France Impressions is a blog about my travels throughout France.
Travel is about embarking on journeys, discovering new places, its people, learning from others and in particular, learning about oneself. I believe travel is an art and I like to craft trips and tours around your personality, interests, desires and dreams. I undertake to open for you 'doors that are normally closed" thereby ensuring you gain access to exclusive experiences while introducing you to extraordinary personalities.
Those of you who read this blog on a regular basis, known that I love all of France and like having to name your favorite child, is almost impossible, but in this case, as much as I love all the regions of France - when 'put to the wall" I must admit that Brittany is far and away my favorite, for so many reasons. On the northern coast of Brittany - The Cote de Granit Rose - The coast of the pink rocks ( and YES!, they are pink!), One of my favorite day trips is to take a speed boat or better yet, a Vieux Greements ( old sailing ships) out to sea and venture around the 7 islands (Les Sept-Iles) , just off the coast near Perros-Guirec. Here you find rocky islands filled with a vast multitude of sea birds - Puffins, gannets, shags and small penguins. In most cases, these island are protected, and you many not be able to land, but just sail around them. The trip itself, by boat in sometimes turbulent waters is great fun and OH! the bird life you'll see.
A short film, in French, but you'll get the picture
The historic city of Avignon is situated on the Rhone river and near the Durance river and one of the best ways to see the city is from the water. Les Croisiers Mireio has several types of river trips from a 1 hour short trip upstream to see the suburbs of Avignon to daily trips south to Arles - accompanied by a lovely lunch. http://mireio.net/
All the rage now in Paris is the Gourmet sandwich, done by top of the line chefs and specially take out, food to go places.
Lobster is one of my all time favorites foods and now in Paris, I can find the traditional Maine Lobster Roll done in the French manner with Breton Lobsters at The Lobster Bar. Located in the 1st Arrondissement at 41 rue Coquilliere ( open Tuesday to Saturday from 12 noon to 2:30pm and then 8:00pm to 10:30pm) here is my ideal, a Lovely Paris setting and a fantastic Lobster Roll! Who could ask for anything more?
First, there is the land itself. From Cape Finistere to the Riviera, via the Alps, The Dordogne and Provence…there is no more beautiful or varied landscape in the world. I drive regularly in France and have to always stop and get out and reassure myself that this is not a dream. It is unfair on the competition because it is at least six countries in one.
Its artistic legacy grows richer year by year. Just in one place, the Musee d’Orsay; one room after another with visions of such genius, that you wonder if it’s an optical illusion. Millet, Courbet, Degas, Cezanne, Monet, Renoir and on and on…hundreds and hundreds of serene works so deeply connected to the country that had produced them.
Within the countryside and depictions of it, there are the buildings. Versailles, The Sacre Coeur, Parisian townhouses or the great Provencal farmhouses with their turquoise-blue shutters are certainly admired. But I think if France is really in your blood you really have to love those undistinguished small villages and towns – The hotel de Ville with its black slate roof, the cobbled square, narrow shuttered streets –all somehow suggestive of intrigue and clandestine romance.
The wine of course, still remains the worlds best. The food, well what can I say..its the most important thing that attracts me to France; before, now and always.
But its greatest natural resource is of course, its people. They can be proud, they can be shy, they are almost always private and hard to get to know, but I have never laughed as much or found greater friendship or greater generosity of spirit than in France.
~ H.E. Lewis
Howard E. Lewis, CTC - Famed travel agent, raconteur,Edwardian in manner and spirit,gourmand, master BBQ Judge,hotel guest and man of leisure.
If you are interested in any of the areas/hotels that I have highlighted on this blog and/or wish to talk about France or anywhere else in the world ( hotels-cruises-tours) and what I and we at Protravel International can do to make your next tripmagical! , please don't hestiate to E Mail me (howard.lewis@protravelinc.com) or call me at 800-301-3993 ~ Howard
NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS BLOG
Howard E. Lewis, CTC - Conde Nast Traveler magazine award Winner since 2003 for France
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