1st for French Property on your Smartphone!

1st for French Property have entered the digital age. Is this the first UK company to offer a smartphone app to view the Latest French Properties? Here is an extract from their French Property Ramblings blog:

1st for French Property have launched their first app (application) to run on Smartphones.

You can access all the latest French Properties for Sale – the latest properties are updated hourly. In addition you can view videos about the popular French regions, access our Twitter and Facebook feeds.

You can download the app “1st for French Property” on Google Play (Android Market). Alternatively when you browse to our home page (http://www.1st-for-French-Property.co.uk) on your mobile where you are offered the option to download our app or go to mobile version of the website.

In addition, you can access a mobile version of the site via http://www.1st-for-French-Property.co.uk/mobile.

Original article: 1st for French Property Goes Mobile

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A Cheesey Story from France

I like Cheese, I guess most people like cheese. And where is the home of good cheeses? Well France must be right up there! Would you relocate because of your love of cheese?

Interesting post from David Lebovitz's blog about cheese. Here is an extract:

I’m not going to say it’s the top reason I live here, but one of the main reasons that I live in France is because of the cheese. It’s not just that I like cheese – which I do very dearly – but it also represents something that France has held on to, and still defies modernization. You just can’t make Comté or Bleu de Termignon with a machine. Each is made in a certain region, with milk from certain pastures, then molded and ripened, then sent to a skilled fromager to be offered to customers.

If you go into a French supermarket, there are plenty of cheeses to choose from. But traditional fromageries survive in Paris because of the personal service one gets. Not every neighborhood is lucky enough to have a good fromagerie close by, but there are a good number scattered around Paris, and every outdoor market has a cheese merchant, lording over large tables covered with straw mats, with rounds, triangles, crottins, and slabs of cheese from across France

Although people do buy cheese at the supermarket, I like the one-on-one discussion with the vendor, who will verbally joust with you, until they find the right cheese for you that day. I often hope there’s a line because it gives me a chance to see what others are ordering because most shops and I like to overhear the discussions they have about what cheeses they bought a few days before, and how they liked them, and what’s best at the moment.

Got the taste for Cheese, read the full article here: Fromagerie Pascal Beillevaire

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A Cheesey Story from France

I like Cheese, I guess most people like cheese. And where is the home of good cheeses? Well France must be right up there! Would you relocate because of your love of cheese?

Interesting post from David Lebovitz's blog about cheese. Here is an extract:

I’m not going to say it’s the top reason I live here, but one of the main reasons that I live in France is because of the cheese. It’s not just that I like cheese – which I do very dearly – but it also represents something that France has held on to, and still defies modernization. You just can’t make Comté or Bleu de Termignon with a machine. Each is made in a certain region, with milk from certain pastures, then molded and ripened, then sent to a skilled fromager to be offered to customers.

If you go into a French supermarket, there are plenty of cheeses to choose from. But traditional fromageries survive in Paris because of the personal service one gets. Not every neighborhood is lucky enough to have a good fromagerie close by, but there are a good number scattered around Paris, and every outdoor market has a cheese merchant, lording over large tables covered with straw mats, with rounds, triangles, crottins, and slabs of cheese from across France

Although people do buy cheese at the supermarket, I like the one-on-one discussion with the vendor, who will verbally joust with you, until they find the right cheese for you that day. I often hope there’s a line because it gives me a chance to see what others are ordering because most shops and I like to overhear the discussions they have about what cheeses they bought a few days before, and how they liked them, and what’s best at the moment.

Got the taste for Cheese, read the full article here: Fromagerie Pascal Beillevaire

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Carcassonne Cite History

One of my favourite locations in the South of France - the fortified city of Carcassonne. Today the South of France blog publishes an excellent commentary on the history with some stunning photographs. Here is an extract ....

Carcassonne is a fortified city in the South of France. It was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997.

The Sarrasin occupation provided inspiration for one of the best-known legends of the Middle Ages…

The emperor Charlemagne laid siege to Carcassonne, then ruled by the Sarrasin king Ballak, who was succeeded after his death by his wife, “Dame Carcas”. The town had already been under siege for 5 years when famine overcame the last of its defenders. So alone Dame Carcas kept watch from the ramparts. To give the illusion that the city remained well guarded, she made straw figures and dressed them as soldiers and fired arrows at the besieging army.

