Vieux Lille, the old town of Lille, is a place of fanciful Flemish facades. Where bars, bistros, boutiques and shops line the cobbled streets which wind their way labyrinth-like around the central Place du Général de Gaulle, known as the grand’Place. Outdoor cafés abound in the ancient city centre, art of all kinds adorns the […]
We’re known for telling you about the very best tours of France. But every now and again, something super special comes up. The Girls Guide to Paris Tour of the French Riviera, following in the footsteps of F Scott Fitzgerald, is nothing short of dazzling…. French Riviera Tour in the footsteps of F Scott Fitzgerald […]
If you’re looking for crowd-dodging, off the beaten-track, fabulous places to holiday in France – check out these inspired choices! French Connections, the UK holiday company that lists thousands of gites all over France, asked us to share three of our favourite secret holiday spots in France. Burgundy, Annecy Mountains and Brittany have it all: beaches, […]
If you love gorgeous French style and exquisite French things, from stunning scented candles to homeware, authentic flea market finds, art, stationery and accessories. Then you’re going to love this globally available, lovely French gift box: My Beautiful French Collection Box. My Beautiful French Collection Box My Beautiful French Collection Box is curated by Annette […]
The far north of France, known as Hauts de France comprising the departments Picardy, Pas-de-Calais and Nord is the perfect road trip destination. A land of castles, seaside resorts, forests and lakes. There are ancient towns and cities, gorgeous countryside and picturesque villages and even Champagne vineyards! If you’re after a road trip that takes […]
Welcome to issue No. 25 of The Good Life France Magazine. Click here to download your Free copy or PDF There’s no paywall, the whole magazine is totally free to read online, download or subscribe – and it always will be. Inside The Good Life France Magazine This issue is stuffed full of fabulous features […]
There are some foods which epitomise the essence of gastronomic greatness – truffles are one of them. And good wine is another. The legendary “black diamonds” of Provence are revered as much top chefs as by local families. They’re added to artistic dishes by master chefs around the world and by keen cooks to enhance […]
Provence has year round charms. From poppy fields in spring to lavender fields in summer and the ripe vineyards of the fall. But in the winter holiday season, festive magic fills the air. If you love sparkle and Christmas décor, if you love great food and wine, culture and art, then this tour of Provence […]
If you fancy hopping in the car, taking the ferry or train to France and enjoying a brilliant beach holiday without crowds – you’re in luck. We asked the experts at French Connections to tell us five of their favourite beach holiday locations in France that are uncrowded as well as fabulous. Pack the car […]
Le Soufflé is considered a culinary masterpiece in France. The word soufflé comes from souffler – to breathe or to puff, and this dish takes puffing to an art form! The first time the recipe for a cheese soufflé was recorded was 1742 in Le Cuisine Modern by Vincent La Chapelle (modern for those times […]
Julia Girard-Gervois of TripUSAFrance organises amazing tours of France. Though she now lives in the USA, she loves to bring a taste of French style to her table. We asked Julia for her top tips to create a French flavour at home… French table style Always make sure that the dinner table is dressed before […]
I’d never heard of this apple pie until I visited the beautiful area of Gers, AKA Gascony. Deep in the hear of rural southern France, it’s like the land that time forgot. Rolling hills, vineyards, orchards and lakes, peppered with tiny villages and medieval towns. It’s a land of plenty and famous for its speciality […]
I’ve been renovating my neglected old farmhouse in rural northern France for some years now. It’s been transformed from a hovel with dirt floors and gaping holes in the roof, bare concrete walls and corrugated iron doors that flapped in the wind into a comfy home. But it needed a bit of a style makeover […]
SEARCHING for FAMILY and TRADITIONS at the FRENCH TABLE BOOK TWO by Carole Bumpus. An amazing culinary adventure through north-west France. This book is so many things, a travelogue, a memoir, but most of all a wonderful celebration French gastronomy. I loved Carole Bumpus’ first book in this series. A celebration of French food, traditions and […]
Lisa Baker Morgan, the author of this memoir is a talented and accomplished woman on several levels. She graduated with a degree in English Literature from the University of Southern California. She has a Juris Doctorate and a culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. She’s an author and has a travel […]
As you wind your way across the plains of the Vaucluse in Provence (all olive groves, lavender and vineyards), you see Oppède le Vieux hanging above you on the north face of the Petit Luberon. It looks haunting and beautiful… The rise… Oppède le Vieux dates back to at least the 12th century. At the […]
Castles you can visit easily in a day trip from Paris include Chenonceau, the gorgeous Castle of Flowers, enchanting Chantilly and fabulous Fontainebleau. If you’re in Paris, we know you’ll have plenty to do and see, but the chateaux of France are super special and when it’s this easy to visit, it really adds something […]
