France

The French Pyrenees are among the most beautiful regions in France. High mountain peaks, green valleys, stunning waterfalls, dramatic gorges, and little towns dotting the valleys – the French Pyrenees offer a photo op around every corner. In the winter months, there are plenty of ski areas, and in the summer, there is a vast network of hiking trails to be explored. To give you an idea of what to see in this mountainous area of France, I put together eight stunning places you shouldn’t miss on your Pyrenees holidays, ranging from world-famous destinations to lesser known hidden gems:

Pay a visit to The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes

The small town of Lourdes is one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage destinations in the entire world, thanks to its famous healing shrine. The miraculous cures that have been said to occur after a visit to the Lady attract around six million visitors every year.

Marvel at the Fortress of Montségur

The ruins of the Château de Montségur, a Cathar castle perched at the top of a 3,900 feet high rock formation, are a magnificent sight, and should not be missed by anyone interested in the historic Cathar castles. Many people claim that this the most remarkable Cathar Castle.

Indulge In A Luxurious Spa Treatment In Ax-les-Thermes

Ax-les-Thermes is a small town nestled in the Ariege upper valley right in the heart of the Pyrenees, close to Andorra and the border with Spain. It is famous for its thermal baths and recreational spa, but the town itself has plenty of architectural gems to offer, such as the belle-époque Casino and several medieval fountains. The nearby Orlu Valley is worth visiting for its picturesque villages and the Réserve Nationale de Faune Sauvage, a national wildlife reserve.

Explore historic Foix

Foix is a medieval town that dates back to 849, and its castle, the focal point of the town’s history, was even built before then. The stunning chateau sits on top of a hill looking over Foix, and is one of the most impressive historic castles in this part of France.

Wander The Lush Meadows Of Col du Puymorens

The Col de Puymorens is a famous Tour de France climb in the France – Spain – Andorra triangle. Even though the climb, which was first used for the famous bike race in 1913, hasn’t been used for the Tour de France since 1993, it is still a popular place with cycle tourists and road trippers. You can start the drive in Ax-les-Thermes, and if you take a right turn 2.8 kilometers before the summit, you reach the Port d’Envalira, a scenic high road in the Pyrenees.

Free Your Mind On A Walk Through The Green Aston Valley

The small town of Aston is famous for a number of reasons: Gudanes, a majestic château dating from the time of Louis XIV, nestled among the mountains of the Aston Valley, is the most striking sight in the Aston Valley, but the lush green valley itself, flanked by the Pyrenees and covered in wildflowers in the summer months, makes for a memorable hike. And then there is the Grotte de Lombrives, the largest cave in Europe in terms of volume, with a length of 39 kilometers, which was formed more than 20 million years ago. The caves have an immense geological and historical value, with an incredible karst network which was shaped by long glacial periods.

Marvel at the Rock Church Of Vals

Just a short 45-minute drive from Aston you find the historic village of Vals. When you approach Vals, a tiny hamlet with a population of only 86 people, you wouldn’t think that this village is home to one of the most treasured pieces of religious architecture of the Middle Ages. The church is partly carved into a giant rock and dates back to the 10^th century. There are several noteworthy frescoes on the ceiling, and the third level of the church, a chapel dedicated to Saint Michel, lies in a defense tower built in the 14^th century. Don’t miss the breathtaking vistas over the Pyrenees from the terrace here.

Climb the Roc of Scaramus For The Stunning Panoramic Views

This hike up to the top of the Scaramus Rock is challenging, but the panoramic mountain views over the Pyrenees make the climb worth it. When you reach the top, you’ll get to enjoy some of the most scenic views over the Pyrenees. The entire round-trip is just over six miles and can be done in about six hours, starting near the Col De Marmare cycling route. Note that this is a strenuous trek – not necessarily for beginners.
If you are planning a trip to the French Pyrenees, head to France-Voyage.com and create your own personalized itinerary. You can easily add all or some of the places listed above to your itinerary, or simply find more information and travel inspiration for the French Pyrenees and other regions of France, or find vacation rentals for your trip!

Photo Credit: All images used via Flickr’s Creative Commons Licensing. (1) Lourdes by Bren Buenaluz; (2) Ax-Les-Thermes by Richard Allaway; (3) Col Du Puymorens by Jean-Marie Pival; (4) French Pyrenees by Richard Allaway

The D-Day beaches are one of the most popular day trips from Paris, especially for Americans, Brits and Canadians whose parents or grandparents fought the Germans in World War II.

The historic significance of these beaches hasn’t lessened, even nearly 80 years after Operation Overload, which was the invasion of Western Europe by the Allied Nations on 6 June 1944. On that day, over 135,000 troops landed in Normandy, unifying against the Germans. The Allied Nations (Britain, Canada and the U.S.) were each allocated a number of beaches to invade, which were codenamed:

• Utah Beach (U.S.)
• Omaha Beach (U.S.)
• Juno Beach (Canada)
• Gold Beach (Britain)
• Sword Beach (Britain)

When visiting the Normandy coast these days, it’s almost inconceivable that one of the most important and magnificent operations against the Germans happened here, an accomplishment that would later lead to the successful victory against Hitler’s Nazi regime.

