Bonjour and Bon Weekend!
Here in France we are all gearing up for La rentrée.
La rentrée is uniquely French – it isn’t just about the kids going back to school though that is a part of it. It’s about the end of summer holidays and the return to normal life. La rentrée is about optimism and renewal, new stock in the shops, new TV programmes, new books being released. It is about energy in social lives and shops and restaurants being open, because bizarrely, even though the summer tourist season is the busiest time of the year, many venues close for a week or two in July and August, sometimes longer so that the French owners/workers can have their holiday!
Throughout the country there is a feeling of vivacity, élan and enthusiasm.
It is also a great time to visit France! The hordes of tourists will have departed, the weather is still great although cooler in the evenings and everything is open still. I’ll certainly be getting about in September with trips to Carcasonne, Perpignan, Limoges and Paris and of course, I’ll be sending you a postcard from everywhere I go!
We’ve got hundreds of inspirational articles for your visits to France and if you don’t find what you’re looking for – why not drop me a line, I might be able to help…
With best wishes,
Janine
Editor
This week’s Top Features:
The Unique library at St Omer: In the modern looking municipal library of St Omer 30 minutes from Calais is an extraordinary secret – a collection of books dating back to the 7th Century, saved during the French Revolution and open to the public…
3 of the most popular foods in France: Yves Calmette reviews the “French Paradox” 3 ‘bad’ foods that are good for you…
The French language school where the real world is your classroom: We meet Stephanie Oliver from Nantes who runs a French language school where you live while you learn in the town where the legacy of Jules Verne lingers…
The Hermione ship is recreated: The Hermione was the boat on which General Lafayette travelled and who was instrumental in helping America to win the War of Independence. This is a most extraordinary project between France and America…
Chateau Azay le Rideau: One of the most romantic chateaux in France, we share some gorgeous photos with you….
The Marais in Paris: This elegant area is beloved of many, Gai Reid from Australia tells us why it’s her favourite part of the city of light….
Beautiful windows in France: Author Patricia Sands loves French windows and shares some of her favourite, stunning photos from Nice…
Classic French Beurre Noisette recipe: classic and versatile and oh so French…
Coach trip to key WWI sites: Bob Lyons visits Mons and other key sites by coach and goes behind the lines in Montreuil-sur-Mer for a new exhibition about every day life during the Great War.
5 Key tips to buying cheap property in France: We can’t all afford a chateau but there are ways to make your money go further when buying property in France…
Voting in France for expats – what can go wrong if you don’t know the rules!
Guest Post: Rebecca from Australia talks about her visit to the Eiffel Tower
