With a massive natural harbour protected by the peninsula of Saint Mandrier and defended from the north by the colossal Mont Faron, Toulon was made to be a port. The French navy has been based at Toulon for more than 500 years, while the Ancient Greeks were the first to realise the value of this …
The world’s northernmost Francophone city is just minutes from the border with Belgium. Life in Dunkirk has always been oriented towards the sea, whether through historic whaling and fishing or trade. The port remains active today and also shuttles passengers across the channel to Dover. But for you and me the sea also brings fun …
There’s no mystery why Centre-Val de Loire is such a hit with visitors. Firstly, the landscapes are heart-rendingly pretty, with vineyards sloping down to the banks of this broad semi-mythic river. And then you have the heritage to contend with, as the Loire Valley was the retreat of choice for France’s renaissance kings, who created …
World-famous wine, natural parks, heritage, pastoral countryside and acclaimed cuisine, Burgundy’s got the lot. If you want to know Burgundy’s rich oenology you’ll need days to see everything; this is the region of chablis, meursault and rully after all, and there are five official wine trails to follow. For history, Burgundy is replete with early-medieval …
In the capital of Burgundy’s region you better believe you can immerse yourself in wine. Well, not literally: But all around this pretty country town are names that ring out in the wine world, like Santenay and Pommard, so you can go off and taste grands crus and tour illustrious vineyards for days on end. …
In 1429 Joan of Arc liberated Orléans from a siege by the English, and the city has never forgotten this event. There are statues in her honour, whole wings in museums about the liberation and an annual festival in May to celebrate it with full ceremony and splendour. Many tourists rushing to the Loire Valley’s …
The capital of the historic Artois region has a strong Flemish accent, clear in the names, architecture, food and art. The gabled houses on Place des Héros and Grand-Place could easily be in Belgium or the Netherlands, while the fine arts museum has a bounty of Flemish and Dutch baroque painting. The First World War …
Rouen is a Norman city in a prime location between Paris and the port of Le Havre on the banks of the Seine. In medieval times this made the city a merchant’s paradise, and Rouen grew dramatically in the 14th and 15th centuries when traders settled near the Rive Droite and built themselves handsome timber-framed …
If you’ve ever wondered what a an Alsatian city might have looked like in all its medieval glory, Colmar is your answer. The old town has been left untouched for hundreds of years and looks like a theme park, except the timber houses and palaces are completely real and original. Go on a guided tour …
It’s no mystery that Tours is a favourite base for people discovering the Loire Valley’s exalted châteaux. Villandry, Chenonceau and Amboise are moments by car, and with the help of the Loire à Vélo network you can visit them on two wheels with ease. But you may find that if you delve a little more …