Today, you’ll pass by rolling hills, quaint little seaside towns, surrounded by lush green farmland and cattle fields. The beaches themselves are beautiful and tranquil, and it is hard to imagine that thousands of soldiers lost their lives here.

However, you cannot escape the memories of D-Day when visiting this part of France – war memorials and monuments mark where the Allies landed, there are remains of bunkers and gun emplacements left by the Germans, and most importantly, there is the Normandy American Cemetery, where 9,387 American soldiers are buried.

If you are visiting to honor family members who fought or lost their lives there, you may want to try to visit on 6 June, when a number of D-Day anniversary memorials are held.

The easiest way to visit the area is with a tour, which usually includes all the beaches plus the Memorial Church in Caen (see below for details). Here is an overview of the main sights you shouldn’t miss when visiting the D-Day beaches, including all five beaches, which still carry the names given by the Allies in preparation of the operation.

The Caen Memorial

The Caen Memorial is the best place to start your tour of the D-Day beaches. The museum was recently renovated, and in addition to detailed information on D-Day and World War II, it has plenty of material on The Battle Of Normandy, The Cold War and the search for peace.

Utah Beach

The museum at this beach, the Utah Beach Landing Museum, is housed in the remains of a German bunker. Many say that this is the best D-Day museum in the area. In the nearby village of Sainte-Mère-Eglise is the Airborne Museum, which details the aerial operations.

Pointe du Hoc

Pointe Du Hoc is the highest point between Utah Beach and Omaha Beach, with a 100 feet (30 meter) cliff overlooking the English Channel. The German army had fortified this area with gun pits, bunkers, artillery and concrete casemates. Pointe du Hoc was captured by 225 U.S. rangers on D-Day after scaling the cliffs, and has become a symbol of courage of the American troops. It is one of the most significant memorials along the D-Day coast.

Omaha Beach

Omaha Beach was the stretch of beach with the most intense battles. Memorials and statues line the beach.

This is probably where you will be spending the most time of all beaches. The American Cemetery is located right above the beach, and there are two museums: the Omaha Beach Memorial Museum, which showcases personal items of soldiers, weapons and uniforms, and the Omaha D-Day Museum which details the landing on Omaha Beach.

The Gun Battery in Longues-sur-Mer between Omaha Beach and Gold Beach has a number of bunkers which were Hitler’s most important points of defense.

Gold Beach

The Gold Beach invasion was led by the British, and the most important museum here is the America Gold Beach Museum and exhibits details of the landing here as well as the three-engine Fokker America’s first airmail flight from the United States to France.

Juno Beach

Juno Beach, where the invasion was under Canada’s lead, has the Juno Beach Centre, which outlines the significant role Canada played in the D-Day invasion. Nearby Bény-sur-Mer is home to the Canadian cemetery.

Sword Beach

Sword Beach is the easternmost of the five D-Day beaches. The operation here happened under British leadership, and there is a museum, the Merville Gun Battery, which details the British Airborne Operations.

The nearby Ranville War cemetery is home to 2,235 graves, most of which belong to the 6^th Airborne Division.

The American Cemetery

The American Cemetery is one of the largest American war cemeteries and was the first one on European soil established during World War II. With 9,387 lives lost on D-Day and the consequent ensuing operations, it makes visitors realize the magnitude and true scale of this operation and the lives lost during it.

How to visit the D Day beaches from Paris

Paris City Vision offers a guided tour of the D-Day beaches from Paris. The trip includes, in addition to the beaches, the Caen Memorial Church, the memorial service, and a delicious lunch. You’ll leave Paris at 7am and will return around 9pm. The advantage of taking a tour is not only that it’ll bring you to all places of interest, but it also includes a knowledgeable guide who will provide background information and historical details.

You can also visit the beaches via public transportation – take the train from Paris to Caen and then hop on the local bus that connects the beaches, but be aware that buses aren’t running very often and trying to fit in all beaches, the Memorial and the American cemetery in one day would be quite a challenge.

Photo credit: All photos used via Flickr’s Creative Commons Licensing. (1) Arromanches Mulberry by Archangel12; (2) Arromanches 14 by Barry Skeates; (3) Normandy American Cemtery by Larry Uren

PIN IT!

One of my favorite things about living in Europe was how fast you could get to another country. A long weekend in Ireland? A city break in Barcelona? That’s something we’d do regularly – not just because everything is so close to each other, but also because it is so easy to get to a different country, with the amount of budget airlines that are covering even smaller cities all over Europe. And that’s another thing: thanks to the large number of airlines, trains and buses that connect European countries these days, you can travel on the cheap.

One of my favorite weekend trips to take from England was going to Paris. There are dozens of daily flights from London to Paris, but great deals can be found no matter if you’re taking a flight from London, from Manchester or a flight from Edinburgh to Paris.

