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.
Go East to Alsace
Alsace is an eastern region of France separated from Germany by the Rhine River. It's a region unique in its own way. Although it is thoroughly French, it bears outward signs of its nearness to Germany. History, also, ties these two countries together. Alsace-Lorraine...
Gratin Dauphinois: A French Potato Treat
Here’s another opportunity, with this French Potato Treat, to get in your kitchen and whip up something French since you can’t go just yet. In this post, you’ll learn how to make Gratin Dauphinois, a beloved potato dish known all over France. It’s one of those recipes...
Cheaper Ways to Travel to France
It’s never too early to find cheaper ways to travel to France. That means that even if you can’t travel right away due to Corona, you can learn about ways to travel cheaper to France. Maybe you’re not a budget traveler. But if you can save money on your flight, you...
20 Surprising Facts about Paris
There are many notable and surprising facts about Paris, France. Here is a list of 20 facts that maybe you didn't know! Why is Paris called the City of Lights? Paris was one of the first cities to have city lighting. Lanterns were used widely on street corners in the...
When Can I Travel to France Again?
As the world slowly unlocks itself after a long, tense period of illness and fear, people wonder, when can I travel again? This year, the travel industry, worth $8 trillion, teetered on collapse as the pandemic forced thousands of would-be travelers to abandon their...
10 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Paris
Would you like to be non-touristy the next time you visit Paris? Maybe you've already participated in the Must-See crowds many times. Try some unusual spots in the City of Lights. There are Plenty! Here are 10 (in alphabetical order) to try! Belleville Neighborhood...
Nice: A Warm Heart in France
Nice, France Each time you visit a place it sets down new, deeper layers in your soul. My most recent trip to Nice, France, my third, was like this for me. The first two times I’d zipped through like so many tourists do, in a day or an afternoon. This last time I had...
A Normandy Road Trip
What is Normandy most known for? If you ask an American, he or she will likely say D-Day, the decisive battle of World War II. But if you ask the French or other Europeans, in addition to D-Day, they may tell you horse racing or cheese. Surprised? How about apples?...
Is Travel Insurance Necessary? (Dull but Important)
This post on travel insurance might be a less exciting topic, but it'll be worth a look. Especially now that the Coronavirus has covered the earth and many are scrambling to see if their policies will cover a needed cancelation. Many people will be disappointed since...
St. Malo: A Treasure on the Coast of Brittany
St. Malo is an intriguing walled city perched on the northwest coast of France. I’d heard of it for years (people pronounced in French like: Samma-low), and I finally had the chance to go. It faces England across the Channel, and sometimes the winds of the Atlantic...
The French People: A Traveler’s Guide
We love traveling to France… picturesque villages, castles. We love the food, the wine. What about the people of France? They are part of the cultural tapestry that is France. Without them, you have buildings and streets, but no life. For decades, Americans have held...
A French Meal: Bring France to your Kitchen!
If you can’t visit France, at least taste it. Maybe you were planning a trip to France (or thinking about it.) Not many of us are traveling these days, but you can bring a bit of France to your home during confinement. In this post, you’ll find a classic main course...
