Cannes is shining

H i   e v e r y b o d y

Today, I would like to present you an insider’s guide to a brilliant city of the French Riviera (the “Côte d’Azur” in French) : Cannes! 

I think everybody knows Cannes, or at least its famous Cannes Film Festival.

Cannes is for sure a glitter and bling City with its fabulous promenade “La Croisette" but it really should be one step of your French trip.

So why don’t start this trip visiting this successful city, assisting to its Festival and strolling on its beautiful hidden places?

 

It is sure that the world-class collection of palace hotels is kept turning over happily. The ambitious boutiques, too. Amazingly the story of a modest little town in the South of France is constantly holding the world’s attention!

I went there last year in May for a week end, and I just kept an amazing memory of the time I spent there. It was the same week than the Film Festival, so I will tell you more about it on this article…

Firstly, even if it is the beginning of all traditional tourist tour, you MUST start your day with a walk on the magnificent Croisette. The old Suquet Hill district, just past the port, where Cannes stated in a broth of wriggling streets, will also be the perfect area for a relaxing stroll.

Then, in order to have a break full of sunshine, the only thing you have to do is to sunbathe at one of the beach bordering the city (just follow the palmtrees they will lead you...)

If you are lucky, maybe you will be visiting Cannes during the week of its famous Festival. It is for you a great opportunity to get a crowd bath between stars and photographers. To assist at movies projection you need a special card (or to wait several hours at the entry..). But to go there will be the opportunity for you to discover the “Palais des Festivals et des Congrès”. Above all, isn’t it amazing to plunge at once into this particular atmosphere ?

This year, the 69^th Cannes Film Festival will take place from the 11^th until the 22^nd of May 2016, with an exciting line-up showcasing a mix of anticipated films from across the world.

This year, Woody Allen will open the Festival with his latest comedy, Café Society. The Australian filmmaker George Miller (“Mad Max” director) has been selected to head the jury and hand out the Palme d’Or.

You can also visit the official website of the Festival to get more information. 

The most difficult thing to face during these holidays will be to find a place on the sand for your beach towel…and that’s all! The great life, isn’t it ?

This is already my last article.. I hope you enjoyed discovering France through its cities. 

Have a great trip there ! 

Fanny

T h a n k   y o u   g u y s

A wee guide to French wines

H i   e v e r y b o d y,
 

Today, I have decided to write about one of the most important key point of the French culture: the Wine. I am delighted to raise this subject because :

- It’s friday so... do you know a better way to start the week end than with a glass of good wine for the “apéritif”?

- I feel nostalgic about French wine, because even if in Glasgow you can find several wines in shops, in my opinion prices and quality are not as enjoyable as in France.

- Finally, I find that the wine topic is really interesting. Last year, with my university, I worked for the communication strategy of a vineyard estate. I loved discovering all subtleties of each wine.

I will try to offer you a wee guide about French wine, for anyone who wants to start leaning about wine in an unformal and friendly way! I hope it will help you to be more comfortable in the French section of your local wine shop.

Wine for beginners, have a look!

First thing to know: Wines in France are named for the region and/or subregion from which they come, rather than the varietal of grape used. You can find several regions for wines in France:

• Alsace : The region is known for its acidic, spicy whites with flavors of apples and citrus, made from traditional German winemaking grapes. The wines may be sweet dessert style wines or dry wines.

• Bordeaux : probably the most well-known of all France’s wine regions.

• Burgundy/Bourgogne : famous for Pinot Noir wines, deep purple wines with flavor of plums, tobacco, earth and dark fruit.

• Champagne : this region produces sparkling wines. Sparklers from Champagne offer flavors of vanilla, biscuits and citrus, bubbling up with a refreshing effervescence.

• Loire : Famous for its white wines, and has multiple subregions, including Sancerre and Muscadet

• Languedoc : This region produces many French table wines made from blends of red grapes such as Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Grenache.

• Provence : This region offers dry, fruity reds and blush wines made from Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Tibouren. Most of them are consumed as table wines in France.

Some tricks to savoure your wine…

Concerning the glassware…

Each wine has something unique to offer to your senses. Most wine glasses are specifically shaped to accentuate their defining characteristics. Even if wine can be savored in any glass, a wine glass will help you to better experience its nuances. 

What about temperature ?

Reds and whites are consumed at quite different temperatures. I won’t give you detailed information about the exact wine services temperatures, because I guess not everyone has a thermometer on hand... A good rule to note is that white wines should be chilled before drinking and red wines should be have time to rise in temperature. 

More concretely?
 

Put your whites in the refrigerator for half an hour and take your reds out of the refrigerator for half an hour !

Dessert wines, sparkling wines and rosés are best enjoyed at a cooler temperature than whites.

Did you say preservation ?

When you have leftover wine in the bottle, preservation is key.

