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Walking in France with The Wayfarers
A friend of mine set up the Wayfarers walking company in 1984, offering week-long walking holidays in some of England's most beautiful places. I worked for them in the early years, driving the car between bed and breakfasts with the luggage and meeting the walkers for a picnic lunch. Some of the walks took place in the wettest conditions England had seen for years, which led to a bit of tension over the one hairdryer that we carried way back then (don't worry, walks are better equipped these days). It was huge fun and the spirit of camaraderie at the end of each week -- particularly if a lot of mud was involved -- was extraordinary. From trudging around the Cotswolds, Wayfarers have expanded and now offer walks all over Britain, Europe, the U.S.A., and other parts of the world. In France, they go to Cézanne's Provence, Burgundy, Le Pays Basque, the Loire Valley and the Dordogne. They walk throughout the year, but in September and October when they offer all the French walks, the days are still long, light and clear, the fall colors are gorgeous and the countryside is largely free of other visitors. Groups are small, walks are graded, and life-long friendships are forged. It's quite the best end-of-year treat I can think of and I thoroughly recommend all walkers to book a tour. Practical Information:174 Bellevue Ave Image: Walking with the Wayfarers in Provence Walking in France with The Wayfarers originally appeared on About.com France Travel on Thursday, July 29th, 2010 at 07:47:52. Permalink | Comment | Email this Take the Family to France with P&O Ferries
Timed for the beginning of the school holidays in the UK, P&O Ferries have come up with a special offer. Take the ferry over with your car and family and you can download vouchers before you go to get special rates at various amusement parks and sites near Calais. P&O Ferries happens to be my favorite ferry company for cross-channel trips. Their boats are modern and well equipped and among their several restaurants and cafes, there's an excellent Langan's Brasserie which is perfect for a good meal before getting onto the motorway at Calais. Also worth the extra cost is the Club Lounge which is a spacious, comfortable space where you can read the newspapers, take a shower, and have a free glass of Champagne, tea and coffee. It's all included in the price of £14 per person if you buy onboard, or £12 if you pre-book. But back to the special offers aimed at families. The attractions include the Bagatelle amusement park near Calais which offers one free child entry with two adults (saving 16.50 Euros); Agincourt Visitor Centre (discount of 1.50 Euros per person); Aqualud water park in Le Touquet (entry price 15 Euros instead of 18.50 Euros) and La Coupole, the dramatic Nazi rocket base near St. Omer used for the dreaded V2 bombs (18.50 Euros for two adults and up to five children). When you have a family to entertain, all such savings help! Further information:Book on P&O Ferries www.POferries.com Attractions:
Image: The sinister dome of La Coupole Take the Family to France with P&O Ferries originally appeared on About.com France Travel on Monday, July 26th, 2010 at 12:53:53. Permalink | Comment | Email this The LaM Lille Museum to Re-open in September
After over four years of rebuilding and modernising, the LaM (Greater Lille Museum of Modern Art and Contemporary Art and Art Brut) is re-opening on September 25th. The first museum in Europe simultaneously covering all the main 20th and 21st century art movements, LaM features works from the likes of Picasso, Braque, Rouault, Modigliani and more. In 1999, the Museum acquired a huge collection of over 4000 works of art brut donated by Aracine, an association of artists and collectors of art brut, which roughly translates as 'raw art.' It was a term invented by Jean Dubuffet for art created outside the fine art tradition with all its emphasis on academic training. Art brut includes graffiti and work by primitive artists and children. Located just outside Lille in Villeneuve d'Ascq, LaM is set in a stunning park of sculptures by Calder, Picasso and others. Three major collections will fill the spaces inside and there are also huge galleries for temporary exhibitions. It looks poised to become a major cultural attraction in the Nord region of France. Practical Information:1 allée du Musée More information on Lille Image: Modligliani from the collections of LaM The LaM Lille Museum to Re-open in September originally appeared on About.com France Travel on Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 at 13:13:20. Permalink | Comment | Email this The World War I Cemetery at Fromelles opens