Paris est toujours une bonne idée – Paris is always a good idea, Audrey Hepburn famously said, and I couldn’t agree more. I never got tired of our weekends in this stunning city, Saturday mornings with cheese and baguette picnics in Jardin d’ Luxembourg, and afternoon eclairs from patisserie L’Éclair De Génie, where you find, undoubtedly, the best eclairs in all of Paris. Strolls along the Seine, seeing new art at the Centre Pompidou art center, meandering through the streets of Montmartre, ending the day with a glass of wine at the Le Baron Rouge wine bar…  I could do it all over and over again, but I also made it a point to discover something new on each visit to one of my favorite cities in Europe.

You all know about the touristy stuff in Paris, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and Notre Dame, the Champs-Élysées and the Arc d’Triomphe. So today I wanted to share my top five off-the-beaten path things to experience in Paris – from flea markets to street art to extraordinary city parks:

1 Canal St Martin

What the Seine is tourists, Canal St Martin is to locals. This 4.5km long canal, which winds its way through Paris northwest of the Seine River, is a favorite with Parisians who you can see sitting along the edge, enjoying a chat and a bottle of wine. Join them – a good place to start your canal walk is La Villette Park. Closest metro stations: Porte De Martin on the 5 and Corentin Cariou on the 2.

2 La Promenade Plantée 

What the High Line is to New York, La Promenade Plantée is to Paris: a 4.7 kilometer long elevated green space, which was created, just like the High Line Park in Manhattan, on an abandoned railway line. If you are wondering which one came first: it was the Promenade Plantee, and the railroad that it is set on is the disused 19th-century Vincennes railway viaduct. The park offers a unique aerial vantage point on Paris. Closest metro station: Bastille on the 1, 5 and 8 lines – Walk to the staircase south of Place de la Bastille on Rue de Lyon.

3 Belleville

This up-and-coming neighborhood is known for its multi-cultural feel and the colorful street art. Here you find Chinese grocery stores right next to African shops and French cafes. You’ll notice that the neighborhood is grittier than most of Paris’ picture-perfect neighborhoods and get to know a side of Paris only very tourists get to know. If you’re into street art, don’t miss Rue Denoyez. Closest metro station: Belleville on the 2 and 11 lines.

4 Les Puces (Saint-Ouen Flea Market)

Officically named Saint-Ouen Flea Market, among Parisians, the city’s largest flea market is known simply as Les Puces, which translates to ‘The Fleas’. The flea market, which takes place every weekend, is with over 2,500 market stalls the largest antiques market in the world and sees between 120,000 and 180,000 visitors every week. Treasure hunters, vintage lovers and souvenir shoppers can’t miss a visit to this market. Closest metro stations: Porte de Clignancourt on the 4, Garibaldi on the 13, or take the 85 bus right into the middle of it all.

5 Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is a giant park in northeast Paris, just north of Bellevlle. It is so much more than just your regular city park, with stunning landscape design and sights that include a Roman Pavilion (Temple De La Sibylle), a suspension bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel, concrete cliffs and a man-made lake. Plus: incredible views over Paris. Bring a picnic, or head to Rosa Bonheur, a bar inside the park that has a gorgeous terrace. Closest metro station: Buttes Chaumont or Botzaris on the 7B

Cannes – playground of the rich and famous, with its azure blue waters and palm-tree lined boulevard a picture-perfect holiday spot on the French Riviera, and must-go place for anyone planning a Cote d’Azur sojourn. Cannes is so much more than the film festival that makes into the worldwide news every year, when Hollywood stars conglomerate in France’s most sophisticated and glamorous beach destination. But what makes Cannes so special outside of the Cannes Film Festival? We’re sharing five reasons why Cannes is worth a visit:

1 La Croisette

A long, elegant, palm tree-lined boulevard that stretches along the seafront for miles, La Croisette can’t be missed on a visit to Cannes. It is here where the rich & famous shop whose yachts you can see lined up in one of Cannes’ marinas. You find plenty of upscale boutiques here, sidewalk cafes and restaurants, or you could just go for a stroll and marvel at the beautiful villas on the one side, and tourists enjoying he beaches on the other. Make sure to walk all the way down to the Old Port, Vieux Port, for the scenic views.

2 Iles de Lerins

The Iles de Lerins are two wooded islets just off the coast of Cannes which have been famously inhabited by monks for many centuries. The monks produce the tasty Lerina liqueur on Saint Honorat and also organize wine tastings for visitors. You can even stay in a hostel in the abbey on the island to experience the simple life the monks there are living. The other island, Saint Marguerite, is famous for its gorgeous beaches and clear waters that make you think you’re in the Caribbean instead of the Mediterranean! There are regularly boat trips to the isles from Gare Maritime hourly during the summer months (and less frequently during the winter).

3 The beautiful beaches

Cannes stretches along the sea for over four miles (7 kilometers) – and the beaches are stunning. The beach that stretches along La Croisette Boulevard is of course the most famous one, but note that not all of Cannes’ beach front is public – there are several private beaches right in the city. Among the best public beaches are Zamenhof Beach and Mace Beach (both right by Croisette Boulevard), Moure Rouge Beach near the fishing ports and the golden sand beach La Bocca. Most of the private beaches can be visited too, by the way, but they charge up to €20 admission.

