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 | France Off the Beaten Path | Tips 1 - 10 of 502 |  |
Take a day trip to Monte Carlo, Monaco when you are having a vacation in Nice. You can either take a local bus or express train from Nice. Bus fare is very very much cheaper compared to train tickets and it takes just an hour along the coast where you are rewarded with amazing scenery of the coastline.
Lots of attractions await a visitor in Monte Carlo such as the famous Monte Carlo Casino, Oceanographic Museum, lovely harbour, Change of guard at the palace, several beautiful gardens and beautiful night scene. Make it a point to visit Monte Carlo when you are in Nice. You will not regret for it! Leave a Comment
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The Basque country, today occupying the western foothills of the Pyrénées, is a land apart, stubbornly independent and profoundly different from either of the nation-states which have adopted it.
Basques are known to be descended from a tribe called the Vasconnes, who were already living on both sides of the Pyrénées long before the Celts encountered them in about 600 B.C. Indeed, DNA research suggests that the Basques are direct descendants of the Cro-Magnon peoples of this region.
Basques on both sides of the mountains defended their lands ferociously, and emerged from the turbulent Middle Ages with a fair degree of autonomy.
As part of the duchy of Aquitaine, the French Basque country was under English rule from the 12th to 15th centuries. French Basque autonomy came to an end during the 1789 Revolution.
The 20% or so of the Basques on the French side is less populous and industrialized than the Spanish Basque provinces, and, comprises about a third of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques départment. The three provinces on the French side --- Labourd, Basse-Navarre, and Soule --- no longer have any administrative function.
The administrative capital of the French Basque country, Bayonne, is the best springboard to see the region, with a good mix of French and Basque, and vital transportaion links. The balance tips to Basque just down the coast at St.-Jean de Luz. But to take the pulse of this region, head for inland towns such as Sare, Ainhoa or Bidarray, or up the valley of the River Nive into the western Pyrénnees (my favourite!).
Three useful websitesdealing with French Basque Country are:
www.basquexplorer.com
www.infobasque.com
www.guide-basque.com!i Leave a Comment
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Located in the southwest region of Bretagne, lies LA POINTE SAINT MATHIEU . Along with the lighthouse lies the Saint-Jean Chapel and the ruins of the gothic abbey. Stunning views of the sea can be seen from here. It's also very windy so hang on to your hat. HEHE! Leave a Comment
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The Palais de Isle is said to be one of the most photographed buildings in France. This is probably because of it unusual triangular shape. This very old structure dates from the 12th century when it was used as residence for the local governor. Afterwards it served as a mint and a prison. It was to be demolished but a local historical board saved it. During the Second World War, it was used by the Nazis as a prison for resistance fighters. When I visited there was a exhibit dedicated to these fighters being held inside of the Palais. The Palais de Isle is located in the centre of Annecy's old town. Leave a Comment
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Here is the best expression of 'LA FRANCE PROFONDE' that I have encountered thusfar:
"When the French start talking about 'la France profonde', stop and listen. They are telling you about one of the secret keys that open the heart of their country. The region they have in mind is somewhat remote, a very long way from Paris, and even farther from any coastline.
It leans towards conservatism, prefers the past to the future, the small-town or rural to the urban, and is profoundly unimpressed by fashion. There may be just a whiff of xenophobia there, but this can usually be disguised as an exaggerated love for 'la patrie'.
Its values are traditional, its architecture small-scale, and the more extreme excesses of the modern world are held at bay -- partly by design and partly by economics.
It is the world of Balzac and Marcel Pagnol, not Françoise Sagan.
It is 'boeuf en daube', not nouvelle cuisine.
If it could be bottled it would be concentrated essence of France: parfum, not eau de toilette.
It is France's centre of gravity -- and 'gravitas'.
It is also a region that most foreign travelers never venture into.
It is not that it is hard to get there, or that you are not welcome once you arrive; it is just that tourists tend, lemming-like, to prefer the urban delights of Paris, the crowded coast, or the proven cultural uplift of Chartres or the Loire Valley.
