And if you do feel like taking a plane, you'll be able to make travel arrangements at the bottom of the page as well.
(picture of the Mont St Michel, something between an island and a citadel)
France and romance, l'amour toujours...
- A tour of the most romantic movies filmed in France.
- This comes from an official French Government Tourist Office site too. Feel free to browse at will...
Culture and landmarks, Paris and Versailles.
- The Eiffel tower.
- Official website of "la tour Eiffel".
- All about Paris.
- All in english, amazing... monuments, museums, cafes stores and shops, hotels, restaurants, schools, etc.
- Map of Paris.
- Online detailed map of Paris, so you know what 'flavor' each area of the City of Lights has.
- Paris Pictures.
- Take a photographic tour of Paris, in your chair!
- Le Louvre.
- Official website, with virtual tour, current exhibits and much more.
- Versailles.
- Official website of Versailles: the castle, grounds, and more.
Ah, Paris !
One Thousand Buildings of Paris
Perhaps the most picturesque of all international cities, Paris is the quintessential walker's paradise, with architectural delights down every winding street. It is the city of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, of the Louvre and Monmartre. But, within its 20 concentric arrondissements are many surprises too, from glass office towers to jewel-box mansions to massive public buildings.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009) 
Paris (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE)
A brief history of the city is followed by a list of the best museums, churches and parks, a description of the seasons, and a guided tour along the Seine. Then it tackles the city of lights district by district, starting with Ile de la Cite and ending with Montmartre. Also includes extensive information about restaurants, hotels, shopping venues entertainment opportunities and special activities for children. The "Survival Guide" gives practical information about getting into and out of Paris, banking and postal services, safety, transportation, and more.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009)
Paris Made Easy: The Best Sights and Walks of Paris (Open Road Travel Guides)
Walking tours of the most interesting neighborhoods, including culinary and other themed walks. Restaurant recommendations, including where the locals eat. Outspoken advice on what to avoid. Excursions outside Paris. Helpful French phrases. Great entertainment tips. Hints on how to save money. Insider shopping tips. Color maps.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009)
Paris, great pics by a tourist... it could be you!
Castles in the Loire Valley: les châteaux de la Loire.
After building rough, sometimes even grim-looking fortresses of stone in the Middle-Ages, the Kings and the nobles of the land found themselves in a state of peace and stability. Since castles were no longer needed as a means of protecting oneself, they could be turned into works of art. The Renaissance swept accross France and beautiful castles crept up along the quietly flowing Loire river. The nobles filled them with sculptures and paintings made by the finest artists. They were often surrounded by exquisite grounds that looked like tapestries of greenery. Chateaux de la Loire in pictures, which one is your favorite?
History in stone and marble.
- Castles of the Loire and beyond.
- This superb "Castles of France" site by a French artist/photographer includes more than 500 photos of castles, abbeys, cities....medieval castles,classical castles, Renaissance castles,19th century castles, Napoleon III castles. (You can find rentals as well...)
Les Châteaux de la Loire.
Michelin Green Guide Chateaux of the Loire (Michelin Green Guides)
This title in the acclaimed Michelin Green Guide series is your indispensable guide to the Loire Valley, cradle of the French Renaissance, with the splendid chateaux built by the great rulers and artists of the land. Besides a rich artistic and historical past, the region boasts great natural beauty and offers visitors the gastronomic delights of local cuisine and wines.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009)
Knopf Guide: The Loire Valley (Knopf Guides)
The spirit of the French Renaissance lives on in the magnificent, beautifully preserved chateaux of the Loire Valley. Detailed architectural drawings take you through more than 80 of these bastions of splendor: from Chambord to Chenonceaux and to such smaller jewels as Azay-le-Rideau. 1,000 full-color illustrations.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009)
More here!
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Top 10 Chateaux of the Loire Valley
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The Loire River divides France into its Northern and Southern parts as the climate becomes much more temperate south of the river. The beautiful Loire Valley is known for its pastoral landscapes, historic villages, great architectural monuments, fine...
The South of France.
But too often, the South-West is forgotten, which is truly a shame, for it too has a lot to offer. With both mountain and ocean: the Pyrénées range (the natural border with Spain) and the Atlantic, and its famous vineyards, it could be seen as a (small) French California. You'd never thought of that now, did you?
La Côte d'Azur, or French Riviera if you insist...
