Biking and hiking in France with Butterfield and Robinson - Just the best way to tour the amazing corners of France

The luxury biking/hiking company, Butterfield and Robinson has many programs that cover France and for anyone ( even people like me who are not that much into biking) is a great way to see the French Countryside with a great guides, wonderful state of the art bikes, fabulous inns and hotel and meals in Michelin restaurants and as George and Ira Gershwin once penned,'Who could ask for anything more!'.
 Among the many places that I love in France, an area almost unknown to most tourists, are the islands of France off the Atlantic Coast. Among those in the know, the Ile d’Oléron and Ile de Ré are the most famous and fashionable islands along the French Atlantic Coast, nestled secretly between Brittany to the north and the vineyards of Bordeaux to the south. This is a land of flat seaside biking, sail boats and enough oysters to make for one shucking good time.
 I vacation here often and its like the feeling of being on Cape Cod, but just less people and more quite and cozy.


Also, I love the area of Eastern France known as Alsace, which I visit often..

My Little French Secret – Just Two Miles off The Atlantic Coast of France ( 3 Hours By Train from Paris)

For those you like me; who liked the French films of the 1950’s (Hey, there are still some of us around) where everyone cycles slowly down endless French roads, wearing Breton shirts and smiling Bonjours! ,where rabbits hop around gardens; where children don’t scream and the sound of the lone church bell is the only thing disturbing the piece, then the Ile de Re is a place for you.

Two miles off the Atlantic coast, facing La Rochelle likes a place that time forgot. There isn’t even any sign of electricity cable, they are tastefully buried underground. There is no noon or plastic signs, no billboards’, no bright, garish front doors – this small island oozes taste, class, simplicity and quiet. If New York is a city that never sleeps, Ile de Re is the island that never wakes up.

Here you’ll find an island of whitewashed fishermen’s villages, fine sand breaches, wild hollyhocks, salt marshes and a climate that shares the privilege with the Cote d’Azur as being one of the sunniest regions in France. The vegetation is surprisingly southern, almost Mediterranean, pine trees and palms grow well here.

Although in the summer, 100,000 tourists visit, they have not spoiled Re’s charm and off-season, the island is lived-in but tranquil.

Accommodations range from deluxe to simple inns, the food is spectacular – seafood – fresh galore! And there are even a few vineyards on the island producing quite nice wine.

There are about 10 lovely fishing villages that dot the island. Romantic harbors abound.

But the thing to do here (there are over 60 miles of bike trails – flat! And yes, you can rent bikes here after you settle in) narrow lanes that connect villages, vineyards, wood and beaches. They take you where cars can’t.

The island is also home to many famous French personalities – from the film/theatre world and Politics.

There is NO volleyball nets or lifeguards, no jet-skis, no smoky BBq’s or People selling you slices of pineapples and coconuts – no, its just you and nature and great food and a place to come down, relax and be QUIET!

If you have to ask, Howard, what is there to do? Then please don’t come, for this place is not and never will be for you!

La Rochelle and Ile de Re - A Little Bit Of Food Heaven Before Heaven

La Rochelle,( a little over 3 hours by TGV from Paris)  is a 10th-century fishing village that by the 13th century had evolved into the hub of France’s wine and salt trades, is an unspoilt gem of a town with an attractive dynamic of modern life layered on rich layers of history.

Still guarded by medieval twin towers (which you can visit, traversing the harbor on a “sea bus”), the Vieux Port is one of the most photographed harbors on France’s Atlantic coast. Once a row of fishermen’s huts, the vibrantly painted clapboard buildings now house alluring boutiques and quaint restaurants which overlook small-yacht traffic.

La Rochelle is rewarding to explore on foot; its cafés offer handy pit stops for a refreshing ice cream or citron pressé.

Known for its seafood, I always on arrival, before I head over the bridge to the Ile de Re, have lunch at my hangout seafood restaurant, Restaurant Andre  http://www.barandre.com/

There is also a 2 Star Michelin restaurant – Richard et Christopher Coutanceau right around the corner from Restaurant Andre. 

The old town of vaulted stone arcades and historic public buildings also features a floating Maritime Museum whose centerpieces include a weather ship, trawler and tug boat; several grand 17th- and 18th-century private mansions; the newly restored Natural History Museum; and a Fine Arts Museum.

Charming by day, the town is beautifully lit by night.

From La Rochelle, you cross a toll bridge to the small, flat Ile de Ré, celebrated by artists for the quality of its light and by  French celebrates ( looking for solitude) and families for its vast cycling trails, this is one of my favorite vacation spots in all of France or even a spot to relax for a weekend from Paris.

Charming Islands Off The French Coast

The newest issue of Conde Nast Travler magazine highlights the many charming islands off of the coast of France.

I have visted two of them ( Ile de Re and Belle-Ile)  and found them charming, BUT, you need to spend at least 3 to 4 days to really enjoy them ( it should be a vacation just in its sefl) and I find that most visitors to France (unless they have been to France many times) do not have the time to spend within their vacarion period for that kind of stay.