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.
Flowering French Towns
Flowering French Towns . . . Villes Fleuries All across France, you’ll see towns and villages abounding with potted plants, gardens, and plots of flowers on street corners and intersections. Most of these are planned and planted by the town itself, not its residents,...
French Christmas Treats (With Recipes!)
French Christmas Treats Most people love French food (or the idea of it . . . sauces, cheese, snails) but at Christmas, it goes up a notch. Christmas food specialties in France include: Oysters (largest consumption of oysters in France all year is at Christmas) Bûche...
Menton, the Sunniest Place in France
A cheery thought as winter approaches . . . Menton, the sunniest place in France and one of the most colorful. It’s located on the southeastern edge of the French Riviera. Menton is near Nice and next to Monaco but also touches the Italian border. This medium-small...
Visiting France: What to know during Covid in Fall 2021
Can you go to France yet? The answer to that question changes continuously like a moving target. In October, one of my French students, a woman I’ll call Sharon, went to France with her husband. “Merveilleux!” she exclaimed upon her return. A marvelous trip! She went...
French Market Culture: Buying Fresh in France!
French Market Culture When I lived in Paris, I had a weekly routine for buying fresh fruits and veggies at the French market. I took my wheeled canvas bag down the elevator and headed out to the local bi-weekly market. I was consistently amazed at the lovely produce I...
Avignon: The 7 Best Things to Do
No trip to Provence would be complete without a visit to Avignon, often called the gateway to Provence. In fact, you will likely need to take a train from Paris to Avignon to get there before moving on to any other nearby city. You could also fly into Marseilles (via...
A Facelift for Oliver’s France, the Insider’s Traveler Website
CHECK IT OUT!! Oliver's France has a new look! You might say it's had a facelift, but still contains the helpful tips, articles, ideas, and resources you are used to seeing. Oliver's France has enjoyed 5 years of life, but it was time for an updated look and better...
Walking Tours in France
Anytime you go to France, you’re likely to be on your feet. Taking comfortable shoes is the first advice you’ll get, and good advice it is. Walking tours take your feet and experiences to the next level, as you observe close at hand and learn at the same time....
Sports in France: Extreme or Not
Sports in France: Part of the fabric of French culture. We may know this instinctively as we watch the World Cup, the Roland Garros, or the Tour de France on TV or online. French high schools don’t typically offer team sports as extracurricular activities, but many...
News from Oliver’s France
Fresh Ideas for France Travel from Oliver's France I hope your summer is going even better than you expected, with the Covid reality still with us. Some travel has resumed, but much international travel hasn’t yet. We travelers are impatient and eager to get going,...
Versailles: Château and City
When people hear the name Versailles, they often think of the opulent château. The Château de Versailles is a must-see on many a tourist’s list! This was where King Louis XIV moved when he wanted to escape to the suburbs. But did you know that the town of Versailles...
7 French Specialties You’ve Never Heard Of
Many people know French specialties like foie gras, Bordeaux wine, croissants, and crêpes. You may even know about Tarte Tatin and Cassoulet. Some are national (and international) favorites and others are regional. But here are a few delicacies you may never have...
