A Gift idea from the town of Lyon - Whimsical Blackboard Menu items

The boutique, Les Ardoises de Lyon, sells handcrafted slate decorations. In French bistros, menus are often written on slate boards cut into whimsical shapes, such as roosters, pigs, or chef’s hats. You can find these boards here, in many different forms and sizes, all hand cut from the regional stone. They make great gifts and they are flat—which makes them super easy to pack! Les Ardoises de Lyon 3 Rue Soufflot, Lyon www.lesardoisesdelyon.com Open Wednesday – Sunday, noon to 7 p.m. In December: open daily noon to 7 p.m.

Les Etanges de Corot Hotel -20 Minutes from Paris and yet 150 years back in time, but not lacking in today’s luxury

In the ville d’Avray is by no means in the deep countryside -- it is a prosperous-looking commuter town -- and the front door of the hotel is smack on the street. But this is deceptive: The place is built on a rise above the water, which in turn is populated by fish and ducks and is ringed by trees and walking paths. With extensive public woodland beyond, there's barely a hint of city life and certainly not a shred of evidence that you're so close to Paris. 

The public areas and ample guest rooms (with bucolic views) are tastefully decorated and very comfortable, with a wonderful touch of sophisticated whimsy: Corridors are hung with lithographs by Walton Ford; at first glance these look like excellent zoological watercolors or prints -- think Audubon -- but on closer examination they turn out to be fantastical, witty and sometimes macabre. On a rainy day, they'd afford hours of pleasure. 
Staff is unfailingly friendly, prompt and helpful. The hotel is operated by members of the Bordeaux-based family that owns the Smith Haut Lafitte vineyards and the Caudalie spa group –( Les Sources de Caudalie my favorite hotel in Bordeaux) , and sure enough there is a charming Caudalie spa one flight down, with calming treatment rooms and a big hydrotherapy pool (but remember: we're on a hill, so the lower level is light and airy, and there are pretty views out its windows). I like the fact that there is little new-age hocus-pocus about the spa, though a tiny dose of this is inevitable. No harm done, though: it's all relaxing and beneficial. 
There are two main restaurants and a bar, plus a café offering plenty of picturesque outdoor seating from April to October; I love the informal Café des Artistes, which offers a nice menu (two courses for €29/$40; three for €35/$48). the wine list is short but very good, drawing in part on the family's Bordeaux holdings, including the delicious Les Hauts de Smith white, which is I also love ( funny because I am not a white wine fan)

On the road - Starting the day in France for me.................

Always a lovely breakfast with of course, a cup or two of cafe cream and my faithful Michelin map to help work out the days itinerary.

Alsace is magical anytime of the year, but becomes really special during the Christmas Holidays

This is the region which has had a large influence over Christmas celebrations in France. The Christmas market is a long standing tradition there, and the proximity of Germany gives a ‘germanic touch’ that is much appreciated in France. The setting is perfect: old half-timbered houses richly decorated, an abundance of fairy lights, classical concerts in local churches, good food and Christmas cookies and gingerbread, all combine to offer an unforgettable magical experience, which when it snows gives the most traditional Christmas atmosphere!

If you are in Paris during this time, take the TGV bullet train to Strasbourg for a lovely day trip and you'll really get into the magic of this region.
Don't forget the hot wine and local sausages!! YUM!!!

A look at French meat - What to expect in France

French meat is totally different than you'll find in America. The cattle are different, raised different, they are not on a feedlot system.
They are breed in a way that reflects the tastes of the market. The French want meat with character and in American, the American's want meat that slices like butter. In France they prize taste rather than tenderness, so most American's do find the meat in France tough.

Excursions on the Cote d'Azur - 160 FREE activities

I'm not normally big on activity cards as many are over priced for what you need, but that said, The Nice Tourist office has come up with a brilliant Activity card that gives you 160 free activities that cover the entire coast of Southern France.
Its' called the Cote  d'Azur card and can be bought on line or at the local tourist offices in the French Riviera. 
For adults - the price for 3 days is Euro 39 and for 6 days is Euro 54
Some of the activities that are free are:
~ Nice open-air tour bus ( hop off and on)
~ The tour boats from Cannes to Ile St-Honorat and Ile Ste-Marguerite
~ Coastal day cruises from Nice
..and so much more......................

https://www.cotedazur-card.com/?lang=EN

In the heart of the Perigord Noir - A hotel Surprise - The Manior d'Hautegente

I just stayed in one of the most romantic hotels in France, located in the heart of the Perigod Noir.

The Maison Fleuri from DragonflyMedia on Vimeo.

The house, ( now a 16 room hotel) is set in beautiful wooded grounds near Coly in the heart of the Perigord Noir, has been in the Hamelin family for about 300 years, and is now run by Patrick Hamelin and his wife Marie Josee. It was built as a forge in the 13thC, later became a mill (using the stream that runs beside it), was then embellished and turned into a family residence and was finally converted into a hotel - but with the feeling of a private house skilfully retained. Public rooms and the spacious, comfortable bedrooms are imaginatively decorated with family antiques and paintings. Dinner in the pretty vaulted dining room is a five-course affair - first-class cooking - which inevitably includes home-produced foie gras, another of the Hamelins' commercial successes. The present chef, Frederic Pilon, is a particular find. Wines are reasonably priced. In the pleasant grassy grounds there is a smart pool that gets plenty of sun. There is also a pond, and fishing is available on the local river. The Hamelins are natural hosts and a warm welcome awaits guests to their family home.

La Roque-Gageac - an Dordogne wonder!

La Roque-Gageac, a village listed among the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France, is nestled between the cliff side and the Dordogne River. Its southern exposure provides it with a virtually Mediterranean microclimate. The white and ochre façades of its houses align along the bank of the river. A number of winding lanes lead to the foot of the Cliffside, offering a magnificent view over the river. Halfway up the cliff next to the church, the natural solarium formed by the rock sustains a surprisingly exotic garden of palm trees, banana plants, agaves, fig trees, cacti and bamboos. 
 The best way to discover the village from the river is to embark aboard one of its famous cargo barges called Gabare. These traditional flat-bottomed boats were historically used to transport merchandise along the Dordogne.The trip takes 1 hour and passes some of the most magnificent castles in the area. 

A little spot of French Heaven, unknown to most Americans and a definite WOW!

Having just spent a month in France, I visited at length for the second time, the area known as the Perigord Noir. This area not only is home to Europe's earliest man and his famous caves (Lascaux II, being one of them) , but to the breathtaking area nearby known as the Dordogne Valley. I have seen almost every region of France, but this area, almost unknown to most Americans is a visited highlight in France. I can't tell you how many times I brought my car to a screeching halt and stepped outside in order to take in the magnificent vistas. I was over come with the beauty offer in this region unlike I have ever experienced before. This area is not easy to get to ( but maybe that's one of the things that makes this area so special), but you should make the effort if this is your 2nd or 3rd time visit in France. The closest jumping off point is Bordeaux, 2 1/2 hours  west of this region. Email me for more details, but first please enjoy this short film.