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French Regions and Departments – Explore France’s Areas
chateau de montsoreau hillside view

Château de Montsoreau

The Loire River is literally on the front steps of the Château de Montsoreau which dates from the 11th century. What a majestic setting! Villandry may have its gardens but Montsoreau has the beautiful Loire River.  In fact, it is so close to the Loire that it actually has its feet in the water – that is to say, it has ...

Staying on a Vineyard in the Loire Valley

Staying on a vineyard in the Loire Valley means opening your windows and filling the house with the rich smell of wine! This October which has been the hottest on record for France since 1954 afforded lots of open window time for enjoying the smell of the fermenting grapes. We stayed in a gite that was located on a ...

Arles France Van Gogh 2

Arles Provence Van Gogh

Come experience Arles Provence and Van Gogh through the eyes of Linda, one of our readers: One of the most memorable towns in Provence for me is Arles. I am a great fan of Vincent Van Gogh. In Arles you can pick up a walking tour map at the visitor’s center and tour the ten reproductions on easels depicting the actual ...

senlis france

Senlis France Day Tripping from Paris to Get Lost for the Day

Read my story in French » Even in our sleep deprived condition from the overseas flight it was so easy to get to Senlis France from Charles de Gaulle Airport. We rented a car and in less than 30 minutes we were in the Picardy Region literally halfway between Chantilly and Senlis. Half-way is really walking distance as it ...

L'Isle sur la Sorgue

L’Isle sur La Sorgue Provence

[Guest blog post] One of the most charming medieval towns I have visited in Provence is L’Isle-sur-La-Sorgue. Built along five branches of the Sorgue river, there are several fish filled canals that add to the character of this town. Several lovely water wheels (some still turn) that once provided water for the many lace ...

saint-sulpice-paris

Saint-Sulpice – Paris’ Second Largest Church

Read my story in French » It was the Fontaine des Quatre Évêques (Four Bishops Fountain) that drew me in search of the Church of Saint-Sulpice. Located in the Latin Quarter of the 6th arrondissement, it was the lions that intrigued me.  The photo of the fountain I had seen with its four lions languidly draped over the ...

Saint-Jean d’Angély

My travel agenda usually has more things to see than are hours in the day, but I arrived in Saint-Jean d'Angély totally unprepared. I had been wandering through sunflower fields, taking photos, when I spotted the towers of the Royal Abbey Cathedral. I had no idea what town they were in but it wasn't difficult to follow them ...