Travel Information

Travel Information

Smart travel transforms a trip. This section offers itineraries, transport tips and local secrets to explore France like an insider. Whether by train, car, or foot, we help you navigate with ease and discover the detours that make journeys unforgettable.

Read article: Stylish Riverside Living in Gastronomic Lyon
Stylish Riverside Living in Gastronomic Lyon

Stylish Riverside Living in Gastronomic Lyon

The majestic city of Lyon in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes has evolved around two rivers, the Rhône and Saône, giving it a unique waterside vibe, in a strategic area of the country, not far from the French Alps…

Read article: Discovering the Alpilles, the Secret Heart of Provence
Discovering the Alpilles, the Secret Heart of Provence

Discovering the Alpilles, the Secret Heart of Provence

Those in the know have already discovered Les Alpilles , the sleepy side of Provence , where the hustle and bustle of the Côte d’Azur could be a million miles away. The South of France’s sun-soaked coastline…

Read article: Toulouse, France’s Favourite Ville Rose, the Pink City
Toulouse, France’s Favourite Ville Rose, the Pink City

Toulouse, France’s Favourite Ville Rose, the Pink City

Toulouse is France’s Southern belle , a picturesque city of coral-coloured buildings that have earned it the tag “the Pink City ”. Its abundance of culture, heritage and nightlife – not to mention…

Read article: French Climate, there’s Something for Everyone
French Climate, there’s Something for Everyone

French Climate, there’s Something for Everyone

Whether you’re a sun seeker or prefer cooler weather, love the snow or enjoy the verdant landscape of wetter climes, France  has something for everyone. If you’re thinking of buying a holiday home or …

Read article: Let the Glittering Cote D’Azur Show Off its Magic
Let the Glittering Cote D’Azur Show Off its Magic

Let the Glittering Cote D’Azur Show Off its Magic

We couldn’t let the recent Disney offering, Beauty and the Beast, pass us by without taking a look around the area where it is set. Written by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and published in…

Read article: Take a Road Trip from La Rochelle to Bordeaux
Take a Road Trip from La Rochelle to Bordeaux

Take a Road Trip from La Rochelle to Bordeaux

The west coast of France is regularly visited and written about, but we have a guide to our favourite towns that zig-zag from La Rochelle in  Charente-Maritime  down to Bordeaux. This area of France is renowned…

Read article: Discovering Hidden and Secret Places in the Var
Discovering Hidden and Secret Places in the Var

Discovering Hidden and Secret Places in the Var

Situated between some of France’s most famous coastlines, right up to where the Alps meet the clouds, is the Var. Although most of the Var’s visitors are allured to the popular coastal towns of  Saint Tropez…

Read article: France is Offically the Most Romantic Country in the World
France is Offically the Most Romantic Country in the World

France is Offically the Most Romantic Country in the World

France is one of the  most visited countries in the world, and with good reason: it caters to young couples looking to celebrate their love. So, for people who dislike romance and candlelit dinners, grit your teeth.…

Read article: Postcard from Vouvant and Fontenay-le-Comte
Postcard from Vouvant and Fontenay-le-Comte

Postcard from Vouvant and Fontenay-le-Comte

We’ve come to the Vendée to catch up with two sets of friends: a couple based in Vouvant and a family we’ve been close to for years in Fontenay-le-Comte. Vendée is part of the  Pays-de-la-Loire…

Read article: Our Postcard from Eymet
Our Postcard from Eymet

Our Postcard from Eymet

For this week’s postcard, we’re back in southwest France . We’re on the road again for an extended celebration weekend with our friend in Eymet, and then we’ll visit a few properties in Duras. We…

Read article: Our Postcard from Perpignan
Our Postcard from Perpignan

Our Postcard from Perpignan

We’re not too sure why, but shortly after the clocks changed and the nights start drawing in, we’re still full of energy. We’ve come to Perpignan for the weekend, and we can’t seem to sit still! We’ve…

Read article: Our Postcard from Béziers
Our Postcard from Béziers

Our Postcard from Béziers

This postcard comes from the town of Béziers in the Hérault, in Occitanie . A town with a population of around 70,000, it lies snuggled between the Mediterranean and the mountains.  This is a stunning…

Read article: Our Postcard from Burgundy
Our Postcard from Burgundy

Our Postcard from Burgundy

This week, our postcard comes from the Burgundy region , once better known as the Valley of the Kings. A part of France renowned around the globe for its wines, Burgundy is steeped in history and a foodie’s paradise.…

Read article: Our Postcard from the Riviera in the Glorious South
Our Postcard from the Riviera in the Glorious South

