Men Of Their Word

Alison Hughes visits the ‘garden of France’ on the trail of three classic French writers

Holistic Mountain Escape

From exhilarating skiing to complementary spa experiences, Lara Dunn explores the wellness options on offer in Les Trois Vallées in Savoie

Easy Riders

Rudolf Abraham and his daughter Tamara cruise along the historic paths of the Veloscenic cycle route, which stretches from Paris to Mont Saint-Michel, on e-bikes

Avignon

With impressive Unesco World Heritage sites, fascinating museums and artisan boutiques, Lara Dunn is dazzled by Avignon

The Knights Templar: Warriors For Christ

The rise and fall of the legendary religious order were equally dramatic, says Sandra Haurant

Vignette Restoration Dramas

Recently, I was sent a petition to help save the fabulous, fairy-tale Château du Duc d’Épérnon, which is falling into decay.

3 Of The Best Cabarets

Paris has always been at the forefront of the decadent world of cabaret, with entertainment from acrobats to chanteuses, and can-can dancers to contortionists. So dust off your scarlet feathers and enjoy some of these historic shows

Road Trip

From windmills and beaches to a brush with the notorious Bluebeard, take a journey through the glorious Vendée

Rainbow Coalition

From the ochre quarries and purple lavender fields of Vaucluse to the violets of Toulouse, Robin Gauldie experiences the dazzling colours of southern France

Eye For A Bargain

Few visitors look beyond Paris when it comes to flea markets, but keen collector Eddi Fiegel shows you can find treasures all over France

Ancient Wonder

An ultra-modern replica of the prehistoric Lascaux cave has opened next to the original site in Dordogne. Peter Stewart travels back in time on a guided tour.

Channel Hopping

Crossing the Channel is now a simple affair, whether it is by ferry, train, car or plane. But what of those who make the trip the hard way? Lara Dunn looks at the history of the cross-Channel swim

Boating Revelations

Sailing from the Camargue to the Canal du Midi gave Ray Kershaw and friends new insights into the land of pink flamingos, white horses and a black pearl.

La Reunion Adventures

Forget Berets and Baguettes – Eve Middleton Opts for Coconuts and Créole Cuisine in France’s Exotic Overseas Département.

Where To Stay For... Winter Activities

Take mountain pursuits to new heights with our choice of accommodation, from traditional chalets to tree houses.

Road Trip

Discover the charms of Périgord Blanc, the least familiar of four areas that make up this historical region centred on Dordogne

A Tale Of Two Cities

Brutal or beautiful? Concrete buildings divide opinion, but Le Havre and Marseille have embraced the material, with dramatic results, as Rudolf Abraham and Lara Dunn reveal 

Treasures On The Shore

The flotsam and jetsam washed up on France’s long coastline provide rich pickings and artistic inspiration, says enthusiast Robin Gauldie

Great Inventors- Changing The World

From flight to films, French minds have been at the forefront of innovation, says Sandra Haurant

On The March With Joan Of Arc

Echoes of the Middle Ages surround Mark Stratton as he walks the trail that led a simple village girl to become France’s national heroine

Harvest Of Gold

Saffron production is once again growing in France, and the country’s best chefs are taking note, says Dominic Rippon

Icons Maigret

The pipe-smoking French police inspector created by Georges Simenon is one of the most popular detectives in literature, as Heidi Fuller-Love explains

Chateau Of Dreams

A childhood visit to Champ de Bataille in Normandy set interior designer Jacques Garcia on a decades-long quest to restore its buildings and gardens. Naomi Slade admires the astounding results

Take A Stroll In Parthenay

Located on a promontory overlooking the River Thouet in Deux-Sèvres, this fortified town is a haven of medieval houses and winding alleyways, as Sue Harper reveals

Ski Sans Frontières

Tucked away on the border with Italy, the village of Montgenèvre in Hautes-Alpes provides winter fun for all levels of skier, as Kate Pettifer explains.

Haute-Provence by the Back Door

Starting at a high pass on the Italian border, Judy Armstrong makes an epic journey by bike through the mountains and valleys dominating this remote area of France.

Road Trip

This relatively short summer circuit from the Alpine resort of Chamonix takes in two countries, Europe’s highest mountain and a medieval cité

Long Drive On The Golf Coast

From the Channel to the Spanish border, Adam Ruck finds many opportunities to test his skills on France’s picturesque courses

Classical Music Centuries In Sound

From plainchant to Boléro, France has a rich musical heritage, explains

Take A Stroll In...Cahors

Nestling within a meander of the River Lot, Cahors is a treasure trove of medieval architecture, gourmet treats and vinous discoveries, says Dominic Rippon