All that remained in the town was a little pig and one sack of wheat. Dame Carcas fed the pig with all the wheat and then threw it from the ramparts! At the sight of such a well fed fat animal, the amazed assailants concluded that the inhabitants had plenty of food and probably weren’t going to surrender any time soon. Charlemagne called off the siege in despair. But before the huge army had quite disappeared Dame Carcas rang the bells of the city to celebrate victory.

Full article and Photos of Carcassonne: Carcassonne City

Video Exploration of Carcassonne:

Property near Carcassonne

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Montal Castle: Lot valley, France Video

Castle of Montal is near Carennac in the Lot department in south-western France.
A few kilometres from the village lie the famous Gouffre de Padirac (caves) and Rocamadour (pilgrimage) sites. Other notable landmarks are the Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux, the Castle of Montal and the prehistoric caves of Lacave and Presque. Check out the Lot Property market in this beautiful area.
The Lot department is part of the region of Midi-Pyrénées and is surrounded by the departments of Corrèze, Cantal, Aveyron, Tarn-et-Garonne, Lot-et-Garonne, and Dordogne.

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Postcards from Paris

Catch all the latest news from France Update - the daily compendium of videos, photos, stories, news and property market - enjoy it here: http://paper.li/1st4FrenchProp/1307297900

Postcards from Paris, France—A Tour Through the 'City Of Light'

eurotravelogue.com - Around every corner in the "City of Light," awaits a quintessentially Parisian-perfect postcard that fills your frame with the unforgettable sights of Paris. From its soaring monuments and magnific...

You can go hiking rural France on a day trip from Paris

easyhiker.co.uk - By Michael, April 23, 2012 It never fails to amaze me how profonde – how deeply, relentlessly rural – France can be as little as one hour away from Paris.Today's walk – which features some pretty a...

THE SIMPLE LIFE

afashionablelife010.blogspot.com - There is always a misconception of Fashion that it is all expensive and high maintenance. Not true. Fashion is a lifestyle and how you interpret your everyday life. Whether your a jetsetter, a bohe... 

Why France beats England for cycling holidays every time - Mail Online

travelblog.dailymail.co.uk - Max Wooldridge, TravelMail writer Why can't the UK be more like France? Sacre bleu, non! I hear you cry. This blog is not sponsored by the French Tourist Board, or Frequent France as it will probab...

Living in France - a Canadian View!

Here is a Canadian's expose on Life in France - not always a bed of roses. Here is an extract of her pet hates and likes!

Likes

• The cheap cheese and wine: That’s an easy one, but I will never get tired of paying 2 euros for a huge piece of Reblochon and 1.50 euros for a glass of sweet Riesling.
• The geographical position: Being in Europe is a little bit overwhelming for a North American like me, who has to travel quite a bit of land before feeling truly away. In France, though, you can get to Morocco, Portugal, Poland and Greece within an hour’s flight. How cool is that?
• The fashion: Being of a more discreet and classical taste, I enjoy French fashion immensely. Stripes, black sweaters and chunky scarves are all essential items in my wardrobe, and France is the perfect place to put them to use.
• The holidays: French public holidays: 13 to be exact. And if a public holiday happens to fall on a Thursday or a Tuesday, no worries – the Friday or Monday is also off. Perfect for long weekends away!

Hates

• The rudeness: That is a cliché that happens to be spot on. While it is certainly not the case in every establishment, it is pretty common for me, a friendly Canadian, to be offended by the lack of smile or the harsh words of other French people. Sometimes I feel like no matter what I do or what I say, I am just the biggest nuisance they’ve had to face in their lives. After living in France for 7 months, I still haven’t got used to it. How hard is it to be nice to people?
• The strikes: They are not a myth either. Just a month ago, public transportation workers went on an unannounced strike that lasted for 6 days – and it’s nothing like in Montreal, where a basic service is obligatory in case of a strike. In France, a strike means 0 service. Living in France means you are often on your toes!
• The bureaucracy: Nothing is simple when it comes to French documents. Whether it’s about renting an apartment, getting a cell phone, being hired for a new job, settling your legal status, etc., it’s always so complicated. Anyone a fan of Asterix’s 12 tasks? You know The Place That Sends You Mad? It’s actually not that far-fetched from reality.