4 Le Suquet: The Old Town

The Old Town raises up on the mountainside of Mont Chevalier, overlooking the entire bay. This is what used to be the original fishing village that eventually turned into what Cannes is today. The setting of this neighborhood couldn’t be more picturesque, and the views over the red roofs of Cannes and the Mediterranean from up here are breathtaking. Traffic isn’t allowed, which means you can fully enjoy the narrow alleyways and staircases, courtyards and ancient walls. Make sure to climb the 11th century Tour Du Mont watchtower from which you can see all the way out to the Lerins Islands. The streets of Le Suquet are lined with fabulous boutiques and shops, by the way – not to be missed if you’re a shopaholic! In addition to luxury shops for fashionistas, you’ll find food and flower markets as well as flea markets in Cannes’ Old Town.

5 The stunning Notre-Dame d’Esperance church

This provencal Gothic church will show you that Cannes has so much more to offer than the Film Festival. History buffs will appreciate the wood paneling that dates back to the 14th century and the collection of 19th century paintings. It’s the most significant church in town. The views from the church are also some of the most terrific ones in Cannes, given that Notre-Dame d’Esperance sits on top of the hill that is home to the Old Town.

Where to stay in Cannes

Check out Villa Les Palmes – 15 recently renovated apartments inside a traditional French Riveran-style building. The apartments are furnished in a modern, contemporary way and come with fully-equipped kitchens as well as amenities such as washing machines, dishes, WiFi and satellite TV. . The apartments are near the Croisetter and only a five-minute walk from the beach. You’re right in the middle of it all, and the apartments start at only €70 per night for two people or €75 for three people!

How to get to Cannes

The closest airport is Nice, a 30-minute bus or taxi ride away. There are plenty of shuttle services that will bring you straight from the Nice Cote d’Azur airport to Cannes. The train ride from the airport is the most scenic way to arrive since it runs right alongside the coast.

Photo credit: All images used via Flickr’s Creative Commons Licensing. (1) Cannes La Croisette; (2) Iles Sainte-Marguerite by Anthony Fino; (3) Cannes Beach by Paulo; (4) Le Suquet by Dominique Bergeron ; (5) Notre Dame d’Esperance Church by Sam2907; (6) Cannes by Stefan Jurca; (7) Cannes sunset by Jullen Sanine

Paris holds the key to your heart ― if only you could afford to go there. Last year, France earned top spots on multiple lists for “Most Expensive Places to Visit.” Though the Euro is not nearly at its healthiest, American travelers still pay a hefty price to see the City of Lights.

Get in

Airfare is the single biggest expense any traveler incurs, and flights to Europe are rarely affordable. However, with careful planning and mastery of smart booking techniques, anyone can secure a free plane ticket. First, every traveler knows the boon of travel rewards credit cards. By simply signing up for the most lucrative deals, which are usually offered by specific airlines like the American AAdvantage Card, you can earn hundreds of thousands of free miles. One card alone is usually worth a free domestic flight, which could substantially cut the costs of your trip to Paris.

However, it is essential that you understand the rules of your credit card before you start spending indiscriminately; the best rewards cards are extremely particular regarding which purchases earn you points. Additionally, there is a handful of tricks that make finding less expensive flights easier. For example, departing on a Wednesday and returning on a Tuesday has been shown to provide the cheapest fares to Europe. You should schedule your trip for the very end of summer and the beginning of fall, and you should book six months in advance for added discounts.
 

Get Around

Perhaps the most easily forgotten expense during travel is transportation ― which in Paris can be an expensive mistake. Nearly every method of getting around costs crazy amounts of cash. Aside from the initial investment, a rental car incurs fees from toll roads, parking lots, and gas stations (at an absurd $5.54 per gallon). The Metro is perhaps the most cost-efficient, but purchased one-at-a-time, tickets still cost about $2 per ride. The smartest choice is to buy train tickets in bulk, which brings the per-ride price down to about $1.60.

Get a Place to Stay

Though you may dream of renting a luxury suite with panoramic views of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower, you will never ― and I mean never ― be able to afford that. In fact, staying anywhere near the tourist district is going to cost big bucks, since those rooms are highly sought-after year around. Instead, you should look to less-expensive neighborhoods, like the Latin Quarter (which is popular among students) or Le Marais. Even an avid budget traveler’s go-to lodgings, the steadfast hostel, can be pricey in Paris. Still, though some beds can breach $60 per night, at an average of about $30, the hostel remains the best accommodation option.

Get Shopping

It is hard not to lust after French fashion, and the haute couture you’ll spot around Paris will tempt you to empty your wallet at the most expensive boutiques. However, the secret to French style is not cost, it’s creativity and control. As long as you choose clothes that suit your body, you don’t have to drop dimes on designer duds. By shopping pop-up markets instead of high-fashion districts, you can find exceptional items worth wearing, and you don’t have to take out personal loans to cover them.

