The abbey church (or basilica) of Saint Denis, just north of Paris, is considered to be the world’s first example of gothic architecture. According to legend, around 250AD, Denis, the bishop of the Parisii, was decapitated at the top of the hill at Montmartre*. Not being […]
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The French are pretty smart y’know; 2 February 1799 saw the world’s first international scientific conference held in Paris, and to date, France has the second highest number of Fields Medals (mathematics) in the world, after the United States. The European Space Agency (ESA) is based […]
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In France, December 31st is known as la Saint-Sylvestre, and is named after Saint Sylvestre, who was a 4th century AD pope during the time of Constantine the Great and the conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity. The saint actually has little to do […]
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As with many people across the world, the Christmas tree (le sapin de Noël) takes pride of place at Christmastide in French homes, schools, businesses, and factories. The first Christmas tree in France is said to have been put up in Alsace in the 1521 but it […]
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This Christmas, terminally-ill patients at the palliative care centre of the Clermont-Ferrand University hospital in Puy-de-Dôme in central France, will be able to enjoy some festive spirit with their friends and relatives in a purpose-built wine bar attached to the hospice. The medically-supervised visits to the […]
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Otherwise known as marché de noël, Christmas markets in France are a great excuse for a short winter break. Bringing a magical, fairytale atmosphere to most towns across the country, the Christmas markets also provide an opportunity to buy somewhat more unusual gifts for your loved […]
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With the winter season now in full swing, Paris has no end of delights to amuse, entertain, and keep you occupied during your stay. Here’s a quick overview of a few of the best events the City of Light has to offer during the next couple […]
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If you’ve never been on the Beaujolais Run®, you’ve missed out on a whole lot of fun… and some superb wine too. In 1970, celebrity chef, Clement Freud was sitting down to dinner in Romanèche with restaurateur, Joseph Berkmann, when they hit upon the idea of […]
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Between now and February 15 next year, art lovers in Paris can visit la Musée Maillol to experience the museum’s newest exhibition, Les Borgias et Leur Temps (The Borgias and Their Times). Regardless of whether their notoriety was deserved, or merely propaganda put about by their […]
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Just because you may not be in France right now, it does not mean that you cannot walk through the streets of last year’s European capital of culture, Marseille. How can this be? With Google Night Walk, of course. Alors! Google Night Walk, which utilizes the […]
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