Original Article: The Ups and Downs of Living in France

Living in France Video: American Student's View

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Eastbourne on Qwiki

Qwiki is a technology company pioneering a new media format that combines the appeal of video with the interactivity of the web. Each "Qwiki" is easily created through a browser - enabling users to combine pictures, videos, infographics and their own voice into a beautiful, interactive presentation describing anything. Here is their video about Eastbourne - and they even gound some interesting facts!

You do need to wait about 30 seconds for the Eastbourne video to load.

View Eastbourne and over 3,000,000 other topics on Qwiki.

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Eastbourne on Qwiki

Qwiki is a technology company pioneering a new media format that combines the appeal of video with the interactivity of the web. Each "Qwiki" is easily created through a browser - enabling users to combine pictures, videos, infographics and their own voice into a beautiful, interactive presentation describing anything. Here is their video about Eastbourne - and they even gound some interesting facts!

View Eastbourne and over 3,000,000 other topics on Qwiki.

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France Top Destination for Overseas Buyer

According to HiFX the currency provider - their research via a survey - France is the top destination.

Survey Results:
1. France
2. Spain
3. USA
4. Australia
5. New Zealand
6. Germany
7. Italy

According to the results sunshine and the promise of a better lifestyle lure buyers to France.

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Visit largest Romanesque church in France

Vézelay, Church and Hill: The Benedictine abbey of Vézelay has existed since the 9th century and has been an important pilgrimage site since that time. Bernard of Clairvaux preached the crowd into a frenzy to start the Second Crusade in 1146 at Vézelay. Leaders in the Third Crusade Richard the Lion-Hearted and Philip II of France assembled at the abbey before they left on the Crusade. Today reviewed on: Heritage Traveller

The largest Romanesque church in France and nearly the same size as the famed Notre Dame Cathedral, the Vezelay Church – officially Basilique Ste-Madeleine/Basilica Church of St. Mary Magdalene – sits on a hilltop on the highest point of the village of Vezelay in the department of Burgundy in north-central France. Once a major pilgrimage stop, this magnificent church still attracts visitors who come to admire its architecture and artworks.

There is no cost to visit the Vezelay Church and Hill. The basilica is open from sunrise to sunset from September through June and from 7 am until 9 pm during the summer months. Mass is held at 12:30 pm each day. A large gift shop and smaller kiosk are located on the premises. Metered parking is available nearby for those traveling by automobile.

Getting There:
To get to Vezelay from Paris, take the TGV train, change at Montbard, and then proceed to Avallon, Burgundy (about a 2-hour ride). Upon arrival in Avallon, travelers must secure other transportation to Vezelay (most likely a taxi) which is about 15 km (9 mi) from the train station.

World Heritage Sites Video

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French Manners Rule!

When in Rome .... so what do you know about French Manners? What is the proper etiquette?

The Connexion have a great article about this topic: Dos & don'ts of French manners - here is an extract

Do you have tips on what English-speakers should avoid and that we often get wrong?

I have an American friend who likes to ask people how much they paid for their apartment – which is the kind of thing you shouldn’t do. One doesn’t talk about money like that, there is a taboo about money, even if Parisiens sometimes shock people too by talking a lot about their flat, because it is true that it is hard to find somewhere to live here.

Do you have any advice on how to faire la bise (kiss people on the cheek)?

It seems most natural to me to start on the right hand side. Two kisses are usual, though in rural areas, among countryfolk, it is three. In that case it’s best to be aware of that and not act like a “townie”.

It is always the older person, the most important, the woman rather than the man, who decides to initiate a kiss on the cheeks.

One thing English-speakers have trouble with sometimes is tu and vous. Is it best to let the other person take the initiative?

