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 […]
My favourite finds in 2019
What were France travel expert Carolyn Boyd’s favourite finds in 2019 – ranked 1 to 10! From beaches to hotels to food trails, add them to your list for 2020.
France’s foodiest corner
The foodiest corner in France may start with its gastronomic capital Lyon, but to really indulge the tastebuds, strike out to the south to the department of Drome after a few days in the city. My story for The Times (read the shorter version here – and yes they spell it ‘Lyons’ as it’s their house […]
Lyon’s food: past, present and future
If you love food, you’ll love Lyon: it’s not for nothing it’s known as France’s gastronomic capital. And researching this story for National Geographic Traveller Food was probably the most gut-busting few days I’ve ever had in France (even including researching France From the Source! ) but also an absolute joy – from the Ile […]
Lyon’s Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie
Do you like food? I do. Imagine then, a whole interactive, whizz-bang tourist attraction dedicated to it. In France, its host city could only be the country’s capital of gastronomy: Lyon. After Bordeaux’s Cité du Vin gave travellers a brilliant reason to return to Bordeaux, the foodie equivalent in Lyon – a huge attraction with […]
Local’s guide to Biarritz
This story for National Geographic Traveller included a foodie guide to the town which you can read here: Local’s Guide to Biarritz Besides the brilliant offerings for food-lovers, though, there are myriad ways to enjoy the sea, whether you want to take a dip in it or not. Besides the seaside If the town’s surf scene […]
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 […]
Great new chateaux hotel
My recent journey through Provence concluded at Chateau de Montcaud, which I reached after crossing the Rhône and driving through vineyards with Mont Ventoux forever in my rear-view mirror. While designer fashion houses are at the helm in Saint-Tropez at Le Cheval Blanc, the four-star Chateau de Montcaud celebrates its connections to the couture of […]
Food and drink in Dordogne
Autumn is the best time to be in the Dordogne. My feature from National Geographic Traveller’s September 2018 issue gives the highlights Read the article here.
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” […]