France Travel Stories

Apr 11, 2014 • 6 min read

When it comes to French cities, there are a few that stand out as traveller favourites: Nice, Bordeaux, Lyon and, of course, Paris. Toulouse is all too…

Mar 24, 2014 • 5 min read

Unrelenting rain and an April chill greeted us as we navigated the cobbled streets and narrow roads in the hamlet of Gattigues, a petite village in France…

Feb 10, 2014 • 6 min read

France’s refreshing Nord-Pas-de-Calais has been overlooked by travellers for too long. The region has embraced the jokes about chilly weather and yokel…

Oct 28, 2013 • 6 min read

2014 marks the centenary of the start of the Great War (28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918). Here are some poignant reminders of this devastating conflict.

Aug 28, 2013 • 3 min read

American cafe culture has come a long way in the last two decades: corporate coffee has spawned near two generations of independent cafes that offer more…

Aug 23, 2013 • 5 min read

It’s easily one of the most recognisable names on the French Riviera. St-Tropez: the name alone conjures up images of champagne-fuelled yacht parties and…

Jun 1, 2013 • 2 min read

This is an excerpt from Lonely Planet's guide to Corsica, highlighting the region's best cuisine.

Apr 2, 2013 • 4 min read

Prepare to be seduced by the vibrant port city of Marseille. This charming city in France's Provence region has undergone an extensive facelift for its…

Mar 15, 2013 • 4 min read

What could be more French than sampling the fruits of the vine? And where better to do it than the enticing vineyards of Beaujolais? The picture-book…

Jan 7, 2013 • 2 min read

Need a bit of retail therapy? There's nowhere better to go than Paris, especially during the biannual soldes (sales) for around five to six weeks in…

Nov 26, 2012 • 4 min read

The former French coal-mining town of Lens will be in focus for art lovers around the world this year, as Louvre-Lens (www.louvrelens.fr), a regional…

Nov 20, 2012 • 5 min read

Looking for a new angle on the well-trodden paths of France? Then travel to its borders. These three melting-pot cities showcase the best of France while…

Nov 20, 2012 • 4 min read

There's a vast number of eateries in France. Most have defined roles, though some definitions are becoming a bit blurred. Here's a quick guide:

Aug 28, 2012 • 5 min read

Want to savour the French capital's best steaks, freshest baguettes, most welcoming bars and secret street markets? Discover the hidden gems of Paris'…

Aug 19, 2012 • 2 min read

Heading to Paris? Read up on how to get the most out of this ville magnifique.

Aug 16, 2012 • 4 min read

No Francophile worth their salt would skip the Eiffel Tower or the lavender fields of Provence. But while France’s tourist trail is well trodden for a…

Aug 3, 2012 • 3 min read

Seven hundred rooms, 67 staircases, 352 chimneys, 2153 windows, 6300 paintings, 2100 sculptures and statues, 15,000 engravings, 5000 decorative art…

Aug 3, 2012 • 1 min read

If you're short on time but big on an appetite for travel, you want to get straight to the highlights of a country and know exactly how to get to them. So…

Jul 31, 2012 • 4 min read

Sweeping, landmark-studded boulevards, lamp-lit stone bridges, art nouveau cafes and graceful gardens...France's photogenic capital is the world's most…

Jul 25, 2012 • 5 min read

Fragrant lavender fields, cobbled streets and sizzling coastlines - Provence’s endless charms have inspired writers, painters and travellers galore. This…

Jun 27, 2012 • 2 min read

All boulangeries (bakeries) have baguettes (or flûtes), which are long and thin, as well as wider loaves simply known as pain (bread), both of which are…

Jun 24, 2012 • 1 min read

Two ingredients sum up Norman cuisine: salted butter and soft cheese. You'll often see dishes served à la normande in Normandy, which basically means they…