Idyllic converted 18th-century grape press chock-a-block with tasteful antiques hand picked by the owners. The gardens are beautiful, as is the local aperitif "Pineau" that used to be made there. A true oasis!

www.holidayatmoreau.com/

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Idyllic converted 18th-century grape press chock-a-block with tasteful antiques hand picked by the owners. The gardens are beautiful, as is the local aperitif "Pineau" that used to be made there. A true oasis!

www.holidayatmoreau.com/

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They offer private walking tours around Paris (and some other European cities). Their guides seem very informed and capable—lots of professors and authors, etc.

www.contexttravel.com/paris/

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This is an old fortress/prison set on the island of If a few kilometres from the main port of Marseille.
While the fortress has been on the island since the 16th century, its main claim to fame is as the place of imprisonment of the fictional inmate Edmond Dantès, the hero of Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Montecristo.

Only 20 minutes by boat from Quai des Belges in the old port of Marseille.

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This bakery is well known for its traditional torpedo-shaped biscuits made from orange flour.

68, Rue Caisserie in Le Panier district.
www.les-navettes-des-acoules.fr

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Hotel in Marseille right on the Old Port. Apparently a two-star hotel but there was nothing to indicate to us that it was in any way different to a three-star hotel. Seemingly for a few euro more you can get a room facing the port. Friendly and great location.

35, quai des Belges - 13001 Marseille
Tel +33 (0) 4 91 33 66 97
www.alize-hotel.com
alize-hotel@wanadoo.fr

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Third-generation chocolate makers in Marseille. This family-run business produces chocolate made from unlikely ingredients such as onion and lavender, as well as pralines (well it is France!) and traditional barres Marseillaises (dark chocolate covered in fruit such as oranges).

A very small shop but apparently is world famous amongst chocolatiers. Well worth a visit. Black and white pictures of previous generations line the walls.

49 rue du Petit – Puits close to Rue du Panier.

chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2004/07/un_weekend_a_marseille_part_i.php

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You hear so much about Marseille being dangerous, probably a legacy of the French Connection movies.
We went there in May 2008 and it is not at all the dirty, dangerous city of the movies. We would say no more or less dangerous than many European cities.
Probably advisable to avoid the Belsunce area (south west of train station) at night.

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A taxi to/from Marseille Provence airport would set you back approx €50. However buses run to/from the central station (Gare Saint Charles) every 20 minutes or so and will cost €8.50 per person each way. Journey time is about 25 minutes.

Bus stop at airport clearly signposted and is located between terminal 1 & MP2 (terminal 2 which Ryanair and Easyjet use)

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Accommodation in Panier area of Marseille.
Probably equivalent of a B&B but good value for Marseille. All rooms are individually decorated.

2, impasse Sainte-Françoise - 13002 Marseille very near Vieille Charite in Le Panier.
maison.petit.canard.free.fr/index.htm

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Excellent family-run restaurant, serving a mixture of food that is both gastronomic and traditional. The restaurant is in an award-winning flowery village, and flowers, herbs and young shoots crop up throughout the dishes on the menu.

The very French chef has over 25 years cooking experience behind him, and his delightful and charming wife serves in the restaurant. A pleasurable experience all round, definitely one for the guidebooks.

Saint Fraimbault (www.saintfraimbault.com)
www.aupapillon.com

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Since this was our first visit to Paris, we weren't sure how to best spend our time. We came across Aeon's site and ended up taking a tour. We were, all in all, pleased with our tour and guide. She was knowledgeable and willing to answer any of our group's questions - even our most ridiculous ones. And, trust me, we had a few since we were there during the Metro workers strike in 2007. She was willing to start our tour later due to us not being able to get to the meeting point in time.

www.AeonTours.com

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Such a lovely surprise to find this 15th century Chateau, not heavily publicised, but well worth the visit, especially for those who love the history of ‘la belle chasse’.

The exterior museums record beautifully all aspects of 'the hunt', (there’s even a vintage collection of Hermes scarves as well as a display of numerous riding outfits worn throughout the centuries). The interior of the Chateau is limited to a few rooms and a church, however, visitors will enjoy exploring the once very active stables, learning about saddlery and all the necessary preparations for the hunting season. There's also some fine examples of taxidermy; stories about the life of hound dogs and their masters and wonderful black and white photographs that capture a time lost in the Loire. Book a lunch at the adjoining Auberge serving quality tourangelle cuisine.

www.montpoupon.com or www.myweekin.net

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It's a short metro ride away from the glamour of high street shopping so was it worth it? While my Parisian friends told me they don't shop there, as the area is not very 'chic', I actually found some very good discounts and, surprisingly, some new season items, slightly discounted albeit with tiny flaws.

