas traditions are the strongest are undoubtedly Alsace and Provence . Saint Nicholas Tradition French Christmas markets can be traced back to the traditions and legends of Saint Nicholas...

Les Machines de L'Ile in Nantes

As we are always working to improve our tours and looking for new places of interest to include, we decided to pay a visit to the city of Nantes, at the border between Pays de la Loire and Brittany, to see ‘ Les Machines de l’île’ , a unique and ever-growing world of mechanical animals. Engineering enthusiasts will be fascinated by this place, developed by artists François Delarozière and Pierre Orefice. It evokes both the imaginary, invented world of Jules Verne and the mechanical universe of Leonardo da Vinci , and is a tribute...

Brand New Loire Valley’s Château of Azay-le-Rideau

Located in Indre-et-Loire district is the château of Azay-le-Rideau, a castle built between 1518 and 1527, to protect the town of Chinon and surrounding area. In 1791 the ruins of the castle were purchased by Marquis Charles de Biencourt in the hope that he would restore the castle to its former glory. The family worked hard and added an English inspired garden to the grounds. Azay castle was finally restored and descendants of the Biencourt opened it to the public in 1850. In 1905 after having several owners, Azay-le-Rideau castle was purchased by the state and given protective and...

20 Insider Tips for Traveling to France

Have you always wanted to travel to France but aren't sure where to even begin? France is home to some of the world's best art, most delicious food and wine, and beautiful landscapes, but in many cases, you need to go off the beaten path to experience them. It can be very hard to decide which sites to see when you're planning a trip to France, and where you should go to get the full, authentic French experience. If you book a tour with France Just For You , we will take care of everything. Our aim is to plan the perfect trip for you so that you can see the best of France through our eyes...

Paris Exhibitions You Can’t Miss This Summer

Picasso Primitif in Musée du Quai Branly - Paris

There are few cities in the world that can rival Paris when it comes to culture. Museums such as Le Louvre and Orsay , galleries and pop-up exhibitions can be found around every corner of this magnificent city – all of which have their own unique charm and appeal. From the famous Musée de l'Orangerie and Centre Pompidou to the lesser known halls of Musée Carnavalet or Maison La Roche, Paris has something for everyone. Even children or teenagers can join in the fun thanks to nice treasure hunts to the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay. But, with so much going on, it’s hard to decide which exhibitions...

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