The New Paris Hotel Where You Can Sleep Under the Stars

 

A new hotel has just opened on the Right Bank (1er), Madame Reve and it's a WOW! But I hear you say, so many new hotels, so what's the difference here? It's quite a big difference, the hotel is located in the old historic Paris Post Office building, but the real difference here is all the rooms are on the top floor of the building. . The views are incredible - The Eiffel Tower or Sacre-Coeur or the Notre-Dame Cathedral. 

Within the top floor, is a 10,00 square foot roof terrace and sky garden. 

Just to quaff a drink at the bar is exciting.

Why should I talked about, click below and look at the hotel and its bedrooms.

https://madamereve.com/en/

   ( at my favorite London table)

I've just returned from London and the Southwest part of England and have much to report, so stay tuned. 

La Fontaine De Mars, a true Paris Bistro - nothing every changes and that's the way it should be!

 I never recommend restaurants in France, because my eating habits and likes are so far different than most people, but today I'm feeling a bit sentimental, so I'l talk about one of my favorite true Paris bistros - La Fontaine de Mars in the seventh Arrorndissement. 

Ever since I first visited this bistro over 50 years ago, its has become my go to place when ever I'm in Paris ( which is very often). A deluxe Bistro all with dark paneling and soft lights, pretty gingham tablecloths, napkins the size of sheets and the sort of easy bonhomie that is earned, not bought.

Like the other favorite, true Bistros throughout the city, I adore these great Parisian bistros. Reliable, never-changing, honed by years of doing the same thing, just right. No high art or named chefs, no smears, hype or hyperbole. Stars may rise and fall, but the beauty of these bourgeois food-serving French bistros, in Paris and beyond, will never cease to shine!

An unknown Abbey in the middle of France and its influence on one of France's greatest dress designers

 In 1895, a young girl from a very poor family was sent to a local Abbey ( in the Limoges region) for schooling for 6 years. The Abbey housed over 150 monks and was at one time the largest in France. Here the young girl was taught among other crafts to sew. 

Every Sunday, she and the other girls housed there would enter the chapel for mass. It was here that this young girl praying, noticed the beautiful stained glass windows. 

Those window designs would be the most important thing in her life and you'll see why.

The abbey today is not longer used as a girls school, but still stands.

The Abbey is in Aubazine and the little girl's name was Gabrielle CHANEL, or as she is known today, Coco Chanel.

Look at the stained glass window and think about Coco's logo.

The old age question from clients: Where in France can I go that has very few tourists?

 That's easy to answer, there are many spots within France, one of my favorites is in the Normandy region, in an area named La Manche ( on the Cotentin Peninsula) . La Manche is the French  name for the English Channel (Which it thrusts into) 

This area just west of the major D Day beaches, is a pretty and wild rural area of Normandy. Some people have called it a version of Ireland. The area stretches from Mont St Michel; to Cherbourg. Its home to charming seaside towns and villages, it has a rich maritime heritage and is home to many WW2 battles beyond the D Day beaches. 

If you are looking  for drop dead landscapes, largely undiscovered by tourists than look no further from here. 

Flavigny: Chocolate-box town

 As a film fan. I'm always looking at where a certain film was shot.

In France, there are so many locations. 

In the heart of Burgundy, I couldn't help pass up the opportunity to discuss one of French cinema's loveliest set locations. Based on the novel by the same name, Chocolate epitomizes the French chocolate-box lifestyle - quite literally.

Located in Cote-d'Or Burgundy, Flavigny-sur-Ozerain is a picturesque network of old streets surrounded by countryside. It dates back to the Viking era, when its abbey supposedly served as a hideout for precious local relics during invasions. Brimming with cobbled courtyards, ivy-coated walls and tightly winding allees. It is a deserving owner of the most beautiful villages in France status. 

Switzerland - an amazing eyeful!

 Just returned after three weeks from my sojourn around Switzerland. Its a small country, so I was able to visit every region and used the fantastic rail system to archive that. More about my trip later.