It was an emotionally charged occasion, as is anything to do with World War I. Fromelles was overwhelmed by the visitors who included several thousand relatives of the mainly Australian soldiers who had died at the ill-fated Battle of Fromelles on July 19th, 1916. 5,533 Australian and 1,547 British soldiers had been killed or went missing crossing the open fields, mowed down by machinegun fire from the German troops. It was classic, savage trench warfare. The majority of the soldiers were found and buried in nearby cemeteries after the War. The remaining 250 bodies from the battle lay undiscovered in their mass grave until September 2009. Today the last of the 250 bodies was buried with full military honors, ending with the Last Post played on a bugle used in the original battle. The body was taken to the cemetery on a horse-drawn general service wagon restored after the war. Prince Charles spoke of the "ultimate sacrifice"; the Duke of Kent said "They are lost no longer, and are here at last at peace." The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir David Richards, was diplomatic in his words: "The British and Australian soldiers who fought and died at the battle of Fromelles faced tremendous adversity. This splendid new cemetery is a moving tribute to them all, and will serve as a reminder of their sacrifice for generations to come." It is a sensitive subject as the battle was a sideline to the Battle of the Somme and the Australian troops were newly arrived, raw and, it is believed by many, needlessly sent to fight the heavily fortified German positions. So far, 96 of the bodies have been identified and the project will continue for four more years attempting to match bodies to DNA samples from today's descendants. Hopefully, the publicity surrounding the opening will have a big effect. In an admirable footnote, earlier today the Duke of Kent dedicated a new Eurostar train - and named it Remembering Fromelles. Read more about Fromelles. Image: Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Cemetery ©Mary Anne Evans The World War I Cemetery at Fromelles opens originally appeared on About.com France Travel on Monday, July 19th, 2010 at 09:54:14. Permalink | Comment | Email this Flying down the Mountains in the Cycling Resort of Tignes
Mountain bike addicts will love this one. The skiing resort of Tignes in Vaunoise (the area in the French Alps which includes Courcheval, Meribel and Val-d'Isère among others), is known among keen skiing circles as the place to tackle La Grande Motte Glacier. But, realising the potential for all-year round holidays, Tignes is developing as a summer resort as well and becoming known for mountain biking. Like many alpine resorts, in summer it operates its ski lifts for free so you can access 100 kilometers of mountain courses and 17 tracks. There are 8 downhill tracks running from green to black, 2 cross-country courses (much more my type of thing), 8 enduro courses and Bikeland where you can do unimaginably clever things with your bike on its wooden ramps and other dare-devil teaching aids. Bikeland is the place to practice before tackling the real world and where nervous parents like myself will gather. Don't worry about your offspring -- there are 8 bike patrols employed to look after the mountain bikers. This is a great place to take a young and energetic family, and the resort is currently offering some very good deals. Try the weekend packages from 39 euros per person in a four-people studio for two or three nights accommodation, or if that is a bit too basic, then 79 euros per person in a 2-star hotel for two nights. Tignes is easy to get to so if you're staying in Lyon, Chambery, Geneva or nearby, you can add this on to your holiday. Happy downhill racing! Practical Information:Mountain Bike Trails and Ski Lifts are open to August 29th, 2010. Access to Tignes:By Road: From Chambery, take the A43 to Albertville, the N90 to Moutiers and Bourg-St- Maurice then the D902 to Tignes. Information on Tignes: www.tignes.netBook your hotel: www.tignesreservation.netFlying down the Mountains in the Cycling Resort of Tignes originally appeared on About.com France Travel on Thursday, July 15th, 2010 at 12:19:15. Permalink | Comment | Email this Jazz at Juan-les-Pins July 14th-July 25th