Gardens of the French Riviera
The terraced hillsides, rocky capes, and secluded coves of the French Riviera provide some of the world's most spectacular garden settings, and its delightful climate has drawn legendary figures in the arts, literature, and international society since the eighteenth century. In this beautifully designed volume, Louisa Jones turns her gardening and literary talents to the magnificent gardens of the French Riviera, some beloved by visitors for over a century, but most private and hitherto unphotographed.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009)
Michelin Green Guide French Riviera (Michelin Green Guides)
Well, it's a Michelin Green Guide: can't leave home without it. ;)
Amazon Price: $17.12 (as of 12/31/2009)
New Link List Module
- The French Riviera online.
- Title says it all.
- Life and Holidays on the Côte d'Azur.
- A family-oriented site for living, outing, exploring.
- French Riviera, special places.
- Riviera Excellence: An exclusive guide which will take you on a spectacular journey of discovery and new experiences on the French Riviera Cote d'Azur, selecting exclusive locations such as Antibes, Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo, Menton, Saint Paul de Vence, Eze, Mougins, Mandelieu, Roquebrune: beautiful
Don't forget there's also a Southwest...
The Rough Guide to the Pyrenees, Fifth Edition
Anyone could find their perfect retreat in the Pyrenees, a range encompassing a diversity of landscapes rarely equalled in Europe. Between balmy Mediterranean beaches and the more turbulent Atlantic coast lie lush meadowland, snow-clad peaks, canyons of sinuously sculpted rock, dense broadleaf forest, weirdly eroded limestone pinnacles and sheer, overgrown valleys that get perhaps two hours of sun daily. These mountains challenge and invite rather than intimidate.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009)
Pictures of my favorite areas of the Southwest.
- Aïnhoa, in the Basque country
- A little tour of one of the most charming villages on the Pays Basque. You can start by clicking on the first picture for a close-up view, then keep clicking on the arrow to view all pictures one by one.
- Biarritz, famous resort city on the Atlantic coast.
- Just click on the different pictures that present you the different aspect of Biarritz. Three different little tours.
- Capbreton, in the Landes area, by the Atlantic coast.
- Just click on the different pictures for a close-up view. You could almost smell the breeze!
- General overview of the cities and villages of the Béarn area.
- Just click away! Different places to see, all beautiful. This is the area where I live, homeland to the one most beloved King ever to reign in France: Henry IV.
For Brittany and Normandy, say "Bretagne" and "Normandie"
Lonely Planet Brittany & Normandy
Rugged cliffs and golden beaches, bustling fishing ports and sleepy inland villages, Gothic cathedrals and ancient standing stones, Brittany and Normandy delight and entrance with their wealth of attractions. Our definitive guide gives you detailed regional coverage for the perfect getaway. Itineraries, where to eat, coverage of historic sites, pick the best places to sleep at, French talk...
Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009)
French style, everything from music to home décor.
Art de vivre, flair, what is French style? Well, it's in every daily thing, isn't it? It's a crusty bread, an elegant simplicity of lines and shapes in the houses and around the silhouettes. It's in the gardens, the shop-windows.I'm hoping to give a you a little bit of all this. In light touches, like the strokes of a paintbrush, just for you.
Your French Connection.
It tends to fade a little, but still, lyrics of our songs are usually of the kind that is worth listening to.
- Cherie FM French Music
- Here you'll hear only songs in French. But I don't mean songs from black and white movies. No. This will give link you to the 'French Vibe', allowing you to hear music from recent years, or hot of the cd press...
Magazines, all French editions available in the US.
Maisons Cote Ouest
Amazon Price: $55.00 (as of 12/31/2009)
Marie Claire Maison - France
Amazon Price: $75.10 (as of 12/31/2009)
Marie Claire Idees
Amazon Price: $39.12 (as of 12/31/2009)
French style from France.
- Decoration and design with Marie Claire Maison
- Official website of the Marie-Claire Maison magazine. In French, but loaded with pictures, the international language.
- Becquet
- Interior decoration website: lots of linens, accessorie, furnishings, virtual room designer, etc. In French.
- Home, kitchen, bistrot, antiques.
- A very French site, in French again, but click, click, click away and you won't regret it. Lots of pictures.
Tongue in cheek: a blog by an American woman living in the South of France.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byFrench design all-around: home and fashion.