There are, of course, many Frances profondes, scattered all over the country. The idea is supremely elastic, combining -- as only the French could -- philosophy and geography in one elegant, intellectual package.
The trick for the traveler is simple.
Abandon any notion of going to a part of France that you have been to before, or, more daringly, that you have heard too much about. And then just listen when the French start talking and slowly plan how to steal the key."
Gully Wells Leave a Comment
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On our motoring trip around France, we covered a lot of ground on the "autoroutes". They are excellent if your ambition is to get somewhere, because the "local" roads are indeed slow going, but you will see little apart from cities if you stay on the autoroutes. So, when we could, we detoured onto the "N" roads and smaller "D" roads. That leads to great little places like this.
The photo is from the window of our B&B in the little village of Rougemontiers, not far from Rouen. Down the way, the building on the left is "Le Flash" restaurant, where we had joined half the local community for dinner the previous evening. For an extremely low price, we'd had a complimentary glass of Calvados (the local fire water), a good country style meal, and a 1 litre flagon of wine. It's a few years ago, so the restaurant may have changed. But you can be sure that the smaller villages which don't make the tourist circuit are still waiting for you, and these "local" places are still great value. Other Contact: Rougemontiers is on the N175
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The Theatres Romains in Lyon are the very first Roman ruins that I have ever visited. This was a big event if you consider how important archeological sites have been in my travel history. The theatres are located on the Montre de Fourvi?re across the Rhone River. They are the oldest theatres in France, being built. The site is actually two theatres, one being a theatre, the other a smaller odeum. This odeum is now used for musical performances. The site can be visited from 7am to 7pm. In hindsight, now as a seasoned traveler, the site really is not all that important, especially if you have already visited alot of such ruins. If so, then do not feel that you have to visit this one. Leave a Comment
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Most of my friends did not know about the Camargue when I mentioned we would be traveling through that area of Southern France. It is an area that I have wanted to see for a long time. I did a lot of reading and inquiring about it and we were not disappointed when we got there. We encountered very strong winds. We saw the salt marsh reeds dancing and bobbing in the wind, even lying flat at times. The big windbreak trees were moving in the wind too. Here and there we saw the sturdy white horses that roam through this marshy landscape.
Arles is the main town of Camargue and rice is their main crop. The strong Minstrel winds are known to cause depression to some who live in this area of France. Seems strange doesn't it when so much of France is such a beauty to behold? Vincent Van Gogh the Dutch Post Impressionist painter was one of those who suffered terrible mental agony during the time living here. He only sold one painting during his lifetime, "Red Vineyard at Arles". He painted over 200 canvases in 15 months while living in Arles. His life story is so sad and I can't help but think about how different his life could have been if he had had the medical care and medicine that is available today. The website shown below has some excellent information about Van Gogh. Leave a Comment
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The Musee Chateau d'Annecy is fine 12th century castle that dominates the town. The chateau is home to a museum that is full of regional artifacts inluding period furniture, paintings and religious art. There is also a display on the local resistance during the Second World War. I actually found this latter exhibit the most interesting.
The chateau is located at Place du Château. It cost 4.60 Euros to visit the museum. It is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Leave a Comment Phone: 04-50-33-87-30
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For a wonderfu view of the Biarritz and St. Jean-de-Luz area take the cog railroad up to the top of the Pyrenees. On the road from St.-Jean-de-Luz you will see pretty white houses with red doors. Hair pin turns on the road take you to the foot of the St.-Ignace Pass, and the pretty mountain village of Sare. From here you can purchase your ticket for La Petit train de la Rhune a train on the rack railway. This train was made entirely of wood. It was nippy and cold with bright blue skies early in the morning when we started our ride up to the top of the Pyrenees. On our way up the cog railroad we saw sheep and wild ponies. When we were at the top near the restaurant, some of the ponies walked right up to us. The view followed the Basque Coast and back north to Biarritz. When we got to the top we were in Spain! The entire trip took about an hour and a half.
The picture of the ponies is from the ticket stub. Leave a Comment
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