It is always the person who is hierarchically the most important to propose calling each other tu, and, in fact, the woman is always considered superior to a man, apart from in working life, where only the professional hierarchy counts.

France is the only country which gives such importance to the woman. It is the woman who takes the initiative on the kind of greeting, for example she holds out her hand or not, and on tutoiement or vouvoiement.

More Manners Tips: visit www.la-courtoisie.com

French Dining Etiquette Video:

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Volcanoes in France?

Don't worry the volcanoes are extinct! EuroTripTips has a great article on these volcanoes and the centre for volcanoes in France: Vulcania. Vulcania, the "European Park of Volcanism", is a park with a Volcano theme situated in Saint-Ours-les-Roches, Auvergne, France.

Volcanoes, not volcano, because it’s actually a chain of 48 different cones and domes. The chain is about 40 kilometers long, and is located right in the heart of the country. The reason why you’ve never heard of them? They’re dormant, and have been since 4000 years B.C. – but that’s not to say they lack interest.

At the centre you can enjoy:

• Dragon Ride: a 5D experience, including dynamic seats, into the natural fault hidden under the volcanoes, and its mysterious creatures. It even simulates a 2G acceleration, and truly scary effects!
• Magma Explorer: My personal favorite! The whole room you’re in is taken to the heart of a volcano, who suddenly erupts. Bumpy ride ahead!
• Misson Toba: Experience the eruption of an Indonesian supervolcano 74,000 years ago, on board a hot-air balloon. The best part? The 180 degrees screen!
• The Volcanoes Awakening: Even though the French volcanoes are dormant… what if they actually came to life, and erupted? What if Clermont-Ferrand was in the line of fire? This room will tell you, and make you feel,  exactly what would happen.
• The Earth’s Rage: Mother Earth has several ways to express her anger. Whether you opt for a tornado, earthquake, or even an asteroid, you’ll be prepared for anything!

More details here: Yes… There Are Volcanoes in France!

Enjoy a quick glimpse of Vulcania:

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Pound Stretches Further in French Property Purchases

Sterling rose to its highest in 19 months against the euro on Monday and was poised for more gains as concerns about budget problems in Spain caused Spanish borrowing costs to jump and prompted investors to seek alternatives to the common currency. Rate on 17th April is 1 Euro = 0.825689807 British pounds

The pound also benefited after Standard & Poor's reaffirmed Britain's top-notch AAA credit rating on Friday, reflecting an expectation that the government will continue to consolidate its public finances.

Almost a year ago we saw pound sterling almost reaching parity with the Euro - so a 100,000 euro house would have cost £100K - today that transaction would be equivalent to about 82,600 euros.

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France – Facts & Places to Visit

More snippets of French news and the state of the property market - details from the Daily online Paper: France Update:

France – Facts & Places to Visit
mobal.com - Capital: Paris Official Languages: French Recognised Regional Languages: None Currency: Euro (€) Population (approx.): 65.8 million Calling Code: +33 Did you know: France is the most visited countr...

French Property Market
The French market is in limbo with French property prices outside the main centres slipping. So it is a good time to buy a French property before the European economies start to recover and prices rise .....

Provence – A Wine Lover's Dream Come True!
homemadewine.com - Provence is often overlooked by companies that offer traditional wine tasting tours, in spite of the excellence of its wines. If you're a true wine lover and wine fan, this beautiful location in Fr...

Bayeux - Going Somewhere
goingsomewhere.com.au - The town of Bayeux is located amongst the green pastures and orchards of the department of Calvados, just a few kilometres from the magnificent sandy beaches and cliffs of northern France in the re...

Wine Visit to Saint-Émilion France - Video

Enjoy a wine tour of popular Saint-Émilion on the banks of River Dordogne.

Saint-Émilion is in the Gironde department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.

The town was named after the monk Émilion; Saint-Émilion's history goes back to prehistoric times and is a World Heritage site. Vineyards were established in Saint-Émilion as early as the 2nd century.

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France: World's Rudest People?

World's Rudest Countries For Traveler
huffingtonpost.com - Paris may be the most visited city in the world, but it's also home to the nation with the world's rudest people, says a new survey by Skyscanner.net.The survey polled 1,200 users from the travel s...

