See: caves de Byrrh in Thuir. The Catalan drink Byrrh was invented in 1873 in Thuir, not far from Perpignan. The caves de Byrrh offer a fascinating tour of the drink's bottling facility. Built by Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame, it contains the world's largest wooden vat.
Wednesday, 20 July 2016
Nice
From the airport
Bus: central Nice is a 15-minute journey.
Eat: Socca. Not a restaurant but a local speciality available in many brasseries and from market stalls around Nice, these chickpea flour-based baked flat cakes come out of the oven looking like crepes and are eaten piping hot.
Bus: central Nice is a 15-minute journey.
Eat: Socca. Not a restaurant but a local speciality available in many brasseries and from market stalls around Nice, these chickpea flour-based baked flat cakes come out of the oven looking like crepes and are eaten piping hot.
Stay: Le Grimaldi. For accomodation that offers a taste of La Belle Epoque, le Grimaldi boasts individually designed rooms, stylish decor, right down to the coffee cups and cutlery, and a central location.
See: Hotel Negresco. Yes, it is an hotel, but in a sense it is also a museum, being one of the last remaining privately owned palaces in the world. The Negresco is decked out in the most opulent furnishings imaginable and acts as a showcase for French art from the Renaissance to the present day. Guests should dress to impress.
Shop: Fancy a spot of pampering? Come to Sephora, a well-designed shop stocking loads of brand-name perfumes, cosmetics and other beauty products.
For dazzling maracoons (lavender, violet, rose, chocolate) in shades to make your head spin, visit the sweet surrounds of Patisserie Canet.
Sunny winter days afford the clearest views over the Cote d'Azur's coastline. From the Gare Routiere, take bus 14 to Mont Boron's peak. Hike for 15 minutes to reach 16th century Fort du Mont Alban, complete with panoramic seascapes.
The Carnival in February is Nice's biggest annual event. Two weeks of parades, floats and flowers. Along the coast, Menton hosts its annual Fete du citron.
Day trip
Bormes-les-Mimosas. This 12th-century village is considered one of the most beautiful spots in the region, with its unspoilt beaches, creeks and coves, plenty of water sports and host of lovely walks. Nearby is the impressive Fort de Bregancon, the French Presidents' summer residence.
Biot. The newly renovated Musee Fernand Leger houses vibrant paintings by the master of Cubism. Take the 20-minute train to Biot then Envibus 10 to the museum.
Everyone flying into Nice wants to get their square inch of ultra-glamourous St Tropez. Join the savvy few who know the area well and choose to take the ferry to St Tropez. Not only it is a more stylish way to travel, you will avoid the inevetible traffic jam to St Maxim.
Poets, artists, film stars, notable celebreties and mere morals too have been seduced by picturresque Villefranche-sur-Mer. Lunch in one of the quayside restaurants before setting off to explore the medieval village and fantastic flea market.
Shop: Fancy a spot of pampering? Come to Sephora, a well-designed shop stocking loads of brand-name perfumes, cosmetics and other beauty products.
For dazzling maracoons (lavender, violet, rose, chocolate) in shades to make your head spin, visit the sweet surrounds of Patisserie Canet.
Sunny winter days afford the clearest views over the Cote d'Azur's coastline. From the Gare Routiere, take bus 14 to Mont Boron's peak. Hike for 15 minutes to reach 16th century Fort du Mont Alban, complete with panoramic seascapes.
The Carnival in February is Nice's biggest annual event. Two weeks of parades, floats and flowers. Along the coast, Menton hosts its annual Fete du citron.
Day trip
Bormes-les-Mimosas. This 12th-century village is considered one of the most beautiful spots in the region, with its unspoilt beaches, creeks and coves, plenty of water sports and host of lovely walks. Nearby is the impressive Fort de Bregancon, the French Presidents' summer residence.
Biot. The newly renovated Musee Fernand Leger houses vibrant paintings by the master of Cubism. Take the 20-minute train to Biot then Envibus 10 to the museum.
Everyone flying into Nice wants to get their square inch of ultra-glamourous St Tropez. Join the savvy few who know the area well and choose to take the ferry to St Tropez. Not only it is a more stylish way to travel, you will avoid the inevetible traffic jam to St Maxim.
Poets, artists, film stars, notable celebreties and mere morals too have been seduced by picturresque Villefranche-sur-Mer. Lunch in one of the quayside restaurants before setting off to explore the medieval village and fantastic flea market.
Biarritz
In less than half an hour you can see Biarritz's highlights and learn the history of the city. Le petit train leaves every 30 minutes from the Grande Plage and Rocher de la Vierge.
