Directory of France Blogs

Goodness me a Taste of Garlic is about celebrate 2 years of publishing their blog. Congrats.

If you want to find a blog about your interest in France or a location - then head over to a Taste of Garlic. New blogs are regularly reviewed and added to their a to z of blogs.

Their blogs are listed by region / area of France
Blogs: A to E
Blogs: F ot O
Blogs: P to Z

So if you want to know your onions from your garlic - you know where to go!

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Surprising Limousin! And Video

Photo by Nouhailler

Limousin is at the heart of central France and is a very traditional and tranquil area of France. Limousin is one of the 27 regions of France. It is composed of three départements: Corrèze, Creuse and the Haute-Vienne.

My France à mo has an interesting article about the Limousin - here is an extract: Often dubbed the French Lake District, located to the west of the Massif Central, Limousin can really be best described as the heart of France. Its way of life and its traditions have remained unchanged over the centuries; it really is the ‘land where time stood still’.

It has also inspired many painters and writers over the centuries and is really perfect for those looking for tranquillity and remote, unspoiled landscapes. The verdant countryside, filled with valleys, ravines and forests, provides everything for the nature enthusiast and the lakes and rivers are not only beautiful, but also mean there is lots to do for those who enjoy walking, riding and water sports. Golf is also very popular here.

The afflux of UK buyers in recent years is only a testimony to this region’s stunning natural beauty, rich history and tradition, charming chateaux and ancient churches.
For those who enjoy city life, Limoges is a great city with plenty going on and lots to see. There are many picturesque villages and towns to explore, including some of the most beautiful in France.

People in Limousin are proud of the fantastic food produced here, especially the beef, pork and lamb, and believe in good farming methods. There are also excellent fresh water fish to enjoy (especially if you’ve catch them yourself!). Many regional specialties use the wide variety of mushrooms common here, as well as chestnuts, walnuts and fruit. The liqueurs made from pears, prunes, chestnuts and walnuts are strong and delicious. Puddings are mouth-watering, and clafoutis, with its creaminess and contrasting tartness of cherries, shouldn’t be missed. Treipaïs is the pudding for the chocolate lover, made with chocolate and chestnuts, set on a biscuit base and traditionally made in a triangular shape.

More about the Limousin: The surprising and splendid Limousin region

Take a video tour of the Limousin Region:

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7 Secrets of Southern France?

Photo by Salvatore.Freni

The Huffington Post came up with a contentious list: 7 Secrets About The South Of France

Not sure I agree that they are secrets but here they are:

1 - The South of France Is Not About Glamour
2 - The South of France Is Convenient
3 - The South of France Is Foodie Paradise
4 - There Are Uncrowded Spots In Southern France
5 - Travel Options Abound
6 - The South of France Moves Slowly
7 - The South of France Is A Year-Round Destination

What do you think? Read the full article 7 Secrets About The South Of France for their arguments and elaborations!

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Video Tour of Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a fortified French town in the Aude department, in the region of Languedoc-Roussillon along the Med coast. Carcassonne is divided into the fortified Cité de Carcassonne and the more expansive lower city, the ville basse. Carcassonne was founded by the Visigoths in the fifth century, though the Romans had fortified the settlement earlier. The fortress, which was thoroughly restored in 1853 by the theorist and architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997.

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No More Mademoiselle in France!

The Independent reports on dropping Mademoiselle in France......

A new circular from the prime minister's office orders officials to phase out the use of mademoiselle on administrative documents.

Until now, a woman has been required to identify herself as a married madame or an unmarried mademoiselle on everything from tax forms to insurance claims and voting cards.

France offers no neutral option like the English Ms.

Feminist groups have been pushing for the abolition of the mademoiselle option for months and hailed the move.

Read full article; France drops mademoiselle status

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Tips for Driving France

Photo by Joe Shlabotnik

French Connections have posted an interesting post about Driving in France. Here is an extract from their article about Tips for Driving in France ..