Famous Places in France
http://www.1st-for-french-property.co.uk/community/articles/Famous-Places-in-France/18231969/ - Here is our selection of the most famous places in France. Enjoy! ­ ­ 1. Fontainebleau Forest and Castle Fontainebleau is renowned for the large and scenic forest of Fontainebleau, a favourite week...

Le Jardin Botanique de la Villa Thuret
definingyourhome.blogspot.com - The garden was created in 1857 by scientist Gustave Thuret.Photo: 3 April 2012; Cap d'Antibes, France. The third time is a charm. Well, the garden is charming and on my third trip to Cap d'Antibe...

Roman Wine Caves in Bordeaux at Chateau Reynier
wineharlots.com - by The Wine Harlot on April 7, 2012 I looked out acrossThe river today. I saw a city in the fog and an old church tower where the seagulls play. I saw the sad shire horses walking home in the sodium ligh...

Vintage investments: buy a house in France
telegraph.co.uk - “We must have looked at more than 100 houses in that time,” says Caroline, a former PA to the chef Michel Roux. “We knew we wanted a place with a view, on the edge of a village and not more than a ...

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France: World's Rudest People?

World's Rudest Countries For Traveler
huffingtonpost.com - Paris may be the most visited city in the world, but it's also home to the nation with the world's rudest people, says a new survey by Skyscanner.net.The survey polled 1,200 users from the travel s...

Famous Places in France
http://www.1st-for-french-property.co.uk/community/articles/Famous-Places-in-France/18231969/ - Here is our selection of the most famous places in France. Enjoy! ­ ­ 1. Fontainebleau Forest and Castle Fontainebleau is renowned for the large and scenic forest of Fontainebleau, a favourite week...

Le Jardin Botanique de la Villa Thuret
definingyourhome.blogspot.com - The garden was created in 1857 by scientist Gustave Thuret.Photo: 3 April 2012; Cap d'Antibes, France. The third time is a charm. Well, the garden is charming and on my third trip to Cap d'Antibe...

Roman Wine Caves in Bordeaux at Chateau Reynier
wineharlots.com - by The Wine Harlot on April 7, 2012 I looked out acrossThe river today. I saw a city in the fog and an old church tower where the seagulls play. I saw the sad shire horses walking home in the sodium ligh...

Vintage investments: buy a house in France
telegraph.co.uk - "We must have looked at more than 100 houses in that time," says Caroline, a former PA to the chef Michel Roux. "We knew we wanted a place with a view, on the edge of a village and not more than a ...

Visit Normandy Video

Lovely 7 min video on Normandy, France produced by Normandy Tourist Board.

Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. The territory covers 30,627 km² - roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two regions: Lower Normandy and Upper Normandy.

The principal cities are Rouen, the capital of Upper Normandy and formerly of the whole province; Caen, the capital of Lower Normandy; Le Havre and Cherbourg.

Enjoy the Normandy Video:

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Then And Now In Hemingway's City Of Light

Then And Now In Hemingway's City Of Light

huffingtonpost.com - One of Paris' oldest and most famous streets is the Rue Mouffetard -- a lively restaurant and market street in the city's 5th arrondissements. At the top of the street is the Place de la Contrescar...


Paris From Above: An Uplifting Change

bonjourparis.com - By Emily Hunt With its wealth of history and world-renowned tourist attractions, it's not difficult for your Paris retreat to descend into a marathon of sight-seeing and a race against the clock to...


Paris in Spring – Things to Do

thingstodo.viator.com - Luxembourg Gardens and Palace in the Distance Spring is a happy time in Paris; everyone's emerging from their winter hibernation and venturing back onto the streets and into the parks and cafes. Yo...


Cassis

marseille-provence.info - One of the most attractive resorts on the Provence coast, Cassis boasts a stunning location, a very pretty harbour, a sprinkling of beaches, some exceptional wines and, despite being a magnet for t...

Lavender Memories in Provence

One of my abiding memories is coming across the smell of lavender drifting over the wind, and then being greeted visually by a carpet of lavender. EuroTravelogue have an interesting post that revives those memories of Provence.

