Chicago – Family Fun

I’m taking a break from writing on France travel to bring you up to date on my weekend visit to Chicago.  This past weekend I had the good fortune to attend the first (and hopefully annual) Travel Blog Exchange conference, which was the brain child of Kim Mance of GalavantingTV and Debbie Dubrow of Delicious [...]

Read Full Post »

D-Day, June 6, 1944- France Will Never Forget

2011 marks the 67th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy, which was the major turning point of WWII in Europe.  Early in the morning of June 6, 1944, the largest military operation in history began as 135,000 Allied soldiers landed on the beaches of Normandy, to begin the liberation of Europe, and change the [...]

Read Full Post »

Great Day Trips From Paris – Reims – Champagne

Another great day trip, head off to explore the magnificent champagne region of France. With France’s highly efficient TGV fast trains, you can visit Reims (rhymes with sconce) in a comfortable day trip from Paris. With a population of 200,000, Reims is known as the City of Champagne, for the 155 miles of underground chalky [...]

Read Full Post »

Great Day Trips from Paris-Monet’s Gardens at Giverny

If you’re going to be in Paris more than a few days, take advantage of the great public transportation system and venture out to see some of the glorious sights nearby.  I’ll be highlighting 3 of my favorite day trips from Paris in the next few weeks.   You can do all 3 of these excursions [...]

Read Full Post »

French Sweets for Valentine’s Day

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’ve assembled some of my favorite French sweets…..photos, videos and recipe links included.    France has given us countless delicacies:  éclairs, meringues, bon bons, petit fours, mousse, crepes, truffles, soufflé, crème brulee, tarte tatin….and on and on.  Taste the sweet temptations!     Stroll through the Chocolatier.…enjoy the Nutella Crepe [...]

Read Full Post »

Uzes and Pont du Gard

Uzes (oo zes) is a charming medieval town of 10,000. Place aux Herbes is the location of the thriving Saturday market, not to be missed!! I could spend my entire vacation just strolling the square. You’ll find every kind of regional speciality. Be sure to stop by Philippe Deschamps Chocolatier at 17 Blvd. Gambetta, and [...]

Read Full Post »

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is the largest and best preserved medieval castle in Europe. You must come here!! Enchanting!! Walk on the ramparts and imagine what life was like 1000 years ago. My photos don’t do justice. When traveling in the Languedoc region you must try the regional speciality, cassoulet, which is a stew of white beans, sausage, [...]

Read Full Post »

En Route to Lourdes

Today is a travel day, as I leave Paris, flying to Toulouse, then transfer by train for the last 2 hour trip to Lourdes. Airport security guard was very cute…..he said, “You go to Toulouse, you have nothing to lose.” I said “Yes, I’m glad it’s not Vegas!!” More later. Toulouse train station – le [...]

Read Full Post »

First night in Paris – Dinner with friends

                Michael and Robert  Magret de Canard      Creme Brulee for desert..yum!!

Read Full Post »

Parlez-vous fromage?

Did you know France produces over 1,000 types of cheese?  Amazing!!  And there is much more to be found that just Brie and Camembert!   These  websites are devoted to the cheeses of France. They have regional maps, showing the areas where each cheese is produced, with description of the flavors, the processing methods, suggested food [...]

Read Full Post »