Reims Christmas market is one of the best in France and attracts a lot of visitors. There’s a reason for that, not only is it truly festive and incredibly pretty, it’s also fun. And, let’s not forget the Champagne connection! What’s on at Reims Christmas Market 2018 Just 45 minutes from Paris by train, Reims Christmas […]
On national holidays in France most shops and many public buildings and even tourist attractions can be shut. If you know where you want to visit check in advance to make sure it’s open on a French public holiday. Many public museums and galleries are free to the public on the first Sunday of the […]
On the northeast coast of Normandy’s Cotentin Peninsula lies the picturesque fishing village of Barfleur. With just 700 residents, this petite village, has an authentic feel and is largely untouched by tourism. Though small, there is still plenty to see here and it is definitely worth a detour if you are in the area or […]
We look at some fabulously festive places to visit in France for Christmas 2018. Alsace Head for Strasbourg‘s Christmas market, known locally as the Christkindelsmarik, the oldest in Europe. From 23 November to 30 December, beautiful lights and decorations in the most festive Christmas market with the tallest decorated Christmas tree in Europe. Take a […]
Christmas is when Paris really does seem to live up to its name as the City of Light and the Christmas lights in Paris 2018 promise to bring a feeling of magic to the festive season. The city can be cold at Christmas so wrap up warm and wear comfortable shoes because the best way […]
The Good Life France Magazine Autumn 2018 issue is out – and it’s totally free to read online, download a PDF and subscribe to. There’s no catch, sometimes the best things in life really are free. Just click here to access it: The Good Life France Magazine Autumn 2018 What’s in the autumn issue of […]
Hundreds of wonderful festivals take place in France for Christmas – from quirky and authentic events like the Licques Turkey Parade to the huge Festival of Lights in Lyon attended by huge crowds. Going to a Christmas market is one of the great festivities of the season – so, where ever you are in France […]
Christmas markets Paris: Join in the fun, enjoy the ambience and get some fab goodies for the festive season… The Christmas lights will be switched on in Paris on 22 November. Thousands of lights and decorations in more than 125 squares and streets will twinkle, flash and glitter. The ‘Scintillance’ lights display by Blachère Illuminations […]
On a hot summer’s night, after dinner at the lovely Hotel Le Grand Monarque in the bijou town of Azay-le-Rideau, I decided to stroll through the town’s pretty little streets. I was sure I could take a peek at the famous Chateau through its ornate iron gates, ahead of a visit planned for the next […]
You may not know what a tian is, but if you’ve seen the movie Ratatouille, you’ll be familiar with a version of this presentation of vegetables sliced thinly, cooked and served in an elegant stack. The dish you see in the movie was created by Chef Thomas Keller (of The French Laundry, among other restaurants), […]
The gastronomy of Nice is part of its heritage. It’s one of only two cities in France to do so. Lyon, often called the gastronomic capital of France, is the other one. Lyon had better look out though because Nice is catching up. And, if you ask a Nicois, they will of course assure you […]
This delicious recipe for crème caramel comes from the cook book In the French Kitchen with Kids: Easy, Everyday Dishes for the Whole Family to Make and Enjoy by Mardi Michels of popular blog eat.live.travel.write In her first book, Mardi shows that French food doesn’t have to be complicated. The result is an elegant, approachable cookbook featuring […]
If you really want to improve your French, then a total immersion course in France is the very best way to do it. It’s also a lot of fun when you join Goût et Voyage, the taste and travel company, on their fabulous week long cultural and gastronomic full French immersion course in the heart […]
The river and gorges of the Tarn are well known and undoubtedly it’s worth losing yourself for a while here in what is the deepest canyon in France. But this really is a place where the vastness of nature meets the enormity of human creation. And, if the Pont du Gard transports you back to […]
Do you speak a little French but want to learn how to speak with a real French accent and increase your knowledge of both the language and France whilst having a brilliant time? Or perhaps you’re a beginner and you would love to start your journey of learning French in a fun and authentic atmosphere. […]
Toulouse is around 60 miles from the Spanish border and its sunny neighbour definitely influences the flavour of this vibrant city. From lively bistros and bodegas in elegant squares to a penchant for tango dancing and al fresco dining, lively Toulouse is a great place for a city break. There’s plenty to do and see […]
Christmas Eve in Paris – there’s nowhere quite like it. Lights sparkle in the streets and windows twinkle with tempting displays. People with a spot of final shopping to do dash about and those lucky enough to be finished their purchases take a break, wrapped up warm, sipping hot chocolate or perhaps Champagne at a […]
Approach the town of Cassel in the department of Nord, Hauts-de-France, from the flat countryside passing field after field. Cars wind their way helter-skelter-like, up and around the Mont of Cassel until suddenly, they reach the cobbled roads that lead into the small town with big views at the top of this famous hill of […]
