Nothing beats sipping delicious Champagne in Champagne. It is the drink of choice for celebrations around the world and it is only produced in one beautiful area of France. “Champagne is the only wine that leaves a woman beautiful after drinking it” claimed Madame de Pompadour, the mistress of Louis XV, a woman who was […]
Enjoy a one day watercolour painting workshop in Fourcès, a Plus Beaux Village de France – officially one of the prettiest villages in France. In the heart of the Gers department, this isn’t a holiday experience that you’ll find in the tourist guides. But – that’s what makes it so special. Renowned teacher Ray Johnstone […]
We look at some of the top events in France in February from celebration days to festivals, fairs, carnivals and more… Celebration days in France in February La Chandeleur – Pancake Day in France: 25th February 2020. La Chandeleur or Crêpe Day is the day in France when people traditionally eat crêpes and drink cider! Here’s how […]
Le Havre in Normandy was once a hugely popular seaside resort. After the Paris to Le Havre railway line opened in 1847, it brought Parisians in their droves to enjoy the long beaches and take the fresh sea air. But these days it’s famous for its huge port and for its extraordinary architecture. A mid […]
Whether you’re travelling solo or with friends or family, a week-long escorted tour of Paris with A French Collection is the sort of trip where you’ll make memories and get to experience authentic Paris like a local. You’ll see the most legendary sights. Visit iconic museums and monuments. And, you’ll also go beyond the typical […]
Welcome to the Autumn/Winter 2019 issue of the Good Life France Magazine Click here to download your free copy or PDF Discover three cities that are perfect for a wine themed tour, Alsace (especially with a sprinkling of snow), Bordeaux and Burgundy are fabulous whatever the weather! If you’ve never been to Dinan – you’ll […]
Perhaps all journeys through the Dordogne Valley should start with stuffing yourself with punnets of freshly picked strawberries. At least, that’s how I began my exploration of the Dordogne Valley’s beautiful villages… I had arrived in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne on the day of the town’s Fete de la Fraise, the strawberry festival that celebrates, well, strawberries. Straddling […]
A look at some of the top events in France in January – just because it’s cold out doesn’t meant there’s nothing going on! National holidays and Celebration days in January in France New Year’s Day 1st January is a national holiday in France Celebration day: La Fête des Rois. It’s traditional to eat a […]
Not far from Marseille on the sun-kissed Cote d’Azur, lies a secret piece of Paradise. Unspoiled southern France at its best, seemingly left behind and a world away from the usual busy, crowded beaches and towns. And, in the middle of it, in the medieval town of Ceyreste, with its winding cobbled streets and pretty […]
In parts of the south and southwest France, people are crazy about Cassoulet. It’s a rustic and robust French country stew that typically includes white beans, pork and poultry. It’s been a favourite for hundreds of years in France and legend has it that the origins go back to the Hundred Years War (1337-1453) During […]
The most sensational, lush, delectable French mulled wine, deep ruby red, spicy and deliciously warming, this recipe outranks all others… This vin chaud recipe takes a somewhat different approach to flavouring the wine compared to other recipes. Instead of simmering the wine with the mulling spices, leave it to steep for three days along with […]
In France, Christmas meals lasting anything up to 6 hours are de rigeur. But, with more than 200 wine varieties to choose from – how do you know which are the best wines to drink at Christmas? We asked Laurent Yung of the renowned French wine club, SomMailier for some tips! How the French drink […]
It’s hard to think of anywhere more enchanting than the Dordogne. Around every corner is something that takes your breath away – stunning landscapes, magical chateaux and historic villages. A discovery tour of this part of France is authentic, cultural and downright delicious – it’s famous for its wonderful gastronomy. Take a tour combined with […]
After years having a successful career in Canada, retirement ought to have been something the author, Sue Harper should have looked forward to. However, work-life has structure and purpose; what would life be like without it? Sue’s partner Bonnie, an artist who retired 6 month earlier, was happily enjoying the opportunities this stage in her […]
I have got to start this review by saying that if you are looking for a book about ‘real’ French life, told from an unusual angle, and which will have you laughing your socks off, then this is the book for you! I also have to add that it was so good that most of […]
Perfectly preserved, the picturesque Petite France district in the city of Strasbourg, Alsace, north east France, is one of those places where visitors, on seeing it for the first time, stop in their tracks and whisper “wow”. Pretty half-timbered houses, beautifully decorated bars and restaurants and the sparkling water of the River Ill make this […]
Located to the South West of Toulouse on the River Gers, Auch is the capital of the Gers department and the historical capital of Gascony. One of the best way to explore towns and cities is just follow your nose and get lost. But, there was much to find out about Auch before doing that. […]
