A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
Discover Angers, a vibrant city steeped in history, renowned for its picturesque parks, rich culinary heritage, and striking attractions, including the famous Tapestry of the Apocalypse.
This article covers the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France, detailing its significance, the graves it contains, and practical information for visitors.
Three Memorials Celebrate American Victories in World War I
Normandy is typically linked to the World War II D-Day Landings, with its beaches narrating a remarkable tale. Stretching from the Cotentin Peninsula to the island of Le Mont-Saint-Michel, this region boasts a strikingly long coastline. Le Mont-Saint-Michel is a mysterious fortified monastery island, which is inaccessible by foot at high tide.
Shopping is one of the main reasons many Brits make the trip over the Channel. It’s well-known for ‘booze runs,’ and the festive season brings increased activity. However, there’s much more to shopping in Calais, located in Nord-Pas de Calais, than just visiting Carrefour or Calais Vins, good though these shops may be. Here is a selection of places to shop whether you are on a day trip from the UK, staying in Calais overnight, or returning to the UK after your holiday.
Dunkirk is famous historically for Operation Dynamo, the mass evacuation of allied soldiers in May 1940 when Britain and the Allies seemingly faced defeat from the Germans. However, the town has a lot more going for it. With an excellent Port Museum, good contemporary art, a wonderfully long seafront with restaurants and bars looking out onto sandy beaches, and some excellent events throughout the year, Dunkirk is certainly an attractive destination. In addition, there are memorials and reminders of World War II both in Dunkirk and the surrounding countryside, which adds to its appeal.
Everything in Dunkirk circles around Jean Bart, the heroic French privateer. His statue, located in the central Place, has survived the destruction of wartime and remains a focal point of the city. It’s surrounded by various shops, including food establishments and the nearby Centre Marine, which features 23 shops.
Caen in Normandy, significant for its history and connection to William the Conqueror, offers many notable sites, including the Memorial de Caen, which is a premier war museum in France.
Agen, located in the heart of southwest France, is renowned for its delicious prunes derived from local plums, often steeped in brandy. However, this charming city in the Lot-et-Garonne region offers much more than just its gastronomy. With a rich history, stunning Gothic architecture, and vibrant local markets, Agen is a hidden gem worth exploring.
Tucked into a rounded nook of the Lot River, Cahors is a lovely medieval city almost entirely surrounded by water. As the heart of wine country, the city’s most memorable landmark is the Valentré Bridge, along with the nearby ramparts and the cathedral.
Lourdes, France, is a bustling town situated in the Pyrenees, renowned for its legendary Virgin Mary sightings, a phenomenon central to its rich history and spirituality. Annually, over seven million pilgrims journey from around the globe to this sacred location, where a peasant girl experienced multiple visions of the Virgin Mary.
Foix in the Ariège may be a small city, but it has a big personality. Surrounded by mountains and sliced with rivers, this is a true gateway to the glorious mountain range of the Pyrenees. Situated about 50 miles south of Toulouse and 40 miles from Andorra, it makes a good center for exploration of this part of southern France.
From 58 BC to the mid-5th-century AD, France, like much of western Europe, was ruled by Rome. Their kingdom was powerful and the Romans left a lasting legacy of their civilization in the cities of France, or Gaul as it was then.
Many tourists flock to the main island in Paris, the Ile de la Cité, home to the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral. However, a charming little sister awaits just a few steps away – the quaint Ile Saint-Louis, located in the Fourth Arrondissement.
A photograph produced by Studio Harcourt is something very special. Hollywood stars like Marlene Dietrich, Salvador Dali, Brigitte Bardot, and more recently, Jean Paul Gaultier, Princess Rania of Jordan, John Malkovich, Spike Lee, French actress Sophie Marceau, and racing driver Michael Schumacher have all had their portraits taken here.
The magnificent, world-renowned Louvre Museum has ventured outside its Parisian home to create a new cultural landmark in this area of Northern France. It aims to provide the local residents, along with many foreign visitors, access to the finest art in the world within a spectacular setting, while also helping to revive the once-thriving mining town of Lens and its surroundings.
Centre Georges Pompidou is one of the great attractions in Paris, serving as a vibrant cultural hub that draws visitors for its architectural innovation, public performances, and eclectic cultural programs. Its modern and progressive design remains a point of interest for many, making it an essential landmark in the heart of the city.
Juan-les-Pins, the French Riviera resort on the Côte d’Azur, is the glitzy, modern seaside part of Antibes-Juan-les-Pins, albeit with a different atmosphere from Antibes. Commonly referred to as “Juan,” this destination is celebrated for its annual Jazz à Juan festival, which transforms the town every July. Antibes and Juan-les-Pins sit on opposite sides of the Cap d’Antibes, adorned with lavish private villas and gardens, filled with the delightful scents of Provence. With the radiant Mediterranean as a backdrop, both resorts create a picturesque scene.
Musée Renoir, 19 Chem. des Collettes, 06800 Cagnes-sur-Mer, France
Open-air markets in France typically operate in the mornings, starting from 7 am or 8 am and continuing until noon or 1 pm, when traders close their stalls for lunch. It’s a delightful way to immerse yourself in local culture, often leading to discovering a charming local bistro.