Perhaps the most sublime in all of France, Provence evokes images of medieval towns, hills of lavender fields swaying in the breeze and the sweet romance of the sea. Stretching from the Alpine mountains through the meandering Rhône River valley before surrendering to the Mediterranean, the lands of Provence promise the most delightful and dramatic landscapes around every bend in the winding roadways throughout the region. Stop by one of the hilltop towns alive with bustling marketplaces and festivals throughout the year celebrating both the spiritual and secular. In the countryside, you’ll find rolling hills of lavender bursting with life and filling the air with the most intoxicating perfume imaginable. Later in the summer, fields of sunflowers bathed in golden light seem to disappear into the horizon. Perhaps it’s the romance of the sea that beckons? Head to the south of this region to Saint Tropez and Nice and let’s not forget the glitz and glamour of Cannes! It’s all here in Provence, France.

Read More: In Pursuit of Provence, France—Hilltop Towns and Fields of Lavender

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Roaming France Video

Extensive video - about 1 hour 45 minutes - on Rural France.

First in the Roaming Rural France 2000 video series, this one takes us south from Paris to Orleans, then Vichy and Super Lioran in segment one, then continues to more fully explore the Auvergne in segment two and - in segment three "Buronnier" - we see the tough rural life of the farmers living in their burons in the high mountains of the snowy Massif Centrale.

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Visit la Petite Rochelle gardens in Normandy

There is a lovely article, photos and video about the la Petite Rochelle gardens on VisitNormandy. Rémalard is a town in the Orne department in north-western France. It is located close to the river Huisne, in the Perche regional park. Here is an extract ...

We had heard of the garden at Rémalard called la Petite Rochelle before, but only came to visit it for the first time after chatting with the owner of the gardens at Château de Lorière which is nearby.  In fact there are 4 gardens in close proximity, the other two being Manoir de Pontgirard and Jardin François.  The owner of Lorière was quite insistent that we just had to see la Petite Rochelle – and time was of the essence as it would only be open for another week, its season ending mid-August.

La Petite Rochelle won the “Parc des Parcs” prize in 2006 – a good sign – and unlike most “private”  gardens it opens every day of the week in season.  This meant we could visit it the very next day.

The garden at La Petite Rochelle is very “English” in style, informal rather than regimented and with  good plant combinations – the garden includes national collections of daphne and pieris but you don’t need to be a botanist to appreciate it.  It is broadly divided into eight parts that were developed in stages between 1976 and the present day by the owner, Helene d’Andlau (cousin of Peter Wolkonsky, creator of the Jardin de Kerdalo) and her daughters, who will be happy to tell you the history of the garden.

More photos, plan and video: Garden of La Petite Rochelle, Rémalard

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Enjoy Charming Cassis and Visit the Calanques & other News Stories

Channel Tunnel Seen Winning Mail Bonanza From Airlines

businessweek.com - The Channel Tunnel, devoid of passengers at night since opening in 1994, is seeking an influx of mail trains as flight curbs at European airports crimp cargo flows, opening the market for millions ...

Picnicking in Paris: A Piece of Cake

bonjourparis.com - By Emily Hunt As the spring season fast approaches, there seems to be unconscious agreement that dropping everything to bask in a tepid spot of sunshine is a completely self-justified and rational ...

2 bed Villa in ST CYPRIEN PLAGE, Pyrenees-Orientales, Languedoc, Languedoc - Roussillon, 184000 euros

1st-for-french-property.co.uk - Very attractive small detached house(flag) to Saint Cyprien beach(range) situated in 100m of the beach(range), 200 m of the center beach(range) and convenience stores, in a residence with swimming ...


Francophilia Gazette » Heroic fantasy vacation in Belgium

francophilia.com - If you'd like to sleep inside a fairy tale, you might want to pay a visit to La Balade des Gnômes, a quiet bed and breakfast where you can live out your fairy tale dreams, including one inside the ...

Enjoy Charming Cassis and Visit the Calanques

europeupclose.com - "Qui a vist Paris se noun a vist Cassis, a ren vist" (He who has seen Paris and not Cassis has seen nothing). This quote by Frédéric Mistral is probably a bit exaggerated, but you may want to check...