I found two great bargains at Cacharel that made the metro ride worthwhile. A cropped wollen jacket, rabbit-fur trimmed lapel €660 reduced to €120 and a frilly high-neck silk blouse reduced from €320 to €90.

There's also a great selection of clothes for children of all ages: girls’ embroidered cardigans at a ridiculous €30, boys' suits from €100 as well as lots of cashmere twin sets around €80-120. The ground floor is dedicated to monsieur.

Also impressive are the two Sonia Rykiel stores which had some wonderful knitted suits at very reasonable prices. As France’s 'queen of knits' you can be assured of quality and pick up tops in bright colours for under €100; her two stores had last season’s stock greatly reduced. You won’t believe the incredibly cute young girls and baby SR range. You’ll also find bags and shoes in those bright trademark colours. If you like these two brands, then ‘bon route’.

A few other stores promised Armani and Dolce & Gabbanna but disappointed. Others had a great selection of French brand names, Gerard Darel, Naf Naf but at the same price as the 5th! I did find some American Retro ‘timeless’ T-shirts for around €30. It is fun bargain hunting and, if I had more time, I would have done more shopping.

Shops are generally open Monday after 2pm then Tuesday to Saturday 10 am – 7pm. I found most opened during the lunch hour (however the smaller ones may close).

Cacharel – 114 rue d'Alésia, Métro: Alésia, t: 01 45 42 53 04 or more details at www.myweekin.net

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This place is fantastic. Nothing is too much trouble for the hostess, Sarha. She runs this place with her two boys and between them they make you feel 'at home on holiday'.

The food is fabulous - every evening we ate out on the terrace and kids played in the garden and bounced on the trampoline. And when it cooled slightly in the evenings they went inside to the playroom to play or watch DVDs.

Highly recommended.

In the small village of Burlats near to Castres about an hour's drive from Toulouse airport

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Hotel des Academies et des Arts is a three-star hotel in the heart of Paris. Usually whenever you're looking for art in general, you would go to a museum or an exhibition - in this case you need to go to a hotel!
The French street-art artist Jerome Mesnager made this place his and had carte blanche to paint his 'white bodies' all over the hotel. Same thing with Sophie de Watrigant and two video artists.
It is worth a look!

15 rue de la Grande Chaumière
75006 Paris - France
Tel : +33 (0)1 43 26 66 44
www.hotel-des-academies.com/

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A flowery village deep in the heart of Normandy (in the Orne) that has repeatedly won the flowering towns and villages of France competition (similar to Britain in Bloom) and has also won international awards. Gardening policy is based on ecological principals.

www.saintfraimbault.com

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A fantastic little restaurant in the most gorgeous village ever. Restaurant is superb, great food, excellent value for money. French chef, English wife (front of house). Gastronomic cuisine served with regional and local produce, old-fashioned but modern, trendy yet unpretentious. Worth visiting.

www.aupapillon.com
place de l'eglise
61350 saint fraimbault
www.saintfraimbault.com

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There are three major bike rental shops in Chamonix - Legend, Grand Bi and Zero G. Legend is near the Aiguille de Midi lift, Grand Bi is near MBC and Zero G is on the main street.

I recommend Zero G for their current-year specialised rental bikes, English speaking staff and good customer service.

Zero G Chamonix bike rental www.zerogchx.com
+33 4 50 53 01 01
zerogchamonix@hotmail.com
Nearest station Chamonix

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This is a lovely little bistrot in the Ile Saint Louis which so many visitors miss. We'd walked all the way from the Place de l'Opera and by the time we reached the island we were starving. Parisian food is very variable but this restaurant has an interesting, imaginative take on the bistrot staples such as Confit de Canard and Boeuf Bourginon. All the food is beautifully prepared and the service is friendly and helpful.

69 Rue St Louis en l'Ile. Metro: Pont Marie. Tel: + 33 (0) 1 40 46 01 35

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