La Vendée is a department on France’s Atlantic coast that bears the nickname, La Côte de Lumière, or of the sunshine (Lumière means light) coast, with a greater number of sunny days than the rest of the west coast. If you look at a map of France, you’ll notice a very...
The Pyrénées Region Every corner of France contains landscapes, history, food, and unique treasures. The southwest corner is no exception. It may be off the beaten path, but well worth the trek. Go by train to Bordeaux or Toulouse then rent a car for your southwest...
The medieval village of St. Emilion The medieval village of St. Emilion, though small and nestled among miles of grapevines, is known around the world by its name alone. That name describes a sought-after wine that has been produced here for centuries. The wine is...
Dijon and Bordeaux In July 2022, I went to France for the first time in 3 years. Despite the heat wave, it was good to be on French soil, my second hometown! This post features visits to Dijon and Bordeaux. Two years ago, when Covid canceled everyone’s plans including...
Ancient and Modern You can enjoy modern France and be intrigued by Ancient France in two towns in southern France: Nimes and Arles. They aren’t far apart, so you can satisfy your historical curiosity alongside contemporary French culture on the same trip! (It’s like...
Cognac It’s not just high-end French brandy. It’s also a town of over 18,000 inhabitants. Cognac lies about 60 miles north of Bordeaux (100 km) and is close to the towns of Angouleme and Saintes. In Cognac, there is more there to see than only Cognac distillery tours...
The France side of the France-Spain border might be out of your way, but it’s well worth the detour. In this southwest corner, you’ll discover a wide variety of towns and experiences, from glitzy beaches to pilgrimage sites. Starting in the far southeast corner of...
When you hear the name Bordeaux, most people think of wine or vineyards… St. Emilion, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec…enough to make you reach for a stemmed glass and a chunk of cheese. But you might be amazed to know other outstanding features of this southwestern...
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...
La Rochelle is a city on France’s west coast, a city whose port was an important trading and fishing center from the 11th to 14th centuries. During this time, the city was protected by towers at the port. Today, you can see and visit these icons of the city. This...
What is Languedoc France? It’s a region in France that covers the western curve of the Mediterranean coast. It extends from Provence to Spain and includes La Camargue, Montpellier, Nimes, and Ales, and embodies the South of France with fewer rugged hills. The...
In the southwest of France there’s a happening place… In fact, it’s the 4th largest city in France (but has kept many charming aspects) and has the most booming economy of the country. Where is this city? Toulouse, otherwise known as the Pink City, named for a special...