The Côte d'Azur swings at this time of year to the great sounds of jazz. At Juan-les-Pins, the glitzy beach resort with stunning views over the sea, one of the most enjoyable and beautifully located festivals, Jazz à Juan, gets going on July 14th. This year, the likes of George Benson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Keith Jarrett, Kyle Eastwood (yes, that's Clint's son) and Diana Krall follow in the footsteps of the greats of the past. Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis have all played in the festival. The festival is 50 years old this year and celebrating in style. The main stage, the Pinède Gould is a small pine-filled area, seating 3,000 during the festival and right by the blue Mediterranean. There are also three further fringe stages on the main squares in Antibes and Juan-les-Pins. Nearby Biot and Vallauris Golf-Juan have marching bands and special concerts; the streets of Antibes-Juan-les-Pins party to hip hop, modern jazz, funk and reggae. The terraces of nearby hotels make more great venues and the Garden Beach Jazz Club hosts the pianist Pierre Christophe and his quintet with special guests for some 'after jazz' music. Information:Antibes-Juan-les-Pins For more information on Juan-les-Pins:For more information on Antibes-Juan-les-Pins:Image: Jazz by the Sea © Y. Seurat Jazz at Juan-les-Pins July 14th-July 25th originally appeared on About.com France Travel on Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 at 09:45:54. Permalink | Comment | Email this Nice Jazz Festival July 17th-24th
Sitting under the stars watching jazz greats at the Nice Jazz Festival is one of life's great pleasures. Nice has always swung to the cool sounds of jazz, first of all in the 1920s and '30s in hotels like the Negresco, then at the Opera House. The annual jazz festival started in 1948 and is now Europe's greatest -- a huge, prestigious, world-class event among the Roman ruins in Cimiez, way above the city. This year's line-up is as impressive as ever - Herbie Hancock, Earth, Wind & Fire, Ornette Coleman, Al Jarreau, Buddy Guy...the list goes on. The Festival runs from July 17th to July 24th -- a week of the best jazz in the world. There are several different arenas in the gardens up at Cimiez; the music begins at 6:30pm and goes on as the sun goes down and the night turns dark. And it doesn't stop there. The free festival, Nice Jazz Off, takes place all around the city, starting with live jazz at the airport to get you in the mood. Marching bands entertain you as they pass by; the Place du Palais de Justice swings to more jazz, blues and fusion sounds. Or try the Radisson Blu hotel for amateur jam sessions. Practical Information: Jazz Off Events: Related Articles: For more information about Nice: www.nicetourisme.com Nice Jazz Festival July 17th-24th originally appeared on About.com France Travel on Friday, July 9th, 2010 at 15:17:26. Permalink | Comment | Email this The Tour de France comes from Belgium to Cambrai
The Tour de France, the world's most famous bicycle race, runs from Saturday July 3rd to Sunday July 25th, 2010. It's the 97th and covers a total distance of 3,642 kilometers. 1 prologue and 20 stages test the world's top bicyclists to their limits. The first stages are done in Belgium, then on Wednesday July 7th it arrives in France, in Cambrai, north France. Team RadioShack from the U.S.A. has the great Lance Armstrong competing for the last time in the race. He's now 38 and wants to spend more time with his growing family. Last year he returned after a three-and-a-half year retirement to finish third. The UK's team includes Olympic hopefuls like Bradley Wiggins. They set off on this stage for Reims (153.5 kms), then make their way over the next days to Montargis then south east to Gueugnon and into the mountains and through places like Chambery. Then on to the Var and Gap and Sisterons before the race turns west through Mende, Rodez and down to the Pyrénées for more gut-busting, lung-challenging climbs on to Pau and Bordeaux. The race ends on Sunday July 25th in the Champs-Elysées in Paris. Image: Cambrai Citadel © Doug Goodman Official Tour de France website Related Searches: Tour de France 2009 The Tour de France comes from Belgium to Cambrai originally appeared on About.com France Travel on Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 at 06:37:41. Permalink | Comment | Email this Normandy 2010 Impressionist Festival in Rouen