Provence is famous for its hilltop towns, known in French as villages perchés. These lovely villages, with their winding, narrow streets, were situated as high as possible, to provide protection against brigands and foreign invaders back in the old days. Today we can enjoy their charm and their fabulous views, while the only invaders are […]
I’ve been giving financial advice to English speaking clients who live outside of their home country for more than 23 years. And for 13 years, I’ve been based in France. The people I help are certainly a varied bunch of folks. Some have settled into their new country and new lifestyle very well. Others not-so-well. […]
Getting established in any new country takes time. Here are some handy hints to help you settle in France… It may seem obvious, but for anyone moving to France, first brush up or learn to speak some French – it will make life easier and, after all, it’s only polite! There’s no getting away from […]
Practical tips on keeping your home in France secure and in good condition when cold weather arrives. These tips will help you get your French property ready for winter. What’s winter like in France? There are many reasons to love winters in France. The crisp blue skies on a clear day, the hearty soups and […]
The department of Maine-et-Loire is in the Pays-de-la-Loire region, also known as Anjou, its historic name. Located at the crossroads of Brittany, Centre, Aquitaine and Normandy in western France it’s a land of castles and vineyards, historic towns and pretty hamlets. We talk to local estate agent Darren Briers about why Maine-et-Loire is a great […]
British stand-up comedian, mod, expat, goat whisperer (maybe) – and now Chambre d’hote host – Ian Moore’s unique insights into life in the Loire Valley will make you laugh out loud… Hosts, Goats and Chambres d’Hôtes There’s a point in my first or second book, probably both, where my wife, Natalie, and I sit down […]
France is renowned the world over for its outstanding collection of historic buildings. Châteaux in particular are strategically scattered the length and breadth of the country. And, many are for sale as private homes and hotels. What does Monument Historique mean? Simple barns, Cistercian abbeys, ancient fortresses and fairy tale châteaux all have one thing […]
Bonjour Hope you had a good week. Here I think the most exciting thing to happen is the placement of new plastic life-sized Jersey cows on a traffic roundabout near where I live. I’m really not sure if they are for the benefit of drivers or the real cows who are in the fields on […]
Fourcès in the Gers department is officially one of the prettiest villages in France. With medieval arcades, beautiful walkways, quirky shops and several restaurants, it’s a fabulous place to while away a few hours admiring its beauty. Here’s what to see in Fourcès… What to see and do in Fourcès “It is” said my guide […]
Bonjour Hope you had a great Christmas! Here, my animals were spoiled. The dogs got chews, the cats got toys and the chickens and ducks got treats. Everyone got a bit more chat and cuddle time on Christmas Day including Ronnie and Reggie, AKA the Kray cockerels. These beautiful brothers are inseparable and strut around […]
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On summer evenings, the swallows dip and swoop in nervous arcs as if anxious to protect, or preserve, the close of day in its melancholy stillness. A light hovers over Collioure, on the Vemillion Coast in the Pyrenees-Orientales. Caught in a pale brushstroke of watercolor blue, a wash which holds the houses together as they […]
Paris is an ancient, time-shifting, secret society. I made it to the ripe old age of 61 by creating plans and organizing my life around them. This should come as no surprise. The clearest memory I have of my father is him sitting at the breakfast table looking from my sister to my brother then […]
In the centre of Paris you can visit a café that’s also a cosy refuge for abandoned cats. Highly recommended for cat and coffee lovers! Margaux Grandelon opened her first Cat Café in 2013 in the Marais district. I visited her second little establishment close to the Bastille monument at 9, Rue Sedaine and enjoyed […]
In August 2014, I gave up my job teaching English in Lyon to house-sit a farm in Vienne and write a novel. I wasn’t particularly looking for the literary good life. I just wanted a break from the city. Six months later I finished it. But the elation was short-lived. I didn’t like it at […]
We chat to Rosy Rabson, a British expat who retired to Burgundy and run a gite from which all proceeds go to charity. Based in the Morvan area, with its regional natural park, a land of ancient castles, picturesque villages, forests and lakes, it is a largely undiscovered by tourists part of France – and […]
Katharine Tasker from London upped sticks in the city and moved to the sticks in rural northern France. With her she brought a sprinkling of urban style to her new build home and thriving new business, a café and shop… Pas de Calais is a region of meadows and forests, the countryside is criss crossed […]
British stand-up comedian, mod, expat, goat whisperer (maybe) – and now Chambre d’hote host – Ian Moore’s unique insights into life in the Loire Valley will make you laugh out loud… Hosts, Goats and Chambres d’Hôtes There’s a point in my first or second book, probably both, where my wife, Natalie, and I sit down […]
Making friends in France isn’t difficult I’ve found. They don’t care if my French is not great or I get my grammar all wrong. They don’t even care that much that I am “Flop chef not Top Chef” and can barely grill a bit of French bread without spoiling it. But there are some things […]