Montpellier, the capital city of Herault, Occitanie was once a tranquil fishing village. Now it’s a cool city with a hip vibe. Our essential guide to Montpellier reveals a city of surprises and beauty. With an average of 300 days a year of sun, a historic centre, architecturally thrilling new town, fabulous bars and restaurants, […]
An estimated 84,000 UK nationals moved across the Channel in 2019 – a 10 year high. Traditionally most home buyers were retired or looking to purchase second homes, but France is an increasingly attractive option for young families and people in their 40’s and 50’s. Affordable property, beautiful countryside and coastline, great food, wine and […]
You find your dream home in France, you can’t wait to move there and start living the good life but there are a few things you need to do first. You’ll need to fill in paperwork and notify authorities in the UK and France, sort out healthcare, maybe inheritance planning, savings, tax and whole host […]
It’s a question that often comes up: “how much income do I need to be able to move to France?” We asked Jennie Poate, a qualified financial advisor in France and the UK to explain about the requirements of an income test for moving to France… Establishing residency in France When I first became an […]
Niort is the capital city of Deux Sèvres in the department of Poitou-Charentes, now renamed Nouvelle Aquitaine, south west France. This small city is home to a maze of twisting narrow streets lined with elegant Renaissance town houses. Remains of a 12th century fortress are now the municipal museum, and weekly markets bring visitors for […]
Fabulous beaches, an historic past and chic towns. If you’re looking to live in France and work in the UK – welcome to the French Riviera of the north… The French Riviera, or Côte d’Azur, is world famous for good reason. But there’s another Riviera in France that is far easier to reach for both […]
The beautiful rural Gers deparment is a little known and forgotten corner of southwest France. For those looking for a laid back lifestyle in la France profonde, a region where the good life is revered, and the people are friendly – Gers is a fabulous place to live. And if teleworking or working from home are […]
Bonjour, I truly hope you and yours are well. I’ve been taking a bit of time out, which is why you’re only hearing from me every two weeks! That doesn’t mean I’m totally relaxing though as the next magazine is in progress. It’s free to subscribe to via the current issue (here), and it’s a […]
The prime summer vacation months in France are July and August, when school is out and the weather is beautiful. Which raises a question: when should a French person go on vacation? The french even have nicknames for those who take a holiday in the summer! Traditionally, most people went in August, when factories closed […]
Everything you need to know about the new rules to enjoy a holiday in France during the Coronavirus pandemic. I’ve had so many questions about France holiday travel and Coronavirus rule, and indeed what life is like here under Covid-19 for visitors So here is a summary that’s up to date as at summer 2020. […]
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The prime summer vacation months in France are July and August, when school is out and the weather is beautiful. Which raises a question: when should a French person go on vacation? The french even have nicknames for those who take a holiday in the summer! Traditionally, most people went in August, when factories closed […]
As a poultry keeper, I’m always amazed by the antics of my birds. I have ducks, chickens and geese – they’re pets, not for the pot, despite the urging of my French neighbours. I love them all but it’s the chickens who for me are the most fascinating. Ducks fight it out to establish a […]
At No. 18, Rue de Paridis, close to the Gare de L’Est is a house of horrors that’s popular with Parisians and visitors alike. Le Manoir de Paris is a theatrical show that’s very unusual. If you want a very different sort of Paris experience from the classic Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre type […]
A couple of years ago now, we went through a torrid time in what is now called “The Year of 52 ducklings”. It was all my fault. As a city slicker, moving to the countryside of northern France has been a bit of a learning curve to put it mildly. And when it comes to […]
Tarn-et-Garonne in south west France is one of the smallest departments in France but that doesn’t mean there’s not plenty to fall in love with. Named for the two mighty rivers which flow through it – the Tarn and the Garonne, it’s an area of outstanding natural beauty, gorges and forests, fields and vineyards pepper […]
History is full of horrible monsters. The Cyclops terrified the ancient Greeks, the Abominable Snowman haunts the Himalayas, and Godzilla stomps on Tokyo from time to time. The French have their own terrible creature and—unlike the others—this one was real. The mysterious Beast of Gévaudan ravaged the French countryside in the 18th century, killing so many […]
One grey dismal day, I took a day trip to northern France to buy some cheap wine with my dad and my husband Mark. My mum had died two years before and my dad, broken-hearted and bereft, turned to whisky to drown his sorrows. I thought getting him to drink wine would be better for […]
The French Mediterranean village of Collioure is nothing short of enchanting. Travel guru Rick Steves refers to it as “paradise reclaimed” – it’s hard to disagree. These gorgeous photos of Collioure, basking in the sun, are sure to make you want to visit… Collioure is everything that describes an idyllic postcard-perfect retreat from modern stresses… […]