France: Planning Permission for Caravans, Chalets. etc

http://www.1st-for-french-property.co.uk/1stFP/image.php?Id=2230485&image_table=tbl_files

In Armagnac, and between NOGARO BARBOTAN THE SPA, this land with planning permission for tourist activities suitable for all CAMPING, CHALET, YURT, TIPI, TENT LODGE, MOUNT, TRAILER, 7 hectares up!

20 minutes from a golf course, 35 minutes from the railway station, 30 minutes from the motorway, and 50 minutes from the airport

Skiing and Beaches within easy reach by car.

More Details and Photos: Land for Sale in Gers

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Wine Regions of the Garonne

In the SW France, the River Garonne has a mixed history in more ways than one! The Garonne has been dismissed as a useful but charmless working river. That is a very harsh view! Here are some great vineyards to visit. Lets start with a great favourite: Cahors!

Cahors is once again a regional wine to be reckoned with, and one that, in the right hands, has the character and distinctiveness now often absent in the wines that dominate the international market. A glass of good Cahors is a bit like a time machine that can transport the consumer back down the centuries.

WORTH A VISIT

GAILLAC
Domaine des Très Cantous / Domaine Roucou-Cantemerle
Bernard Plageoles has taken over winemaking duties from his legendary father, Robert, but the wines from these two domaines just get better. The Vin d’Autan is one of France’s great sweet wines, and the unique Vin de Voile is reminiscent of fino sherry. Try the 100% prunelart too. 05.63.33.90.40. website

Domaine de La Ramaye
Six generations of winemakers have preceded oenologist Michel Issaly at his small vineyard near Gaillac. Try his Vin de l’Oubli and his prunelart and braucol blend Le Grand Tertre. Connoisseurs of sweet wines should not miss the Quintescence Grains par Grains.
05.63.57.06.64. website

FRONTON
Château La Colombière
Founded by Baron François de Driesen in 1983, the domaine is now run by his daughter Diane and her husband Philippe Cauvin. The négrette grape reaches its apotheosis in the wine they call Tradition. 05.61.82.44.05. website

CAHORS
Clos Triguedina
Wine has been made at Triguedina for several centuries, and Jean-Luc Baldès continues the tradition of strong, dark wines that proclaim the Cahors heritage. Probus is his flagship wine, using 100% old-vine malbec. A sweet white made from chenin blanc is called Vin de Lune, but moonshine it’s not. 05.65.21.30.81. website

Château de Lagrézette
In 1980, Alain-Dominique Perrin, then CEO of Cartier, and his wife Marie-Thérèse bought Lagrézette. They completely restored its historic castle, revamped the vineyards and the chai, and Lagrézette is now a showcase for Cahors. Their top wines: Cuvée Dame Honneur and the limited-production Le Pigeonnier. 05.65.20.07.42. website

Complete Article: Originally published in the May 2011 issue of France Today

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Visiting Chartres? Saint Aignan Church

Photo by Groume

Discover Chartres have an interesting article about one of their lovely churches. Chartres is a large city and capital of the Eure-et-Loir department in northern France. It is located 96 km southwest of Paris.

Saint Aignan Church was first built around year 400, in the era of pre-Romanesque, by the bishop of Chartres - later his name has given as the name of the church.

In its history, the church has suffered from several times fire in 12th, 13th and in the early 16th century, that rebuilding the edifice had become necessary.

The main portal in the center of the front facade was the only part of the church that preserved for the new church.

The church also suffered several times of change function during the French Revolution - it was once served as a military hospital, then once became a prison and even as a fodder shop.

It finally returned as a worship place in 1822.

You will find Saint Aignan Church in Place Saint Aignan. The easiest way is to find first Hotel de Ville then you just walk along Rue de la Mairie then turn to left. The church is bit hidden by the surrounding houses.

The church opens daily from 10 am to 12 noon and 2pm to 4pm and free entry. In case if the portal is closed, you should go to Secretarial Office at 16, Cloitre Notre-Dame to get the door key.

Read the full article: Saint Aignan Church

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