On my way to France for the Holidays

Dear Reader
I am off for Christmas Holidays to France and will return early January.
I am off to Paris - then Bordeaux - then Lyon - then skiing in the French Alps and back to Paris again.
Have a happy holiday

In Paris, when you can't afford a Grand Dame hotel at 1000 Euros a night, then...........

Then, I suggest a charming great 4 star hotel, in the best section of Paris, the legendary, Left Bank, the 6th Arrondissement,The lovely Le Six hotel. 

It offers 41 bedrooms, including six junior suites. Calm and spacious, all the rooms combine air conditioning, insulation and well though-out acoustics, deluxe comfort, harmony of tones, soft lighting, double glazing, parquet floor, light oak furnishings, a leather-edged desk, reading lights, bathrooms with daylight in all suites and certain deluxe rooms, flat screen satellite television, courtesy tray, free wifi Internet access , direct line, minibar, safe, magnifying mirror, towel warmer, iron and ironing table. In addition, every other floor has a balcony, while the three suites on the sixth and last floors offer exposed beams and a breathtaking view over the rooftops of Paris and the Sacré Cœur. 
The lovely and charming, GM , Anne LUDMANN-LEVIOUX will take great care of you. The Metro is only 1/2 block away ( its a 10 minute straight walk to the Blvd St. Germain) and although the hotel may not have a restaurant but the area hosts many wonderful places to eat. My favorite is right across the street, the Bistro Chez Marcel.

I wish I was a kid AGAIN...especially when I see children's stores in Paris

Coloring Paris 
If you have kids (or artistic streak), check out the giant coloring posters of Paris in different sizes up to 1m80 wide ( about 6 ft), and dining place mats of Paris (and other cities). There’s even a poster with a P’tit Vélib’ theme for little cyclists. 
They’re all designed and made with eco-friendly materials in France by OMY (27 rue Milton, 9th), but you can also find them in stores throughout the city such as Merci (111 blvd Beaumarchais, 3rd).

http://www.omy.fr/shop/fr/

Eurostar is 20 years old today

Can you believe it?
Starting in May of 2015, you'll be able to have breakfast in London and dinner in Provence, with a new train running London to Marseilles. It will bypass Paris and go right on to the South of France.
Also Amsterdam service from London will begin again in late 2015.

Happy Birthday - Eurostar!!

Northern Brittany - A new star in 2015 is soon to appear......

For those of you who read my blog, you'll know that I love all of France, but truth be told, Brittany is my favorite of all the areas in this wonderful country. Brittany has so much to offer – stunning natural environments, a fantastic coastline and vibrant traditional French culture. It is quite simply the perfect place to relax and recharge. 
 The area of St Malo/Dinard was made popular by British and American visitors in the 19th century, Dinard was France’s top summer resort until the French Riviera took over in the 1930s. The former fishing village attracted wealthy celebrities and businessmen as well as European royalty, some of whom built fabulous villas; there are now more than 400 listed buildings in the town. In later years it became out of fashion and there were not many good hotels, to be honest, but next year 2015, I think the area is going to have a resurgence with a brand new 5 star WOW hotel called Castlebrac. So check back next year to keep a eye on what will be the new star in this part of Brittany.
http://castelbrac.com/#2

The Dining Room; Domaine de la Baume, Tourtour - One of the best hotel restaurants in the world

The London Telegraph has announced the winners of its '101 Best Hotel Restaurants' survey. The results are drawn following consultations with restaurant critics, food journalists and experienced bloggers, alongside other industry experts. Here we look at the top performers in pictures 
 In Provence, Domaine de la Baume's tranquil restaurant serves simple but carefully prepared local dishes such as pigeon with baby artichokes and sundried tomatoes, or mougat parfait and lemons from Menton

Remembrance - Both in France and England Nov 11 - 11th day 11th Hour World War 1 ends............

"IF I should die, think only this of me; That there's some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England. There shall be In that rich earth a richer dust concealed; A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware, Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam, A body of England's breathing English air, Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home. And think, this heart, all evil shed away, A pulse in the eternal mind, no less 10 Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given; Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day; And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness, In hearts at peace, under an English heaven."

~ Rupert Brook

Forget Xbox and I pads, remember collecting toy soldiers? Here are 2 of the best places in Paris

This is really a magic world ... I still remember when, as a child I was able to isolate myself, playing in the "endless fields" and "landscapes" formed by floors and carpets ... and ignore the calls of my mother and "nanny". These two marvelous shops are well known and they are part of the never ending "Charme" of Paris.

Off to France in a week or two for a month and remembeing one of Frances greatest treasures..

France has given me many treasures and one I cherish is the music and performance of Stephane Grappelli. 
He will forever along with  many other artists I cherish, will always be for me the face of France. 

Brittany (my favorite area of France) - One of my favorite hidden villages - DINAN on the river Rance

Dinan is without doubt one of the most attractive and best preserved small towns in Brittany. With its 1.8 mile -long ramparts, half-timbered houses, attractive port and cobbled streets filled with art galleries and craft shops, it’s worth a day of anyone’s time. The most attractive part of Dinan is arguably its port, which is where you’ll arrive if you take a boat from Dinard or St Malo. The quay is lined with old stone houses, many of which are now waterside restaurants and chandlers’ shops. Take a walk along the old towpath or cross the 15th-century stone bridge to Lanvallay to find out about life on the river in the Maison de la Rance discovery center.

Christmas is the best in Paris - The window decorations are the best in the world and this year is no exception

For the first time in the world, Galeries Lafayette is breaking new ground with its upside down Christmas tree! The department store’s iconic 90 feet tall Christmas tree, now standing on its head, will play host to a wonderful “sound and light” show every hour, that you are invited to attend!

I'll be there in December and will forward pictures back

A new Paris Boutique chain part of the Intercontinental chain - moderately priced next to the Opera - The Indigo Brand

Located in a charming and quiet pedestrian street just next to Place de l’Opéra yet in a thriving business area, this elegantly fully renovated 4-star boutique Hotel Indigo Paris - Opera is a modern interpretation of the authentic Parisian style. It offers 57 vibrant and very spacious guestrooms, including 12 suites and duplex apartments, some overlooking the Eiffel Tower. They all meet the highest standards, providing superior luxury and exclusive services. Awaken each day feeling revitalized with the comfortable mattress and fluffy pillows dedicated to delight the senses of every staying guest. The Hotel Indigo Paris - Opera offers an appealing and unique “Tartares” restaurant  (all tartar foods) and wine bar concept satisfying every whim and offering exclusive food and wine pairing. On a sunny day why not enjoy our delicious food and a glass of wine on the terrace? Located in walking distance from the Olympia Music Hall, Madeleine Church and the Opera Garnier House, close to the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Garden, luxury fashion boutiques, art galleries, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores all dot this area which is among the best places to stay to explore the City of Light.

Paris certainly for hotels these days can give one 'sticker shock' and now here is an alternative to stay in a great area and yet in a wonderful value priced hotel. 

Each rooms has an arts theme.................................