Blog: 7 reasons to love self-catering in France
Some of the best trips we’ve had in France have been when we’ve been based at a gite or villa and this style of holiday works perfectly for France. Yet you don’t often find recommendations for individual rental properties in the press. This tends to be because editors prefer to recommend accommodation that will have […]
Brittany’s beautiful Emerald Coast
Desert Island Discs, Robinson Crusoe, Castaway, they all have a lot to answer for when it comes to finding the perfect beach; the ideal is that there should be nobody there, and you can stroll along on the soft white/yellow sand enjoying the turquoise sea all by yourself. There are plenty such beaches in France, […]
The Cotentin’s secret beaches
Where to find the best beaches in Normandy, the secret beaches, the hidden beaches, the best beaches for families, hikers and picnics
Best stopovers en route south
“Where do you stop when you drive south?” is possibly the number one question I get asked… and it’s so good to have dozens of suggestions up my sleeve. Whether you want to just enjoy a bit of luxury and switch off at a beautiful boutique hotel, or have a more adventurous stay in a […]
Visit Normandy’s D-Day sites
Visit the D-Day Beaches on Normandy’s coast
Reasons to love Roscoff
When we Brits think of ferry ports, we tend to imagine Dover, Portsmouth or Plymouth. While each have their merits, they’re not exactly the kinds of places you would spend a holiday. Over the Channel, however, it’s a different case. Many of the ferry ports, such as Saint Malo, Le Havre and Dieppe are lovely […]
A weekend in Bayeux
The town of Bayeux, near the north French coast, is best known for its tapestry but what else is there to enjoy on a weekend there? This article is a longer version of one written for The Times on what to see and do on Bayeux Normandy. A weekend in Bayeux We all know how […]
A weekend in Montreuil-sur-Mer
When it comes to a foodie weekend in France, there are certain things on most wish lists: markets, wine, cheese, Michelin stars if you can, some seafood if possible and something to take home (preferably more wine). So it is most convenient that the small town of Montreuil-sur-Mer has reinvented itself as “La Destination Gastronomique” […]
Ferry breaks in France
Five of the best places to visit just over the Channel. Travel is so easy by ferry – you can fill your car with luggage or leave it empty to fill with cheese, wine, liqueurs (you know the ones, those sticky, after-dinner tipples they make from everything from quince to walnuts – I like them, […]
Cycling and island-hopping in Brittany’s inland sea
The Times, May 12, 2018. No need to go far for an island-hopping holiday, the islands in the Gulf of Morbihan in southern Brittany each have a character of their own. This is one of the best trips we’ve done in Brittany – such a fascinating place. Read the feature here