Driving through France needn't be as stressful as a long journey in the UK. Follow our tips to planning a swift and comfortable journey:

• On Autoroutes, or A roads, there are numerous attractive rest areas or Aires, ranging from picnic/toilet/petrol stops to full-scale service stations with restaurants and shops selling local produce. If you won't be arriving at your holiday property until the evening, when local shops are likely to be closed, services are a good place to purchase something for supper.

   

• Main non-motorway routes or routes nationales are identified as N roads. A good choice if you want a break from motorway driving or to see more small towns, villages and scenery. Road numbering can be confusing so best to follow destination signs.

   

• Avoid seasonal congestion at the beginning and end of August when most French people holiday en masse. Also avoid if possible the week around July 14th and around August 15th, both big national holidays. HGV's are banned from the roads on Sundays all year round so motorways are quieter on this day outside seasonal peaks.

   

• Direction signs starting with Bis indicate bison futé, a holiday route avoiding crowded roads. Worth taking at busy times like summer Saturdays. Maps showing these alternative routes are available free from garages.

   

• If your holiday property is situated in the west of France, you could save hours of driving time by taking the ferry to Cherbourg or Le Havre rather than the shorter Dover to Calais route. You'll spend more of your journey sat comfortable on the boat and less of it behind the wheel.

   

• If you have a long drive in the UK to reach the channel ports, break your journey and save money on your crossing by staying the night in the UK, then catch a lower priced ferry early the next morning. We've a wide choice of accommodation near to UK channel ports including Dover, Folkestone (for the Channel Tunnel), Portsmouth, Poole, and Newhaven.

They also have more about:

• Driving Laws in France
• Driving in France – Useful Products and Services
• Roads and Useful Travel Links

Read the full article: Driving in France

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Bought House in France - where do you get Furnishings

Photo by frankartculinary

Just imagine you have bought a house in France, where do you go for furniture, carpets etc? Expatica have posted an interesting article ....

Have a look first at the major French hypermarkets, where you'll find an enormous choice of goods at often unbeatable prices. There are many names but you definitely won't find a range or quality better than either Carrefour or its arch competitor Auchan, which have mega-stores in just about every major urban centre.

They have both made a big push these last few years on widening their client catch up-market, and this shows in the standards of goods on offer: TV/audio equipment, computers, every kind of household appliance from tumble dryers and refridgerators to expresso machines and juice-mixers, landline and mobile telephones, DIY goods, tableware, garden furniture and plants and more.

In fact, with the exception of indoor furniture, of which both have a limited selection of - and home fittings like carpets and curtains - there is everything you could possibly be looking for. Both have a policy of refunding unwanted recent purchases.

Household appliances, TV/audio goods, and landline and mobile telephones are the specialty of Darty which, unlike the hypermarkets, has stores inside towns as well as out in the drive-to shopping malls. Darty's prices are often close to, or on a par, with the hypermarkets - but the store's main attraction is a reputed nation-wide after-sales service which is fast and efficient wherever you are.

The full article also include tips on:

• Floors and furniture
• DIY
• Leisure hardware
• Useful Links for Furnishings

Full article: Housing in France: where to find furnishings

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Visit Normandy Video

Visit Normandy from the air and on the ground! Produced by the Official Normandy Tourism Office. It contrasts the coast and rural Normandy with flying visits to Giverny, Rouen, Caen and Evreux (and others)

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Video Tour Of France

This promotional video whisks you away to France in this stunning video highlighting our escorted tours to France. Marvel at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, awaken your senses in Provence, or revel in glittering beauty of the French Riveria. Rediscover the romance of travel in France.

Enjoy the Tour

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Ferry Route Withdrawn and other French Headlines

Languedoc Photo by Toprural

Brittany Ferries end Barfleur service between Poole
thisfrenchlife.com - By Craig McGinty on Feb 14, 2012 in Travel. THE Barfleur ferry, operated by Brittany Ferries, which ran between Poole and Cherbourg has been withdrawn from service.

