It rises majestically in front of you, as you drive towards it from the south, sunbaked sandstone and golden rock against the vivid blue sky. It has been well-deservedly named one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France – one of the most beautiful villages of France. It’s a moviestar, vantage point of the Luberon…
The Occitanie region in the south-west of France is filled with the remains of a turbulent history, cultural heritage and proud traditions. Troubadours sang about the Holy Grail in the medieval fortress of Carcassonne, heretics were burnt on the stake by the hundreds and politically, it was ruled in turn by Visigoths, Franks, Merovingians, Moors,…
It has been immortalised in song. It has been included in a UNESCO World Heritage designation. It isn’t even a WHOLE bridge. And it all started with a young shepherd throwing a rock into the river. This is the legend of the Pont d’Avignon in Avignon, France. To be correct, its real name is Pont…
The Loire valley is one of the places in Europe with most castles.
No wonder it is a Unesco World Heritage, and there’s nothing better than to go on a castle roadtrip around the beautiful countryside to (try to) see them all. But some deserve more mention than others. Not because they’re grand but because they’re special.
We have found 5 lesser-known castles, that may be very different, but are equally fabulous.
Tessa Laroche stands in the fermentation room, surrounded by stainless steel tanks and pours us a glass of the 2015 Domaine aux Moines. The pneumatic press behinds us makes some peculiar sounds. She raises her arms, like a conductor, moves her hands in time with the noise and with a slight bow emphasises the last commotion of the press.
Tessa is the maestro and the wine is her symphony.
Wuhhu, it’s Friday and maybe you’re heading out for a dinner or drinks with some friends.
In that case, chances are, that you’ll meet a Frenchman in a bar. He’ll tell you to be “Cointreauversial”, that he goes well with others but is intense enough company in himself. He will dare you to put him on ice and when you put him to your lips, he tastes like oranges.
His name is Cointreau.
Monastic buildings towering on a rock in a sea in Normandy. Medieval houses clinging to the side, as if not to crash into the waters below, that can come rushing in with the galloping tide. For centuries a stronghold, then a prison and now one of the greatest tourist attractions in France: Mont Saint-Michel.