Located on the French Riviera, the small and glamorous port city of St. Tropez has no shortage of places to stay. Below is a list of some of the best hotels in St. Tropez for every price-point. Each hotel recommendation comes with information on the proximity of the hotels to major sights, a general description of the hotel grounds, and descriptions of the rooms and their ... Read Full Article
Menton: “The Pearl of France”
After spending quite a bit of time in Menton when I lived on the French Riviera, I can assure you that the city lives up to its nickname "the pearl of France." Located in France’s Côte d’Azur, Menton’s unique culture is influenced by its proximity to both Monaco (to the west) and Italy (to the east). Thanks to the region’s subtropical micro-climate, les mentonnais (inhabitants of Menton) enjoy ... Read Full Article
Serenity & Luxury at Château de La Messardière in St Tropez’
Since the early 20th century, Saint Tropez on the French Mediterranean has been the muse of many poets, famous artists and movie directors. Although many yachts and world famous resorts lie in this town, it still maintains the character and charm of a fishing village, proud of its heritage and traditions. With over 300 days of sunshine and over 400 km of beach and shoreline, it’s no ... Read Full Article
Sightseeing and Soaking Up The Sun in France’s Saint Tropez
During my year as an English instructor at Lycée du Golfe de Saint Tropez (Saint Tropez Gulf High School), I had many weekends and lazy afternoons to both sight see and soak up the famous Saint Tropez sun. The first day I visited Saint Tropez, I found the contrast between the intense blue of the ocean and the cheerful, peach and yellow buildings to be quite inviting. As I ventured further into ... Read Full Article
Nice, France – a City for Wanderers
When I worked as an English teacher in a French lycée (high school), I lived in a small town near Saint Tropez called Gassin. Gassin was incredibly lovely, and its 3,000 inhabitants were absolutely charming and more than hospitable to this obviously américaine outsider. I spent my first few weekends there perusing the goods at the local market, strolling through the vineyard near the guesthouse I ... Read Full Article
Art Abounds in St Paul de Vence, France
St. Paul de Vence revels in art. Galleries line the streets, and sculptures are imbedded in the walls and even in the stones underfoot. One restaurant, the famous La Colombe d'Or, combines cuisine with art; the works of Picasso, Utrillo, Dufy, and other 20th century painters adorn the walls. You can eat indoors or on the terrace, and you'll need reservations well in advance. Staying in St. ... Read Full Article
New Guide to Hikes in the South of France
I am a true Francophile, so I was thrilled to read the new book 26 Gorgeous Hikes on the Western Cote d'Azur. This slim volume is written by Florence Chatzigianis, an avid hiker, who spends part of the year France and the rest in the US. The book concentrates on the Cote d'Azur, one of my favorite areas in France, and offers great descriptions of half-day hikes, including: when to ... Read Full Article
Shop the Markets of Provence and the Cote d’Azur
When in Provence, checking out the many street markets is a must. While in France we build our sightseeing around the markets. We get to the town early, visit the market and spend the rest of the day visiting the sights. The vendors at these markets are friendly and most will speak at least a little English. If not, you can use hand gestures to let them know what you want and how much. It ... Read Full Article
Inspiration in the South of France
There is nowhere like the South of France; the warm sun and the Mediterranean Sea influence everything: the food, the wine, the architecture and the way of life. After Paris, the south is France's most popular vacation destination for foreign visitors and the French themselves. Although agriculture has been the mainstay in the economy for years, high-tech industries have sprung up near Nice ... Read Full Article