Get Eating

Food is a major factor of Parisian culture, which fortunately makes it one of the more affordable indulgences of your trip to the City of Lights. Though luxury French cuisine will deplete your savings, you can find classic and tasty French food in economical cafes and bistros. You can also save by ordering a fixed meal ― called a menu, formulae, or plat du jour ― which comes at a discounted price.

Get Sightseeing

Everyone who visits Paris goes to the top of the Eiffel Tower, sees the “Mona Lisa” in the Louvre, and tours the Palais-Royal Gardens. However, few will tell you that each of those adventures costs over $15, which means that just a single day of sight-seeing can easily break the bank. Though there are plenty Parisian delights you cannot miss, you absolutely must plan ahead to prevent bankruptcy during your vacation. Most of the city’s museums are free on the first Sunday of the month, and there are a number of passes available at the Paris tourist office that bundle attraction tickets at a discount.

The last quarter of the year just kicked off, which means it’s that time of year again when you start thinking about New Year’s Eve – at least if you’re into celebrating the beginning of a new year as much as I am. Who will I celebrate with, what am I going to do, where will I ring in the new year? I have to admit that I have absolutely no idea yet where I’ll be for New Year’s Eve, but since my most memorable celebration (which I’ll share below) was a last minute trip, I am not too worried about it yet.

For me as a traveler, New Year’s Eve has always been a great excuse to go on a short getaway – especially whenever I happen to be in Europe for the Holidays. Distances are short, transportation is cheap (thanks to the wide selection of budget airlines) and there are plenty of great destinations to ring in the New Year, from the Hogmanay Festival in Edinburgh to the big open air party at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Memorable New Year’s celebrations included bar crawling in Prague, watching the fireworks over the Thames River in London, snowboarding and après ski fun in Austria. I have definitely had some of my best New Year’s Eve celebrations in Europe, and the ideas for most of my trips formed only a few days before 31 December. If you are also still looking for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve getaway, check out Contiki’s Festivals and Short Stays trips for some inspiration.

One year when I was living in Germany, my girlfriends and I were not sure what we were going to do for NYE until 31 December. While we had set our minds on a dance party in the biggest club in town, we weren’t too happy with our choice. Tickets were expensive, and in the end it would just be like any other party night. Would it really be worth paying all that money for a night of clubbing?

‘Why don’t we go to Paris instead?’, my friend Mel asked innocently, and we all looked at her as if she was crazy. But ten minutes later we all ran home to pack our bags for a quick getaway to the Eiffel Tower. We headed to the supermarket to pick up some champagne, snacks and fireworks, and were on our way to Paris shortly after. That’s one thing I just love about Europe: it is so compact that you can easily travel to another country within a day, starting your day with a German breakfast at home and having a pasta dinner in Italy – or in our case, a champagne dinner in France.

The spontaneous road trip to Paris was so much fun – girl talk, much laughter, lots of chocolate and impromptu photo stops along the highway. The essential stop for baguette, cheese and croissants after we crossed into France.

Seven hours after we left our small town in Germany, we caught our first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, beautifully lit up in changing colors and flickering lights. We even managed to find a parking lot in walking distance to the Champ De Mars, the wide open green space on which the Eiffel Tower is located. The closer we got to the Eiffel Tower, the louder we could hear the laughter and exciting chatter of the people, until we were finally in the midst of them. There was such a vibrant energy in the air, and I had to pinch myself to believe that I was really in Paris.

We unpacked our champagne and chatted with other travelers while we were all waiting for the clock to strike twelve. At midnight, we were hugging strangers and I remember that there was a lot of cheek kissing as well.

Usually people pay a fortune for a hotel in Paris on New Year’s Eve, but we lucked out and found a cheap room in a hotel that wasn’t fully booked. We spent the next day exploring Paris in the snow, enjoying French pastries and strolled through the artist market in Montmartre, my favorite neighborhood.

What started out as a trip on a whim ended as one of the best New Year’s Eve memories of all times.

What is your favorite New Year’s Eve memory, and do you already know where you’ll ring in the New Year in 2014? I’d love to hear your memories or plans to get some inspiration!

*Disclaimer: This post was written by me and brought to you by Contiki.

One of my favorite things about living in London was how easy it was to go on weekend getaways 0 not only in Britain, but also in mainland Europe. And not only easy, but it is also extremely cheap! Being home to four major airports means that London is served by just about any European budget airline, affordable train tickets are available as long as you book your travels a few weeks in advance and getting from London to France is made super easy thanks to the frequent ferry services. You drive onto the ferry in Dover and 90 minutes later you drive your car off the ferry in Calais. Once we noticed that there were ferry sales all the time and Enterprise had its fantastic weekend rates for car rentals, we started to look into the French coast to find the best places for a weekend getaway that would involve cheese, wine and fresh baguettes. Our list grew quickly: the Cap de la Hague and Cherbourg in Normandy, Mont St Michel, St Germain-sur-ay, Villers-sur-Mer – to name just a few places on our seemingly endless France travel wish list.