After 18 months being house bound, I'm off to Europe,. more specifically - Not France, but Switzerland

 Because at this point, France has to many restrictions in place and as hard as it is flying and traveling these days, I wish to make my traveling life as easy as I can and Switzerland offers that option.

Tucked in the heart of central Europe, Switzerland is packed with some of the Continent's most beautiful places and epic landscapes.  From fairy tale cities and towns circled by snow capped mountains to some of the worlds purest rivers and lakes, Switzerland is a country where a quick taste simply isn't enough. So, I'm taking it slow for at least two weeks. 

So with my Swiss Rail pass in hand, I plan to travel only by train. 

I plan to visit German speaking Zurich and Lucerne, then take a romantic steamer from Lucerne across Lake Luzern and then catch the scenic Swiss specialty train , the Gotthard Express on to the Swiss/Italian speaking city of Lugano. 

From there I'll train to the French speaking area of western Switzerland - Montreux, Lausanne and Geneva. 

Then train back to Zurich ( on the scenic Golden Pass railway) and fly home.  I'm flying Swiss Air, I believe if you have a chance, to fly a countries flag airline, because when stepping on board, you are almost there in their country of origin. 

Because food is a main focus for me, I'm staying at the lovely Relais/Chateaux chain of hotels, which is not only known for its homey hospitality, but  know for its excellent restaurants, specializing in local traditional food. 

See you again at the end of September.

~ Howard

After the pandemic, the question is , Is there any magic left in the world? - the answer is YES! Chateau de Mercues in France

 

Hidden France countryside  - deep in the heart of central France is the magical Lot Valley. Here you'll find a 13th-century turreted Castle hotel with its own fabled vineyard. 

Standing high on a cliff overlooking the Lot river is one of the truly great experiences of traveling in France.. A member of the Relais/Chateaux family, so of course that means a great restaurant experience is to be had. AND OH! THE EXPERIENCE!

 The owner of this fabulous castle hotel is the well known wine producer, Bertrand-Gabriel VIGOUROUX, whose Malbec wine ( a dark and inky wine ) that will take your taste buds to  new heights and you'll never look back at other red wines you have tasted. 

Charles de Gaulle who stayed here, remarked 'From here you can see history coming towards you'

Although the hotel dates back some 700 years, it has all the modern conveniences one expects from a great hotel, yes even a swimming pool. 

Cruise the Seine

 Many of the world's greatest cities have riverine settings, but not many of those rivers are worth following to the sea. Not so with the Seine, which departs Paris to uncoil itself through Normandy's countryside, heading for the medieval capital of Rouen, a city with an astoundingly intact historic quarter. On this river cruise with Uniworld, essential stops en route include Monet;s beloved home in Giverny and the pretty estuary port of Honfleur. Beyond Honfleur lie the Normandy beaches and scene of the D-Day landings.

Chateau de Versailles, Le Grand Controle is France's most remarkable hotel.

 

For the first time in centuries, now people can sleep on the grounds of the Versailles palace without being royalty or courtiers. 

A long neglected building ( built in 1681)  on the grounds of Versailles has now been turned into a luxury hotel, of only 14 suites (each on different) . The hotel has an Alain Ducasse restaurant, a Valmont spa and an indoor pool ( No, not the original) but the piece de resistance is for guests only - before and after Versailles official hours, you'll be able to stroll your own private stomping ground of 2,000 acres of gardens and three palaces at your leisure. 

August 09, 2021 - after 18 months, we are officially open again!! Hurrah!!!

 Time to get out your guide books and start planning. So many new exciting hotels have opened in France, I can't wait to see them all. 

Please check back in the next few days to get a look see.

Nice to have all of you back!

France is back! July 01, 2021 - Hurrah

A journey, a home, a retreat, a refuge...

 Domaine de Primard - the new dream 5-star hotel just 1 hour out of Paris. The former  18th-century home of French actress Catherine Deneuve has now been transformed into an opulent country hotel with a Michelin kitchen and and fabulous spa.

The hotel is now a part of the Relais/Chateaux family.

The hotel is situated in the northern part of Normandy, close to Giverney.