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.
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...
A Cooking Vacation in France
Ever think of a cooking vacation in France? This updated for 2025 post will give you the low-down on a variety of options of Cooking Vacations in France. There are a variety of formats, regions, menus, and lengths of time, from a few hours to a whole...
Updated French Train Savvy
FrenchTrain Savvy Updated 2025 Increase your French Train savvy! This complete and updated post will tell you what you need to know. Pros and Cons of French Train Travel (Mostly Pros) Traveling by train in France has many advantages. First, it is...
France Travel Changes and Industry Trends 2025
Travel Industry Trends and France Travel Changes Updated Summer 2025 Each time I visit Paris and other areas of France, there are little tweaks here and there. I've just come back and will share what I observed and learned. First, there is no more physical...
Rennes, Gateway to Brittany
Rennes, Gateway to Brittany (but worth a visit for itself too!) Brittany, France is on my radar. Is it on yours? Some people aren’t sure where Brittany is, like a woman I spoke to just today about France. In the past, Brittany wasn’t on my radar as much...
On the Road in Brittany
On the Road in Brittany Each year when I travel to France, I have a theme. Last year, it was Provence, and the year before, I went to Alsace. (And Paris is always in there too.) This year… it’s Brittany in northwest France. Brittany touches the English Channel...
Discover Collioure and Banyuls-sur-Mer
Collioure and Banyuls-sur-Mer Tucked in the western curve of the Mediterranean Sea is a little jewel, Collioure. It’s a seaside resort popular with the French, though not mobbed with foreign tourists. Nevertheless, it can be crowded in summer, and there are many...
People Who Move to France: One Couple’s Story.
Why do People Move Permanently to France? One Couple’s Story. A move to France was the topic of the last Oliver’s France post, Why People Move to France...Permanently! It may have been eye-opening or even enticing to read about reasons people choose to relocate for...
Why People Move to France…Permanently!
Why People Move to France…Permanently! There are lots of reasons people move to France. For one, retiring in a foreign country attracts many people. Certain destinations permit them to do more with their retirement dollars. But there are other reasons people...
Colmar, the Heart of Alsace
Colmar, the Heart of Alsace The Alsatian town of Colmar draws visitors to a storybook place rich with visual and historic treasures. Its canals, multitude of flowers, and half-timbered houses from centuries past charm travelers to this jewel in the east. Nearby are...
10-Day Train Tour through Western France
10-Day Train Tour through Western France Taking a train tour is a great idea, especially if you don’t want to bother with renting a car and having to drive, navigate, and pay tolls. You may have seen the 10-Day Eastern France Train Tour in my earlier post. Here...
Chamonix: The Heights of France
Chamonix... Think about Chamonix nestled in the French Alps and you picture pristine jagged mountains, world-class ski resorts, and gondolas seeming to sail into space. Chamonix is also a charming resort town surrounded by the highest mountains in Europe. One...
