Category: Tourism

THE BBC’s new autumn adventure series, Merlin, will have as its backdrop a château found to the north east of Paris.

(more…)

IN 1864 the city of Paris bought the domain of Les Sources de la Seine in order that they could appropriate their will completely over the river that runs to the capitol.

A year later the sculptor, Jouffroy, carved the statue to the Goddess Sequana; a symbol of purity.

Les Sources de la Seine originate from the Gallic era, then the Gallo-Roman (Sequana is the latin name for the Seine) followed by the Christian era (Saint-Seine.) During excavation of the site evidence of pagan worship, that testified to the thanksgiving plaques of wood, were found in abundance.

(more…)

YOU might not think water runs uphill, but in France it does, writes Beryl Brennan.

The source of the River Thouet in Deux-Sevres is at Le Beugnon, near Secondigny, and it runs uphill to join the mighty Loire at Saumur.

It is a particularly attractive river, meandering through the picturesque and varied countryside via Parthenay, Airvault (birthplace of Voltaire) and Thouars, in a route known as the Vallee du Thouet.

(more…)

I LOVE gardens. Well to be exact I like visiting and looking at gardens. Whilst staying with friends they took us to a most delightful village, Saint Céneri le Gérei.

Hidden away on the edge of the village are some gardens, Les Jardins de la Mansonière, which have been constructed over 16 years by Michèle and Philippe Manson.

(more…)

THE magnificent sight of the Tall Ships Race, or as the French call it The Armada, called in at Rouen in the Seine Maritime department of Normandy, before heading to the UK.

Here Coral writes about her experience of visiting the event, but also some of the difficulties she faced as a disabled visitor during a trip with family and friends:

While on holiday in the area I took time to go and see the tall ships as they were in the port at Rouen, before they left in style on July 14.

There were due to be around 30 ships taking part, as well as free concerts and firework displays every evening, plus the chance to enjoy international shops, local restaurants and bars, the crowning of Miss Armada, an interfaith mass and the Grand Parade of Tall Ships on Bastille Day.

Other events on offer were lunch aboard three of the ships, the ability to tour some of the ships and a four day rowing race from Paris to Rouen.

(more…)

THE French city of Lyon makes its mark today as a vibrant metropolis, brimming with great food, vivacious commerce and wealthy Bourgeois, writes Zach Spittler.

(more…)

Vasles in Deux-Sevres is doing its bit for European relations, by way of sheep, writes Beryl Brennan.

Mouton Village occupies a large part of the village, with its 1,600 human inhabitants greatly outnumbered by their four-legged woolly compatriots.

The commune has around 100 sheep farmers and 18,000 breeding ewes at any one time, producing lambs and associated products; it is the main industry and income provider for the area.

(more…)

AT this time of year the market in Strasbourg draws thousands of visitors and events take place into early January, here Zach Spittler takes a tour.

Ahh, the smells of Christmas. Eggnog, hot chestnuts, candy canes, the distinct aroma of a pine Christmas tree filling the family room. Until this week, nothing else even compared. Those scents had history and tradition behind them, leaving them unparalleled by any other Christmas fragrance. Then I went to Strasbourg.

(more…)

Paneau at Saffres
By charallais

FRANCE is becoming much more aware of the need for disability accessible sites to appeal to the tourist market.

Much of this is down to the disabled themselves, whose expectations are much higher now than ever before.

There was a time when the disabled were pushed into the background and no one considered they could, or would, join in the activities taken for granted by their able bodied friends and family, writes Coral Luke.

(more…)