As wine comes into contact with air, it quickly spoils. To slow down the deterioration process, use a quick vacuum pump to suck out the excess air. The less air in the bottle, the longer the wine’s lifespan.
You don't have a vacuum pump ? No worries ! I assure you that there won’t be a lot of wine at the bottom of the bottle if you manage to choose a good one ;) 

 S t a y   t u n e d !

Fancy Chamonix

H i  G u y s,

I can understand you don’t know the existence of Chamonix yet.. So it’s time to discover this city which is probably best known as the skiing and alpine capital of the world!

Situated in the “Haute-Savoie” region of France, Chamonix is bordered by Switzerland and Italy and dominated by the incredible "Aiguilles de Chamonix" mountain chain which peaks at the top of Mont Blanc, the highest in Western Europe.

The local population of Chamonix numbers around 10 000 inhabitants but this number swells to nearly ten times that with the influx of tourists, climbers, alpinists, students.. What is easily understandable: the city has a fabulous wide array of sporting and leisure activities (both in summer and winter), a great nightlife, and superb scenery that can be enjoyed at whichever pace suits you. 

A sunny winter's day in Chamonix

The lively streets of Chamonix are a colorful mix of sport shops, guide offices, restaurants, bars and cafés. On bad weather days, no worries guys, there is a cinema, a bowling alley, an ice rink, a large sports center with a pool, gym and indoor climbing wall and numerous museums in which to while away the day…what else is needed?

 

To sum up, this is the perfect place to come for a weekend break, a week's holiday, a season, as you will never run out of things to do!

For this article we have a special Guest, Oriane Mezza, who knows Chamonix as her pocket! Let’s discover her favorite places to chill…

    "Oriane, I know that you are a French student from Marseille (if you don’t know Marseille, have a look here : "Dear Marseille") So what is your “link” with Chamonix..?

O : Hi Fanny! I have family in Chamonix this is why I’m going there at least one time a year to see them. I always enjoy this place but now more than before because the family grows up, and I have some funny little cousins to see.

Now I also start to send some of my jewels there but I will talk about it later.

    What is the best period for you to plan a trip in Chamonix? Are you part of the Winter or the Summer team?

O : I can’t choose between Summer or Winter… I love to skiing but it’s also really nice to enjoy the sun during the hiking.

You have to try both to know which one you prefer! Even if I have to tell that the winter is more propitious to eat the famous “fondue savoyarde” ;) 

During the winter months there is the usual 'après-ski' in several of the main bars in town… So Oriane, what is your favorite place for it?
 

O : I like to go to the “Brasserie l’M” to drink a good hot wine and enjoy the sunset on the mountains. The mood is great with music and some locals.

     And to enjoy a delightful evening?

O : During the evening in Chamonix a lots of things happen in Rue des Moulins. I advise you to go to the "Barberousse" to start with some good rhum. Then move to “Les Caves” it’s a very beautiful place where you can drink nice cocktails and dance.

 

    There is also a wide choice of restaurant, according to you, what is the place to go?

O : I would say that “La Cabane” is the place to be. It’s a fancy restaurant near to the Golf of Chamonix, really cosy place with good food. 

Every Saturday the town hosts an outdoor market brimming with local crafts and produce. Have you ever been there?
 

O : Of course! This market takes place at Place du Mont Blanc and you can buy a lots of locals product from Haute Savoie. If you have the chance to go there you should buy the cheese called “Tomme de Vallorcine”, it is one of my favorite.

     Finally, what is your favorite activity to do there? I mean, are you more a 'hard-skiing girl' or a ‘coffee-on-the-terrace’ lover? 

O : Of course I love to seat on terrace but Chamonix is more a city with a sport mood. This is where I learned to ski and I had the opportunity to try several activities like climbing, cannoning, ice skating…

But for me the two, really different, but most enjoyable activities that I’m doing when I’m in Chamonix are looking for mushrooms (you have to know the good spots but mine are family secret, sorry) and paragliding. 

    You have told us that you are selling your jewels in Chamonix… Could you tell us more about you and Noeud Papillon?

 

O : As I told you I have family in Chamonix and my cousin is manicurist and she have a very nice workshop. She allows me to sale my jewels there and thanks to her since December I have a very nice showcase in Chamonix. 

 

I started to sale my jewels one year ago with two friends but now I’m the only one making and managing Noeud Papillon. I like to make simple but colored jewels, and with the time I started to learn how to work with silver and semi-precious stone to give my jewels more value. 

 

If you are to going to Chamonix, I hope my tips will help you and don’t hesitate to stop by Corinne’s workshop if you want to have pretty hands or just to check on my jewels ;) 

You can also check it on facebook Noeud Papillon and send me a message for more information!"

That sounds great ! Thank you very much Oriane for your tips & tricks about Chamonix, and we wish you all the best for the development of your brand Noeud Papillon!

I hope you liked this article about Chamonix!

S t a y   t u n e d   g u y s  !