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...
Many regions in France are named for rivers or other natural features. Dordogne, a peaceful and wildly beautiful region, is named after the Dordogne River, a tributary from the Gironde River, which flows from Bordeaux and on to Auvergne. My last post covered the...
Ile d’Oléron This small island of about 108 square miles off the coast of LaRochelle has had a presence since the 12th century. But like Ile de Re,it has a different rhythm, one that’s designed to recharge your batteries. It, too, is a popular tourist destination, but...
If you think French islands, you might think of Guadeloupe or Tahiti. Many French islands can be found in Caribbean or Pacific waters. But did you know there are dozens of islands around the entire coastal outline of mainland France? Two such treasures are Ile de Ré...