More Travels in France

Not content with going on and on about France as I have, I am going to 'delight' you with the final leg of my second epic journey around France. (This was not my last visit to France, so I may find more to write about - be warned...). After the unexpected charms of Carcassone, the West coast came into sight and we discovered inland delights at Nantes, particularly the famous Cathedral which is a truly impressive sight situated right in the centre of the town.


We passed through Le Mans and up through Normandy on our way back to Calais, spending the last evening in Boulogne and enjoying a last reminder of French beaches on the deserted sands and clear skies of the nearby 'Plage'. The area was littered with apartments (probably mostly owned by Parisians), but currently devoid of occupants and seeming not unlike a ghost town. The local 'Notary' offers his house for Bed & Breakfast and we treated to an evening in his attic rooms.

France - Travelling

I have spent many a long hour driving through France enjoying the rural outlook and visiting local 'caves' (vendors of the local wines). Even though I am a New World wine drinker in the main, there is something appealing about sampling local wines in the country most famous for it's vineyards .
I have twice travelled down from Calais to the South via Lyon, Dijon, Orange and Avignon. The first time I went back the way I came, the second time I headed over to the West Coast for the return leg. This brought me to some equally fascinating sights.
I readily admit that the place that I love the most is just North of the South coast in Orange, Avignon and the surrounding areas. If I were recommending anywhere, this would be the direction that I would point you, and if I were offered any location, this area would be the place I feel most happy. However France has more to offer, and none so romantic as Carcassone. This re-built fortified town has all the charm of a Disney set, and is quite stunning to behold. The quaint streets and surrounding countryside make this a must-see destination if you happen to be passing anywhere near this location.

This town is alive with history, having once fallen into disrepair to the point where it was on the verge of being demolished. It now stands proud as a jewel in the crown of the Aude département.. attracting visitors from all over the globe by the coach-load.

France - Menton

Lacking the self-importance of Monte Carlo, yet just as impressive a destination is the picturesque town of Menton. For us an unexpected delight after a slightly disappointing visit to Monaco. I had been to Monte Carlo before so I was keen to visit again, but somehow, the tiny province with it's larger than life personality is not a place that invites you to stay for long. We had spent a disappointing night in a very cheap hostel in Cannes and were looking for some relaxation. Moving further Eastwards we came across Menton and immediately fell in love with the place.

Even better, we found a really nice hotel that we could just about afford to stay in and the hovel that we stayed in in Cannes was instantly forgotten with the promise of crisp clean sheets, sea views and genteel company (and a private bathroom!). This town has loads to offer, far more welcoming than Monaco, reasonable prices, stunning views and a beautiful harbour. I am sure that the locals probably feel that they are the poor relation to their neighbours, but in fact they have true riches in this beautiful setting. Menton has shops that you can afford to shop in, restaurants where you can afford to eat and hotels where you can afford to stay. All this with the exactly the same weather as Monte Carlo and a much friendlier atmosphere.

France - South Coast

I have driven through France on a number of occasions and I always enjoy the pleasant driving conditions, there is always the choice of using the toll roads to make good head-way or the smaller roads to take advantage of what we like to call the 'pretty route'.
My favourite destinations are mostly in the South Eastern corner of France typified by the picture below which is probably a street in Nice facing North away from the coast up towards the Alps in the distance
On one occasion, we stayed in Marseilles and wandered down to Cassis the next day. Cassis is a very attractive fishing village which now harbours more luxury yachts than fishing vessels. From here, you can take a trip to the Calanques, deep narrow inlets in the rocky cliffs along the coast between Cassis and Marseilles.
This southern coast is alive with picturesque habours and port towns, each of them has their own charm and character, I have visited several of them, but you would do best to explore on your own, and discover your own favourite destinations.

Paris - France

You might be briefly fooled into thinking that this picture was of an entirely different city, but no, this is the original Liberty in Paris - you may well be aware that the New York version was a gift to the US from the French people.
Paris certainly has it's share of fascinating sights and a short break in this city will not do the place justice, but it will probably drain your wallet if you hang around here too long... We spent our second anniversary in Paris, and even though that was ten years ago, I reckon we spent on average £100 ($200) a day just on food and entertainment. Eating out for lunch and an evening meal in Paris is not going to be cheap, but then if you're in Paris, you may as well enjoy it and count the cost later.

Monmatre, Sacre Couer Basillica, Notre Dame, The Louvre, The Arc de Triomphe (Champs Elysees), Eiffel tower, countless museums and art galleries, parks, shops - Paris really has it all, and all with that distinctive air of nonchalance that is peculiarly French and particularly 'Parisienne'. Don't drive in Paris if you can possibly avoid it, driving is an absolute nightmare that you will be unlikely to come out of unscathed. There are distinct markings on the majority of cars in the city centre that are scars borne of bad parallel parking. Parallel parking is essential is Paris, unfortunately, the inhabitants are not very good at it...!


In a nutshell then, a fabulous city, for which you must go prepared (and go you must!) with plenty of cash and a plan of what you will see and what you will leave 'til another time. If you don't have a plan of attack you could well waste your valuable time in this compelling city just trying to decide what to do and what to see next.

France - The South

Over the years I have grown to love France as a holiday destination, it has a real wealth of art, fine food and historical buildings that is difficult to beat. My favourite region is the South, not just the coast, but further inland up as far as Avignon, Orange and the perfect little hill town of Vaison la Romaine. Avignon is steeped in culture and history with the famous 'pont' and the home of the 'alternative' pope the Palais de Papes
The region is home to the famous Chateau Neuf du Pape wine, and is not far from Orange which has a Roman ampitheatre and it's own collection of historical buildings and stories to tell.
I was fortunate to 'discover' the town of Vaison La Romaine which began life as a fortified village sometime in the Middle Ages, but has now overflowed into the valley below. This town is famous for it's Roman remains and the market which brings in visitors from miles around.
I was lucky to find bed & breakfast in the old part of the town where the buildings date from the 14th Century - I enjoyed this place so much that I visited again many years later with my wife and was delighted to find the same family still running the bed & breakfast. There is nothing to beat waking up in one of these beautifully restored ancient rooms and enjoying the view from the balcony as far as the tip of Mont Blanc in the distance. If you are ever in this area, I hope you too get the chance to stay at M. & Mme. Verdier's.