Category: France

Mont Saint Michel: A Wonder of Nature and Human Skill
France, Travel stories

Mont Saint Michel: A Wonder of Nature and Human Skill

It is a wonder of nature and human skill that attracts more than three million visitors each year. Recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage site, with 61 of its buildings protected as historic monuments, it is among the most famous touristic places of France and the entire Europe. Through history, this island inspired artists such as Henry Adams and Claude Debussy, and even became a part of contemporary culture when it was used as an inspiration for the design of Minas Tirith in Lord of the Rings’ Return of the King. Continue reading “Mont Saint Michel: A Wonder of Nature and Human Skill”

Normandy, pt. 3: A Cheesy Story
France, Travel stories

Normandy, pt. 3: A Cheesy Story

I have traumatizing experiences when it comes to French cheese. When I was little, my uncle who lived in Paris came to visit a few times a year and brought presents. From clothes and toys for us kids, to champagne, boxes of chocolate and sweets, they were products that couldn’t be bought in our country and that always represented the elegance and class of France that we looked forward to receiving parts of.  Continue reading “Normandy, pt. 3: A Cheesy Story”

Normandy, pt. 2: History Lessons on D-Day Beaches
France, Travel stories

Normandy, pt. 2: History Lessons on D-Day Beaches

While visiting the Norman coast between towns Cabourg and Vierville-sur-Mer, a part that is called Côte de Nacre (in translation, Pearl Coast), Normandy graciously showed us another part of itself: one that is bleak and sad, and yet, in a way, very majestic. For this span of coast was the place of what some call the most important event of the World War II and one of the grandest military operations of all time. Five sandy beaches, Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah, gave us a memorable history lesson about the D-Day debarkment and the Battle of Normandy. Continue reading “Normandy, pt. 2: History Lessons on D-Day Beaches”

Normandy, pt. 1: Earth, Wind and Sea on the Côte d’Albâtre
France, Travel stories

Normandy, pt. 1: Earth, Wind and Sea on the Côte d’Albâtre

In my occasional travels around wonderful France I have learned that all parts of it are beautiful and special in their own ways, and visiting Normandy only corroborated that conclusion. Spending enough time in the region allows you to see its different faces: long sandy beaches, posh tourist resorts, sleepy villages, bustling ports, historic routes and beautiful wildish nature. Continue reading “Normandy, pt. 1: Earth, Wind and Sea on the Côte d’Albâtre”

Monet, Giverny and thinking that creativity is contagious
France, Travel stories

Monet, Giverny and thinking that creativity is contagious

There are certain names in history that are irretrievably connected with certain places. Michelangelo and Rome, Joyce and Dublin, Fitzgerald and New York, Toulouse-Lautrec and Paris, among many others, come to mind.  Ties between these names and places are strong, and you find it virtually impossible to imagine one without the other. Places have inspired these individuals and filled them with creative force. And in return, people made the places eternally famous. Continue reading “Monet, Giverny and thinking that creativity is contagious”

J’aime flâner sur les grands boulevards
France, Travel stories

J’aime flâner sur les grands boulevards

Parisian boulevards are the epitome of the rich and exclusive French lifestyle and walking down them allows you to experience yet another face of the complex city: one of wealth, luxury and good life. Wide streets milling with people, both elegant Parisian locals going around their usual daily business and fascinated tourists walking around and standing in awe in front of world famous Parisian cultural centers and department stores. Continue reading “J’aime flâner sur les grands boulevards”

Le Fête Nationale (pt. 2): Sweet Day in Paris
France, Travel stories

Le Fête Nationale (pt. 2): Sweet Day in Paris

One of the items on our ‘’must-do’’ list for our trip to France was to taste as many French pastries as we could manage. That is why our visit to Paris couldn’t pass without trying the ultimate and most iconic French confectionary – le macaron. The lazy afternoon of Le quatorze juillet seemed a perfect time for a visit to the Ladurée store in Rue Bonaparte, the home of the most famous Parisian macarons. Continue reading “Le Fête Nationale (pt. 2): Sweet Day in Paris”

Fête Nationale in Paris
France, Travel stories

Fête Nationale in Paris

We planned our trip to France so that we can be in Paris during the most important French national holiday. La Fête Nationale, Bastille Day, or Le quatorze juillet, is celebrated on the 14th of July and commemorates storming of the Bastille (the key event at the beginning of the French Revolution) that took place on 14th July 1789. On 14th July 1790, the Fête de la Fédération was held to celebrate the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in France and today’s Bastille Day is the continuation of that celebration. Continue reading “Fête Nationale in Paris”