Category: France

France is the most visited country in the world. A majority of those visitors are heading to Paris, the most visited city in the world, but there is much to discover for travellers who venture into the French countryside – which is defined as anywhere outside of Paris’ city limits, according to Parisians. French cuisine was the first cuisine to enter the UNESCO’s World Heritage List as a “world intangible heritage”, and French culture has been the fascination of the English speaking world since the English and French began sparring across the channel.

Top Travel Destinations in France

Top Travel Experiences in France

  • Explore Paris
  • Visit the medieval walled city of Avignon
  • Catch some sunshine on the French Riviera
  • Visit vineyards and Champagne caves in Champagne

France Travel Guides

Avignon, France, Provence

Finding the Parc des Rocher Doms in Avignon

It was only 10 AM, but Avignon’s cobblestone streets were already hot after a few hours baking in the August sunshine. The city’s medieval alleyways provide surprisingly little shade and the park in the city centre isn’t much better. Visiting the famous Palace des Papes, France’s former home to the Pope, and the Pont St Benezet, the famous half-crumbled bridge from French nursery rhymes, was … Continue reading Finding the Parc des Rocher Doms in Avignon

Genevieve Lauren2 Comments
Europe, France, History, Paris

Archaeological crypt of Notre Dame: Roman ruins in Paris

With it’s grand boulevards, historic mansions and charming lack of skyscrapers, it can seem like Paris is stuck in the 19th century. The Archaeological Crypt of Notre Dame underneath Notre Dame Cathedral in Ile de City shows that it’s a city in a constant state of change. In the 1960s, during excavations for a car park outside Notre Dame, ancient Roman ruins were discovered 80 … Continue reading Archaeological crypt of Notre Dame: Roman ruins in Paris

Genevieve LaurenLeave a comment
Europe, France, Paris

One Perfect Day in Paris

If I only had 24 hours in Paris, this is how I’d spend it. No Eiffel Tower, no Louvre, no Moulin Rouge. A few icons, a few shops, a few fabulous views and lots of delicious food. Morning Breakfast: I’d start my day right with a pain au chocolat at the nearest boulangerie. Nowhere has pastries like Paris. Afterwards, I’d head to Musee de l’Orangerie … Continue reading One Perfect Day in Paris

Genevieve Lauren12 Comments
Europe, France, Islands & Beaches, Nice

Lazy days at Opera Plage Beach Club, Nice

One of the most bizarre things about the beaches in the Italian and French Rivieras is that huge sections of them are roped off and come at a price. I’ve never seen a private beach club in Australia and it seems strange to me that someone can own part of the beach. It’s a smart business move, however, because most of these beaches have rocks … Continue reading Lazy days at Opera Plage Beach Club, Nice

Genevieve Lauren9 Comments
Europe, France, Paris

Stay in Paris: Hotel Eiffel Segur

Paris is a tough place to find decent accommodation on a budget, but now that I’ve found Hotel Eiffel Segur, I never have to worry again! Location The hotel is in Montparnasse, my favourite suburb in Paris to stay in. It’s a beautiful neighbourhood that isn’t too touristy but is in a great location for exploring the Left Bank. It’s not far from the Eiffel … Continue reading Stay in Paris: Hotel Eiffel Segur

Genevieve Lauren5 Comments
Europe, France, Paris

How to find good budget accommodation in Paris online

Out of the ten cities I booked accommodation in last year, Paris was by far the trickiest. As such a popular tourist destination with plenty of great neighbourhoods to stay in, I thought it would be the easiest. I was wrong! In my experience, Italian hospitality is naturally better or more reliable than French hospitality. I loved everywhere I stayed in France, but it involved … Continue reading How to find good budget accommodation in Paris online

Genevieve Lauren4 Comments
City Guides, Europe, France, Neighbourhood Guides, Paris

La Defense Neighbourhood Guide, Paris

Wide boulevards, elegant stone buildings with gun-metal grey roofs and few buildings more than five or six stories tall. This is how we tend to think of Paris. It wasn’t until my third visit to Paris that I saw a different side to the City of Light. La Defense, technically outside the city’s limits, is Paris’ modern business district. Free of height restrictions, skyscrapers grow … Continue reading La Defense Neighbourhood Guide, Paris

Genevieve Lauren4 Comments
France, Paris, The Arts

Skip the Moulin Rouge! See The Lido

The Moulin Rouge achieved international infamy decades before Nicole Kidman sashayed across the stage in Baz Luhrmann’s film of the same name.  I’d seen the Moulin Rouge, but didn’t realise that The Lido was a similar cabaret in Paris until my uncle made the joke that I could work there with one of his friends, to fund my dream of living in Paris. As I’ve … Continue reading Skip the Moulin Rouge! See The Lido

Genevieve Lauren9 Comments
Paris Montmartre
France, Paris

Postcards from a rainy day in Montmartre

Almost every day we had in Paris was beautiful and sunny, except for the day we went to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre. We started the day wearing summer dresses but were shocked by a windy, miserable day when we got outside. Fifteen minutes later we’d cobbled together a vaguely warm outfit and were back on track. We started at the boulangerie on the corner with … Continue reading Postcards from a rainy day in Montmartre

Genevieve Lauren6 Comments
Architecture & Design, Culture, France, Paris, The Arts

The Glory of Opera Garnier, Paris

I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I thought the Palace of Versailles was grand, but Paris’ Opera Garnier blows it out of the water. Every inch is a tribute to opulence. Completed in 1875 by architect Charles Garnier, Opera Garnier is Europe’s largest opera houses. It is the setting for Gaston Leyroux’s Phantom of the Opera, a famous play which is now also the longest-running show … Continue reading The Glory of Opera Garnier, Paris

Genevieve Lauren3 Comments