From the excess of the Riviera to the wilderness of Camargue or the big ego of the historical cities, Provence is great from the highest mountain to the serene sea. But at the heart of it all you will find the Luberon - and that is a coup de coeur to last a lifetime.
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Bretagne: a Celtic love story
How did we end up having a Creperie? Our friends already know, and the story, has become quite famous in the press at the time. However, INCEPTION is the best part: what is the connection between salted caramel, King Arthur, galettes complètes, island houses, and Celtic dances? In one word, a wedding. Of course, not just any wedding, but a wedding like no other, which took place in a hamlet surrounded by waters in Brittany. Besides bringing together a bunch of wonderful people scattered all over Europe and uniting a couple deeply in love, the wedding was the perfect opportunity to step into a story. To be honest, Carnac was…
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Best of Lavender Season: top 8 fields in Provence
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque Yes, it’s my no.1 too. Topping all lavender tops and Provence guides, the iconic Senanque Abbey is a masterpiece set amidst heavenly lavender fields. Wander through the ancient stone walls, capturing postcard-perfect shots of the abbey framed by fragrant lavender blooms, but take your time offline and gadget-free. The symphony of colors and scents here brings you closer to God, literally. Bonnieux and the Luberon Valley The absolute sine qua non of the lavender season in Provence, The Luberon Regional Park is home to all the wonders: lavender fields, hilltop villages and sinuous country roads where you never cease to french kiss. Bonnieux is one seductive village perched on a…
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POSTCARDS: If it’s February, then it’s Carnival in NICE!
Nice Carnival is one of the greatest carnivals in the world: every year before Mardi Gras, there are two weeks of daily events and parades, including the famous Night Parade (on the Promenade du Paillon) and the Battle of Flowers (on the Promenade des Anglais).
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Bet you didn’t know: Carnival was born in Nice!
Did you know that the Carnival in Nice is the original carnival-type celebration ? We all know about – and even travelled to – the famous Carnival in Rio or in Venice, but few of us are aware that the Nice Carnival is the oldest ever mentioned, namely by the Count of Provence Charles d’Anjou in 1294. The Nice Carnival is not only one of the major carnivals in the world, but it is maybe the greatest in terms of the complexity of the parade: each year has a special theme which sets the tone for the design of 18 spectacular floats and all the masquerades and connected activities. The 2020 theme…
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NORMANDY: #SINEQUANON: THE THINGS YOU CANNOT LEAVE OUT
ONE: MONT SAINT MICHEL The only possible number one. Although is closer and more intimately connected to Bretagne, it will be top-of-mind for any escape in Western France. I wrote more about “the wonder” here. TWO: THE ALABASTER COAST AND PAYS DE CAUX La Cote d’Albatre is the French counterpart of the famous white cliffs that are the picture-perfect signature of the English Channel coastline. It makes for a great roadtrip, with its towns and villages of quaint charm and the often striking beauty of the high falaises. Stop in Etretat, Yport, Fecamp, Veules-les-Roses, Dieppe. Etretat has the most beautiful cliffs, Fecamp is a jewel of a town where you…
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A story of tides: the secrets of Mont Saint Michel, revealed
Is it a castle or an island? Is that the desert or the sea? Is it Bretagne or Normandie? Each day, this castle becomes an island, then the sea withdraws to leave treacherous sands behind. Meanwhile, a whimsical little river draws the border between the two realms, making Mont St. Michel part of Normandy. The mountain has always been a place of awe; beautiful and inaccessible, it caused many to perish at the mercy of tides. And as it happens with so many places of awe and beauty, it has always been a site of worship. In the early days of Christianity, monks were using Mount Tomb – that was…
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#POSTCARDS: LA FRANCE SECRETE
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# FOOD POSTCARDS
Crepe supercomplete, Dinard
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THE BEST TRAVEL ADVICE IN THE WORLD
Travel to wonderland. Just use the rabbit hole and go where the magic is: visit Disneyland or the Harry Potter Studios, follow the GoT locations, spend a week in a 300+ yo home, camp in the desert and bathe in the Milky Way at night. Travel back to yourself, recapture the world as it was before you grew up. Return to your happyplace. You must have one. It’s either a cabin, or a lake, or a beach, or a city, a precise time of the year, a table with a view, or a person. Return as many times as you can, or move there. Travel with your best friend. Friendship…