Don't miss this major exhibition, A City for Impressionism: Monet, Pissarro and Gauguin, which is on until September 26th in Rouen, capital of Upper Normandy. Part of the summer-long and Normandy-wide Normandie Impressioniste festival, it gathers together the works of these artists who painted the glorious city of Rouen. And the exhibition encapsulates the main emphasis of the festival, which is to focus on the places that inspired the Impressionists, rather than treating it as a specific artistic movement. Claude Monet, whose family moved from Paris to Le Havre in 1845 when the painter was five, provided the initial inspiration. He started his career with Normandy seascapes in the 1870s, and it was his painting of the harbor of Le Havre at daybreak, Impression: Sunrise, shown in 1874, that gave rise to the term Impressionism. Monet's great Cathedral paintings are on show as are an intriguing set of paintings on Rouen by Gauguin from a stay he made in 1884. Pissarro's views are some of the best known and loved Impressionist works. Also in the exhibition are paintings by others who found inspiration in Rouen: Corot, Boudin, and J.M.W. Turner's own interpretation of Rouen Cathedral. Image: Pissarro: Vue génerale de Rouen, 1892 © C.Lancien, C.Loisel Practical Information: Address: Official Tourist Information on Rouen: www.normandie-tourisme.fr More on the Normandy impressionist Festival:www.normandie-impressionniste.fr More on Impressionism in Normandy Normandy 2010 Impressionist Festival in Rouen originally appeared on About.com France Travel on Friday, July 2nd, 2010 at 14:08:54. Permalink | Comment | Email this The Puy du Fou, Frances second most popular theme park
I came across the Puy du Fou theme park when I recently visited the Vendée, the west France department that nestles up to the Atlantic coast. But I'm a bit late discovering this -- 10 million people have got there before me. Most of the spectators are French, but now the park is beginning to market itself to the rest of the world. And oh boy, you can forget Disney, this is something else. Le Puy du Fou is a glorious romp through history, a spectacular look at real-live, fighting gladiators, helmeted Vikings, dashing Richelieu's muskateers, and more swashbuckling characters of the past. The park is huge, with medieval cities and villages, forests, a fort and a town of 1900. Then there are the separate shows, each of which run for around 40 minutes (well, who could compete in chariot races all day long or persuade vultures to do their elegant swoops and circles without a break for a mouse or two?). This is a great family occasion where you can keep children of all ages entranced with the Secret of the Lance, craft workshops, fireworks and finally (you have to book separately for this)... the Cinéscénie. For just over an hour and a half this show with 1,200 actors wearing 8,000 costumes against a background of light, sound and more take you on a historical journey that you won't forget. And for once, this particular cliché is spot on. The French really do swashbuckle in style. The real enthusiasts can stay in one of the related hotels -- perhaps the Roman Villa, or in a thatched cottage built over the lake? It's coming up to the most popular time of year, so you need to book fast. If not, put it on your holiday list for 2011. Practical Information:30 rue Georges Clemenceau The Puy du Fou, Frances second most popular theme park originally appeared on About.com France Travel on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 at 06:46:26. |
The sun shone on the little village of Fromelles, 10 miles west of Lille, just as it had done 94 years ago. But instead of the carnage of World War I, today all was peaceful as Prince Charles, the Australian governor general, Quentin Bryce and the French veterans' minister, Hubert Falco, opened the first new World War I Cemetery to be built in 50 years.
Top stories from BBC News - Home page last updated Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:00:32 +0000
- Frenchwoman 'smothered newborns' Prosecutors say a Frenchwoman has admitted killing eight newborn babies after remains are found in a northern village but says her husband knew nothing.
- Child heart op ban 'should stay' Children's heart surgery should remain suspended at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital where four babies died, a report says.
- Fixed retirement age to be axed People reaching the age of 65 will no longer be forced to retire from October next year, under plans announced by the government.
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