Towns & Cities Archives

Place de la liberation Dijon long shot in orange light with palace of the dukes in background with windows lit up and big tower behind

A Short Break in Dijon, Burgundy

Mary Anne26th January 2024

Dijon, the capital of the rich region of Burgundy, is a perfect place for a short break. It may be eclipsed by its more flamboyant and famous neighbour, Beaun...

BurgundyTowns & Cities0 Comments 0

Juno Beach with sandy path enclosed by hedges and fences leading to sea with bunker on right and iron cut out image of soldiers on left

Courseulles-sur-Mer on the Normandy coast

Mary Anne18th June 2023

Courseulles-sur-Mer is a charming seaside resort on the Normandy coast. The French love the small town with its marina for small yachts, its fish market, glori...

CoastNormandyTowns & Cities0 Comments 0

saint nazaire chantiers de l'Atlantique ship yard with huge double gantry cranes moving part along an enormous ship being built

The Industrial Heritage of Saint-Nazaire

Mary Anne13th March 2023

Saint-Nazaire’s industrial heritage offers the visitor a fascinating mix of sights. I have to admit that they weren't on my bucket list but after a visit to t...

Atlantic CoastTowns & Cities0 Comments 0

Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyards in Saint-nazaire with two huge boats being constructed in the water in distance

Guide to Saint-Nazaire

Mary Anne13th March 2023

This guide to Saint-Nazaire will, I hope, inspire you to visit. I went there not knowing what to expect and very rapidly fell in love with this great Atlantic ...

Atlantic CoastTowns & Cities0 Comments 0

Les Habits de Lumiere epernay 2022 with huge old train illuminated onto chateau wall behind fencing

Habits de Lumière in Épernay in Champagne

Mary Anne4th February 2023

Every year, Épernay, the capital of champagne, celebrates Les Habits de Lumière. It was originally launched as an event to thank the locals who are so importan...

Champagne-ArdenneTowns & Cities0 Comments 0

Avenue de Champagne in Epernay in sprint showing row of buildings on left, white blossom on right with sign in branches saying Avenue de Champagne Epernay

Épernay in Champagne Guide

Mary Anne4th February 2023

Follow this Épernay in Champagne guide for a glorious visit at any time of the year. The small town is considered the capital of champagne rather than its big ...

Champagne-ArdenneTowns & Cities0 Comments 1

Fish market Deauville/Trouville with boats in water, market behind and old buildings in distance

Guide to Deauville and Trouville

Mary Anne31st December 2022

Guide to Deauville and Trouville by guest writer Fiona Quinn The twin seaside towns of Deauville-Trouville on the Normandy coast in the département of Calva...

CoastNormandyTowns & Cities0 Comments 0

Narrow cobbled street in medieval Le Mans in sunlight showing old stone houses covered with greenery

Le Mans Guide – A Tale of Two Cities

Mary Anne22nd March 2022

Why the need for a guide to Le Mans? Surely it's all about the famous annual 24-hour race in June when petrol heads pack the city, and its equally famous car m...

Pays de la LoireTowns & Cities0 Comments 0

Museum of the 24 hours of Le Mans showing old blue racing car and big poster behind advertisin gthe race with old photo in hangar like building

24 Hours of Le Mans – The Race and the Museum

Mary Anne7th March 2022

For many people Le Mans is all about the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the race and the museum. It's a heady mix that rises to fever pitch every June when the annual 24...

EventsMuseums & Art GalleriesTowns & Cities0 Comments 0

Le Mans bed and breakfast showing large stone building with garden of white roses in front andhalf-timbered building behind

Medieval Le Mans – A Plantagenet City

Mary Anne24th February 2022

Forget the famous Le Mans 24-hour annual car race. Le Mans is above all a medieval Plantagenet City with one of the most extensive preserved old quarters in Fr...

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