Want to Help Restore a Medieval Village?
theprovencepost.blogspot.com - If you're thinking of visiting Provence next year...do it this way and you'll learn new skills, give something back, leave your mark on an ancient village and meet people from all over the world.

Paris: A short list of cafés that actually serve good coffee
eurocheapo.com - By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— Paris is known for its café culture – lounging on a terrace all day long with a good book, some writing, and fantastic people watching.

4 bed property in ORTAFFA, Pyrenees-Orientales, Languedoc, Languedoc - Roussillon, 840000 euros
www.1st-for-french-property.co.uk - A stunning private villa on a large 6000m² + plot with stunning views. This french property is situated at 15 mins from the Med and from Perpignan in the south languedoc roussillon area.

Apt France,photos and guide,market town Provence
a-taste-of-france.com - Places to see in Apt France Apt is an old market town in the Provence region of France. The town is on the left bank of the river Coulon in a valley. It is the main town in the Luberon mountains.

A Well Designed Wine Map of France
vinography.com - It's rare that my day job (design) and my night job (wine) overlap, but thanks to the Internets I occasionally get choice tidbits that nicely fill that little sliver of a venn d...

More: Latest French News (in English)

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Converted Old Mill South of France - French Property of the Week

Town: Montpellier
Department: Gard
Region: Languedoc - Roussillon
Price:     € 440,000

http://www.1st-for-french-property.co.uk/1stFP/image.php?Id=1946677&image_table=tbl_files

Magnificent fully converted old mill with living area 170 m2, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large lounge , kitchen, study.

External garden studio.

Located near lively town ,25 mins from Montpellier

More Details and Photos: Converted Mill

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Explore Arcachon Area - Video

Arcachon is a town in the Gironde department in southwestern France.

It is a popular bathing location on the Atlantic coast 55 kilometres (34 mi) southwest of Bordeaux in the Landes forest. It has a fine beach and a mild climate said to be favourable for invalids suffering from pulmonary complaints.

At its southern entrance from the Atlantic ocean, Arcachon Bay is crowned by Europe's largest sand dune, the Dune de Pyla (or du Pilat), nearly 3 kilometres long, 500 metres wide, reaching 107 metres in height, and moving inland at rate of 5 metres a year.

On the other side of the Bassin d'Arcachon is Cap Ferret, a popular resort for celebrities.

References:
More France Video
Property around Arcachon

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Jumping the Red Light in France

Photo by cking

Grist.org reports: Sometimes France is so fricking enlightened it hurts. Lawmakers recently decided to allow “cyclists in some cities to disregard red lights at certain intersections,” Treehugger writes. Paris will be testing the idea at 15 intersections, and Bordeaux, Strasbourg, and Nantes have been running the same experiment for a while. If the pilot goes well, 1,700 Parisian intersections could operate according to these new rules.

Basically, under the new rules, bikes still have to yield — like any normal, responsible person would do! — to pedestrians and cars that have the green light. In the test runs, these rules haven’t led to any increase in fatalities. No data is available on whether the new system has led to a decrease in people yelling at cyclists for breaking traffic laws that never made sense for them anyway.

Read article here; In France, cyclists can run red lights legally

Seems a bit bizarre - how do you know which intersections have the new regulations? I would agree that encouraging a more green mode of transport is great but "interpretation" could lead to some accidents!

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It is NEVER too cold to Eat in France!

Photo by Silverman68

While the Brits dither, slip and slide on the snow or icy roads, the French are thinking of their stomachs. Yes, nothing will stop them enjoying a good meal!

French Essence describes a Luuch in freezing Provence - extract here:

Yesterday the mistral wind graciously decided to retreat and allow me to leave the house in search of company and good food. Although I am not French I have happily, too happily, acquired the taste for a good lunch. One of the best spots for a delicious lunch is the Bistro du Paradou in the if-you-blink-you-will-miss-it tiny village of Paradou on the other side of the Alpilles mountains.

