From the Riviera to the Alps, from chateaux to farms, France offers countless inspiring locations in which to take your yoga journey to the next level with a Yoga Alliance teacher training course. Here are 5 of the best YTT programs in France. Humble warrior pose outside a medieval chateau (Photo courtesy of Awake Yoga via Book Yoga Retreats) Over the past decade, France’s yoga scene has welcomed a number of excellent, international, English-speaking yoga teachers. Along with highly qualified and passionate local instructors, they have embraced the potential of the country’s seemingly endles ..read more

The Louvre is among the finest art museums in the world. Enhance your visit with a little help skipping the queue and navigating the huge interior on these top tours. (Photo: Getyourguide.com) There is much about the Louvre (the Mona Lisa, for example) that draws visitors in their droves. Located inside the elegant Louvre Palace, which was started life as the Louvre Castle in the late 12th century, the museum took over in the 18th century, continuing to expand until architect I.M. Pei added the landmark glass pyramids in the main courtyard in 1987. Despite the crowds, it is possible to buy s ..read more

Lyon can make good claim to being the food capital of the world. Situated at a confluence of cultures and surrounded by some of the most fertile lands in all of France, the dishes served across the venerable old city are worth a visit all of their own: from expertly assembled fish quenelles to the indulgent offal sometimes served at breakfast, this is a town your taste buds won’t forget. Add to that the fact that it’s beautiful, boasting a fine line in medieval houses, winding streets, and sumptuous Baroque squares, why haven’t you booked a ticket already? (Photo: Hôtel Vaubecour Booking.com ..read more

It may be the world’s second-smallest country, but when it comes to the French principality’s long-standing yachting scene, Monaco has always been larger than life. Boats moored in Monaco (Photo: historical couple via Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0) With its prime setting on the Côte d’Azur, home of the iconic Grand Prix, and within easy cruising distance of other famous destinations such as St Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Antibes, and the Italian Riviera, Monaco has been a favourite with the yachting set for decades. There are a wide number of companies offering yacht charters in Monaco, and while many of ..read more

The bustling French port city of Marseille caters to short term renters with a number of properties that offer all of the comforts and conveniences of home. A view over the harbour in Marseille (Photo: Harry Wood via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0) Located in southern France, rough and ready Marseille may lack the chic and glamour of its regional neighbours, but its edgy appeal still draws large numbers of visitors every year. A sizeable portion of them come here for extended periods and choose to stay in a short-term rental home, rather than a conventional hotel. Below are three of the best online r ..read more

One of Europe’s glamour clubs, watching a match at Paris Saint-Germain’s Le Parc des Princes stadium is a major attraction for visitors to the French capital. Matchday at Le Parc des Princes stadium (Photo: PSGMAG.NET via Flickr / CC BY 2.0) Already the biggest club in France before their acquisition by mega-rich Qatar Sports Investments in 2011, PSG have been propelled to the top table of European football. Regular competitors in the Champions League, in recent years they even went beyond the realms of what seemed possible and signed the one and only Lionel Messi from Barcelona. If you fanc ..read more

One of the world’s most famous rivers, visitors to Paris can experience the Seine at close quarters by booking on to a wide choice of river cruises. (Photo: Artur Staszewski via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0) Cutting through the heart of Paris, the gentle waterway is the epicentre of the French capital. Lined with booksellers and bordered by beautiful boulevards, historic cafés and charming neighbourhoods, taking a relaxing boat tour down its waters is a fantastic way to get acquainted with the City of Light. Along the way, you’ll pass under beautiful bridges, and see some of Paris’s most famous bui ..read more

Yoga and Pilates have at last taken root in Paris: studios tend to be minimalist but chic, modern zen oases hidden in grand old buildings. Here are 12 of the most inspiring spaces in which to hone your handstands and open your chakras with Parisian style. Yuj studio at HOY (Home of Yoga), Rue des Martyrs (Photo: HOY Paris) Paris might have been a late bloomer when it comes to the yoga craze, but lycra leggings are now almost as ubiquitous as berets on the streets of the French capital. Basically, Paris made yoga chic. Myriad studios have sprung up to cater to this rapidly increasing demand f ..read more

France’s unofficial capital of the South was positively transformed after its year as Capital of Culture in 2013 becoming a vibrant and multicultural port city with an exuberant cultural scene. The check in area at Marseille Airport (Photo: Phillip Capper via Flickr / CC BY 2.0) For those visiting, renting a car remains the best option for getting around. In total, there are 11 hire car companies to be found at Marseille Airport (MRS), all of which are located in the front of terminal 1. Despite having two terminals, Marseille is a small airport – this means that you should be able to reach ..read more

Re-locating to Paris temporarily has never been easier thanks to a new generation of design-forward, affordable co-living spaces.  Clignancourt (Photo: Spotahome.com) From Gertrude Stein to Johnny Depp, foreigners flocked to Paris long before Emily showed up. But this famously romantic city is also a famously expensive city to relocate to, thanks to its tiny apartment spaces and high rents. Unlike most cities, traditional peer-to-peer rental platforms are limited by legislation too. But a new wave of stylish coliving spaces is changing the game, fast. These houses and apartments, availa ..read more