One of our trips brought us to the coastal town of Boulogne-Sur-Mer, an over 2,000 year-old city that seemed just perfect for a weekend in France. Elegant French architecture, beaches and good food!

We got to Boulogne-Sur-Mer in no time – we still had breakfast in our London apartment, and reached the city just in time for a lovely seaside lunch.

We fell in love with the town instantly: a charming fishing port, plenty of restaurants that serve fresh sea food, and an 11th century Belfry that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Old Town is eye candy with its beautiful architecture and the quirky town square makes this a town like no other. Old cars and car parts stick out of the ground throughout the square and show once again that junk can actually be pretty cool, if you know how to present it!

On Wednesdays and Saturdays there is a morning market with fresh French wines, cheeses and other produce – the perfect place to stock up before you return to England.

What Boulogne-Sur-Mer is most famous for  is its Medieval Castle, whose foundations date back to Roman times. We also found ourselves marveling at several stunning churches, including the basilica of Notre Dame with its 100m high dome and one of the largest crypts in France, and the Gothic church of St Nicholas which still houses several original statues from the 15 century.

After exploring the town and indulging in too many French pastries, we decided to head to the beach to walk off some calories before a cheese-rich French dinner. It was too cold already for a swim, the summer season had just ended, but we decided to come back during the summer season one day.
The countryside around Boulogne is also stunning – lush green rolling hills, grazing horses, impressive white cliffs and sweeping views over the Atlantic – a welcome change from our usual city escapes to Paris!

We’ve been to Paris several times and every time we went, we fell more in love with the City Of Lights (La Ville Lumière). There is something so incredibly romantic about this city, but truth be told it isn’t the Paris you see depicted in so many romance movies; it is the Paris beyond the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre Dame. We’re not saying that Paris’ main attractions aren’t breathtaking – they sure are – but it is only when venturing off the beaten path that the city’s true essence shines through.

There is just something about watching Parisians go about their day, or soaking up the bohemian atmosphere unique to the Montparnasse neighborhood, or sitting in a café and watching the world go by for a couple hours at a time, just like Parisians do. These all sound simple, but there is a spirit, an energy, that you only have in Paris and in order to soak it up, you have to spend more than a couple of days here after ticking off those main attractions to feel it for yourself.

If you want to experience the authentic Paris that the locals love so much, here are our tips for how you can get a true feel for the city:

1 Stay in an apartment

Parisian apartments are a big part of the experience. Sure, they can be tiny and cramped, but they are also enchanting, gorgeous even, in a way that you just don’t have in equally tiny Manhattan apartments, for example. The neoclassical buildings, the history of each one, the unique design touches, the balconies and windows that run floor to ceiling and overlook your own little neighborhood street.

With so many vacation apartment websites competing these days, rates for an apartment in a central location can be as low as $80 per night. You’ll save money compared to a hotel, plus you can stop in to your local bakery, market or grocery store to pick up yummy local food to prepare at home. Walking home with a baguette under your arm just as the Parisians do will make you feel right at home.

I personally recommend using AirBnb, and if you haven’t signed up yet – sign up through this referral link and get $20 off your first booking!

2 Just wander

The best way to see the real Paris is to just wander. The Metro is great to get from point A to point B, but to soak in the city, avoid dark tunnels and sweaty armpits and get lost on a walk through the city instead.

If the idea of leaving it all to fate is a problem you can plan your trip to Paris with little effort by using CityTripPlanner. This is a website that helps you make the most of your stay in Paris or any other European city by offering totally free personalized itineraries. So you just choose what you’re most interested in seeing (top attractions, nature, churches, museums, or streets and squares) and the website creates an itinerary for you based on your preferences and the amount of days you’re going to spend in the city.

When I used the site to see which places it would recommend to me (setting my preferences on ‘streets and squares’), I was impressed with the itinerary CityTripPlanner put together for me. Not only did it suggest some great routes, but also some places that we haven’t even been to yet. The best part was that it then sent me an email with the itinerary, detailed directions, travel times, maps and a suggested amount of time for each place to print out and take along with me.

This led me to want to book a trip to Paris immediately.

But even just getting lost, you’ll pass by many of those must-see iconic sights and also get a feel for other neighborhoods outside of your apartment or hotel.

You’ll be surprised how many unexpected but beautiful things you will see, from hidden plazas and parks to charming little churches and magnificent cemeteries. One of our favorite days in Paris was following Canal St Martin and stumbling upon fruit & vegetable markets, artsy cafés and picnic areas along the water.3 Explore your neighborhood

No matter if you’re staying in an apartment or a hotel, and no matter how limited your time is to just wander, definitely take the time to explore your own neighborhood at least.

Stop in to have a coffee and croissant at the nearest café, look out for a local restaurant for dinner instead of tourist traps around the main sights. After two or three days, the vegetable vendor on the corner will recognize you for sure, and if you’re confident enough, you can even practice your French and strike up a conversation.

