Tania Laveder had hoped to write her own story, but over the years she has lost some of her Russian. She learned German only for the purposes of survival. The Italian of her in-laws remains fairly non-existent. And the French that has governed her life for almost 70 years now …

Contributor blog post by Jill Cowdry: All aboard…. time to jump on the TGV ..my favourite way to travel.   Aix to Nice close to the dreamiest of coastline.  Via Toulon then a brief diversion inland to vineyards near Draguignan, it meanders snake-like with great ease close to the coast. …

Contributor blog post by Jemma: Il y avait très peu à manger, Arlette says, her voice bearing the gentle crackle of a woman in her mid-80s. There was very little to eat back then. Each day my parents put little tickets on the bread with our names on them – …

Contributor blog post by Phoebe Thomas: With the best of intentions earlier this summer I set out to write about a beach a week, which didn’t seem such a hard target, however last week got the better of me and I forgot!  But summer isn’t over in the South of …

Contributor blog post by Access Riviera: It is true that the French Riviera tempts tourists with promises of cocktails on sun loungers, French cuisine and strolling through cobblestoned villages but there is so much more to the region than this. Where to propose on the French Riviera The region is …

Contributor blog post by Access Riviera: France is famous for producing some of the best food in the world, whether you prefer the tables of haute cuisine where the top chefs are national celebrities, or the no-nonsense traditional dishes served up in bistros across the country. The cooking is as …

Contributor blog post by Phoebe Thomas: Continuing on our tour of beaches on the French Riviera, this week’s destination isn’t really one beach but a whole island of beaches.  Ile Sainte-Marguerite is located just off Cannes, easily reached by a 15 minute ferry ride, and bursting with tiny rocky bays, …

Contributor blog post by Jemma: We’re overstaying our welcome. The sand on Antibes’ long beaches has become visible once again. The city’s gridlocked traffic has mutated back into its usual rush hour pattern. The Austrians’ house – the one across the road from Bellevue that never sleeps – is all …

Contributor blog post by Phoebe Thomas: This is the next addition in her series on “A Beach a Week.” Enjoy the latest glimpse at the best of the Cote d’Azur. In case you’re not aware, I’ve been running a little summer series, writing about one local beach each week for …

Contributor blog post by Jemma: As the Côte d’Azur rounds out the highest part of its summer season, French Lessons escapes the urban madness and sticky beaches for the high seas. A few weeks ago we cruised together from Antibes to Monaco, and I’m happily reminded by several readers that …