French Travel Blog

5 Reasons to Visit the Loire Valley

Be sure to swing by the outstanding Loire Valley on your next vacation to France for castles, nature and plenty of wine! When you think of France your mind probably goes to the leafy boulevards of Paris or the glittering coastline of the French Riviera . It might even go to the vineyards of Bordeaux . But, there is a beautiful, unassuming part of the country that also deserves your attention and recognition: The Loire Valley . The Loire Valley is just northwest of the centre of France and is named such for its location...

5 Ways to Improve your French Before Your Vacation

Even if your hosts can speak some English, during your vacation in France you will undoubtedly meet people who speak limited or even no English. If you can speak even a smattering of French, you can open a channel of communication between the two of you. Whatever the case, you opened a new door and gave yourself more opportunities . If you have a bit of time before you vacation, why not get a handle on the French language. You’ll be amazed at how many words are similar to English and how easy it is to grasp the basics . Before you know it...

A New Head Gardener at Monet's Home Giverny

Jean-Marie Avisard will be replacing the legendary Gilbert Vahé as head gardener at Giverny , the home of Claude Monet. The job will include keeping the beautiful gardens , which inspired so much of Monet’s work, in pristine condition. This includes the flowerbeds, water garden, and lily ponds and it is no easy task. Jean Marie Avisard, the new head gardener of the Giverny gardens - © Autour de Overblog Gilbert Vahé has been in charge of the gardens since the project was first conceived back in 1977. He then retired in 2011 and was replaced by British...

6 Reasons Why You Should Stay in B&Bs in France

Thinking about travelling through France? Why not stay in a French B&B for a unique and intimate experience? If you want to add an extra layer of authenticity to your travels through France, why not switch up your hotels for some B&Bs? Staying in a Bed & Breakfast is a great way to get an insight into the French way of life. You can observe first-hand how a French family lives and operates and, in doing so, immerse yourself in French culture. What’s more, French B&Bs are limited to just five rooms so you will have an intimate and personal...

7 Reasons to Visit France on a Self-Drive Trip

A vacation to France is guaranteed to be one you will never forget – so long as you do it right. A self-drive trip around France is the best way to explore the country. You become your own tour guide and have complete autonomy as to how you want your holiday to be. Add to that virtually unlimited mobility and the comfort of your own vehicle and you are probably starting to wonder why you’ve never done one of these before. Need a bit more convincing? We have laid out some of the main reasons why you...

Delacroix Exhibition at Louvre in Paris

Eugene Delacroix Painter Louvre Exhibition

must-see exhibition at the Louvre Get your diaries ready. From March 29th until July 23rd of this year , the Louvre will host a Delacroix exhibition. For those unfamiliar with Delacroix, he is one of France’s most celebrated artists and was the talk of the town in the early to mid 1800s. For four months, Paris’s, most famous museum will be exhibiting around 180 pieces of his work. The majority of these masterpieces will be paintings and they will span the entirety of his career to give viewers a complete picture (no pun intended) of his life. Eugene Delacroix Painter (1798 -...

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

Terminal 1 at Paris CDG Airport - Charles de Gaulle new terminal

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

Roman ruins at Arles, Provence - why is france so popular

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 Spain, which comes in second, receiving 82 million visitors per year. The number 3 spot goes to the USA with 78 million. These statistics confirm that France is once again the world's first choice holiday destination, despite a rather turbulent few years. So, what is it exactly that attracts people from all over the world to France? We'll try to boil France down to its essence and show you why it is the...

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 epicenters 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. In this post we share some information about French truffles, how to find them and how to cook with them. We also share some truffle hunting experiences in France (please scroll down if this is what you are most interested in). You may like to find out more about our gourmet tours...

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France

Inside Bourges Cathedral - UNESCO world heritage sites France

In this post, we're listing the UNESCO World Heritage sites in France that are located in the regions that we cover in our tours. The whole of France is famous for its many architectural and historical monuments, and we are happy to include some of these in our self-drive itineraries . Of the 1073 sites on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) list of World Heritage Sites , 43 are in France. It has the fourth largest number of historical sites in the world after Italy (53), China...

Basque Country Cuisine: from Peppers to Pintxos

French gastronomy 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 lesser-known Basque Country cuisine? This region, situated in the South of France and spilling over into Spain , has its own culinary offerings. Unique in many ways, 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 (Piment d’Espelette) Have you ever visited a ...

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