Tag: France

Reasons to Explore Beautiful Brittany, France!

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Brittany has been a popular getaway in Western Europe for holiday makers for what seems like forever, and there’s a good reason (or a number of good reasons, in fact) for this. It is the ideal destination for a short break from the hustle and bustle of city living – it is classically beautiful, with fantastic beaches, lovely weather, and a long and storied culture.

The sheer variety of the region makes it a perfect place for just about any kind of traveller. Whether you’re alone, with your family or on a romantic break for two; whether you prefer a cheaper holiday enjoying the locals’ preferred dining spots or you like to live in the lap of luxury at a boutique hotel; whether you want to soak up the sun on the beach or take in the latest in modern art… basically, whatever you like, you’ll find something to love here.

And it’s easy to get to as well – instead of wasting a couple of hours waiting to board a plane and then sitting in cramped conditions and having to spend a small fortune on a bottle of water, why not take the ferry over instead? Brittany Ferries offer some great deals on holidays in France which include return ferry travel with your car. Click here to view their latest deals.

Here are some more reasons to head over to this glorious part of France – in case you’re not convinced already!

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The Beautiful Beaches

The lovely resort of Dinard is home to a number of fantastic beaches in itself. It has been popular among British travellers since the 19th century, and it’s not difficult to see why. The former fishing village was the most popular resort in France until the Riviera took the top spot in the ‘30s, and attracted celebrities, wealthy businessmen and even European royalty. There are more than 400 listed buildings here, many of which date to this time.

Arguably the most dazzling of beaches here is the Plage de l’Écluse, a large expanse of golden sands just to the north of Dinard. It is a beautiful beach, replete with lovely blue and white beach huts. The sea wall makes for a nice seaside walk, the sands are perfect for building castles, and there’s a seawater swimming pool – what more could you want?

Arts and Culture

Every summer, Morbihan in central Brittany opens its L’art dans les chapelles (Art in chapels) to visitors. This display takes place over 25 different sites across the Blavet Valley, most of which are chapels that date back to the 15th and 16th centuries.

20 of today’s best and brightest artists get to display their work here each summer, meaning you can spend a day enjoying a walk around the beautiful area, stopping off to admire impressive architecture and incredible artwork.

Enjoy a City Break

Saint Malo – the City of Corsairs – is a wonderful place to visit, either for a week or just a day trip. The impressive Old Town is lined with cobbled streets and dotted with grandiose granite mansions, and is encircled by town walls.

The pink granite on the nearby beaches makes for an awe-inspiring sight. Make sure to visit the cathedral and the castle to get a taste of the city’s rather turbulent history. Thankfully, that is entirely in the past – the island is a truly tranquil place these days.

How to see Paris as a local

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Nibbling on fresh baguette and drinking fine wine is one of the best ways on how to see Paris as a local!

Nibbling on fresh baguette and drinking fine wine is one of the best ways on how to see Paris as a local!

Every year, over 70 million tourists stream into France, making this nation the most visited nation on the planet. Many of these folks come to see Paris, the vaunted city of romance, above all else. Of all the cities in the world, few others possess the mystique that the City of Lights has in spades.

Of course, the big problem with all of this is that it is very difficult to capture the essence of this French metropolis by staying in a hotel, where the experience is either generic or highly contrived. Many standard sights overflow with foreigners like you (and not native Parisians), taking the surreality that you had expected your visit to Paris to have.

The best way to fight this is by actively seeking out local experience. The following article will dish on how to see Paris as a local, from the moment you wake up in the morning, right through to the last authentic activity you have energy for at the end of the day.

Stay in cheaper neighborhoods

While those that have excelled at their profession have made the glitzier arrondissements their home, your average Parisian has been forced outward towards more distant areas. This doesn’t mean you’ll be missing out on what makes this city great – many places like Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement are well connected to the city center by transit, and with centuries of history behind them, they have their own charms and attractions that make these places worthwhile places to reside.

If you are looking for the perfect place in the outer burbs of Paris, sites like this one (http://www.housetrip.com/en/paris) will put you on the right track towards getting a cozy place in a leafy neighborhood in the City of Lights.

Enjoy Paris’ amazing green spaces

When the delightful days of summer arrive in Central France, Parisians waste no time in deriving enjoyment from them, as one can plainly see when they stroll through this cities many amazing parks. You should join them in spreading out a picnic cloth and partaking of both the fine bounty of the land that France provides in terms of food and drink, as well as the company of close friends or a special significant other.

Search for treasures to adorn your home as Parisians do

Paris has numerous markets spread across its expanse, with each offering a wide variety of goods that will spruce up the look of your accommodation, as well as your mantle at home. Bouquinistes sell tons of old rare books along the banks of the Seine, while the Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen stands as the largest flea market on Earth, so if you’re looking for that random quirky knick-knack that will get your family talking back home.