Oradour-sur-Glane, France: The Martyrs' Village As you enter the French village of Oradour-sur-Glane, the sign says, simply, "Souviens-toi." Remember.I assure you that you will not forget your visit to this remarkable town. Located about 15 miles west of Limoges, in the central west of France, Oradour-sur-Glane has been forever immortalized for one fateful day in its history: June 10, ... Read Full Article
Ferry Port Towns in France
Sponsored post5 Ferry Port Towns In France Perfect For Short Breaks From UK Slowly but surely, more travelers than ever before are beginning to explore ‘alternative’ French town and cities, outside the usual tourist staples. France is an incredibly large, diverse and rewarding country for visitors, though as is often the case, some of the biggest delights of all take a little more tracking ... Read Full Article
Mystery of the Black Madonna
The History of the Black Madonna The Black Madonna has been a figure of mystery for centuries. Some say she’s simply a statue of the Virgin Mary carved from black wood, or perhaps has soot on her skin from the smoke of thousands of candles. But speculation goes much deeper than that.Throughout Europe, especially in France, about 500 Black Madonnas, painted or carved in wood or stone, stand ... Read Full Article
Paris 1st Arrondissement: The Center of Paris
Paris 1st Arrondissement is located along the Right Bank of the River Seine (it extends onto the western section of the Île de la Cité in the middle of the river). It is home to famous sites like the Louvre, the Jardins des Tuileries, and the Palais-Royal, as well as popular shopping venues like Les Halles. If you are currently deciding on where to stay in Paris, this Arrondissement is ... Read Full Article
Lyon, France- A Cultural Treasure Trove
Lyon (often spelled “Lyons” by Anglophones) and its suburbs form the largest metropolitan area in France after Paris. Located in the Rhone-Alpes region, Lyon is known for its contributions to the world of art and gastronomy. Moreover, Lyon is where Auguste and Louis Lumiere, the fathers of cinema, attended school (at La Martiniere, Lyon’s largest technical school) and invented early film ... Read Full Article
Lots to Love in Le Mans, France
The first time in I lived in France, I spent quite a bit of time in Le Mans. Given the fact that I am not necessarily a car racing enthusiast (Le Mans has hosted the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car race since 1923), this fact came as a surprise to many of my friends back home.The reason I traveled from Rennes to Le Mans each month was that the grandmother of my good friends lived there. ... Read Full Article
Free Lodging in Paris
We followed her up to the top floor, this friendly French girl who I had never seen before in my life but knew I could trust. I had contacted her through an international travelers' network called Hospitality Club, and we had emailed back and forth for a couple of months. She had agreed to have my husband and I stay at her flat while we were visiting Paris.Little did we know that not only were ... Read Full Article
France’s Southern Alps Snow Train
Touristic trains are a great way to discover non-mainstream France. During the ski season, they take you to relatively lesser-known ski destinations—which means shorter lines at the ski lift.Every week-end from mid-January to mid-March the Train des Neiges, Alpes-Sud proposes to take skiers to 24 different resorts. The train travels from the Provence countryside to the foothills of the Alps ... Read Full Article
Minerve, France: Village of Charm and History
The village of Minerve perches on a high ridge in the wild landscape of the Causses, in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of Southwestern France. No cars are allowed, so visitors park outside the village and walk across the bridge above the River Cesse. Water flows in the river only in winter. The rest of the year, it’s a dry, rocky ravine.Minerve, with its cobblestone lanes and ... Read Full Article
La rentrée – France’s Season of Change
The term la rentrée in it’s most literal sense means “the re-entry” or “the return.” However, it’s one of those French words that takes on myriad socio-cultural meanings, depending on who you talk to. In general, la rentrée refers to the period after les vacances (vacation/break) in July and August. The closest thing we have in the U.S. to France’s la rentrée is “back to school.” However, la ... Read Full Article