As an expat in France, when you search for a financial adviser, how can you be assured that they are right for you? In principle there are three categories of adviser: Tied, Restricted and Independent. Tied Advisers in France In France there are insurance company agents working almost in every town – they typically represent just […]
When it comes to celebrating your wedding in France, there’s loads of choice for romantic venues and places that will create the memories you want from your special day. If you want to have a party or celebration of your wedding in France – that’s easy, just pick a venue that’s in the area you […]
Mike Collins from the UK went to France as a young man to study languages. He got a job with a large company and in his job he travelled a lot around France. He loved discovering new places and new tastes and developed a penchant for snails, the very French foodie favourite. On a whim, […]
France’s Atlantic coastline offers something for everyone, from Brittany’s wild and rugged Finistère to the chic beach towns around La Rochelle, to surfing meccas around Biarritz. Liz Rowlinson asks the experts at Leggett Immobillier to pick five tempting places for you to consider… Starting in the north, where Brittany juts far out into the Atlantic, […]
Peter Friend, joint owner of the award winning B&B La Villa Mazamet in the Tarn shares his top tips. The villa has been named France’s top luxurious B&B for several years and, says Peter, there are lots of things you can do to make your own B&B have a better chance of success… Location Location […]
If you could start a new life in France, where would you go and what would you do? Out of the 4 million Brits currently living abroad, around 150,000 live in France. While the majority are over 55, according to an HSBC report, France is rated third in the world for families, partly because school […]
Bonjour Hope you had a great week. This morning I was up way before the sun rose. I couldn’t sleep, I have no idea why, I’m off to Paris next week so perhaps it’s excitement! I made a cup of tea and headed out the garden to my little office in the pigsty to do […]
We talk to Suzanne Sutton who left the UK for Languedoc Roussillon, southern France. She’s an agent for the award-winning Leggett Immobillier French Estate Agents and says this sunny area is great for expats to live. Where do you live in France? I live in a little village of around 90 residents, called Granès, in […]
Bonjour Hope you had a great week. Here everything is about commemorating the centenary of the end of the Great War this weekend. Everywhere I go in the north of France there are posters detailing remembrance events. Trees are adorned with poppy and cornflower coverings (you can see a photo here on my Instagram page). […]
We talk to Suzanne Sutton who left the UK for Languedoc Roussillon, southern France. She’s an agent for the award-winning Leggett Immobillier French Estate Agents and says this sunny area is great for expats to live. Where do you live in France? I live in a little village of around 90 residents, called Granès, in […]
Mike Collins from the UK went to France as a young man to study languages. He got a job with a large company and in his job he travelled a lot around France. He loved discovering new places and new tastes and developed a penchant for snails, the very French foodie favourite. On a whim, […]
Sometimes I get France. And sometimes I don’t. Take the law for instance. In my local café in which the locals gather to gossip, a recent topic of debate was about the misfortunes of a baker who owns a boulangerie near Troyes in the Champagne region. He decided to open his boulangerie 7 days a […]
I first visited the Aude department in 2006 and found a rural area rich in history with great food, fabulous markets and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. My hosts brought me to the river at Rennes Les Bains where hot water from deep under the ground pours out through a pipe in the wall. In the […]
We talk to American expat and tour guide Sue Aran who tells how her heart was won by a house in Gascony despite many trials and tribulations… My husband and I first travelled from Seattle, Washington to Gascony in May 2006 with a couple of friends, looking for a house to purchase together. All of […]
With its medieval towns and villages, wild impressive coastline and abundant forests, picturesque Brittany offers its visitors so much more than just homemade cider and galettes dripping in ham and cheese. Whole days can be devoted to meandering the narrow cobblestone streets and charming squares lined with crooked half-timbered houses. But, as night falls be […]
Saint Omer cathedral in northern France has grace and beauty. It doesn’t have the conventional architectural detail of sculpture encrusted entrance doors. But, it does contain priceless art works so typical of the great cathedrals of France. Here those artworks hang in dark, dusty corners without pomp and formality. Saint Omer cathedral has it’s own […]
The chances are that if you visit Provence from mid-June to mid-August – you have lavender on your mind and in your sights. Though Provence is well known for the fragrant purple blooms, it is not grown in abundance throughout the whole of Provence, though you will find fields of the purple blooms during your […]