France has been the world’s most visited country since the 1980s.

France is on course to welcome a record number of tourists this year, helping boost sector revenue by about 4 percent, minister for foreign affairs and tourism Laurent Fabius said. Revenue from tourism last year represented 7 percent of France’s economic activity and brought in revenue of 150 billion euros. With the attractions of the capital Paris, its Loire Valley chateaux, Alpine ski resorts, Riviera beaches and gastronomic pleasures, France has been the world’s most visited country since the 1980s.

The Chateau de Versailles, one of France’s most visited tourist sites, is to house a new luxury hotel where visitors will have the opportunity to sleep like royals.

With peeling paint, faded walls and spider webs now common sights at the Chateau de Versailles, the hotel venture would attract private funds to spruce up several buildings in dire need of an upgrade.
Because Versailles is run by the French Govt and funds come out of the Ministry for culture, The property is at odds all the time with trying to have funding to have an on going upkeep, unlike the Vaux-le-Vicomte ( which is what Versailles was fashioned on) with it'a private funds and has always a fantastic upkeep.
So the French Govt is asking corporations or wealthy individuals to bid on an unused building at the  Versailles to make into a small, but luxurious hotel plus contributing to other buildings upkeep at the site. We shall see what happens in the coming months.

Day Trip from Paris to visit Champagne country - just 45 minutes away by TGV Train....

I love to visit ( on a day trip from Paris) the Champagne Country and Reims its capitol. 
The Paris train leaves you off at the city center and you can walk to many of the Champagne houses.
Of course,one must have lunch at Les Crayeres hotel dining room, at Le Parc or its new less formal, Brasserie. 
But one must also make a stop at Maison Fossier Pastry shop and buy a tin or two of their famous Pink Biscuit, just the right size to dunk in a glass of Champagne. 

The Castle at Versailles can be over-whelming and so a suggestion for a lovely, calm lunch nearby...

A new lovely bistro with lovely prices to match has opened near the Castle of Versailles and I suggest you make it a lunch stop either after or before your visit.

                                      A great prix-fixe lunch at 27 to 35 Euros

Paris in August is a restaurant/cafe ghost town for locals and visitors.........and as the English Female Pop group once sang......

“It’s a cruel, cruel summer,

 leaving us here on our own, 

it’s a cruel, cruel summer

 now they’re gone…” 

 Paris is largely a ghost town in August, as most Parisians are away for the month on holiday on the beaches of Normandy, or down south in the Côte d’Azur. This means that it can be challenging to find quality restaurants, boulangerie, or other stores open as many are closed, for the entire month. This is especially the case with top tier restaurants, as staff take much needed rest from their demanding work. However, a few good restaurants are open, so all is not lost if you are in Paris during this extended vacances. If you want a list, please email me at Howard.lewis@protravelinc.com

One of my most favorite hotels in all of France - Les Sources de Caudalie -It's Heaven any way you look at it

An award-winning hotel and spa situated in the peaceful surroundings of the Château Smith Haut Lafitte vineyards. 

This country estate is made up of wonderful guest rooms and suites distributed between five quaint cottages, all of which are quintessentially French in décor with plush furnishings, antique collectibles and crisp fresh linen. Many of the rooms open out on to terraces which over look the beauties of either the Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte's vineyards or lake. 

 The spa and hotel are surrounded by vast areas of vineyard, while the beautiful city of Bordeaux is only fifteen minutes away.

 There are two restaurants ( both fabulous!!) , one of which restaurants, La Grand 'Vigne - - is one of the finest in the region. Their other is La Table du Lavoir and is set in a former orangery and is perfect for dining al fresco on their terrace. The mouth watering menu in either will no doubt not disappoint, with fresh seafood delicacies and infamous French deserts. Lastly their wine bar Rouge is great for hearty traditional French cuisine in the style of tapas to be accompanied by the wide 

Bordeaux wine selection and great conversations with the wine hosts. Les Sources de Caudalie boasts a 15,000 bottle wine cellar, and wine tastings with the sommelier offer an excellent introduction to some of the region's best vintages. When you talk about farm to table these days, here it’s really true as you drink a glass of wine, all you need to look 10 feet outside the dining room window and see the vine it was grown on.

