The lights have been turned on all over France for Christmas, snow is falling in the Alps and it’s definitely time to get gloves and scarves out if you’re visiting France!
There are some great deals around for visitors travelling from the UK to Calais. MyFerryLink, DFDS, Eurotunnel and P&O – they’re all offering discounts, vouchers and money off travel costs to help you make the most of your Christmas shopping and visit.
We’ve got tons of information on our website about Christmas all over France – the best markets in Paris, lights, festivals and you can still download our Christmas in France 2013 book for free!
Susie Woodhams, our new expat expert in Alsace visited the Christmas markets at Eguiseheim (where even the pigeon coop is decorated in style!) and at lovely Riquewihr.
Our Paris expat expert Linda Matthieu checked out Christmas Champs-Elysées style and if you’re in Paris do check out our safety tips. Paris is generally a safe city to visit but better to be safe than sorry.
In the Vendée, Lucy Pitts reported on the fabulous and quite amazing Christmas show at Puy du Fou theme park – unique and really quite stunning.
One of my favourite stories of the last few days is Gite Ahoy! A British couple bought an abandoned boat that was built for a British racing driver in 1960. They lovingly restored it and after 12 years of hard work – they’ve moored it on the beautiful Canal du Midi in the Languedoc-Roussillon where it makes the most fabulous floating gite – definitely on my wish list that one and if you’re looking for a relaxing holiday in a beautiful location – pop it on yours too!
We’ve had a bit of a foodie week here at The Good Life France – we asked some of our writers what their favourite French food is – have a look and see if you agree with them!
We’ve published some great recipes too – sent to us by Michel Roux Jr, Raymond Blanc and Paola Westbeek our very own Queen of French Cuisine. Check out Chef Roux’s chestnut and apple soup, Chef Blanc’s Ham Hock Terrine with soused vegetables and Paola’s fabulous oeufs en cocotte… oh la la!
If you’re off on a ski holiday and you’re driving to your French destination – check out our top tips.
Bob Lyons, a Francophile from London told us how he fell in love with France after a camping trip to Saint Omer in the north of France – a truly lovely tale and you can tell it’s from the heart.
Anyone interested in the Euro outlook will be keen to see our monthly update for December…
Want to put next year’s French public holidays in your diary? Here are the dates and what they’re all about.
And finally, a great new competition – it’s only for one week because we’ve got some more great prizes to give away before Christmas so check it out and enter straight away because it’s a really special one: a silver key ring with a piece of 500 year old slate roof tile from the Chateau de Chenonceau in the Loire. It’s easy to enter – Bonne Chance!
Wishing you all a very bon weekend,
Janine
