Blog
In this section, you’ll find all the Oliver’s France posts: regional destinations, travel tips, France-wide activities, language tools, food, and much more. To go directly to regional destinations, click on the Regional tab on the menu, or click on one of the photos in the regional section on the home page. If you have something particular you want to find, there’s a search bar on the right side of the menu. And for a listing of all categories and posts, click HERE.
10 Famous French Pastries (and where to find them)
10 Famous French Pastries One of the iconic treasures visitors most seek in Paris is the French pastry. It’s known around the world for good reasons. They don’t just look good! The taste equals the artistic appearance. There are 1300 bakeries in Paris. Most...
French Wine Basics
One of the pleasures France is most known for is its wine. Centuries of careful crafting, along with ideal climate and soil combinations, have made France stand out as a producer of quality wines known around the world. Some references claim there are 330 unique wine...
Le Marais: A Must-Visit in Paris
The next time you’re in Paris, Le Marais is one neighborhood you should have on your must-visit list during your trip. What is Le Marais? The word marais in French means swamp or wetlands (marsh.) This area was once marshy, but in the 12th century was drained...
Holiday Gifts to Prepare for France Travel
As I write this, fall is well-rooted in France. Temperatures have fallen to the low to mid-60s and there’s rain in the forecast all week. Southern France might do a bit better, but not for long. Winter is coming. The arrival of winter might make us think about...
Colorful Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of my favorite places on the Mediterranean. It’s just two stops on the train from Nice, so it’s perfect for a day trip. All of the wonderful day trips possible from Nice are also near Villefranche. For a longer...
Amazing Eze Village
Amazing Eze Village...Perched over the Riviera No trip to the Nice area would be complete without visiting Eze Village, perched on the steep hillside between Monaco and St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat. It hangs over the Mediterranean like a medieval jewel, 1400 feet above sea...
Introducing: The Oliver’s France Store (check it out!)
An Exciting Announcement from Oliver’s France For the last eight years, Oliver’s France has showcased some of the best things to do all across France. It sweeps every corner of this incredibly varied and fabulous country from an insider’s perspective, giving...
Hyères, A Dream Destination
Hyères, A Dream Destination If you’re looking for a dreamy destination on the Cote d’Azur, one that isn’t overrun by tourists, consider Hyères (pronounced Yaire). But it isn’t a village, either, with about 50,000 full-time inhabitants. You’ll see right away why...
Bountiful Bonnieux!
Bonnieux, Provence Bonnieux is a picturesque and hilly Provence village in the Luberon area, a worthy addition to your Provence vacation or road trip. Up to the 19th century, it was a prestigious town when the region belonged to the Pope. You can see signs of that...
Have You Heard of Uzès?
The town of Uzès, to the west of Avignon (in the Gard department) is less known by tourists, but appreciated by many. Artists, Parisians, and travelers in the know come here to enjoy a smaller slice of the Provence life without the crowds. It’s a 42-minute drive west...
Paris Summer Olympics 2024!
The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics… it’s the big news in Paris, along with political upheavals. Paris is among only Los Angelas and London to host the summer Olympic Games three times: in 1900, in 1924, and one hundred years later in...
The Provence Adventure ( Introduction)
The Provence Adventure (with More to Come) Though I’ve been to Provence many times, there are places I still hadn’t seen and wanted to visit. This was not only to experience them, but as research for a Provence guide I’m planning to write. Although I intended to...
