Notre-Dame de Paris: History, the 2019 Fire and the Reopening
For more than eight centuries, Notre-Dame de Paris has watched French history unfold. In 2013 it celebrated its 850th anniversary. Six years later, on 15 April 2019, a fire destroyed…
The French Riviera (Côte d’Azur): Towns, Hilltop Villages and Must-Sees
Turquoise sea, hilltop villages, festivals and a light that drew the greatest painters: the Côte d'Azur, known in English as the French Riviera, is one of France's most famous destinations.…
The DOM-TOM: France’s Overseas Territories, from the Caribbean to the Pacific
France does not stop at its European borders. From the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, several islands and territories are part of the French Republic. People still…
The Nice Carnival: History, Parades, Flower Battles and 2027 Dates
Every February, Nice is transformed: giant floats, confetti, music and a rain of flowers on the Promenade des Anglais. The Nice Carnival is one of the biggest carnivals in the…
Discover Normandy: D-Day Beaches, Mont-Saint-Michel and Cheese
White cliffs, beaches full of history, fishing villages, apple orchards and cheese: Normandy is one of France's favourite regions, barely two hours from Paris. Here are the places not to…
The Lascaux Cave: History, Paintings and How to Visit Lascaux IV
It is known as the Sistine Chapel of prehistory. The Lascaux cave, in the Dordogne in south-west France, holds some of the most famous prehistoric paintings in the world. It…
The Centre Pompidou (Beaubourg): History, Architecture and Closure Until 2030
Criticised when it opened for its coloured pipes and factory look, the Centre Pompidou became one of the most visited cultural sites in Paris. Parisians simply call it Beaubourg, after…
The Louvre Museum: History, Masterpieces and Visiting Tips
You cannot visit Paris without walking past its glass pyramid. The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world, and one of the largest. But before it housed the…
Les Restos du Cœur: The Story of Coluche’s French Charity
In France, when winter comes, you hear about the « Restos du Cœur » (literally, the restaurants of the heart). This charity has been handing out meals and support to…
The Little Prince by Saint-Exupéry: Why Read It in French
« On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux. » (One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.)…
