French Travel Blog

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 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

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

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 ...

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...

The Best Christmas Markets in France

Colmar at Christmas - Best Christmas markets in France - French Christmas markets

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 Christmas traditions in France are the French Christmas markets. The majority of cities, towns, and even small villages hold traditional Christmas markets for locals and tourists to visit. The best Christmas markets in France are in the regions of Alsace and Provence . First, here's a bit about the history of the Christmas markets and how this links to the...

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...

Cannes Film Festival 2019 - French Riviera's Main Event

When is the Cannes Film Festival 2019? In 2019, the Cannes Film Festival will take place from 14-25 May. One of the most glamorous events on the entertainment calendar, the biggest names in world cinema will once again congregate in the south of France for the 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival 2019. What do you need to know about this year’s 11-day event? Let’s take a look. Who is on the panel of judges ("Le Jury") in 2019? Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu has been confirmed as President of the Jury for the 72nd Cannes...

Visit Lascaux, ‘the Sistine Chapel of Prehistory’

On September 8th 1940, the world was at war and 18-year-old Marcel Ravidat was out walking his dog in a clearing in the region of Lascaux, Dordogne . Suddenly, his dog disappeared. Marcel starting calling out to him, and he eventually found him emerging from a hole in the ground that had been revealed by a tree that had fallen down the year before. Marcel tossed some stones down the hole and listened as they bounced and descended deeper and deeper into an apparent underground abyss. Curiouser and curiouser . Marcel had a feeling he had just stumbled upon something extraordinary...

Loire Valley International Garden Festival

What is a happy home without an equally happy garden to go with it? For many of us, our garden played a pivotal role in our childhood. It’s where our adventures took place, where our imagination was free to develop and where we learnt to value the great outdoors. Years on and gardens are no less important in our life, the only difference is that instead of falling out of trees, we are working out the best place to put a tomato plant. In 1992, the gardens of chateau Chaumont sur Loire opened up for the first ever International Garden Festival and was such a success that the...

10 typical French foods to try in France

When you think of French foods, you probably find that snails, frogs legs and crème brûlée are among the first things to come to mind. However, you’re probably not surprised to hear that the French do not eat snails every day! This article lists some of the delicious and appetizing French dishes that you may not have heard about, and that you should try while you are in France , along with some interesting background information about each dish. La Poule au Pot Poule au Pot , literally ‘chicken in the pot’, would be poached chicken or a chicken casserole in...

10 things to do in France on your wedding anniversary

what to do on your anniversary in France

As part of the service we offer to our travelers, we plan itineraries according to your personal interests and requests. Will you be celebrating a birthday or wedding anniversary in France? Tell us how you'd like to celebrate and we will make it a day to remember! Here are some ideas below, or contact us and we'll give you a list of ideas for romantic getaways to France - just for you! Paris is known throughout the world as being the world’s romantic capital, and understandably so. But the rest of France also has so much to offer: medieval villages, castles,...

The Legends of Mont Saint Michel

In this post we explore some of the myths and legends of the islet of Mont Saint Michel ! Are you just looking for general information about Mont Saint Michel? Then please visit our general page about Mont Saint Michel . Are you looking for tours of Mont Saint Michel ? Then please visit our Mont Saint Michel day tour page or our Normandy tours page . We can arrange guided tours of Mont Saint Michel which avoid the tourist crowds. Mont Saint Michel - ©CRT Normandy ...

Tourte au Poulet - Chicken Pie

This is my grandmother's special chicken pie recipe. We love to eat it to warm up in the winter! We hope you enjoy it. Serves 8 people. Ingredients 1kg of chicken (entire chicken) 200g of chopped bacon 250g of small onions 1 glass of Port (fortified wine) 200g of black olives 200g of mushrooms salt, pepper and herbes de provence garlic, parsley To make the dough: 500g of flour 250g of butter 1.5 cups of water 1 teaspoon of curry powder Cut the chicken into pieces taking out the bones, marinate it with salt, pepper, thyme, garlic, onion, parsley and oil and leave for a few hours. This is the...

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