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 about the black woman goes much deeper than […]
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 […]
France Tourist Information
Introduction to France France is a country of diverse cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and tantalizing cuisines. For many, Paris is all they know of France. While Paris is a city of incredible sights, sounds, food, and drink, the rest of France also has much to offer. Whether it’s the wind-whipped coasts of Brittany, the sun-drenched sandy […]
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 […]
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 […]
France’s Southern Alps Snow Train
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
Drinks in Paris’ Montmartre at L’été en pente douce
Last time I was in Paris, I met up with my good French friend and host sister (from my study abroad days in college) who had recently scored an amazing apartment in Paris’ coveted Montmartre neighborhood. When she asked where my husband and I would like to go for a drink, I responded that I […]
Lunchtime at Le Kaiku in St. Jean de Luz, France
My husband and I wanted to take our good friend out for lunch on his last day with us in France. Knowing that he really enjoyed seafood, we asked a few locals where we could find the best fruits de mer in the picturesque seaside town of Saint Jean de Luz. Without hesitation, all […]