Bonjour, Hope you had a great week. I have had an adventure I can tell you. I’d been asked to help make a film about my favourite region of France – Hauts de France which is made up of the departments of Pas de Calais, Nord and Picardy. But before I even got to get […]
The town of Cognac in the Charente department, south west France makes for a great visit. Especially if you love cognac… And historic towns, gorgeous countryside, sitting at cafés and watching the world go by. Guide to Cognac The name cognac is famous the world over for the fine French brandy made from white wine […]
Le Touquet Paris-Plage is a small seaside resort on the beautiful Opal Coast of northern France. Architecturally it has a mix of British Edwardian and French Belle Epoque styles. Combined with a zest for outdoor living (and its own microclimate), swanky shops and excellent bars and restaurants. It’s a brilliant place for a weekend break […]
Bonjour Hope you had a great week. I’m sending you this newsletter from the back of a Harley Davidson as I’m on a road trip round the most northerly region of France. Join me on Instagram where I’ll be posting photos (and even a few videos) from the Chateau de Chantilly – where I’ll be […]
The majority of people who arrive at the port of Cherbourg in La Manche in Normandy, hit the road and head south. Or the Loire Valley, or somewhere else. Sometimes they stop at Mont Saint-Michel en route, and who can blame them, it’s one of the most famous sites of France. But, this Norman department […]
Neon green and more a syrup than the cream the name suggests – crème de menthe is a favourite in France where it was invented by a pharmacist called Emile Giffard. He worked as a dispensing chemist but he was also a gourmet and was intrigued by the digestive qualities of mint. In 1885 he […]
Royan in the south west of France, in Charente-Maritime, is a classified “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire”. This holiday resort combines the old world charm of the Belle Epoque with modern architecture, a buzzing port and sea front and plenty to see and do in the town and close by. Here’s what to see and do […]
Bonjour Hope you had a great week. Here it feels like autumn is well on the way, there’s a chill in the air in the morning and at night, and the leaves are starting to turn golden in the trees. On my walk with the dogs this morning the signs for fall were clear, the […]
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 […]
When Louis XIV was pondering over how to create the most magnificent palace the world had ever seen, one that truly showed off his glory and absolute power, he can’t have had any idea just how many people would tread in his footsteps and gaze in wonder at his legacy. The Chateau de Versailles is […]
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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 […]
