by Helen Kain | Feb 10, 2019 | Chateaux, France
We had been extremely lucky with the warm temperatures in April, but our weather- luck deserted us as we travelled the 34 miles from Paris to the Palace of Fontainebleau by train. It was, in a word, F*ing (Frigidly) Freezing. The day was sunny and bright, just...
by Helen Kain | Feb 3, 2019 | Beautiful Towns, Cathedral, Entertablement Abroad, France
Just a whiff of warmer weather and the piles of snow are rapidly shrinking. Water is splashing down the gutters in a happy symphony of gurgles. Yesterday the Groundhog predicted an early spring – fingers crossed he’s right. While we wait, though, let’s...
by Helen Kain | May 20, 2017 | Beautiful Towns, Chateaux, Entertablement Abroad, France, Gardens and Flowers
The Loire Valley is utterly gorgeous in the spring – abundant lilacs, colourful bulbs and tumbling wisteria. I’ve done a quick recap of some of my favourite spots from our trip a couple of years ago. In putting together the collage, I noticed I chose...
by Helen Kain | Apr 22, 2015 | Beautiful Towns, Entertablement Abroad, France
The final leg of our journey took us down to Aix en Provence, where we rented a very comfortable two bedroom apartment, within easy walking distance of all the sights. We had been fortunate with unseasonably warm weather in the Loire Valley, and looked forward to...
by Helen Kain | Apr 18, 2015 | Chateaux, Entertablement Abroad, France
We had been awash in elegant chateaux in the Loire valley, and were interested to see that the ones in the Dordogne region were much more austere. Built in the middle ages, their purpose was defence, not entertainment and refined living. Chateau de Beynac...
by Helen Kain | Apr 16, 2015 | Beautiful Towns, Entertablement Abroad, France, Gardens and Flowers
The following day we set out for Sarlat, in the Dordogne. Loading the luggage into the car, we bid farewell to the wonderful staff at Hotel de Minimes and settled in for the drive. The town of Sarlat has been around since Roman times, its fortunes waxing and waning...
