Paul Shawcross lives in Newcastle, England, and he is a devoted Francophile who has made many work and personal trips to France. In 1979, passing through France for the first time on the way to Spain, his long relationship with the French country and its culture began. A professional travel …

One of the best things about coming to our home in Sablet is shopping at the weekly outdoor marchés in towns and villages throughout the region … or at least it is for “foodies” like me. Why would you buy fruits and vegetables, cheese, meats, or fish at one of …

The family reunion began in Paris, with ten (10) of us gathering for two nights. It was an intense program as the kids wanted to visit all the sights from Sacré Coeur to the Eiffel Tower and points in between. After three nights in the “City of Lights,” we took …

Access to the Calanques National Park is controlled again this summer due to damage to the ecosystem caused by the burgeoning number of visitors and increasing fire risks.  The Calanque de Sugiton, which used to attract up to 2,500 people daily, is limited to 400 entries. Pre-booking one of the …

From humble beginnings as a fishing village on the French Riviera, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat has a reputation as a playground for the rich and famous. Billed as one of the most expensive places on the Côte d’Azur and is reinforced by grand villas, magnificent gardens, and luxury hotels. These are only a …

Throughout the Luberon region, the landscape is peppered with fields of small, round-shaped lavender bushes, which for almost nine months of the year lie dormant like sleeping hedgehogs. In the spring, they begin to sprout, and from about the middle of June, their fragrant flowers bloom, fanning their purple fronds …

The Luberon region in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southern France is known for its picturesque villages and stunning natural beauty. These nine (9) villages are considered must-sees in the Luberon Valley. Book a Luberon Village Tour Ansouis You’ll find the village of Ansouis tucked inside the Parc naturel regional …

Whether you arrive by car, yacht, helicopter or ferry, Saint Tropez is worth a visit! Park and Ride For a quick getaway to Saint Tropez, here’s an idea to avoid the frequent traffic jam between Saint Maxime and St Tropez. This is no exaggeration; the last 15-kilometre stretch into St …

The relief palatable, the calm almost surreal, something is missing – the wind has stopped! Mistral Wind In France, the mistral is a strong wind that typically blows from the north or northwest. Mistral, the name for this wind, means “masterly,” and it certainly lives up to that reputation. The …

Royal Wheels Whether you’re interested in its history and culture or just soaking up the glamorous atmosphere, Monaco has something for everyone. You can visit the Prince’s Palace, stroll through Jardin Exotique, explore Villa Paloma and Villa Sauber, or walk around the charming Old Town admiring the pastel buildings and …