 Grapes have proven antioxidant and protective properties, and the Vinotherapy spa combines the use of Caudalie beauty care products with unique therapies such as a Merlot wrap, a Sauvignon massage or a crushed Cabernet scrub. Treatments are on hand to combat ageing, provide total relaxation or even promote weight loss. The hotel also has a cigar room (Hurrahs!) , outdoor swimming pool, gym, and tennis court.

The most remarkable Stained Glass windows in all of Paris, and its Not Notre Dame, but right near it. Sainte Chapelle

This breathtaking Gothic chapel, with its stunning stained glass windows, is one of the most exhilarating places in Paris. It was commissioned by Louis IX in the 1240s to house relics from the Holy Land, most notably the Crown of Thorns and part of the True Cross. Imposing and yet marvelously intricate, La Sainte-Chapelle is located on the Ile de la Cité near Notre Dame. It has two tiers: an intimate area at ground level with an awe-inspiring view, and a raised space with radiant tall windows and a small balcony. One of the great achievements of Gothic architecture, the Sainte-Chapelle boasts one of the most extensive displays of stained glass to be found anywhere. Bask in the light of bygone days and feel the warmth and wonder emanating from some of the most beautiful windows in the world.
Go early in the morning, during the Paris tourist season to get your tickets or you'l find long lines.
To recover the crowds after your visit, step across the square to the Les Deux Palais for a cafe.
Another way to avoid this, is to attend one of many chamber concerts held here in the evening. 

Experience the waterways of Paris in a self-drive electric boat

Many visitors to Paris think that the Seine is the only body of water in town. In fact, Paris boasts several canals that can be navigated by boat - a charming way to see the city from a whole new perspective.

A company called Marin d'Eau Douce now offers visitors and locals rentals of small electric boats that they can self drive along the canals. There are several itineraries to choose from. No licence is required. Rates begin at Euro 40 an hour and there are 2 to 8 persons boats to chose from.

The boat rental company can also provide a lovely picnic lunch, if you wish. 

To quote a Marvin Hamlish Song "Nobody Does It Better" than the French Pastry chefs............

Helmet New Cake Shop in the 9e

near the Madeleine

Ham and Sausage heaven found in Paris's Haute (upper) Marais District

Recently I spent time in the Marais, but not the lower part that most tourists visit, but in what is called the Haute Marais; the ever-growing hipper part of the Marais.
I stumbled upon a postage stamp size shop next to the famous Marche des Enfants Rouges Market that only sells the best,  ham and Charcuterie from all over Europe.  It's called Caractere de Cochon.  I walked inside, took one look and one deep breathe and was hooked for like. 
The owner, Solo, presides over this amazing shop and acting as a professor of the history and technique ham and sausage making and loves to teach clients, and it was here that I spent well over an hour enraptured by his conversation and my tasting of some of the best ham I have ever eaten.  The hours are are hit and miss, so you'll need to have patience in trying to find an opening times ( as they vary all the time) , but OH! what wonders you'll see and taste.
Carsactere de Cochon
42, rue Charlot (3e)
Paris

 You must try his 'snowball' sausages, cooked with truffles and rolled in Parmesan

Paris - If you want to try French Regional Candies then head over to the Left Bank and a store not to be missed!

 

Le Bonbon au Palais

19 rue Monge 75005

Open Tuesday - Saturday, 11am - 7:30pm

Its Spring in Paris and that means one thing - Radishes and how to eat them French Style

There are many ways to eat a radish but in France,  the most typical ways to eat a radish is the with slices of fresh baguette, salted butter, thin slices of radishes and salt. It is surprisingly good and so very fresh, a simple way to eat a simple root. You must try it if you haven’t already enjoyed it.

Visiting Impressionist Paintings in Paris without Crowds..............

Paris remains the best city in the world to enjoy Impressionist art and certainly, the Musee d'Orsay which holds the single greatest collection of those paintings anywhere and while this museum's strength is that, its weakness is the sheer number of tourists which floods the museum and at times makes it difficult to relax and enjoy the works on display. 
That said, let me give you a tip on another spot that has a superb collection of Impressionist paintings that most tourists overlook.

MUSEE MARMOTTAN MONET:
This extraordinary museum on the edge of the Bois du Boulognehouses perhaps the most important collection of painting by Money anywhere.

Hidden France - The French Atlantic Radiant Isles - One of my secret places to hide away and spend time in!

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.
One way to see it is by a easy going bike ride - its for all types of riders - slugs ( like me) up to hard core people.

Doctors discover new malady connected with travel..............be aware, please.

