Christmas at the Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte combines a historic, stunning castle with a fairy-tale-like festive display. In 1661, the famous French writer and poet Jean de la Fontaine wrote of the Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte: The stage was set with green so lush, and by a hundred torches lit; Once curtain raised, all Vaux was hushed. […]
Christmas markets Paris 2019, the dates, details and locations. Take in the sight of the twinkling city of light, warm up with a chocolat chaud or mulled wine. Wander the cobbled streets, elegant squares and legendary public gardens. The Christmas markets of Paris will definitely bring out the happy in you! The Christmas lights will […]
Roubaix in northern France, once an industrial powerhouse city has undergone a regeneration and is emerging as a centre of art and culture … A once thriving textile town, Roubaix is a district that’s undergone enormous change as the world of industrial output has shifted. No longer the powerhouse of production that it once was, […]
Winter is a great time to visit Paris, the crowds are thin (except at Christmas), the cobbled streets on the hill of Montmartre glisten with frost and the city of light is as vibrant and bustling as ever. Any time of the year, this is a city you should wander. But in winter in Paris, […]
A visit to Bordeaux’s stunning vineyards and fairytale chateaux must feature on any wine lover’s bucket list. But with so many superb quality producers and cultural treasures to choose from, how on earth do you put together the perfect Bordeaux itinerary? We asked Laurent Yung, founder of SomMailier wine club in the US. He’s a […]
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 […]
Rachel Ifans and schoolfriend Lucy Shrimpton decided to throw their kids in a pair of twin campervans and go in search of Autumn sun in the Vaucluse. Here’s Rachel’s report of their road trip… We flew from London Gatwick to Marseille with Easyjet. On arrival we picked up our hire vans there, using a company […]
Christmas is when Paris really does live up to its name as the City of Light. Wandering along charming squares and frosty cobbled streets where the breath-taking ancient architecture of this historic city provides the perfect backdrop for the twinkling Christmas lights in December is magical. The city can be very cold in winter so […]
Take in the magic of Christmas as you explore these markets, whether located in city centres or in smaller villages. Found in each department of the Pays de la Loire region, they showcase a dreamlike setting and invite visitors to stock up on original gifts. Christmas market Angers (Anjou) In historic Angers, the Place du […]
Snails in garlic butter are the ultimate French appetiser and they’re actually quite easy to prepare at home. You can cook and serve them in shells but I like them cooked in a special snail gratin dish. If you don’t have one, use an oven proof dish to suit. Snails are a much loved dish […]
This gooey-centred chocolate pudding is irresistible! It’s not known exactly who invented it or when though french chef Michel Bras claims to be the creator. But, whoever it was, we should all be thankful for this mellow, melt-in-your mouth classic. Here’s how to make chocolate fondant cake at home… Ingredients for 4 2 oz bittersweet […]
If someone asked, “What are the wines of Popes and Presidents?” what would you say? You might guess Bordeaux or Burgundy or maybe even Champagne. But the right answer is the wines of the Rhône Valley. The mighty Rhône River bursts forth from Lake Geneva in Switzerland and flows 500 miles south to the Mediterranean […]
The south of France is defined by its colour. Azure blue skies, the deep purple of lavender fields, olive orchards, bright yellow sunflowers and lemons. Ruby red poppy fields, the turquoise Mediterranean and wine dark grapes in the vineyards. Everywhere you go, the colours of Provence and southern France are captured in a keepsake – […]
France is the most visited country in the world with a whopping 90 million people coming to discover its charms in 2018. It’s no wonder l’Hexagone as France is nicknamed by the French (due to its shape) is so popular: with a diverse landscape which includes mountains, glorious countryside, beautiful beaches, vineyards, historic cities and […]
Learning French can be difficult for many people. In fact, the internet has plenty of ways to learn French online. We’ve done the research and created a list of the 5 best ways to learn French on the internet. While some of these learning styles are obvious, some of the ways you can learn French […]