I did mention that it had been cold in Provence, freezing to be more precise and as I drove past the village square in Maussane on my way to the restaurant I saw the literal proof. The fountain and her gurgling swans had turned into ice sculpture... as I saw it...

The restaurant was warm and buzzy and as it was Wednesday, I knew the menu before I arrived... It is always such a comfort when you are cold and hungry to arrive somewhere familiar... The Bistro du Paradou has a weekly menu so you know what will be cooking when...

Wednesday Menu du Jour at Bistro du Paradou

• Salade frisée avec des lardons, oeufs et croutons
• Cassoulet du Bistro
• Plateau de Fromages
• Desserts Maison (that means your choice of citron, apple or pear tart and creme caramel... I went with the citron... So worth it!)

Read more: How to thaw out with a good provencal lunch...

Just tucking into a sarnie now!

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Study at University in France?

Photo by Francois Schnell

With tuition fees rising in the UK, many students are looking abroad for University courses. Have you considered France? The Local Fr have published a comprehensive article about the opportunities to study in France - here is an extract....

France is the fourth most popular study destination in the world, with nearly 300,000 foreign students. Relatively low tuition fees and the chance to live in France are certainly appealing, but France’s confusing higher education system can be frustrating to navigate. 

Applying to a university and visas

How you go about choosing a university program in France will depend on where you’re from.

Anyone from an EU or European Economic Area member state won’t need a visa to study, and can apply directly to the university or graduate school of their choice.

Otherwise, you’ll need a student visa. You can get one either at a French consulate or via Campus France (full list of all the links below).

Campus France is an online portal run by the French government that assists students in their university applications, from choosing a university up to visa processing.

They have a number of regional offices around the world and can also provide extensive information on degree programs.

France recently simplified the notoriously tedious process of applying for a Carte de Séjour, or residency permit, for non-EU nationals.

During your first year of studies, you only need to show your visa as proof of your residency status. However, you still need to register with the immigration office within 30 days of arrival and undertake a medical examination to validate your visa. From your second year of studies onwards, you will need to apply for a Carte de Séjour.

The article goes on the discuss Language level, The French higher education system, Cost of living and housing, Financial aid and working, Student life and many other useful links.

Read more here: Studying in France: what you need to know

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French Relocation Formalities

Photo by A Roger Davies

You have made the decision to relocate to France. For EU citizens the formalities are fairly straight forward - for non EU citizens the process is more complicated.

Moving to France explains:
European Union citizens do not require a visa to come to France to live, just a passport or identity card. They also no longer need the carte de séjour residence permit.

Citizens of some other countries require both visa and carte de séjour. Residency requirements for non-EU citizens are more strict and, in some cases, a long-term visa has to be applied for at the French consulate in the country of departure.

Another essential document for many people is a driving licence. A valid UK or other EU licence (permis de conduire) is acceptable, provided it covers the class of vehicle you wish to drive.

Read more: Formalities to consider when moving to France

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Gite Ownership: Enjoy a Lifestyle Change in France

Photo by jbgeronimi

At the beginning of a New Year, it is common to re-assess your life-style, and look for new opportunities. 1st for French Property tell us that the number of enquiries for Gites or properties that can be converted to Gites increases during the months of January, February and March. What is the attraction? Income with the many benefits of living in France BUT (and this can be a big BUT) it can be difficult to make a living in a competitive market!

The Daily Telegraph today considers Gites in France - here is an extract: Top 10 tips for entering the market

1. Do your research thoroughly and choose the area carefully before even thinking about buying a property (Look for where there isn’t too much competition, and make sure there’s an international airport and/or a main railway station nearby.)
2. Ascertain the letting potential in the area you’ve chosen by talking to agents and local people, and searching internet holiday sites.
3. By the same token, get an good idea of the rental you can charge and the length of the letting season.
4. Don’t buy a property that’s unsuitable for gîtes and B&Bs, however attractive it might appear.
5. Do your sums carefully, then reduce your expected income and increase your anticipated costs by 25 per cent.
6. Ensure that you have enough information to make a dispassionate decision.
7. Make sure that you are aware of any risks involved and that you are comfortable taking those risks.
8. Ensure that you have sufficient capital/income to live on until your property shows a profit.
9. Research your market and give yourself the best possible chance of attracting clients, but don’t overestimate the occupancy levels, particularly in the first few years.
10. Be prepared to work hard, especially on marketing.