Our Postcard from the Riviera in the Glorious South

Although we’re lovers of everything simple at heart, there is something special about the  French Riviera that fills us with excitement and pleasure every time we visit. It’s easy to see why this has been…

Read article: A Postcard from the Charente
A Postcard from the Charente

A Postcard from the Charente

The Charente is part of the former Poitou-Charente, now part of the much larger Nouvelle-Aquitaine  region. It is one of four departments that make up this now popular and beautiful region. The Rise of Charente The…

Read article: Our Postcard from Carcassonne
Our Postcard from Carcassonne

Our Postcard from Carcassonne

Today we’re sending our postcard from Carcassonne, a fortified, hilltop city in the Aude department of the Occitanie  region, formerly known as Languedoc. Carcassonne is the capital of Aude and has held an important…

Read article: Our Postcard from the Dordogne
Our Postcard from the Dordogne

Our Postcard from the Dordogne

Often referred to as Little England', the  Dordogne is a culturally rich and historically interesting corner of France. Our Postcard comes from Périgueux, which is the capital of this department. Set in the Southwest…

Read article: Our Guide to Driving in France
Our Guide to Driving in France

Our Guide to Driving in France

Driving in France is a delightful way to explore the country's diverse regions , their beautiful landscapes and many historic sites. However, there are some essential facts to know to ensure a relaxing holiday and a fantastic…

Read article: Our Postcard from the Tarn
Our Postcard from the Tarn

Our Postcard from the Tarn

For anyone who doesn’t know, the Tarn  is a department in the Occitanie region of Southwest France. It is named after the River Tarn, which runs through the department. Its creation in the late 1700s resulted…

Read article: Our Postcard from Gascony or the Gers, in southwest France
Our Postcard from Gascony or the Gers, in southwest France

Our Postcard from Gascony or the Gers, in southwest France

Gers (or Gascony) is located in Occitanie , in southwest France; its official definition encompasses an enormous expanse of land stretching from Bordeaux and Bayonne in the west to Toulouse in the east.  With cities…

Read article: Strasbourg Christmas Market
Strasbourg Christmas Market

Strasbourg Christmas Market

The spices and cinnamon may not have appeared yet, but wherever you are, Christmas is now an inescapable presence.  In the UK, decorations are already in full swing in many places, while in France, people are getting…

Read article: September is the Best Time for Property Visits
September is the Best Time for Property Visits

September is the Best Time for Property Visits

The claustrophobic crowds have long departed, the air is lighter, and the colours are still more vibrant than at the height of summer – smart travellers have always acknowledged September as the perfect time of…

Read article: Wimbledon VS Roland Garros & London VS Paris
Wimbledon VS Roland Garros & London VS Paris

Wimbledon VS Roland Garros & London VS Paris

WHEN Rafael Nadal sank to his knees on the Philippe Chatrier court in celebration of his epic and record-equalling sixth Roland Garros title recently, all thoughts quickly turned to this year’s Wimbledon Grand Slam…

Read article: French Weather and Climate
French Weather and Climate

French Weather and Climate

Before you book your trip to  France , why not learn about the likely weather conditions? Some areas of France enjoy excellent summer weather, but its winters can be cold, especially in the north and east. The…

Read article: About Pyrénées-Orientales and Perpignan near Spain
About Pyrénées-Orientales and Perpignan near Spain

About Pyrénées-Orientales and Perpignan near Spain

The Pyrénées-Orientales is a famous wine-growing area and a still relatively unknown tourist spot, so it still has plenty of untouched natural French charm. Located in Southern France, the Pyrénées-Orientales…

Read article: Explore the Hills and Countryside in the Alpilles
Explore the Hills and Countryside in the Alpilles

Explore the Hills and Countryside in the Alpilles

The Limestone peaks of the Alpilles mountains are a must-see for any visitor to Provence . The famous landscape of olive trees, oak forests, and deep valleys has inspired writers, musicians, and artists, including Van Gogh.…

Read article: Live the Life in Wonderful and Musical Antibes
Live the Life in Wonderful and Musical Antibes

Live the Life in Wonderful and Musical Antibes

Looking for an apartment or luxury villa for sale in smooth Antibes or jazzy Juan-les-Pins, but want to learn more about the area first?  Here's some information about this beautiful part of the  French Riviera…

Read article: Your French Property is Closer with A Faster Eurostar
Your French Property is Closer with A Faster Eurostar

Your French Property is Closer with A Faster Eurostar

Eurostar has achieved a new record on its inaugural trip from Paris to London via Britain’s new high-speed rail line. A Historic Arrival at St Pancras Station The Eurostar , which carried journalists and VIPs, arrived…