If you love cities filled with beautiful, historic buildings. If you love fantastic food and wonderful wines. And if you love museums, galleries, sitting at terraced cafés watching the world go by as you sip a delicious local wine, impossibly fabulous street markets, great wine bars and a vibrant friendly vibe – then add Dijon […]
A nine-day tour of the south of France in July taking in the lavender fields of Provence which are at their blooming best… Medieval villages, magnificent castles, cafés with tables and chairs spilling out onto cobbled streets and little squares. Narrow streets lined with pastel coloured houses, shops and galleries. Gastronomic good, wonderful wines and […]
Strasbourg in the north east of France in Alsace (now known as Grand Est), is a city of medieval houses, glorious architecture, fabulous restaurants, cultural venues, wine and art, watery arteries and stunning buildings – there’s something for everyone to fall in love with here… The best way to visit Strasbourg is on foot. You’ll […]
Journalist Jenny Eagle left London for a new life in Montpellier, Occitanie (formerly Languedoc Roussillon). She fell head over heels for the stunning architecture, the vibrant buzz of the city and beautiful beaches. We talk to Jenny about what it’s like to live in Montpellier… What did you do before you moved to France? I […]
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 […]
When Brits Angel Adoree and husband Dick Strawbridge swapped their 2-bedroom flat in Southend, Essex, and bought the fairy-tale-like Chateau-de-la-Motte Husson in Mayenne, Pays de la Loire for £280,000, their adventures were filmed for a British TV Show. Escape to the Chateau was a massive hit. Viewers were captivated as they watched the couple fall […]
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 great week. Here in my little office, which was once a pigsty, I’m trying to finish writing my next book which is scheduled to be published in spring or summer of 2020. So, for a couple of months, the newsletter will be every other week as I focus on the […]
If you take your Christmas shopping seriously, you’ll find it hard to find a more inspiring city in Europe than Lille. Not only are there almost 4000 shops in this historic city in northern France but there is also the super festive Lille Christmas market and cultural attractions galore… Festive fun at Lille Christmas market […]
It’s amazing how many people visit Boulogne-sur-Mer on the Opal Coast in northern France and never even know that there’s a truly special old town. Vielle Boulogne, enclosed by ancient ramparts is even more magical at Christmas. Enter the old town through the immense stone gates cut into the high walls and discover a real […]
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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 […]
Honfleur is a French fishing village in the department of Calvados, Normandy. It sits on the southern bank of the Seine estuary where the great river flows into the Atlantic Ocean. If you love authentic old French towns, then you will find Honfleur one of the most beautiful there is. What to see in Honfleur […]
The Lot-et-Garonne department is in the southwestern of the Nouvelle Aquitaine region (previously Midi-Pyrénées). It’s has been described as “the France that you always hoped existed but could never quite find”. It’s idyllic; a paradise… Discovering Fongrave I looked over at my friend as she was talking feverishly about the still, quiet beauty of the […]
If you’re looking for a fun way to visit northern France, Les Belles Echappees in Saint Omer fits the bill. Located within the peaceful Ferme de L’Abbaye at Clairmarais, this family run organisation hires out restored classic vintage vehicles. Choose from sparkling VW camper vans to prestigious Citroen 2CV cars and VW convertible Beetles. There’s […]
Sur le Pont d’Avignon L’on y danse, l’on y danse Sur le Pont d’Avignon L’on y danse tous en rond Many of us learned that song as kids, about the famous Pont d’Avignon in Provence (real name: Pont Saint-Bénézet). For those of us lucky enough to visit Avignon and see the bridge in all its […]
I love all my animals, five cats, three dogs, four geese, 13 ducks and 25 chickens. They’re part of the family though the birds don’t live in the house with us. At least not permanently. When they’re a bit poorly, I’ll bring them in for some TLC until they’re well enough to go out. Sometimes […]