To Read the Complete Article: Expat guide to running gîtes and B&Bs in France

More References:
Gites de France
Gites in France
Gites for Sale

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Top Secrets about South of France

Photo by Toprural

After the snow of last weekend here in the UK and in France, then think of sunny S France. Here is an extract from an article about the South of France that will warm you through!

When most of us think of the South of France we tend to picture yachts in Cannes and beachfront hotels that we’ll never be able to afford, but that’s only one part of the picture. Part-time France resident Christine Cantera has discovered that there are many charms beyond the clichés, and the area is worth consideration from nearly everyone.

With beautiful natural surroundings, pleasant weather, delicious cuisine, and plenty of lesser-known towns that offer a slower pace of life than their jet-set neighbors, the South of France may just surprise you.

1 – The South of France is not all about glamour – and that’s a good thing
Sure, there is the James Bond-worthy casinos at Monte Carlo, the mega-yachts of St. Tropez and the star-studded Cannes Film Festival. But if you think that’s all there is, you’re missing out on an astonishing array of simple, affordable experiences that make even the locals sigh with pleasure.

For example, in the back country off the coast you can attend the Jasmine Festival held every August 3 in Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, or water jousting tournaments in Sète; have a riverside picnic in the shadow of the ancient Pont du Gard, a testament to Roman ingenuity; participate in the Fête de Vendanges in Ouveillan, with its traditional music and parades; or go for a drive through the hauntingly beautiful Camargues National Park.

And natural beauty abounds, with the famous surreal sunflower and luscious lavender fields in Provence that are a must-see in the summer months.

2 – The South of France is convenient
3 – The South of France is a foodie paradise
4 – There are a lot of uncrowded spots in the South of France
5 – Travel options abound within the South of France
6 – The South of France is all about embracing your inner slowpoke
7 – The South of France is a year-round vacation destination

To read more about each secret: 7 Secrets About the South of France

Here is more about Languedoc-Roussillon via video!

Convinced of the charms of the south of France - check some lovely properties in Languedoc-Roussillon

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Reasons to be Cheerful: Sunshine and zippo Burglaries

Just read in the i Paper .....

House Burglaries - least LIKELY post codes - all the following tied for top spot with 0 burglaries per 1000 enquiries (on home insurance claims)!

LL18

IV80

SR8

PR25

LA9

CF39

BN23 EASTBOURNE

EH22

PO33

TR13

So I shall be expecting my House Insurance to fall - some hope!

Last week the Eastbourne Herald reported:

EASTBOURNE has topped the sunshine league for another year, but with a slight dampener, after a squabble broke out between rival hotspots Jersey and neighbouring East Sussex town Hastings.

The town’s status as the sunniest place in the UK was reaffirmed this week when a weather expert announced Eastbourne had the highest number of sunshine hours for 2011.

Eastbourne has a history of record-breaking sunshine statistics as a popular holiday destination attracting more than 4.9 million visitors a year.

Over the past 12 months, Eastbourne has recorded an average five hours 23 minutes per day with 273.9 hours of sunshine in April 2011, almost 100 hours more than the long-term average.

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A Very Hungry Frenchman and other Tastes!

Photo by Guillaume Cattiaux

Lots of interesting stories on my France Info Daily (daily newspaper about in France in English)

Raymond Blanc: A Very Hungry Frenchman

theprovencepost.blogspot.com - Raymond Blanc may be Britain’s most-famous French chef, yet he has never cooked professionally in France. (Born in Besançon, the popular television chef, cookbook author and hotelier has held two M...

