Immerse yourself in the known and little known regions, cities and villages of France
In this, the last of a four-part series, Betty Carlson is taking you to one of the three most recently labeled “Most Beautiful Villages of France”, or Les Plus Beaux Villages de France – Bormes-les-Mimosas.
We took the tram to Gare Saint Jean, and then the regional train to Saint-Émilion, an easy 30-minute ride from Bordeaux for only 10 euros. From the train stop, we walked into town along fields of dormant grape vines, past old churches and stately chateaus, and up steep cobblestone streets
Wissant: The passion for the flobart lives on - it’s all about family, culture, tradition, and local history and the need to keep those traditions alive for future generations.
Marcolès,: Situated in the southwest of the little-traveled Cantal department (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) and home to 590 Marcolésiens and Marcolésiennes, the village is remarkably well-preserved even by stringent LPBVF standards. A bastide, or fortified town, in the Middle Ages Marcolès was accessible only through its two gateways: Le Portail-Haut and Le Portail-Bas.
JB Walking Tour Paris: my dear friend Jenny from the US. I want to show her some of my favorite places in Paris, so I’m calling it ‘the JB Walking Tour of Paris’. (Throughout my adult life people have called me ‘JB’, including Jenny.) So I thought, since I’ll be busy showing her around, this could be the theme of this week’s newsletter.
Marseille has a lot to offer. These are just a few of my favorites. Walking all along the coast will give you another aspect of this beautiful city. I love it more and more each time I go. I hope that you do too!
Arcachon: The gentle pace of life, combined with the spectacular natural surroundings, makes Arcachon a retreat for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Villeneuve d’Aveyron is known for its petite arcaded square, imposing fortified gates, and sleek 12th-century church... I’ll be back for Françoise Hardy. Mais oui, you read me right.
La Drome: An often over-looked département. Begin with trifecta of wine, chocolate, and shoes and ends in a château surrounded by sublime fields of lavender.
Grenoble Street Art: When I first arrived in Grenoble, graffiti was a big part of my first impression. Tagging seemed to show little discrimination between occupied and shuttered buildings, busy respectable street corners, and dim alleys.
Come with us to experience French life beyond the cliché.
Magazine – Events – Experiences
Wherever you live, if you’re a francophile or French and you’d like to join our team of Contributors then we’d love to hear from you – check out our submissions page. We’re also constantly seeking savvy interns – please check on available internships
