Located at the heart of France’s hexagonal territory, Auvergne is a sparsely populated land of volcanic plateaus and large valleys. Unlike the Alps to the east or the Pyrénées to the southwest, its highest peaks reach only 6,000 feet above sea level and are free of snow in summer. The local authorities? efforts to safeguard the environment have made Auvergne one of the last protected zones in Europe.
Before going to Auvergne, familiarize yourself with its history and its gastronomy.
Remember the Nutella craze that took over France last week? On February 2nd, France celebrates La Chandeleur – a Christian tradition that has morphed into a crepe festival. So while Americans celebrate Groundhog day on the same day, the French will be eating a lot of […]
0 Read MoreThirsty for fabulous sightseeing, strolling and shopping? Paris has got you covered. Or maybe you’re simply thirsty. No problem. Whether you fancy Champagne atop the Eiffel Tower or coffee at a sidewalk cafe, here are five ways to raise a toast, Parisian style. From Angelina’s deliriously […]
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The Louvre Museum is putting 31 paintings on permanent display in an effort to find the rightful owners of works of art looted by Nazis during World War II. A working group set up by the Culture Ministry is in charge of tracing back the origins […]
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When they gave the RhoÌ‚ne-Alpes region its name back in the early 1980s, they kept things simple: they took the two most significant natural features – the 500-mile-long river RhoÌ‚ne and the mighty Alps – and joined them together with a hyphen. Not very imaginative, but […]
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Delacroix, Picasso, Roman culture and Calvados lead the way for the opening of new museums and amazing exhibits this year. First, thanks to backing from the New York Met, the Louvre will put together a retrospective exhibit of 19th century artist Eugene Delacroix’s work between March […]
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Celebrated chef Paul Bocuse, nicknamed the pope of French gastronomy, has died aged 91, according to France’s interior minister, Gerard Collomb. Collomb, Lyon´s former mayor, announcing the news on Twitter, wrote: “Paul Bocuse is dead, gastronomy is in mourning. “Mr Paul was France: simplicity and generosity; […]
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From France Today comes this first-person account of the Santiago de Compostella pilgrimage, which starts in Auvergne, in the center of France: One day, reading an article by Bruce Chatwin one line in particular caught my eye: “The best thing is to walk.†Movement is the […]
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Peter Mayle’s writings brilliantly captured the essence of Provence with its rich and indelible charm. His oeuvre inspired countless tourists to (re-)discover Provence, gaze in awe at its lavender fields, and celebrate its unique art de vivre. He wrote follow-ups Toujours Provence and Encore Provence, as […]
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It is probably the most famous piece of medieval embroidery in the world, a ribbon of scrolling tapestry 70 yards long that tells in pictures the story of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, an epic tale of gore, glory and God. There is nothing […]
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France may be home to thousands of castles but many French châteaux and other historic buildings are in such a poor state of repair they risk becoming ruins. That’s where online vacation rental websites come in. Sites like Airbnb are throwing a lifeline to many owners in […]
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