National Holiday in France: Christmas Day (Noël) December 25 Licques: Festival des Dindes, 14 -15 December 2018. A charming festival where turkeys are celebrated in the little town of Licques Hauts-de-France (Pas de Calais). Held over a weekend, on Sunday morning, hundreds of turkeys are released to “rampage” through the streets accompanied by local brotherhoods […]
We take a look at what’s on in France 2019… National Holidays in France November 2019 1st November 2019 La Toussaint – All Saints’ Day. All over France, pots of chrysanthemums are placed on graves as loved ones who have passed on are remembered. 11th November Armistice 1918 – commemorative services will be held all […]
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 […]
We don’t think you need a lot of reasons to spend the holiday season in France. The fabulous festive markets, awesome food and wine, cakes and cheese are reason enough! But, just in case, we asked the France experts at holiday rental company French Connections to share some of their favourite places to spend Christmas […]
The Paris-Brest cake was invented in 1910, by pastry chef Louis Durand of Patisserie Durand in Maisons-Laffitte. It was inspired by the famous cycle ride between Paris and Brest in Brittany. The round elements represent the wheel of a bike. The cake is made from choux pastry, filled with praline cream and garnished with flaked […]
Quiche Lorraine originated from the German “kuchen” meaning cake, and it’s the grandmother of all savoury pies. Quiche Lorraine originated in Lorraine in the north east of France where it’s been made since at least the 17th century, and is said to have been baked by the chef at the court of Stanislas, the former […]
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 – […]
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 […]
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 […]
Swap the last minute shopping frenzy, the crowds, traffic and stress – and plan a relaxing break with family and friends in France. Whether it’s a chance to ski in the snow covered alps, a bit of winter sunshine in the south or the fabulous Christmas markets of the north – there’s something to please […]
.
.
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 […]
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 […]