Better still, go for a run in the mornings – that way you can soak up a lot of the city at once and not feel guilty for all that delicious cheese and wine you’ll consume later on.

Have you explored Paris off-the-beaten path? Share the hidden gems you have found with everyone in the comments below! 

After spending the last six weeks in Germany close to family and friends, we have realized one thing: our travel style is about to change radically!

No, no – we are not settling down – not for a long time! But with two baby nieces and a nephew on the way, we know that we want to instill a love of travel in the family’s next generation, so we are are already pondering where in Europe we’ll be taking them on family vacations as soon as they are old enough to start traveling with their Aunties! Instead of taking them on a plane just yet, we will be taking advantage of the relative proximity of Germany’s neighboring countries, all of which offer their own benefits for travel with kids – in Austria, we can introduce them to the mountains, in Italy they’ll get to know what real gelato tastes like and in Romania we can show them what old-fashioned village life in Eastern Europe looks like.

France holidays with kids

But first, we will take them to France! We both just love France, and when we lived in London, we took weekend breaks to the City of Love several times, as it was conveniently only 2-hours away on the Eurostar high speed train. There is just something about sitting in a street café in Paris sipping a café au lait, picking up a fresh baguette at a boulangerie and some sweet pastries at a patisserie, go to the fromagerie for fresh cheese and have a picnic in the park or strolling through the food and vegetable markets in the Marais neighborhood. That stuff is only fun for grown-ups, though, we know that. That’s why we are re-evaluating and looking at ways to have fun their with the kids as well.

A few days in Paris will be the perfect introduction to a country that is not too different to what they’re used to and close enough to be able to drive there.

How to enjoy Paris with kids

The most obvious destination for Paris holidays with kids is of course Disneyland, where they will meet Mickey and Minnie and experience their first roller coasters! Many Disney Park lovers claim that it’s the second best Disney Resort in the world! It’s only 30 minutes from Paris, and the TGV train stops right in front of the gate of the resort, so there is no excuse not to take the kids there on a trip to Paris.

Our tips for visiting Disneyland Paris: Take at least two days to explore Disneyland – you could obviously spend much more time there, but trying to cram everything into one day will cause unnecessary stress. We are planning to go just before the girls go to school, so that we can take advantage of non-vacation times. The park can get pretty packed in the summer months, but May or September are ideal times to visit. And if you have limited time, skip the Disneyland Studios and head only to the Theme Park.

While Paris itself – one of the most visited cities in the world, known for its crowds and long waiting times at tourist attractions – might not seem like a good idea with two little girls, it is actually a very kid-friendly destination with plenty of attractions to keep children entertained, and will show us grown-ups a completely different side of the city.

The sacrifice you will have to make is to bypass the main sights – at least this time. If you are planning to go up on the Eiffel tower or visit the Louvre, you will have to be aware that the kids will already be tired and grumpy before you even reach the end of the line.

Instead, be open to explore some lesser known neighborhoods and places around the city and plan a cultural trip when the kids are actually old enough to relate to the sights, i.e. when they learn about the Mona Lisa and about French history in school, they will appreciate the Louvre and the palace of Versailles much more.

Younger kids will enjoy La Ménagerie, a zoo dating back to the 18th century with reptile rooms, monkeys and big cats such as panthers.

The National Museum of Natural history is also extremely kid-friendly, with a merry-go-round and 17th century gardens which are perfect for a picnic lunch. The museum itself has a fascinating collection of animal skeletons on the ground floor, and plenty of other natural wonders to keep kids in awe.

Kid-friendly parks in Paris

Most of the parks in Paris are kid-friendly, but there are three that shouldn’t be missed. One is the Jardin de Luxembourg, where you’ll also find an enclosed play area, toy sailboats in the central basin and pony rides.

Another fantastic park is the Jardin Tuileries near the Louvre Museum, one of Paris’ prettiest parks. Grown-ups can enjoy comfortable lounge chairs while kids will love the merry-go-round, the big sculptural playground and the in-ground trampolines.

The third park is Parc des Buttes-Chaumont which features a grotto, several playgrounds, a merry-go-round and a temple on top of a peak in the middle of a lake, reached by suspension bridges, which are great fun for kids.

Explore Montmartre

The best neighborhood to explore with kids is the Montmartre. They can enjoy a ride on the merry-go-round at the bottom of the park between Square Louise Michel and Sacre Coeur before heading up the stairs (or taking the funicular) to Sacre Coeur basilica. The church itself is fascinating enough for a quick look from the outside, but the winding cobble-stone streets always offer something interesting for kids – the artists who paint on the Place du Tertre, little shops selling interesting trinkets or crepes stands. Try to do this early in the day though, as this neighborhood tends to get packed mid-morning until late in the evening.

Fascinating markets

Another highlight for kids is a tour of the local markets. On Sundays, the popular flower and bird market takes place at the Place Lois Lepine on the Ile de la Cite near Notre Dame cathedral, and children are usually in wonder seeing all the different birds. To show them more of an ethnic food market, take them to the Marché des Enfants Rouges, the city’s oldest market where you’ll find Lebanese, North African and even Japanese foods. If you come during the week (Tue-Fri), you’ll beat the weekend crowds – the later in the day you get there, the emptier it will be.

