Short Breaks

The glitzy and glamorous seaside resorts of Nice, Cannes and St Tropez might receive all the attention on the French Riviera, however, the region is home to another jewel, one nestled high up in...

"Brothers, I am drinking the stars!” declared Dom Perignon on his first sip of the sparkling wine he helped invent in the 1600s. This monk, who lived in a Benedictine monastery in the heart of the Champagne region, wasn’t the...

One hour from Paris by train, the city of Amiens in Picardy has plenty going for it. Discover the tallest cathedral in France and the home of writer Jules Verne – now open to...

The capital of Brittany is a great city to live in for quality of life, but Rennes is a top tourist destination too. We explore its many charms… 1. Timber town Made from wood felled in the surrounding forests,...

Whatever age you live in and whatever your line of work, it rarely pays to upstage the boss. Ask anyone in Bourges, third largest town in the Centre region and a great base for exploring the south-east corner of the ancient...

Discover the town that lives and breathes the world-famous brandy that carries its name.

Originally designed as a method of transportation, the Canal du Nivernais is now a peaceful waterway, ideal for cruising gently downstream, as Alison Hughes discovered. If you have ever dreamt of slowing things down and...

“This is an institution,” raves Martine Ligier, pointing right, left and centre at virtually every butcher, baker and candlestick-maker in Montreuil-sur-Mer’s market square. Sensing my growing dismay – “institutions” as far the eye can see,...

Road tripping is a fantastic way to see France. Renting your own car on holiday opens up a lot of opportunities to visit out-of-the-way villages and sights, without the hassle of organizing public transport...

From Marie Antoinette’s execution to Coco Chanel’s eviction, they have been the offices of writers and the dens of thieves. Chloe Govan shares the stories behind some of France’s most legendary hotels The guillotine has...