France Hotels and More. There are many options for lodging when you visit France. In one of my previous posts, A Twist on French Lodging, I wrote about Gîtes, Chambre d’Hôtes, and Villas. In this post, you’ll learn even more great housing options: apartments, boutique...
Travel Tips
5 Things that have Changed in Paris
During my recent visit to Paris, I noticed a few changes. My trip to France was long overdue! My heart’s still there, as I expect to see a boulangerie on the corner or hear French conversation. I visited Dijon, Paris, and Bordeaux and had a quick side trip to St....
Oliver’s France News (Books, Language Courses, and Travel)
Hi, France travel fans! Whether you are planning France travel or not, you can dream, plan, and be inspired by checking out one of many posts to help you do that. Fortunately, many airlines want to promote travel and are waiving fees for changes and cancellations....
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...
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...
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...
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...
Need Ideas for your Trip to France?
Where did summer go? Did you make that trip to France? No? What about next year? Here are some ideas that will get you thinking. And planning. For next year. Or even this fall. Today I’m bringing back some classic Oliver’s France posts that you might not have seen...
20 Packing Tips for Your Trip to France
Great Packing tips and one great freebie for cheap travel everywhere! See the link at the bottom of the post! Before You Pack 1. Know your airline’s policy about weight and number of bags 2. Have a list. Believe me, it saves stress. Each time you return...
Planning Your Trip to France
Planning and preparing well for your trip to France makes all the difference in maximizing your visit. PLANNING Plan the “skeleton” first. These are the most time-sensitive tasks that must be done on a deadline. After that, you can fill in the rest. Here's where to...
Driving in France: What You Need to Know
At some point in your France travels you’ll likely want to rent a car. Driving in France is helpful for getting to those out-of-the-way detours in Brittany or Provence, and you certainly don’t want to miss those. And with a car, you aren’t bound by train schedules, as...
Living in France
Reasons to live in France There are several reasons you might want to live in France for a while. You’ll be in good company: Over 4 million foreigners live there, about 30,000 of whom are Americans, with a third of these in Paris. Your company can transfer you there...