Marseille

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Pick up an old-fashioned tin or sachet of Marseille's famous navette biscuits from the Four des Navettes. These boat-shaped biscuits are an essential part of the mysterious Candlemas ceremony.

Inspired by life in Marseille's "Quartiers chauds", rappers Psy 4 de la rime have released their third album Les Cites d'Or. The group amit influence from I AM and the genius wordsmith Akhenaton.

The Rue Sainte is the city's Little Corsica with four restaurants dedicated to Corsican cuisine featuring figtelli (delicious smoked sausages), chunky fig jam and the famous fiadone (cheesecake).

Marseille boasts a thriving cinema industry with more than 400 film productions a year making it the second most filmed city in France, after Paris of course.

Day trip

Skiing. You will find a wide choice of family-friendly ski stations about two hours drive from Marseille in the southern Alps including Val d'Allos, Sauze/Super Sauze, Pra-Loup and Les Orres.

Lille

Lille may not have the glamour of Paris but there is more than enough to pack into a weekend break. Having had a big cash injection as the Euro Capital of Culture in 2004, the city's gorgeous buildings lining the cobbled street have never looked so good. Wander around the Palais des Beaux-Arts and marvel at the Monets and Van Goghs, check out the panthers and rhinos at Parc Zoologique de Lille in the centre of the city, snap up some bargains at L'Usine in Roubaix (which sells discount designer wear) or haggle hard at the Wazemmes market on a Sunday morning. 

Where to lay your head? The luxurious Hotel L'Hermitage Gantois in the heart of Lille has a gourmet restaurant, corridors sparkling with antiques and chandelliers and seriously comfy bedrooms.

Bastia (Corsica)

From the airport

Bus: catch the airport bus next to the Prefecture. The journey takes about 35 minutes.

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Searching for a new decorative piece for your home or a throughout token for your mum? Jour et Nuit has a great selection of homely gifts at reasonable prices.

Corsica has several locally made beers. Pietra, a unusual amber brew made from chestnuts, is the most popular with locals and most cafes will have it on tap.

Toga is home to the Nouveau port and Geant Casino, the largest shopping centre in the area. The nameless square across the street from Geant Casino has the best boules action in town. 

Dsy trip

Castagniccia. Pronounced Casta-neech, this mountainous area is covered by huge chestnut groves and dotted with little villages. The area is traversed by paths perfect for hikig and exploring. Head south from Bastia on the N193 for about an hour then turn right onto the D506 or D330.

Ajaccio (Corsica)

From the airport

Bus: Line 8 takes 20 minutes to get to the city. It runs seven days a week from 5.55am-11.15pm.

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A winery joust outside Ajaccio, in Pisciatella, Clos Capitoro is open every day except Sunday. It is anchored in a familial hamlet charged with history.

Bicycle rental by the hour or day is available at very reasonable prices from Locacycle, right in the middle of town.

The each town of Porticcio is 15 minutes south of Ajaccio. Boasting the Genoan Tower of Capitello, it has a long stretch of beautiful beach with affordable and relaxed restaurants and shops.

Day trip

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage village of Girolata in the Gulf of Porto. Surrounded by rock pinnacles, the town is not accessible by road. You will have to walk seven kilometres, follow the trail from the car park near Osani, or go by boat. Book a day trip with Promenades en Mer, picnic included.

Bordeaux

From the airport

Bus: A bus goes to Gare St Jean station every 45 minutes from 7.45am-10.45pm.

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RKR is full of quirky contemporary interior design shops in the heart of the antiques district of Chartrons. Great for everything from sofas and lighting to cool coffee cups and cushions.
L'Epicerie, by Place des Grands Hommes shopping centre, is perfect for stocking up on delicious goodies from all over the world. Beautifully laid out, choose from sweets to herbal teas.
There is decent fashion on the pedestrianised Rue Sainte Catherine including a Galeries Lafayette, cute back streets full of antiques and galleries in the Chartrons District. There is a market on Sunday on Marche des Quais where locals eat fresh oysters on the spot. 

The first Sunday of every month is Dimanche Sans Voitures, when the city centre is entirely pedestrianised. There are always plenty of things going on to encourage people into the centre, from art exhibition to street music.

The Ecole du Vin offers two-hur wine tasting classes throughout the summer. A great way to get acquainted with what's on offer before heading out to the vineyards.

Jardin Botanique is an urban park located on the Right bank of the Garonne River. It contains some excellent water features, zen-like gardens and unusual walking courses, with plenty of cafes nearby.

The Jardin Public is one of the most romantic walks in the city. Around this pretty park are a number of shops and restaurants along Cours du Verdun and Rue Fondaudege.

Visit the Marche des Capucins on a Saturday morning, the city's most famous food market. This is where the chef's shop and the quality of the ingredients is excellent. Don't miss the seafood stand!

The best time to go in April to October. Try to avoid July and August as this is peak tourist season, temperatures are high and there is less available accommodation.

Day trip

Arcachon. In February, the crowds stay away from this seaside resort so it is the perfect time to visit. Spring always seems to arrive a little earlier here, heralded by the bright yellow blooms of mimosa flowers. Arrive by train from Gare St Jean or it is 40 minutes by car.
Soulac-sur-mer. Right at the northern tip of the Medoc peninsula, this colonial village is a real find. Apart from the artistic village, with its preserved houses and pretty harbour, there are plenty of  beaches, horse-riding and walking trails.
St Emilion. It is a beautiful and romantic small town full of cobbled streets, wine bars and art galleries.

Corsica

Discover ancient chestnut forests, whitewashed villages, stunning landscapes and some of the Med's finest beaches on this idyllic French island. 

Corsica's craggy coastline hides some of the Med's finest beaches. Heavenly Plage de Salleccia near Saint-Florent is a remote, white-sand beach best reached by boat. More accessible are the beaches along the Gulf of Ajaccio and the flour-fine sand of Pinarello beach in the south.

The ancient Greeks called Corsica 'Kalliste' meaning 'the most beautiful' and the island has been fought over ever since. It is the Genoese legacy that is most striking in the beautiful pastel-hued old town of Bastia and the citadels of Ajaccio and Bonifacio. How they must regret selling Corsica to France in 1768.

The island bewitching landscape of herb-scented hills, wild mountains, ancient chestnut forests and whitewashed villages makes it stunning for walkers. The GR20 trail traverses the island but, at 110 miles long, it is not for everyone. The rickety Micheline train from Bastia to Ajaccio offers scenery without the strain.

Corsican cuisine is simple and hearty. Meat dishes like wild boar or smoked prizzutu ham sometimes have a distinctive chestnut flavour. Cheeses such as Brocciu and Fromage Corse are strong and pungent while the island's Italian influences mean delicious pasta and pizza.

The Mistral, Tramontane and Sirocco winds sometimes buffet the island creating ideal conditions for sailing and windsurfing. The warm waters are perfect for diving. Inland there is excellent canyoning and rafting on the Tavignano and Golo rivers.

La Rochelle

From the airport

Bus: buses leave every 15 minutes from 7am-7pm to Place de Verdun bus station

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Try Cosmen for a superb selection of men's cosmetics and toileteries. You can also indulge yourself with skincare treatments and massages.

Wnat to explore the Ile de Re? Buy a combined ticket and take your rented bicycle on the bus. It is available for return journeys from the Place de Verdun.

The three towers of La Rochelle-St Nicolas, La Chaine and La Lanterne are right at the heart of the city and symbolise its historic importance. Take a guided tour or simply stroll through the are and soak up the history.

Day trip

Futuroscope. France's second-largest theme part is just north of Poitiers, about 90 minutes away by car.