If you head towards Anglet from the lighthouse, the coastal road takes you to the Chambre d'Amour, a buzzing area that is great for surfing, shopping, eating and drinking.
Locals shop at Biarritz's foremost marketplace, Les Halles. First opened in 1885, it now houses vendors of fresh produce, meats, fish and flowers. Shops, bars and restaurants surround the market.
Soak
Les thermes marins. Biarritz is famed for its thalasso centre, which has been drawing in visitors since 1970. Feel the tension melt away as you relax in the therapeutic hot pools, or try one of the treatments that uses water, minerals and mud to curative effect in relaxing, tranquil surroundings.
If you head towards Anglet from the lighthouse, the coastal road takes you to the Chambre d'Amour, a buzzing area that is great for surfing, shopping, eating and drinking.
Locals shop at Biarritz's foremost marketplace, Les Halles. First opened in 1885, it now houses vendors of fresh produce, meats, fish and flowers. Shops, bars and restaurants surround the market.
Soak
Les thermes marins. Biarritz is famed for its thalasso centre, which has been drawing in visitors since 1970. Feel the tension melt away as you relax in the therapeutic hot pools, or try one of the treatments that uses water, minerals and mud to curative effect in relaxing, tranquil surroundings.
Gamble
Municipal Casino Barriere de Biarritz. The iconic building of Biarritz is undoubtedly the casino, which has tried the luck of kings and celebs.
Shop
Paries sells divine cakes, chocolates and pastries. Just peeking through the window makes your mouth water. Established in 1895, Paries sells the famed, self-created almond pastry muxu, which means kiss in Basque.
and its lovely teashop looks out to sea. It specialises in flavoured teas, pastries, speciality cakes, hand-crafted caramel and chocolates.The elegant Patisserie Miremont was founded in
Day trip
Fuenterrabia. Just over the border into Spain, this quaint little historical town boasts a citadel and rows of pretty little houses, mot to mention lively tapas and good restaurants, many found around the harbour area.
Saint Jean de Luz. Just 15 kilometres south of Biarritz is the charming seaside town of Saint Jean de Luz, an historic spot on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and, earlier, a whaling port. From here, the coastal road winds south to Abbadia, famed for its chateau and natural reserve.
Municipal Casino Barriere de Biarritz. The iconic building of Biarritz is undoubtedly the casino, which has tried the luck of kings and celebs.
Shop
Paries sells divine cakes, chocolates and pastries. Just peeking through the window makes your mouth water. Established in 1895, Paries sells the famed, self-created almond pastry muxu, which means kiss in Basque.
and its lovely teashop looks out to sea. It specialises in flavoured teas, pastries, speciality cakes, hand-crafted caramel and chocolates.The elegant Patisserie Miremont was founded in
Day trip
Fuenterrabia. Just over the border into Spain, this quaint little historical town boasts a citadel and rows of pretty little houses, mot to mention lively tapas and good restaurants, many found around the harbour area.
Saint Jean de Luz. Just 15 kilometres south of Biarritz is the charming seaside town of Saint Jean de Luz, an historic spot on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and, earlier, a whaling port. From here, the coastal road winds south to Abbadia, famed for its chateau and natural reserve.
general information
Republic
capital: Paris
area: 675 000 km2
currency: euro
capital: Paris
area: 675 000 km2
currency: euro
population: 66 millions
population density/km2: 98
EU member since 1952
National holiday: 14 July
national anthem: La Mareseilaise
population density/km2: 98
EU member since 1952
National holiday: 14 July
national anthem: La Mareseilaise
language: french
- 9 is the number of tons of metal eaten by famous French omnivore Michel Lotito, aka Monsieur Mangetout.
- At 1568 working hours per annum in 2003, the French are the least industrious people in Europe.
- France is the largest country in the EU in terms of surface area but not the most densely populated, partly because of the Napoleonic wars.
- French men are on average 1.72 cm tall. The average height for French women is 1.65 cm. Compared with one century ago, men are 7 cm taller and women 5 cm.
- France has 4 overseas departments (which are part of the EU), 4 overseas territories and 2 autonomous regions.
Vive la France! Discover this beautiful country by walking around the streets of Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Avignon, St Tropez, Strasbourg, Rennes and Bordeaux. Versailles, Mont St Michel and Aix en Provence are rich in history while the adventurous can go skiing and hiking in the Alps. Relax afterwards on a Mediterranean beach or sipping a glass of vino in the many wishes wineries. Sailing around the islands of Brittany is also not to be missed.
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