"Stendhal syndrome' ; doctors say' is a psychosomatic disorder that causes rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, confusion and even hallucinations when an individual is exposed to the beauty of travel, usually when the travel is particularly, travel to France, they pointed out. There is no known cure to this illness except to accept it and do more.

Jambon-Beurre - A French national Treasure - a Sandwich, but not just a simple sandwich

It may seem like a simple ham sandwich, but the Parisian 'Jambon-Beurre' is one of the French capital’s culinary staples. The secret to its success lies in the combination of the best baguettes with top quality home-made ham and the best semi-salted butter.  'Jambon-Beurre' is one of France’s most popular snacks.

The best in Paris ( attested to by many Parisians) is at Le Petit Vendome brasserie, 8 rue des Capucines. Its a 'crush' to get in and be waited on ( you must have patience here) and for the sandwich its only for take out or eat at the bar( the best kind of fun). 

Paris - A new Philharmonic Hall in another ugly building

Paris has got a new concert hall – and much more – which opened last week, part of a music complex referred to as “La Philharmonie”. This new installation will be the home of two orchestras plus three associated orchestras. 
The major one, “Orchestre de Paris” (with musical directors like Münch, von Karajan, Solti, Barenboim, Bychkov, Eschenbach… and at present Paavo Järvi), has until now been especially linked to “Salle Pleyel” 
Many people regret that this prestigious concert hall now will lose its vocation. One item is the fact that “La Philharmonie” is situated in the extreme northeast of the city, which many may consider to be “far away”.
 The leading Paris classical music concert halls have until now been concentrated in the more fashionable central quarters. “La Philharmonie” is situated in the “Parc de la Villette” area , where you already could find “La Cité de la Musique” (City of Music), “Le Zenith” (a concert hall for more “popular” music events)… On the map below, you can see the location of the more important classical music concert halls in Paris 
 I won't talk about the architecture, as I find it atrocious, but that's just me.....

The French Alps - Courchevel 2014

I was honored to be invited with a few other world-wide travel specialist's, a few weeks ago to experience the lush, rich playground of the worlds ski jet setters ( and common folk people like myself) of the Courchevel ski area ( only open 3 months of the year!) 
Its fabulous beyond belief( and believe me, I've seen a lot in my 60 plus years of travel.) Here is a video that they made for us, I hope it will give you an idea as to what it's about and yes, people did dance on the tables at dinner, it something that goes on all the time here. . The vacationers who have homes here and use the hotels are mainly made up of Russians, Middle Easterners, French and Brazilians. But they are looking to have more Americans come here too. 
It's truly a magical place, like Aspen on Steroids! The homes and condos here make Beverly Hills and Bel Air 'look like shacks!' 
The skiing is phenomenal , the ski area covers 3 valleys and thus no lines and you can ski for a week or more and  never do the same run. 
So next time, if you have a winter holiday, how about France - Paris and then skiing in Courchevel? 

Oyster outing in Brittany - Its like kissing the sea on the lips!

Brittany - next time you visit the alignments of standing stones at Carnac (Near Vannes) , some 3,000 stones across 100 acres, all stood up around 6,000 years ago; in my opinion, its just OK, but what is really wonderful is then after seeing Carnac then I suggest hop over to Baden and take an oyster outing ( in the Gulf of Morbihan) with Ivan Selo, who is unarguable the French oyster farmer of 2014.

The video is in French, but you'll get the idea.

Howard's Pick for the French Region of the Year

The winner is Beaujolais on the grounds, first, that it is the most famous unknown region of France – famous for the wine, unknown because nobody goes there, or can place it on a map. (Try north of Lyon, south of Burgundy.) Second, it is replete with hills and villages that, were they in Provence or Tuscany, would be standing-room only. But they aren’t, so they aren’t. In gorgeous goldstone spots such as Ternand and Bois d’Oingt, one doesn’t meet tourists or, apparently, anyone who has ever met a tourist. Third, and vitally, it is the only major wine region that embraces the stuff with joy and conviviality, rather than with the insane pretense that wine is a branch of high culture.

and of course,. the only place top stay is the magnificent Chateau de Bagnols!!!
ww.chateaudebagnols.com/home.php

Stephane Grappelli - A France national treasure

Paris - The Grand Palais ( Museum) turned into an Ice Skate rink during December

On my way to France for the Holidays

Dear Reader
I am off for Christmas Holidays to France and will return early January.
I am off to Paris - then Bordeaux - then Lyon - then skiing in the French Alps and back to Paris again.
Have a happy holiday

In Paris, when you can't afford a Grand Dame hotel at 1000 Euros a night, then...........

