When you think of France, you almost certainly don’t imagine a surfer chic lifestyle. But a little slice of California-style heaven does exist on the southwest coast and I experienced a coup de cœur the first time I visited Biarritz and the surrounding area.
My diary of a classic French weekend away in the Champagne region. A stay at Château de Courcelles, one of France’s many beautiful châteaux that have been transformed into world-class hotels.
Rosie (from Not Even French) and I have both put our “pieds” in our mouths at a few dinner parties, so take it from us and avoid these topics when speaking with French people!
I’m no Tour de France rider. I’m not even a bike-with-gears kind of rider. So when my sister (also an amateur) suggested we do a three-day, self-guided cycling trip through Provence, I balked.
Next up in my “French Favorites” series: handmade espadrilles from the French Basque region. This traditional shoe is chic and inexpensive and has become my go-to summer footwear. It’s a must-have souvenir from Biarritz — customizing your own and watching the ribbons being sewn-on really…
Just an hour from Paris lies a magical land where sparkling wine flows like rivers and the most pampered grapes in world fulfill their ultimate destiny. The Champagne region is one of France’s most famous and posh areas, and in two days you can enjoy…
Sometimes you just need to get out of the city, even a beautiful one like Paris. We were looking for a place with sun, great food, charm and a less than 3 hour drive: Bonjour Le Touquet!
We all know (and love) macarons, eclairs and pain au chocolat, but there’s a whole world of French pastries out there waiting for you to discover. An introduction to some lesser-known, but just as mind-blowing French desserts.
Cheese is so important in France, even the citizenship test includes a couple questions on fromage. French cheese etiquette involves correct times, orders and methods that as an American I never had to learn to operate in society. But cheese manners matter here, so if…
The Cliffs of Étretat (Les falaises d’Étretat), with their simple beauty, are a reminder of how elegant nature can be. The earlier in the day you arrive, the more solitude you will have to take in where the sea meets the sky.