Stories and tips
Writing about France
Longer reads, seasonal ideas and practical tips from the people who write this guide.
· 4 min read
Where to Stay in France: Hotels, Chambres d'Hôtes, Gîtes and More
A guide to the main types of accommodation in France, what each one offers, and the rules and costs worth knowing before you book.
· 4 min read
Driving in France: Rules, Tolls, Fuel and Low-Emission Zones
The road rules, documents, tolls and city restrictions a visiting driver needs to know before taking the wheel in France.
· 4 min read
Train Travel in France: How the SNCF Network Works
A practical guide to French trains: TGV, Ouigo, TER and night trains, the Paris stations, booking and what to know on board.
· 4 min read
Eating Well on a Budget in France: Lunch Menus, Markets and Bakeries
How to eat well in France without overspending: when to eat out, what to order, where to shop and which habits quietly save money.
· 4 min read
Cycling the Loire à Vélo With Kids: Easy Family Stretches
How to plan a family bike trip on the Loire à Vélo: which stretches suit children, daily distances, bike hire, trains and safety rules.
· 4 min read
Hot Air Balloon Rides in Provence: Seasons, Lavender and Booking
What to expect from a hot air balloon flight in Provence, when the lavender is in flower, and how to choose and book a flight.
· 4 min read
Ajaccio Beaches and Boat Trips: The Route des Sanguinaires and the Sanguinaires Islands
Which beaches to use around Ajaccio in summer, how to reach them, and what to expect from a boat trip to the Sanguinaires islands.
· 4 min read
Ajaccio: Napoleon's Birthplace and the Sanguinaires Coast
A practical guide to Ajaccio's Napoleon sites, its art museum and old town, and the coast road out to the Pointe de la Parata and Sanguinaires islands.
· 4 min read
Hiking the Calanques de Piana in Corsica
Where to walk among the red granite pinnacles of the Calanques de Piana, how hard the main trails are, and how to handle the narrow coast road.
· 5 min read
Burgundy’s Winter Cheese and Charcuterie
Époisses, jambon persillé, Morvan ham and andouillette: what to eat in Burgundy in winter and where to buy it.
· 4 min read
Burgundy's Route des Grands Crus: A 3-Day Itinerary
A three-day plan for driving or cycling Burgundy's Route des Grands Crus from Dijon to Santenay, village by village.
· 4 min read
Villages of the Morvan: A Guide to Burgundy's Forested Highlands
Where to go in the Morvan Regional Natural Park, from Vézelay and Bibracte to lake villages, Resistance memorials and walking trails.
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