Exploring Champagne at Billecart-Salmon, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. On a windswept, vine-covered hillside, looking out over the Champagne region, Mathieu Roland-Billecart, 7th Generation of the house of Billecart-Salmon Champagne surveys his land. ‘This area, where we are standing is part of the Montagne de Reims, it’s the Bond Street of Pinot Noir for the Champagne Appellation – and […]
Châteaux and Champagne – visiting l’Aisne
Beyond the Battlefields – l’Aisne, France. A trip to l’Aisne in Picardie, France, is often triggered by an itinerary to explore the battlefields of the World Wars – but there’s much more on offer in this little-known region just an hour or so from Paris. Here’s a taster of what you can expect if you […]
Comté cheese – the Jura region France
The making of Comté cheese. An iconic French brand, Comté was one of the first kinds of cheese to receive an AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controlée) status in 1958. Having lived and worked in the French Alps I was already a fan of Comté and Tomme cheese, both of which are made in this area, and […]
St Quentin, France – A Phoenix From The Ashes of War
Three reasons to visit St Quentin, Aisne, France. Why visit St Quentin? The largest City in the Aisne, at the beginning of the 13th Century it was a thriving city thanks to the wool textile industry and its proximity to the Champagne region and to the cities of Flanders. Saint-Quentin Town Hall with its flamboyant […]
Paris Food Tour with Eating Europe
Hip Eats and Backstreets – a Paris Food Tour. One of the best ways to get under the skin of a city like Paris is by taking a walking tour. For my money, the best walking tours always involve food – not just because I love to eat but because with a food tour there’s […]
Chamonix Mont Blanc – Ski Season:
Winter Skiing Trip, Chamonix Mont Blanc. There is no better way to raise the spirits than being high up in the mountains surrounded by beautiful scenery and fresh air. Last year I visited Chamonix Mont Blanc in the summer so was thrilled to have the opportunity to visit again during the ski season this time. […]
Le Pavillon des Lettres – a Literary Hotel in Paris:
Boutique Hotel in the 8ième Arrondissement Paris – Le Pavillon des Lettres. Any regular visitor to Paris will have their favourite Arrondissement. Mine has always been the 6ième – Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Latin Quarter and the Luxembourg Gardens- an area full of cafés with history, old churches and heritage. I seldom stray – this time, tempted […]
The Résidence & Spa Vallorcine Mont-Blanc – review
Vallorcine Mont-Blanc – perfect accommodation in Chamonix The Résidence & Spa Vallorcine Mont-Blanc is a perfect self-catering option if you are looking for high quality, spacious, accommodation, at a reasonable price in the Chamonix Mont Blanc Valley. The picturesque village of Vallorcine (meaning valley of bears!) is situated at the end of the Chamonix […]
Trips from Paris – Overnight, Day Trips and Short Drives
Five Easy Trips from Paris – Overnight Trips, Day Trips and Drives: (#Ad – in conjunction with Discover Car Hire) Who doesn’t love Paris? Like many regular visitors to the City of Lights, I have a habit of arriving, settling into a boutique hotel somewhere in the 6ieme and staying put. I visit the Musée […]
Méribel – A Favourite for Skiing Les Trois Vallées (The Three Valleys)
Méribel – the heart of Les Trois Vallées (The Three Valleys) Skiing is my passion. I love being in the mountains, so much so that I’ve loved spending the last three winters working as a rep in the Alps. Having skied for many years I’ve been fortunate to be able to visit a lot of […]