French Touch, The
Jan de Luz brings Southern French style to America in a bold way: he rescues antique French architectural elements and accessories from the countryside-mantels, farmhouse sinks, stone sentinels and fountains, even wooden spiral staircases-and brings them to America. Installed in their final American destinations, each piece stands as a stately, impressive, and lovely piece of art in a living room, kitchen, garden, or any room of the house.
Amazon Price: $26.40 (as of 12/31/2009)
The French-Inspired Home, with French General
The author has combed fleamarkets in the South of France for years. Here, "she distills her much sought-after sensibility into 40 charming projects that capture the sights, scents, and textures of the French countryside. They include lavender sachets, lovely etched glasses, pillows, covered hangers, French potting boxes, and herbal lotions." Sounds good to me!
Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009)
Jacques Garcia: Decorating in the French Style
You may know the name... "A thirty-year career has made Jacques Garcia a worldwide name in interior design in the French tradition. In Paris, chic crowds flock to his celebrated Hétel Costes and Ladurée tearoom, and to his many fin-de-siécle brasseries." Great stuff.
Amazon Price: $50.62 (as of 12/31/2009)
The Essence of Style: How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafes, Style, Sophistication, and Glamour
Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009)
Chanel and Her World
Coco Chanel was a unique lady, some would say she was the essence of the modern French woman. Her style goes on and her story is nearly a legend now...
Amazon Price: $37.80 (as of 12/31/2009)
Cuisine française, it isn't as complicated as you think!
Authentic French cooking sites, in English.
- Let's Cook French : French cooking made easy ! French recipes and more...
- French cooking can be easy, really. Check our easy-as-pie recipes and impress your friends!
Anyday is a day for chocolate.
Côte d'or is my favorite chocolate. It can be so intense, and at times so subtle.
Cote D'or Dark70% Intense Chocolate Cocoa, 3.5-Ounce Bars (Pack of 10)
Amazon Price: $23.65 (as of 12/31/2009)
Cote D'or Milk Chocolate With Dark Filling Lait Intense, 3.5-Ounce Bars (Pack of 10)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009)
Cote D'or Dark Chocolate With Orange Peel Noir Orange, 3.5-Ounce Bars (Pack of 10)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009)
Real bread!
Good Bread Is Back: A Contemporary History of French Bread, the Way It Is Made, and the People Who Make It
Amazon Price: $19.11 (as of 12/31/2009)
Crusty bread.
Yes, sounds good doesn't it? But how in the world do you GET that darn crust? I'll let you in on a little secret...Water.
You just need to have water in the OVEN. There are pipes difusing little clouds of evaporating water in the ovens of every French baker. What does it mean for you? Simple: just place a shallow pan on the bottom of the oven and fill it with water. And you too will get crusty bread!
French recipes even if you're not in a French kitchen.
My French Kitchen: A Book of 120 Treasured Recipes
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 12/31/2009)
The French Market: More Recipes from a French Kitchen
Amazon Price: $15.59 (as of 12/31/2009)
Bocuse's Regional French Cooking
Amazon Price: (as of 12/31/2009)
Ducasse Flavors of France
Amazon Price: $26.40 (as of 12/31/2009)
I'd love your input and comments.
Tell me what you like about this lens, and what you'd like to find that isn't there yet.
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Reply
- poutine poutine Dec 11, 2008 @ 4:34 pm
- Maybe one day I will visit FRance.
Excellent lens.
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Reply
- esitesro esitesro Nov 9, 2008 @ 6:32 am
- Nice lens, 5* from me :)
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Reply
- Margo_Arrowsmith Margo_Arrowsmith Jul 29, 2008 @ 5:43 am
- Wonderful site. But where is the Louvre? Of course, you couldn't cover it all, just like no one can see more than part of the Louvre in just a short time. I could help you there.
I hadn't wanted to go to France, I believed all the stories about how they felt about Americans, I thought they were snooty. Nothing could be further from the truth.
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Reply
- serendipityrose serendipityrose Feb 29, 2008 @ 12:38 pm
- Hi Chris, saw your post on Homeschooling Creatively. Great lens! Makes me want to go there! Guess we will just go there virtually! Thanks!
Rose
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Reply
- SubwayHotels SubwayHotels Feb 29, 2008 @ 6:49 am
- Great lens on last minute Paris travel, I have written a lens on a> that you may want to check out.
- Load More
Feeling like jumping on a plane after all? Go ahead!
by CLB
I love a lot of things: music and family, books and writing, fairies and chocolate, creative thinking and learning. Why settle for less than the... (more)
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