Day 1634 (Sunday) 28th November 2021

We had a nice lie in this morning and the sun was shining brightly but poor Huw woke up with a horrible cold. We had planned on going for a long walk with Pat and Dee but  he didn’t feel up to it and went back to bed.

 

I sat on the balcony sunbathing while marking exams. It was 30 degrees in full sunshine but as soon as a cloud appeared the temperature dropped quite considerably.

I found this interesting article online, it’s very long so I’ll just post a few every day

21 Best Places to Visit in France

Written by Lisa Alexander, updated Jun 23, 2021

The French affectionately call their beloved homeland "l'Hexagone" because of its distinct six-sided shape. Each corner of France has its own unique character: the rugged and outdoorsy French Alps; sun-drenched and slow-paced Provence; the glamorous and gorgeous Côte d'Azur coastline; and idyllic Alsace, a pastoral region where storybook hamlets are tucked away in the vine-covered rolling hills.

Paris and Versailles are must-see destinations for a first trip to France. Other classic travel itineraries include stops at fashionable seaside resorts, fairy-tale castles, and glorious Gothic cathedrals.

More off-the-beaten-path experiences are found in the countryside, such as at farmhouses in Burgundy, fishing villages in Brittany, and quaint towns in the forests of the Pyrenees Mountains.

From cultured cities to pristine nature sites, France offers endless tourist attractions. Discover this fascinating and diverse country with our list of the best places to visit in France.

1. Paris & Versailles

Paris Cityscape including Hôtel des Invalides and the Eiffel Tower

Appreciated for its elegance and joie de vivre, Paris is a grand European capital filled with architectural masterpieces like the Eiffel Tower and the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Reflecting the city's rich heritage, the Louvre (one of the top museums in Paris) contains an exceptional fine arts collection, while the Musée d'Orsay and the Musée de l'Orangerie display treasures of French Impressionist art.

Other charms of Paris are its atmospheric medieval quarters and graceful boulevards. Quintessential tourist experiences include shopping at bookshops in the Latin Quarter, strolling the Champs-Elysées, and people-watching from a sidewalk café terrace on the Boulevard Saint-Germain-de-Prés.

A short train ride from Paris is the UNESCO-listed Château de Versailles. Built for Louis XIV (the "Sun King"), this opulent 17th-century palace is a testament to the glory and absolute power of the French monarch. The château's splendid Baroque facade, dazzling Hall of Mirrors, and fountain-adorned formal gardens allow visitors to imagine a scene of France's bygone royal court.

2. The Charming Countryside of Provence

Field of Sunflowers in Provence

In contrast to the grey skies of Paris and northern France, the charming region of Provence basks in bright Mediterranean sunshine most of the year. This rural area feels untouched by the modern world and has a rugged, earthy appeal.

The rolling hills are covered with a patchwork of small farms, olive groves, sunflowers, and lavender fields. Fragrant rosemary, sage, and thyme and other wild herbs grow here in abundance and enliven the local cuisine. In this dreamy landscape, Impressionist painters found inspiration to create vibrant works of art.

Visitors are enchanted by the villages perchés, which crown Provence's hilltops. Two favorite destinations are Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a picture-perfect walled medieval town (near many Côte d'Azur tourist spots, such as Eze) and Gordes, which is among the top attractions in the Luberon.

In the heart of Provence, traditional ambience is found on the tree-shaded streets and outdoor cafés of Aix-en-Provence, at the festivals of Arles; and by the old seaport of Marseilles.

Also not-to-be missed are the Palais de Papes in Avignon; the legendary beach resort of Saint-Tropez; and the Roman theatre in Orange, one of the amazing sites of the Haut-Vaucluse.

3. The Côte d'Azur

Villefranche-sur-Mer (Day Trip from Nice) on the Côte d'Azur

Also known as the French Riviera, the Côte d'Azur is a glamorous stretch of Mediterranean coastline named for its deep azure-blue waters. The skies are often a mesmerising cerulean hue as well, thanks to the sunny weather most of the year in this area of southern France.

Stretching roughly from Saint-Tropez (overlapping with the Provence region) to Menton, less than 30 kilometres from the border with Italy, the Côte d'Azur has been a fashionable seaside resort destination since the early 19th century.

Spring and autumn bring milder weather and a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere.

The Côte d'Azur has something for everyone. Nice is the place to enjoy the good life, visit art museums, and stroll along cobblestone streets and palm-fringed boulevards. Within a short drive from Nice are places to visit as day trips, such as splendid waterfront villas and top-notch art museums.

Among the most famous French Riviera tourist attractions are Cannes, which has a dazzling beachfront promenade and an alluring Old Town; and Monaco, a tiny royal principality that is synonymous with luxury and decadence. Both Cannes and Monaco feature five-star hotels, acclaimed restaurants, and yacht-filled marinas.

Sun worshippers flock to Saint-Tropez, a happening summer vacation spot with exclusive private beaches, as well as public beaches that appeal to regular tourists. Vacationers appreciate Antibes for its expansive sandy beaches, atmospheric medieval quarter, and fabulous Picasso Museum housed in a castle overlooking the sea.

I have also found an A to Z of French food so I will post a letter a day…

 

We have drawn up this handy French food names list with many ingredients you are likely to see on the menu while vacationing in France or even on a French menu closer to home. It includes the essential French food words, helping you make the most of your French food and dining experiences. 

A

Abati’s – Giblets

Abdelavis – Jerusalem melon

Abricot – Apricot

Acajou – Cashew

Agneau – Lamb

Agneau de lait – Baby milk-fed lamb

Agrume – citrus

Algue – seaweed

Aligot – potatoes mashed with fresh mountain cheese

Aiglefin – Haddock

Aiguillat – Dogfish

Aiguillette – breast meat

Ail – Garlic

Ailloli – Garlicky mayonnaise

Amande – Almond

Amuse-bouche – Appetizer

Ananas – Pineapple

Anchois – Anchovies

Andouillette – Pork sausage

Aneth – Dill

Anguille – Eel (anguille de mer is a conger eel), a common dish in Bordeaux

Apéritif – Pre-dinner drink

Arachide – Peanut

Araignée de Mer – Spider crab

Artichaut – Artichoke

Asperge – Asparagus

Aubergine – Aubergine, eggplant

Autruche – Ostrich

Avocat – Avocado

Avoine– oat