As a self-proclaimed Francophile, I’ve spent the past decade
traveling and discovering every corner of France. From the picture
perfect country sides of Alsace to the magnificent beaches of Dune de Pyla,
I love all the wonders that the country has to offer: breathtaking scenery,
charming villages and towns, spectacular beaches (mostly the western coast and
not the proverbial Cote d’Azur) and mountains, the divine selection of wine,
the scrumptious cuisine … and on … and on … and on.
However, here are 10 extraordinary experiences I've had that
were not only a lot of fun but also has changed the way I traveled. It is
unlikely that any of them will be mentioned in travel guides or magazine as
"must dos", but they are extraordinary experiences beyond just
visiting and seeing the conventional tourist attractions.
Rollerblading in Paris
Over the years, rollerblading (roller, as the locals call
it) in Paris has become a trendy event, and these days, you can even join
hundreds of skaters (called Pari-Roller) to cruise down the magnificent city of
lights in the middle of the night.
However, I like to think that I started this trend back in
1997, while I was studying there, and blazing through the cobblestone streets
of Paris while observing the gorgeous scenery and the Parisian sitting at
outdoor cafes was truly an unforgettable experience.
Learning French in Strasbourg
Strasbourg is a picture perfect town in a region that
borders Germany known as Alsace, and ever since the European Parliament has
moved its headquarters there, it’s become a bustling town that attracts
thousands of tourists who flock to get a glimpse of its magnificent gothic
cathedral and immaculately maintained vieille ville, la Petite France.
I had the pleasure of attending a language school filled
with people from all over the world, which made for a very festive atmosphere,
and we were more interested in learning about each other than conjugation.
Nevertheless, it was a great place to soak up the French language and culture.
Megeve is a wonderfully charming ski village near Mont Blanc
with a splendid selection of restaurants, hotels and shops. Among all the beautiful ski resorts and towns in Europe, Megeve is my absolutely favorite. The village with its turreted houses around a 17th-century church, the scent of wood smoke that permeates through the entire town, and the sounds of hooves clopping on cobblestones is straight out of a fairytale.
From 11am to 6am, the center of the old village closes to traffic, except for pedestrians and sledges, and you can shop at your leisure, stopping everywhere from the cobbler to the antiques dealer to the many boutiques. The picture-perfect charcuteries, fromageries and boulangeries sell some of the best delicatessen in France, and the shops offer a wonderful variety of traditional crafts.
From 11am to 6am, the center of the old village closes to traffic, except for pedestrians and sledges, and you can shop at your leisure, stopping everywhere from the cobbler to the antiques dealer to the many boutiques. The picture-perfect charcuteries, fromageries and boulangeries sell some of the best delicatessen in France, and the shops offer a wonderful variety of traditional crafts.
Biking Around Lac Leman
Covering about 140 sq miles (362 sq km), crescent-shaped Lac
Léman is the largest, and in my opinion, the loveliest lake in Western
Europe. My husband and I’d discovered it
on our way from Provence to Frankfurt, and what a lovely surprise it turned out
to be! We’d stayed overnight in a little
town of Thonon-les-Bains at Hotel le Duche de Savoie. We’d arrived late at night and didn’t get to
see much of the town that evening, but when we woke up the next morning, we
were pleasantly surprised by the spectacular view outside our window.
Lac Léman truly is a hidden gem, and we’ve gone back several
times throughout the years exploring different cities and towns around it. However, the BEST part of being there is
observing and absorbing the breathtaking scenery.
Wonderful Meals in Beaune
People often ask me where I’ve had the best meals during my
travel, and although the term ‘best’ is highly relative, without hesitation, Beaune
comes to mind. Having said that, the great thing about traveling in France is that
you don’t have to spend a lot of money on great food, which throws the whole
myth about 'French food being overly pricey' right out the window, and Beaune
is a perfect example of that.
Beaune is a relatively unknown town in Bourgogne, which
makes it an ideal place for a stopover, especially since there is a larger
selection of charming hotels and wonderful restaurants that offer haute cuisine
at a reasonable price. Also, the town has a charming market on Saturday
mornings that offers rather a large selection of produce and crafts, and the
Hotel Dieu alone is definitely worth a visit.
