Category: Provence

A French Festival Near You

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Whatever time of year you visit France, there will be a French festival happening somewhere. Even in the dead of winter, you’ll find a festive gathering, such as a music festival or a Christmas market. Here’s a summary of festivals in France throughout the year! Mid-February: If you’re near Nice, check out the Carnaval. If you like over-the-top floats, entertainment, and animation…and crowds, this is for you. Have a look at this video to get the flavor:  http://en.nicecarnaval.com/videos February (2nd…

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French Beaches: Roundup

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When you think of French beaches, you may think of St. Tropez or Nice. But there are many French beaches that, while popular with the French, aren’t necessarily overrun with tourists and sun-seekers. Crowds are thinner, prices are lower. The whole experience is less competition for beach space and more a peaceful visit full of memories. (and not lacking sun and sand, either!) Oliver’s France has given a glimpse of some of these beaches that aren’t as well-known to tourists…

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Three French Christmas Markets: A Video Journey

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Come visit three Christmas markets in different regions of France! One of the wonderful things about Christmas in Europe is Christmas Markets. France has its share! Here are three of them, Alsace (the region closest to Germany), Provence (has its own southern style), and Paris. You’ll see some similarities and some differences. Hope you enjoy them. (These are not my own videos, but those of other travelers.) The first Christmas video is in Alsace, home of the most legendary Christmas…

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French Coastal Secrets #4: Juan-les-Pins and Antibes

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Juan-les-Pins and Antibes. Maybe you’ve heard of Juan-les-Pins…or not…but it has the charm and energy of Nice, its nearby neighbor. It even has a curved beach which hosts many hotels, quite a few of them high-rises on the waterfront. This popular beach town sits just west of Antibes, on the Cap d’Antibes, a rounded peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean, somewhere between Cannes and Nice. The towns of Juan-les-Pins and Antibes are often grouped together on brochures and websites as if…

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French Coastal Secrets #3: Cavalaire-sur-Mer

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Cavalaire-sur-Mer. Like many small beach towns on France’s southern coast, Cavalaire-sur-Mer began as a fishing village. It didn’t achieve tourist status until the 50s, but even today it’s a lesser-known treasure on the Cote d’Azur. This is a place I really liked and would love to go back. Since my first visit I have learned a lot more about things to do there! It’s not far from St. Tropez but the resemblance stops there. Cavalaire-sur-Mer is a delightfully different and…

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French Coastal Secrets #2: Sanary-sur-Mer

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Sanary-sur-Mer. Nestled between Toulon and Marseille in southern France, you’ll find another seaside treasure, Sanary-sur-Mer. If you’re making a trip to Marseille, it’s not very far to visit Sanary, La Ciotat, and Cassis. Don’t you just love these small French beach towns?! Sanary was established as a fishing village in the 16th century but really became a tourist destination around the 1980s. it’s a place to enjoy beach life on a village scale. There are small beaches, with an animated…

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