Need more recommendations? Check out these 14 ideas from Fodor’s for what to do in Paris with kids!

Have you been to Paris with kids? Do you have advice on kid-friendly activities in the City of Lights?

France is an often romanticized but truly amazing country, and the sheer volume of activities it has for visitors is nearly unparalleled. From skiing and snowboarding on fresh white snow, visits through the wine country, shopping, eating and drinking, and learning more about the long and interesting history of this beautiful country, you will not be disappointed you decided to make the trip.

Paris

You almost have to start in Paris. You’ll most likely by flying into the French capital anyway, so why not spend some time exploring this interesting and beautiful city? History appeals to those of us from relatively new countries, and you won’t be disappointed here. Not only is Paris the backdrop to some of history’s most important events, but it’s also home to some of the most unique and famous art in the world. The Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Moulin Rouge must be on your list, but do some research and you’ll find some amazing off-the-beaten-path activities that you’ll remember forever. Although it’s a bit of a cliché, Paris truly has something for everyone.

Central France

Make your way towards the South East of Paris and you’ll find yourself in beautiful Burgundy, or Bourgogne, home of delicious red wine and Dijon mustard. Between Dijon, Beaune, and Auxerre you’ll find a range of wine related activities, great shopping, and some stunning, old French architecture. The Hospices de Beaune is probably the most stunning example of Burgundian roofing, which is really distinct as it uses a number of different colors in tiles geometrically arranged. This region is fairly expensive, though, so I’d make sure that you’re very keen on wine and architecture if you’re going to visit.

Lyon

A bit further south is Lyon, a beautiful city full of culture and things to do. This is a must-see if you’re fond of eating your way through a place as it’s considered the capital of French gastronomy. They also have a leading football team if you enjoy a bit of sports, and this combined with a stunning Basilica, some beautiful winding lanes and the remains of a Roman amphitheater.

South of France

I probably don’t need to convince you to visit the south of France. The epicenter of glamor, movie stars, and quintessential continental luxury! Again, there are parts of this region that are very expensive, like Cannes and Antibes, but you’ll be able to enjoy the beaches, heat and culture of this area in some neighboring towns, like Nice or a bit further west in Aix-en-Provence.

North of France

Although quite sleepy, in the North of France you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the charm of the region as a whole. As the site of the D-Day invasions, you’ll find numerous Second World War graveyards and monuments. This area is fairly inexpensive and does have a large number of markets, old buildings and small museums tucked away, and it’s one of my favorite parts of the country. Rouen, Caen, and Dieppe are particularly nice, and if you take the train, they’re all really easy to get to. Don’t forget to make a stop at Mont Saint-Michel, which is a giant fortified monastery on an Island.

Skiing

If you love skiing, you absolutely must visit the French Alps once in your life, at least! Hugely popular with Brits and other Europeans, as well as other world travelers keen to experience the slopes in another part of the world, the range (no pun intended) of locations and mountains to explore means that whether you’re just starting to ski or you’re at an advanced level there is resort that will be just what you need. Look for a ticket to the Rhône-Alpes region in South East France, near the borders of Switzerland to the North and Italy to the East. Val d’Isère offers a range of on and off piste skiing and is well suited for advanced skiers, but will be a great experience for new or intermediate skiers as well. Another classic example of a French skiing wonderland for the experienced is Chamonix, a brilliant (but expensive) example of a French ski town. For beginners, heading for Courchevel or Morzine is a good idea as both offer intermediate terrain.

When to Go:

Depending on which cities and towns you plan to visit, some times of the year are better than others. For instance, Paris is lovely all year round but visit in the spring for a particularly special time. The summer is when they have an influx of tourists and this can make popular destinations like museums and sights really crowded. Tours of wine country are beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing, and skiing is best in winter of course. The summer is a great time to explore the legendary beaches of Cannes, Marseille and Nice, or island of Corsica.

Getting Around:

It is so easy to get around France. The train system operates in what seems like two parts, with the TGV and the TER operating throughout the country. The TGV is the high-speed service operating all over the country, meaning you can get from one place to the next fairly quickly and easily. The TER is rail service run by the regional councils, and offers shorter services between towns. This is a cheap and brilliant way to get from one small town to another, and one of my favorite ways to discover the charm and character of the small towns and cities of France.

Safety:

When I was in France, I didn’t feel unsafe. I was extremely careful, however, and didn’t venture out too far into the suburbs or away from main streets after dark. Like any other large, tourist friendly city, there are pick pockets in popular areas and on public transport, so stay vigilant and keep your things close to you. The French police are a visible presence in most locations like train stations, which does make you feel a bit more comfortable, but again, particularly if you’re traveling alone, avoid small lanes and dark areas at night or take a taxi, which you can find at a ‘station de taxi’, or hail.

This article was written by Rachel Gardner, a travel writer who spent six months living in France.