In a series of short stories of love, life and Paris, Guy Hibbert’s eloquent writing portrays the pulse of the city and the lives and loves of some of its inhabitants over a century. Standalone stories but in some, their fates intertwine in a clever twist that gives the book a coherence you don’t often […]
Maureen Emerson has written a truly fascinating book about life on the French Riviera and two of the men who shaped its style in the early 20th century. About Maureen Emerson Maureen lived in Provence for 20 years, working as a local co-ordinator for CBS and NBC at media festivals in Cannes. Over the year, […]
A trip to France as a teenager by this talented author, awakened a lifelong love of France, its culture, food, and people. This love resulted in the beautiful Dordogne area, and in particular the village of Frettignac, becoming the setting for an intriguing mystery story. However, the tale actually begins in Manchester in the UK, […]
American Diane Covington-Carter was obsessed with France. She had spent her youth listening to her father’s wartime tales, studying French, and saving every spare penny to go there on her junior year abroad when she finished school. Alas this was not to be, and instead she found herself becoming a young married mother. However, two […]
Now you can discover the truth about what it is like to host helpers for your projects in your own home. Karen Luff, the author, left her native UK with her husband and five-year-old son for a new life in France in 2005. The large house they fell in love with is called Le Chataignier, […]
What do you get when you have two authors, Noël Balen a writer and musician with over thirty mystery books to his name, and his corporate lawyer wife Vanessa Barrot who originates from a family of Parisian restaurant owners? The answer is: a great murder mystery story set in Lyon, the second largest city in […]
Marie-Antoinette, that’s all you have to say and most people will know immediately that you’re talking of the Queen of France who lost her head. She is a legend more than 200 years after her death. Famous for her fashion and her farmhouse at the Chateau of Versailles. Famous for her scented gloves and silk […]
The third novel by Patricia Dixon sees a festive return to the tiny French village of Pierre de Fontaine. Nestled amongst the sleepy hills and misty valleys of the Loire you will be transported to crisp, winter mornings and star filled, moonlit nights. Relax around a glowing log fire and enjoy a taste of Noël […]
Who isn’t inspired by France, with its fascinating history and culture, scenic landscapes, historic towns and villages and amazing food and wine? For writers in particular, all this adds up to plenty of material to write about. Moving to France might provide more time, space and inspiration to write, but it can restrict access to […]
Patricia Sands, the author of the Love in Provence series returns to the South of France with a poignant portrait of a woman who must learn how to create a new life for herself… Sixty-two-year-old Arianna arrives in the South of France for a two-week artists’ workshop full of anticipation but burdened by guilt. Back […]
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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 […]