The Deep South of the Loire
Long before it reaches the photogenic limestone castles of valley fame, the Loire River gathers strength in a region simply called Loire, where Corinne LaBalme took an off-track journey to a château that hosts a family-friendly classical music and dance festival and to some of the region's rural and natural delights.
ABMC WWI Museum Opens at Chateau-Thierry’s American Monument
History has never been America’s strong point, and our grasp of our own role in the First World War is no exception. We need more context and basic information than other combatants of the Great War in order to begin to understand its significance. Thanks to the new little museum at the foot of the American Monument above Chateau-Thierry, context and information are now readily available on a daytrip or more from Paris.
The 2018 Ryder Cup Shines a Spotlight on Golf in France
With 410,000 members of the French Golf Federation and hundreds of thousands of occasional players swinging and putting away at 733 clubs and on over 600 courses of 9+ holes, golf is well established in France. It's most prestigious courses and resorts are sure to gain further attention when France hosts this year’s Ryder Cup from September 28 to 30.
Vézelay: A Chardonnay Emerges from the Shadow of Broader Burgundy Wine
From time to time a winegrowing area will flex its viney muscle and, claiming distinctiveness, seek to untether itself from broader semi-generic wines in a region. So it is with Vezelay, France's newest village appellation, a chardonnay from Burgundy.
Daytrip from Paris: A Compiègne-Pierrefonds Biking Excursion
Within an hour’s train ride from Paris, many cycling routes allow for a daytrip of biking and touring. This one involves a visit to the town of Compiegne and biking through the forest between the Palace of Compiegne and the Castle of Pierrefonds, with the possibility of a detour to the Glade of the Armistice.
Accessible Paris: Information and Accessibility Labels
While many travelers scan the web for information as they prepare their trip to Paris, advance planning is especially important for those with a handicap or disability that may make it difficult or impossible to access certain museums and monuments. This article tells how to find information about accessible Paris.
Orléans and New Orleans, Sisters at Last
Orléans and New Orleans have been bound by name ever since the latter’s founding as a French colony in 1718. But it wasn’t until January 5, 2018 that the French city on the northern tip of the Loire and the American city on a southern bend of the Mississippi formerly declared themselves related. Sisters, in fact.
Understanding France: National Commemorations of 2018
A selection of 30 of France's 2018 National Commemorations—of saints, queens, and musicians, assassinations, treaties and war, slavery, gastronomy and science—that give insights into various aspects of French history, culture and politics.
The Silence of Oradour-sur-Glane
As Elisabeth Esris walks the charred and shattered streets of Oradour-sur-Glane (near Limoges) with other visitors the uniformity of silence is remarkable. This is not a place for conversation or expletive even though each step leads to palpable savagery.