The Intouchables - A Must See French Film - 2nd Highest Grossing Film in French Cinema History

If you have not seen, the French Film 'The Intouchables' - then you have missed a wonderful film of the last few decades!
In the movie the characters take a Paragliding trip and its something that we can also arrange for you to have the same experience. The location is in the French Alps near Albertville. 

That Little Hidden Bistrot in Paris..Not Fancy, But Satisfying.....

Sometimes, I just want to find and relax in a cozy, out of the way Paris bistrot, surrounded by locals enjoying themselves. I am always looking for a place of good food and of good value. A simple but great bistrot meal, is all I ask.
One such place, I can offer is in the Marais district and it near three major museums and thus its called Le Cafe des Musees. Its very near: The Picasso Museum, the Carnavalet Museum and the the Cognacq-Jay museum.
I'm a sucker for confit de canard ( with white beans, of course!)and here is a place that offers one 'to die for"
If you find yourself in this area, please stop by and have lunch or dinner. 

http://cafedesmusees.fr/

Recapture Paris of the 18th Century - The Guingette

Guinguettes were popular drinking and dancing establishments located in the suburbs of Paris during the 18th century.At one time there were hundreds, today there are less than 10. 

Today, Guinguettes are an object of nostalgia to recapture those heady days and a marvelous place to return to the lighter times during the mad years of the 1920's.
One such is just a short RER Metro ride away and its called La Guinguette Auvergnate.
http://www.guinguette-auvergnate.fr/

Gray Goose Vodka Ad - a Funny Stab At the French

I will admit, although I think of myself as being French, my being an American does come out in many ways, one is my love for a good Vodka martini and this Grey Goose Vodka ad makes me laugh at myself and the French. I hope you get a laugh out of it too!

Avignon - Palace of the Popes - a Secret Tour

Avignon Palace of the Popes – A secret (visit in English – Fridays only Euro 35 per person)

Who, as a child or even as an adult, has not dreamed of visiting a castle or even a palace and finding secret passageways, slipping through concealed doorways, and visiting places where the public is not allowed to go! 

The itinerary at Avignon’s Palace of the Popes ( Palais des Papes) is offering not so much a traditional tour as a guided discovery of the palace's secret corners. During the visit, your guide will offer details and anecdotes about the building of the monument, its history and the daily lives of the pontifical sovereigns and other figures who occupied the palace.
This tour will lead you from dark corridors to concealed staircases, from terraces overlooking the town to private chapels. 

There are Many more private tours and sometimes brunch included, but in French only.

Just as a sidenote - The "official" visit of the Palais des Papes is not recommended for anyone of restricted mobility, and that applies even more to the secret tour. The steep, narrow spiral staircases and crumbing steps give you the sense of navigating a building site, though this also lends the tour an exciting, exploratory quality.

Brittany - The Spice Capitol of France

For hundreds of years, the importation of Spices from Indian and elsewhere in the world, was landed in the Brittany city of L'orient. Then the trade fell off at the beginning of the 20th Century. Today, Brittany is starting to produce many of the worlds best known spices, Saffron, the most expensive spice in the world, is know being harvested in Brittany.
Years ago, a Chemist in Brittany, a M. GOSEE blended several of the worlds best spices into a blend that is very popular with professional chefs, especially in Brittany as it goes well with seafood. It's called Kari Gosse and is found not only in markets, but in Chemist shops. Secret ingredients!!!

When you visit Brittany ( or in Paris at one of the major food halls) buy yourself a jar of it. It's marvelous. Or better yet, visit Brittany and one of the many fabulous seafood restaurants and see how its used to perfection by the local chefs. In Lorient, you must dine at Le Jardin Gourmand and taste the many uses of Kari Gosse.

Aquitaine - Self Drive Motor Boats

One of my favorite vacation in France is to rent a motor boat and spend a few days on the canals and in one of my favorite regions the Aquitaine ( Southwest France) is a marvelous way to discover this unique corner of France.
The port of Baise is a good jumping off place.
Enjoy the video
No prior experience need to sail these 5 mile a hour cabin cruisers. 

Plats Canailles - In France - Simple and Heavy Dishes

In my travel to France for over 40 plus years and eating everything form Three Star restaurants to no stars and in-between, when i comes down to my favorite type of French food - its what the French call plat canailles - best translated as simple and heavy dishes. Some call it home cooking or peasant food. To me,. its the best food in France, bar none.
One of my favorite places to experience this in Paris is Astier. 
Its everything you think about that a real Paris bistro should be. Red checked tablecloths  original woodwork and cafe curtains - its a picture postcard version of a Paris Bistro, to be sure.
Most clients are local ( as its located in the off Paris sightseeing area of the 11th district. Its been there since 1956 and their menu has changed little. A menu of traditional French classics ( no foolish California Fusion cuisine found here, thank goodness!).
Some of my favorites: marinated herring with warm potato salad, cream of lentil soup with smoked duck breast, rabbit in mustard sauce, entrecote with frites, turbot in Bearnaise sauce and a fabulous cheese tray.
It does not get any better than this.