Grandiose! How else to describe the Cirque de Gavarnie? A hikers Paradise..

The great Pyrenean limestone circles owe their existence to the work of huge glaciers that have long since disappeared. Gavarnie, in the Hautes-Pyrénées, is the most celebrated of them all. 

 Firstly, imagine the scenery; you are in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park. There, astride the French-Spanish border, is the massif of Mont-Perdu that rises over 10,000 feet in altitude. To the south are the extraordinary canyons of Ordesa, Aniscle and Pineta. To their north, the land of cirques with the majestic Gavarnie and Troumouse, the greatest of all, and Estaube, the wildest. 

 In 1997, this ensemble of more than 30,000 hectares was given UNESCO’s World Heritage Site award, for both natural and cultural reasons. Only 27 sites in the world have received such an award to date. 

Gavarnie has long been a source of astonishment. Its reputation comes from the various explorations it has inspired. Botanists, scientists, romantics, painters, poets and mountaineers in search of exploits or sensations have, since the 16th century, made Gavarnie the cradle of what is known as ‘Pyreneism’. The cirque became legend when Victor Hugo, in his illustrious poem “Dieu”, described it as an “impossible and extraordinary object”, a “coliseum of nature”. 

 Just 1 ½ hour drive from Tarbes/Lourdes.

Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val - the village where the film, "The Hundred-Foot Journey' was filmed

1 hour and 20 minutes outside of Toulouse is the medieval village portrayed in the lovely film, "The Hundred-Foot Journey' was filmed. 
ere you can discover some of the locations where it was filmed. La Hale is still there ( the covered market) and the cafe de la Halle.
There is a lovely 3 star hotel, La Residence with 5 rooms; ask for the rooftop terrace room.
Drive out to the switchback road to get a great view of the village.

'Icon of Modern Art' In Paris - A must visit for any fan of modern art

'Icon of Modern Art' In Paris this Fall  You will be anxious to explore one of the most radical art collections of its time with The Shchukin Collection in Paris. 

 From October 22, 2016 through to February 20, 2017, The Foundation Louis Vuitton will host this significant exhibition of over 130 pieces with a particular emphasis on the art of Monet, Gauguin, Rousseau, Picasso, alongside works from Renoir, and Van Gough.

The exhibition pays tribute to one of the greatest Art patron of the early 20th century, Sergei Shchukin, the visionary Russian collector of French modern art.

 From the end of the 19th century, Sergei Shchukin, the important Muscovite industrialist, began to integrate himself into the Parisian arts milieu of the era, which tasked itself with defending the impressionist, post-impressionist and modern movements. Shchukin forged relationships with modern art dealers Paul Durand-Ruel, Berthe Weill, Ambroise Vollard, Georges Bernheim and Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, and celebrated artists Monet and Matisse. These friendships heavily influenced the formation of his collection, which remains one of the most radical art collections of its time.

Before Versailles: Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

For me ( to be honest with you) , forget Versailles and see the Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte.

Vaux-le-Vicomte, 45km from Paris in Seine-et-Marne, is one of the most important privately-owned châteaux in France. It is the home of the De Vogüé family, who opened it to the public in 1968 as a way of funding its upkeep – and to share with us the uniquely elegant building and resplendent 1,235 acres of gardens, all designed by the power team of the most celebrated artists of the 17th century: architect Le Vau, landscaper Le Nôtre and painter Le Brun, who then all went on to design Versailles. 

The château bears witness to a long and tumultuous history. Its creator, Nicolas Fouquet, was superintendent of finances under King Louis XIV and an enthusiastic patron of the arts. He surrounded himself with the best painters, sculptors, musicians, and writers. During a fateful celebration in honor of the king, in 1661, the lavish hospitality impressed the royal entourage so much that they declared the fête the best they had ever attended. 

 Outshining the king wasn’t the best policy. Voltaire wrote, “On August 17, at 6 in the evening, Fouquet was King of France, at 2 in the morning, he was nobody.” Whether or not jealousy played a part in what Fouquet was made to endure is debatable, but he was accused of malversation and thrown in prison during a harrowing 10-year trial. 

 The team at Chateau is kept busy enhancing the visitor experience. At a new welcome center, an introductory film tells the history of the château and your visit can be tailored according to the time you have available. 

Don’t miss the magical candlelit evenings when 2,000 twinkling candles light up the home and gardens, or the costumed grand siècle mid-summer picnic, or the Christmas events. 

 TIP: A new shuttle bus is available from the train station, making this a great day trip from Paris.

French Hamburgers? - OK, Don't sneer at that thought - The French Love American Style Hamburgers and have outdone the American's

 One of the forerunners of hearty, cooked-to-order burgers, the Big Fernand is where you go for the most French of French burgers. You can’t go wrong with any of the concoctions, which are topped with cheeses ( great French cheeses at that) you may never have heard of as well as a host of homemade sauces. And if you think you can, just create your own burger, choosing your meat, cheese, veggie, herbs, and sauce. Lines can be long, but the burgers come out quickly.

Bustronome - Paris Fine Dining on a Double Decker Bus as you Tour the Paris Sights

The gourmet dinner tour bus idea might seem a little tacky to you and somewhat of a tourist trap but think of this new way of touring Paris as a fine dinner cruise on wheels.

That’s what the Bustronome dinner tour is about. Enjoying fine French gastronomy as you keep your eyes wide open to capture Paris wonders. 

 Bustronome is first a restaurant with its chef preparing the fresh products in his kitchen on the first level of a modern double-Decker bus. Guests savor on the second level under a dome of glass windows properly seated and served a consistent gourmet level meal, by friendly staff.

Maison Plisson wants to become the Dean & Delucca of Paris

The Marais is full of delights and surprises, many of them in the culinary category. For visitors exploring the neighborhood, Maison Plisson is foodie heaven—think artisanal products from all around France and beyond (about 3,000 of them!), and daily seasonal dishes served in the store’s airy and modern dining room.
From delicious nut butters to pedigreed chickens, from fruit liqueurs to bio wines, from small producer cheeses and hand-cured charcuterie to picture-worthy patisseries, there’s something tasty for everyone! 
 Maison Plisson 93 Boulevard Beaumarchais Open 7 days a week