Travel notes from the real France. Carnet de Voyage is a weekly personal travel story in France sent in by readers. If you’d like to write a story for Carnet de Voyage, head here for details on how to submit. A lot of water has flowed under the Pont Neuf since I first visited Paris. But just how much only hit me during a stay in a quaint old-fashioned hotel hidden away in Place Dauphine. Source ..read more

The Ritz hotel in Paris reopened its signature restaurant with, for the first time in its history, a female chef at the helm of the cuisines, Eugénie Béziat who embraces her heritage from Gabon in her cooking. Since César Ritz, the Swiss hotelier who in 1898 founded the sumptuous lodgings on the Place Vendôme in Paris that became an international benchmark of luxury and excellence… Source ..read more

Chantilly, the elegant town on the outskirts of Paris, is not only home to the deliciously fluffy whipped cream. A grandiose castle with sprawling grounds stands proudly in the city and was once the residence of a powerful French dynasty. In 1643, the Bourbon-Condé prince dynasty became the owner of the Château de Chantilly. The Grand Prince of Condé, first cousin of King Louis XIV… Source ..read more

On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, delve into the captivating world of wartime espionage and deception as we explore the intriguing Double Cross System, a covert operation that played a pivotal role in the Allied victory during World War II. In this exclusive online talk, walking tour author Stewart Ross reveals the fascinating details of how a network of double agents managed to throw the Nazis… Source ..read more

The founders of Antoinette Poisson homewares emporium, Vincent Farelly and Jean-Baptiste Martin, invite you inside their 18th-century Breton townhouse to discover the elegant art of entertaining à la française… Serves 61 • Preparation time: 10 minutes • Cooking time: 3 to 5 minutes INGREDIENTS METHOD… Source ..read more

The Camargue may be famous for its bulls and horses, but it’s also one of the best places in the south of France for observing flamingos.   ..read more

Located in Boulogne-sur-Mer, in the heart of the Opal Coast, Nausicaá is the largest aquarium in Europe. It’s a unique place where young and old alike can marvel at the beauty of the marine universe, understand environmental issues and, above all, learn to love and protect the ocean. With family or friends, embark on 4.5 hours of total immersion via three immersive, educational and fun tour… Source ..read more

The king was desperate to attract Marie Antoinette to his castle in Rambouillet. He custom-built an unusual addition in the park and you’ll never guess what it is. In this new series, in partnership with the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, we unveil the hidden secrets of some of France’s finest historical sites. This month, the elegant Château de Rambouillet, on the outskirts of Paris. Source ..read more

With excellent value-for-money and intriguing dishes, this new restaurant in central Bordeaux is sure to conquer diners. Overlooking the Gironde River in Bordeaux’s delightful Chartrons district, this friendly, recently-opened bistro expresses the appealing zeitgeist of this young neighbourhood, which is popular because it’s relatively affordable compared to other parts of the city. Source ..read more

The Getty Museum and the French Consulate of Los Angeles have entered a cooperative agreement to promote exhibitions and programming related to French culture. This cultural exchange fosters the understanding of art, and mutual understanding across societies. The agreement was executed on April 2nd by French Consul General in Los Angeles, Julie Duhaut-Bedos, and Getty President and CEO… Source ..read more