Tourte Provencale for New Year's Eve

frenchkitcheninamerica.blogspot.com - To see the old year out, I wanted to make something truly French.That’s not entirely true: I wanted to use up stuff in my freezer, like zucchini, eggplant and tomato paste.

Folia - France Today

francetoday.com - Folia at the Château de FlaugerguesWhen seeking winter sun in France, Montpellier, in Languedoc-Roussillon, is a wonderful destination. Not only is it one of the most popular holiday cities among t...

Tales of a France Telecom Survivor

chezlouloufrance.blogspot.com - Trying to organize this move has had its moments. Before we got the keys to our rental house we contacted the usual suspects to alert them of our new abode. EDF and la Poste were easy. France Telec...

Experience Bordeaux - FRANCE facts about

socialising.posterous.com - Paris, Nice, Cannes are often written about. Bordeaux is a forgotten gem!The France Update has published an article about Bordeaux from a post on Travelsort.com Bordeaux Photo by Chris Wary Bordeau...

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Experience Bordeaux

Paris, Nice, Cannes are often written about. Bordeaux is a forgotten gem!

The France Update has published an article about Bordeaux from a post on Travelsort.com

Bordeaux Photo by Chris Wary

Bordeaux is positively famous as a wine region; current and aspiring wine lovers flock to this corner of France, and it’s easy to get caught up in the nuts and bolts of the fine offerings in this area. However, Bordeaux is a French destination even aside from the wine. Bordeaux is an enticing alternative to Paris, offering the advantages of a city with some of the localism it’s easy to miss in a world capital.

Bordeaux is also an incredibly walkable city, and the combination of architecture, the Garonne river, and the street layouts make the entire experience one of visual charm. Most importantly though, Bordeaux would not have been able to build such a fine wine reputation if the region didn’t have the food to complement its vintages. From main dishes to sumptuous desserts, Bordeaux is a hot spot for any couple that enjoys great food – especially those who want to remain active, do some bicycling, and take advantage of all that southwest France has to offer.

 

Insider Tips

• The train from Paris is an efficient, hassle-free way to travel to Bordeaux. The TGV runs from Montparnasse in Paris to Bordeaux St Jean every hour; the journey averages three and a half hours and tickets are about $70.

• Many of the smaller vineyards may not be open year round for tours, but if you call them in advance, they are often willing to arrange a short tour or informal tasting for your group on a negotiable price.

• Bordeaux’s tram (its above-ground version of a subway) is an easy way to traverse the town; you can purchase tram tickets at the pay stations right by the tram stops. Many locals and tourists choose not to buy tickets because there is no consistent ticket-policing. However, police do sporadically enter the trams and ask to see tickets; being caught without one and having to pay the exorbitant fine is not worth the risk. There are three tram lines, and you can expect to wait no more than 12 minutes at any one station. Single ride tickets are one euro, 40 cents

Read more: Food, Romance and Adventure in Bordeaux, France

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Visit France in February

Photo by alexindigo

Reasons to go to France in February

    • Enjoy the quiet of low travel season and avoid long lines at museums and attractions
    • February is the peak of the skiing season
    • Low rates on lodging and airfare
    • France’s centuries old Carnival, which predates New Orleans’ Mardi Gras (depending on when Easter happens)
    • Enjoy Valentine’s Day in the most romantic city in the world

Winter Weather in France

Chillier temperatures are one of the reasons you find fewer tourists in France during the winter months. While the south of France and Cote d’Azur tend to be more mild, the cold winter winds called the Mistral can even make these sunnier regions on the frigid side.

Paris tends to be damp and cold in the winter, and while snow will fall occasionally, you’ll usually see temperatures hovering above 0 degrees C, or in the 40s F.

Of course, you’ll also find snowy, cold conditions in the mountains, where skiing in popular.

If you pack accordingly and bundle up, however, the weather in France in the winter isn’t inhospitable. Read more about what to wear in France in the winter.

Read More: France in February

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