Part II It is every writer’s dream to land a housesitting job in France. I’d have three months to start (and abort) a novel while enjoying the medieval landscape. But how did my galpal and I land the job? We …
Category: France
Gascon Gastronomy: The Farmer’s Armagnac by John M.Edwards
Where Is The Gers? Taking a back road into Auch, France (population: 22,000), the remote ersatz capital of the Gers, in a rented Renault time machine, two hired housesitters pinched themselves. Auch! As the 15th-century Cathedral de Sainte Marie and …
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Meddling with Medieval Mysteries: Hiking Through History in Southern France by Fyllis Hockman
Climbing up the wide circular stone staircase to our hotel room in the Chateau des Ducs de Joyeuse on the first night, I knew this would be a very different trip. I could just as easily be accessing a medieval …
Wines and Monuments of Languedoc, South of France by Emma Krasov
Photography by Emma Krasov Ancient Romans are often brought to mind in the wine-producing region of AOP Costières de Nîmes. The city of Nîmes, a BCE colony of the Roman Empire, today maintains its rich heritage reflected in the majestic …
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The Best of Cahors, France by Ron Kapon
In late May 2010 the Second International Malbec Days Conference took place in Cahors, France. There were 100 Malbec producers mainly from France and Argentina, 150 journalists, 400 professional buyers and 3,500 wine connoisseurs attending this three day seminar and …
The Lore of Champagne by Ron Kapon
Champagne, Taittinger & Reims: The lore of champagne is filled with courageous acts and bold people. Napoleon was a great lover of champagne and personally protected his favorite champagne house from invading armies. Churchill used champagne to elevate his spirits …
Walking in Marie’s Steps
Though the Illinois snow tried to cancel my flight, I still made it safe once more across the Atlantic to Paris, France, just in time to welcome 2010. Parisian food, art and architecture are all pluses to bring visitors to …
Cleopatra for a Week: River Barging on the Loire by Jacqueline Harmon Butler
Cleopatra floating on her royal barge along the Nile could not have felt more pampered or majestic than I floating along the canals of the Loire Valley aboard Le Bon Vivant. There I was, happily soaking in the hot tub …
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Cooking Class in the City of Light by Victoria L. Cooksey
While recently solo traveling in Paris, France I had the pleasure of participating in a French cooking class through Marguerite’s Elegant Home Cooking. Attending a cooking class is a great way to take time out from being lonely, meet new …
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Makilas in French Basque Country by Yvonne Tapson King
I remembered seeing the ornate silver-knobbed swordsticks, called makilas in the Basque language, in an antique store in Bayonne thirty years ago when I first visited the French Basque country. I asked Marie-Andrée about them. “Yes, I think they are …
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