Friday February 10, 2012
The French are good at romance and Valentine's Day offers every full-blooded French man and woman the chance for dressing up, going out and of course, eating and drinking very well. But the French are very good at romance all year round. See what the French get up to on St. Valentine's Day.
Where else would you expect to find somewhere dedicated to the saint but in France? St. Valentin is in Indre, the central Val de Loire region and has declared itself the 'Village of Love'. There's a festival, of course, from February 12th to 14th, with the village decorated to within an inch of its life with red roses and plenty of people renewing vows, and some getting married.
If you don't fancy that particular crowd of lovers, there are plenty of other places which fulfill all the romantic requirements. Check out the top top romantic hotels in France.
Image: Domaine les Crayeres in Reims, Champagne, has a special romantic offer. See the top romantic hotels in France.
Sunday February 5, 2012
The snow has been falling and the slopes on the French ski resorts are top quality. But a slow start to the season meant that many people held off booking or went elsewhere. So there are plenty of bargains out there, even over the half-term holidays. Here are a few suggestions from some small specialised companies in the U.K. Even if you don't use them this time, it's worth keeping their details for future ski holidays:
Wake Up in France: Les Houches between Chamonix and Megeve50% off February half term skiing at self-catered Les Balcons d'Anaïte apartments in Les Houches. A self-catered apartment for 4/6 people for 1 week from 11th February is now from £85 per person (was £169pp). Accommodation only.
More information on www.wakeupinfrance.co.uk
Ski Famille: Les Gets near Morzine
Ski Famille is a great small company offering specialist family ski holidays, based on their own experiences. Their current offer saves you £75 per person on Les Gets catered chalets on departures on 25th February and 3rd March. All properties are ski in/ski out or an easy walk to the piste and include five days of free childcare.
More information: www.skifamille.co.uk
Tel.: 0845 64 437 64
Stanford Skiing: Megeve
Stanford Skiing is offering a 3-might break from Sundays to Wednesdays from £245 per person (including the discount). Cheaper flights at the beginning of the week and their accompanied skiing programme on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, plus breakfast, afternoon tea and three course dinner make this an attractive deal.
More information on www.stanfordskiing.co.uk
Email: info@stanfordskiing.co.uk
Tel.: 01603 477471
Mountain Heaven: Various destinations in the French Alps
Up to 40% off selected catered chalets including free transfers. The Jardin D'Angele in Courchevel is £499 per person for the week of 25th Feb, and La Laiterie in the heart of the Paradiski is £399 per person on 19th and 26th February departures.
More information on www.mountainheaven.co.uk
Tel.: 0151 625 1921 or email: info@mountainheaven.co.uk
If calling from the U.S.A. please add 00 44 before the telephone number and omit the first 0 (so VIP chalets above will be 00 44 844 557 3119.
Image: Kids skiing at Courchevel 1850 © Courchevel Tourisme/Jerome Kelagopian
More on Skiing in the French Alps
Luxury Resort of Courchevel
Luxury Hotels in CourchevelWednesday February 1, 2012
For many of us, carnivals are usually associated with the south of France, and Christmas markets with the north. But both Christmas markets and carnivals are celebrated throughout France with equal gusto so wherever you are, you'll find one.
January is a cold, sometimes bleak month in Pas de Calais on the English Channel, but there was a particularly reason for little Dunkerque to cheer itself up.
Dunkerque's prosperity lay with the visscherbende (groups of local fishermen), who sailed to Iceland to catch cod. Before they set sail on what was a very dangerous journey, there was, of course, a great feast. It started in the 18th century and has continued to this day, along with all sorts of local customs and songs added in for good measure.
It's the biggest carnival in this part of France, and one of the oldest. It may not be not the most comfortable carnival for spectators, but it's fascinating and an event well worth seeing and it lasts at weekends and on certain weekdays, until March 11th.
More on Dunkerque Carnival
More on Carnivals in FranceSunday January 29, 2012
Shopping in French fleamarkets is a particular pleasure. Some cities specialize in gathering dealers together at fixed dates. Strasbourg has four brocantes or fleamarkets a year and the next two in February and April (7th and 8th) give you the chance to seek out all sorts of old items, some valuable, some possibly less so except in terms of the pleasure that an old set of cutlery, grape scissors or a vintage frock might give you .
Strasbourg, placed at the eastern border where France and Germany meet, is a particular good place for such an event. On February 4th and 5th, you can browse through the stalls for old European jewelery, ceramics, glassware, clothes and general antiques, giving a far greater range than in many French cities.
Practical Information
Parc des Expositions du Wacken.
Place de la Foire-Expositions
Tel.: 00 33 (0)3 88 37 67 67
Website
Guide to Strasbourg
More on Bargain Shopping in France
Bargain Shopping in Troyes, Champagne
Image: Streets of Strasbourg © AIRDIASOL - ROTHAN