Beautiful Town of Orange
Orange is a charming little town, located in the south of
France. Although it may not be as sophisticated as some of the more
tourist-driven towns and villages in Provence, it has one of the most
well-maintained Roman theaters in Europe. It also has a beautiful town square
and offers budget travelers a great selection of charming hotels at a
reasonable price.
To me, Orange will always be the best kept secret in
Provence. It is without a doubt one of the most charming little towns in the
region, and my husband and I have such fond memories of visiting Orange on our
first road trip and staying in Hotel St. Florent, which has become one of our
favorites in France.
Enchanting Medieval Town of Sarlat-la-Canéda
Sarlat is a picturesque town located in the heart of France,
and although it’s the best-preserved medieval town in southwestern France
representative of 14th century France, or Europe for that matter, due to its
isolated location, tourism-wise, it remains to be one of the least developed
places in France.
Walking through this gorgeous town filled with so many
ancient buildings, we felt as if we’d stepped back into another age. My favorite experience in Sarlat was going to
the outdoor market on the weekend, and having a lot of scrumptious meals, as
even the rustic food are prepared with the freshest ingredients from local
farmers. Oh what I would give to taste
cassoulet in Sarlat again!
Pilgrimage to Rocamadour
All the guide books may rave about Mont Saint Michel, but I
prefer Rocamadour. Located about 100
miles north of Toulouse, Rocamadour is a pectacular natural and religious site
perched high on a rocky plateau. The
name literally derives from “roc”, which translates into rock, and “Amadour”
named after the Saint whose body was known to be preserved in the area.
Aside from being one of the most spectacular sites in
France, Rocamadour serves an important pilgrimage destination. Today, tourists
come to Rocamadour for its religious interest, historical significance,
beautiful architecture, and most of all, for the spectacular views, and for us,
staying in Rocamadour, especially our favorite Hotel Beau Site, was a truly
unique experience we would never forget.
Notre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp is undoubtedly one of Le
Corbusier finest work. High on a hill
near Belfort in eastern France, Le Corbusier’s masterpiece unfolds in the
round, offering, like a sequence of Mondrians and Arps, different and uncannily
poised compositions from every angle, back and front, side to side, inside and
out and, crucially, in relation to the grounds. It commands the hill as the
Parthenon does the Acropolis, its immense roof a great airfoil or billowing
sail appearing to lift the building off the earth, and simultaneously seeming
to weigh it down, compress it.
What Le Corbusier called the chapel’s “ineffable space”
derives not from Zen-like simplicity or Baroque extravagance but from this
quasi-Cubist asymmetry of robust, jaunty, sensuous shapes, held in improbable
equilibrium as if by a juggler on a tightrope. It’s a sculptural feat. Nowadays
architects rely on digital technology to fashion swooping, soaring spaces that
look as if they folded in on themselves. Ronchamp, by contrast, is the product
of old-fashioned craft and serendipity, every surface different from every
other, imperfectly, lovingly made. – “Quiet Additions to a Modernist
Masterpiece” by Michael Kimmelman
Picnics on Dune de Pyla
About 60km (40miles) from Bordeaux lies the Dune de Pyla,
the highest dune in Europe and one of the most magnificent beaches in the
world. At the summit, you get a
spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the large pine forest on
the other.
One of my favorite travel experience was sitting on top of
the dune, having a picnic consisting of a great bottle of Bordeaux with my
husband while soaking up that glorious view, which seemed surreal at
times. We also loved our charming little
hotel La Corniche which had a breathtaking view of the Ocean.
10 More Favorites:
- Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris
- Ouen Flea Market, Paris
- Chateaux of the Loire Valley
- Markets in Annecy
- Stunningly Beautiful Vezelay
- Bordeaux
- Scrumptious Meals & World-Class Wine in Saint Emilion
- Majestic Mont Sainte Victoire
- Roman Ruins in Arles
- Breathtaking Drives & Countrysides
