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.
Grasse, Perfume Landmark of France
Grasse, Perfume Landmark of France Just a short distance from Cannes on the Riviera lies the town of Grasse. Grasse has been known as a perfume capital since the 19th century. In fact, as you stroll through the narrow streets of the Old Town, you might just...
France Travel Dreams for a New Year
What fantastic trips will you dream up for 2026? Happy New Year! Whatever 2025 was like for you, each new year presents fresh opportunities to plan and take a trip to France. What are your France travel dreams? Maybe one of these? A tour of...
What is The French Réveillon?
What is The French Réveillon? What is the French Réveillon? It is a term that can refer to either Christmas Eve (Réveillon de Noël) or New Year’s Eve. The word itself means awakening, and refers to the practice of staying awake past midnight. (Se revéiller...
Enjoying Winter in France
Winter in France Visiting France during the winter months has more to offer than you might think. It's true that most of France’s millions of visitors per year come between May and October. But it may surprise you how memorable and exciting a winter visit can...
Road Trips: A New Way to Travel Through France
Road Trips in France So, you've been to Paris and maybe to Nice. Although they are fabulous places, there is unbelievably more to see and do all across France. You can take trains, which are a wonderful way to go. But what about a ROAD TRIP, when you're the boss and...
French Etiquette for Travelers
French Etiquette for Travelers Etiquette is culturally important to the French. It’s ingrained in their upbringing and daily lives. This is, of course, true for most cultures. But when you travel to France, it’s helpful to know these things, like a secret code to get...
Travelers with Handicaps in Paris: A Practical Guide
Travelers with Handicaps in Paris: A Practical Guide If you are a traveler with a handicap, with or without a wheelchair, Paris is not off limits! Many years ago, Paris wasn’t so easy to navigate in a wheelchair. But Paris has made tremendous strides in making their...
Delicious Specialties of Brittany France
Tasting Brittany: Discover the Specialties of Brittany In the magical region of Brittany, as in other regions of France, there are food and drink specialties that are woven into the history and culture of the place. To visit and enjoy Brittany is to try, learn...
Guérande: A Place and a Taste
Guérande: A Place and a Taste Guérande is a walled town on the edge of the Grande Brière marsh, west of the city of Nantes. It is on the southeast edge of the Brittany peninsula. There’s something special about Guérande: Salt. Earlier than the 16th...
Dinan: A Treasure Revisited
Dinan: A Treasure Revisited The Brittany town of Dinan so impressed me that I posted on this town twice over the years. Well, it’s time for an updated post, since I just visited again this year. (My third visit… What does that tell you?) Although...
Vannes, Fun in Southeast Brittany
Vannes The Gallo-Roman town of Vannes was the second-to-last stop on my Brittany Road Trip. A highly recommended stop! Of course, you can always extend your trip further west if you have extra time. Check out this blog post for ideas on destinations. ...
Saint-Malo: An Updated View
Saint-Malo Revisited Saint-Malo is my new favorite place in Brittany, though it's really a tie with Dinan. I posted on Saint-Malo a few years ago, but this is a recent take on the beautiful jewel of Brittany. I was so glad to visit there again during my road trip this...