Then, I suggest a charming great 4 star hotel, in the best section of Paris, the legendary, Left Bank, the 6th Arrondissement,The lovely Le Six hotel. 

It offers 41 bedrooms, including six junior suites. Calm and spacious, all the rooms combine air conditioning, insulation and well though-out acoustics, deluxe comfort, harmony of tones, soft lighting, double glazing, parquet floor, light oak furnishings, a leather-edged desk, reading lights, bathrooms with daylight in all suites and certain deluxe rooms, flat screen satellite television, courtesy tray, free wifi Internet access , direct line, minibar, safe, magnifying mirror, towel warmer, iron and ironing table. In addition, every other floor has a balcony, while the three suites on the sixth and last floors offer exposed beams and a breathtaking view over the rooftops of Paris and the Sacré Cœur. 
The lovely and charming, GM , Anne LUDMANN-LEVIOUX will take great care of you. The Metro is only 1/2 block away ( its a 10 minute straight walk to the Blvd St. Germain) and although the hotel may not have a restaurant but the area hosts many wonderful places to eat. My favorite is right across the street, the Bistro Chez Marcel.

I wish I was a kid AGAIN...especially when I see children's stores in Paris

Coloring Paris 
If you have kids (or artistic streak), check out the giant coloring posters of Paris in different sizes up to 1m80 wide ( about 6 ft), and dining place mats of Paris (and other cities). There’s even a poster with a P’tit Vélib’ theme for little cyclists. 
They’re all designed and made with eco-friendly materials in France by OMY (27 rue Milton, 9th), but you can also find them in stores throughout the city such as Merci (111 blvd Beaumarchais, 3rd).

http://www.omy.fr/shop/fr/

Eurostar is 20 years old today

Can you believe it?
Starting in May of 2015, you'll be able to have breakfast in London and dinner in Provence, with a new train running London to Marseilles. It will bypass Paris and go right on to the South of France.
Also Amsterdam service from London will begin again in late 2015.

Happy Birthday - Eurostar!!

Northern Brittany - A new star in 2015 is soon to appear......

For those of you who read my blog, you'll know that I love all of France, but truth be told, Brittany is my favorite of all the areas in this wonderful country. Brittany has so much to offer – stunning natural environments, a fantastic coastline and vibrant traditional French culture. It is quite simply the perfect place to relax and recharge. 
 The area of St Malo/Dinard was made popular by British and American visitors in the 19th century, Dinard was France’s top summer resort until the French Riviera took over in the 1930s. The former fishing village attracted wealthy celebrities and businessmen as well as European royalty, some of whom built fabulous villas; there are now more than 400 listed buildings in the town. In later years it became out of fashion and there were not many good hotels, to be honest, but next year 2015, I think the area is going to have a resurgence with a brand new 5 star WOW hotel called Castlebrac. So check back next year to keep a eye on what will be the new star in this part of Brittany.
http://castelbrac.com/#2

The Dining Room; Domaine de la Baume, Tourtour - One of the best hotel restaurants in the world

The London Telegraph has announced the winners of its '101 Best Hotel Restaurants' survey. The results are drawn following consultations with restaurant critics, food journalists and experienced bloggers, alongside other industry experts. Here we look at the top performers in pictures 
 In Provence, Domaine de la Baume's tranquil restaurant serves simple but carefully prepared local dishes such as pigeon with baby artichokes and sundried tomatoes, or mougat parfait and lemons from Menton

Remembrance - Both in France and England Nov 11 - 11th day 11th Hour World War 1 ends............

"IF I should die, think only this of me; That there's some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England. There shall be In that rich earth a richer dust concealed; A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware, Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam, A body of England's breathing English air, Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home. And think, this heart, all evil shed away, A pulse in the eternal mind, no less 10 Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given; Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day; And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness, In hearts at peace, under an English heaven."

~ Rupert Brook

Forget Xbox and I pads, remember collecting toy soldiers? Here are 2 of the best places in Paris

This is really a magic world ... I still remember when, as a child I was able to isolate myself, playing in the "endless fields" and "landscapes" formed by floors and carpets ... and ignore the calls of my mother and "nanny". These two marvelous shops are well known and they are part of the never ending "Charme" of Paris.