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A chronicle of a one day visit from Paris to the Loire Valley When I was a kid I considered Europe to be a place where knights and damsels and castles were still the way people lived, with some peasants picturesquely gathering wheat in the background of a jousting tournament. There was definitely a guy…
The Founding of Paris Long before it became the “City of Light,” Paris began as a humble settlement founded by the Celtic Parisii around the 3rd century BC on the marshy banks of the Seine. Centuries of strife with Roman legions led to Julius Caesar’s conquest in 52 BC, embedding the fledgling city—then called Lutetia—firmly…
A short history of the charming town of Bayeux Bayeux, a quaint town in Normandy, France, is situated near the English Channel in the Calvados region. Nestled along the Aure River, it is approximately 16 miles west-northwest of Caen and about 166 miles northwest of Paris. This charming town is renowned for the medieval tapestry…
A chronicle of our day tour from Paris to Caen and the Normandy beaches Hail had hit Paris the night before my trip to Normandy, and the morning dawned cold. It was April, so I don’t even want to think about what February was like that year. I was wearing a long coat, turtleneck, a…
A Century as France’s Royal Residence The Palace of Versailles served as the royal residence of France for more than a century, from 1682 until the French Revolution in 1789. It began humbly in 1624, when Louis XIII built a small hunting lodge in the village of Versailles, just outside Paris. That modest structure would…
France’s Legendary Coastal and Countryside Escape The Normandy region combines a stunning 360-mile coastline—highlighted by the dramatic WWII landing beaches—with a lush interior dotted with farmland, market towns, and historic cities like Caen, Bayeux, and Rouen. Here, you’ll find culinary delights (cheeses, cider, and Calvados brandy) alongside centuries of pivotal history. Truly, welcome to Normandy!…
Get to know the city of Marseilles, the Gateway to Provence Marseilles is the second largest city in France, behind Paris, and has the varied population you’d expect in a port city which is one of the major European gateways to Africa. Cruise ships and freighters use the modern port, but all the charm is…
Often called the “Garden of France,” the Loire Valley greets you with rolling green hills, world-class vineyards, and more than a thousand châteaux. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci flocked here to design grand residences with formal gardens, reflecting the region’s centuries-long legacy of beauty and innovation. Our Top Three Loire Tours from Paris For more…
A journey to discover the best food in France Most of Europe lives on bread, cheese and some form of ham and sausage. They are the staples of the continent. So why then is it all so fantastic in France? Why is France above the rest? Pipe down, Italians, you know it’s true (even though I’ve…
Brittany, located in northwest France, offers a glimpse into a world both rugged and charming—distinctly different from many other French regions. With more than 2,000 kilometers of breathtaking coastline, historic medieval towns, and a deep Celtic-influenced culture, Brittany is a must-visit for travelers seeking something off the beaten path. A Spectacular Coastline Rich History &…