What about Biarritz ?

H i   e v e r y b o d y !

Today I would like to present you a part of France which I am in love with, I’ve been there for holidays each summer since I am 5yo. This is the France’s south west coast.

I would like to present you Biarritz, one of the most popular and lively town and resort in this area, just 12 miles from the Spanish border. I spent my last summer holidays there with 3 friends, it was an idyllic week, enjoying its long beaches, big waves and mild weather!

Biarritz is a fashionable destination, a popularity that continues to this day, in part now due to its reputation as surfing capital of France.

The particularity in the west coast is the size of beaches: you’ll always find a place to install your beach towel and starting to enjoy the summer sunshine (even if it is better when it is low tide. Be careful, the tide can ride very fast..)

You will find several beaches in Biarritz, including La Grande Plage which is a long sandy beach the central beach in the resort, in the centre of the town. On one side there is a lighthouse on a rocky outcrop called Point Saint Martin, and on the other side the Rocher de la Vierge, which are well placed large rocks in the water. It has become the symbol of Biarritz.

After this fast presentation, talking about serious things: how could you have  good time in this amazing city?

Firstly, I advise you to plan your trip in Biarritz during summer holidays: even if there will be lots of people due to the period, you will have the best weather.

I think it won’t be a surprise for you but during your trip, you REALLY have to plan a surf session. Just next to the Grande Plage you can find 2 training surf school and borrow the relevant material (both the surfboard and a wetsuit, which is important because of the ocean temperature..chilly)

You can also ask for a lesson with an instructor, very useful to learn the basics and help you to get started.

The “Takama Sports Nature” offers a 2 hours location for 12 € (around 9,5pounds)

After riding ashore on the crest of a wave, you should have a good lunch at “Café du Commerce” which is a restaurant at the heart of the city centre, and a good place to test grilled squid and other seafood at a decent price. If it is too busy, don’t worry, there are lots of restaurants in this area, I am sure your will find something!

On the afternoon, take time to relax on the beach and don’t hesitate to walk in the city centre, you will find a variety of little shops from designers and concept stores.

I remember that last summer, the “Apéritif hour” was the best, and the choice about the place to go was the most difficult to do.

You could start to have a drink to the “Bar Jean”. Even if it is Monday, Thursday or Saturday night, the pub will be full. It is a good place to start a festive night! (Their Sangria is delicious)

Then, I would like to present you a place I really love. Could you imagine to have a mojito between hands and dance on the good sound, feet in the sand? The good life, isn’t it?

Okay, the paradise has a name: the “Blue Cargo”. I let you discover the magic atmosphere of the place by yourself !

As you can see the list of things to do is endless.. I hope it will be your next summer holidays destination.

From the Airport, you can get to Biarritz train station using Chronoplus line C . The journey time is about 10 minutes.

Stay tuned guys !

Dear Marseille

H i  g u y s !

If you’ve read my previous article about Aix en Provence, you could be interested by today’s topic which is the famous city of Marseille. 

So, plan a short trip in the south of France for Spring doesn’t sound like the best idea of the week ?

Firstly, I could give you quick good to know facts about Marseille before your first visit there.

This is the oldest and the 2^nd largest city of France (after Paris), and gets the largest European suburban park : Calanques National Park.

Regarding the climate, no worries guys, there are 300 days of sunshine per year and an average temperature of 19°C during spring (I guess you’re now booking your flight..)

So, by arriving to Marseille, one of the first thing you have to visit is Notre Dame de la Garde. It has been build in 1524 on the top of the hill to protect Marseille from the armies of Charles the Fifth. But the Garde hill acquires all its meaning as a sacred as well as an urban symbol with the construction of the basilica in 1853. From then on, the silhouette of the building becomes inseparable from the image of Marseille. Nowadays, all the marseillais called it “La bonne mère”,.

From the 01/01/2016 until 31/05/2016, Notre Dame is open from 07:30am to 07pm, and the entry is free.

 At the lunch time, I advise you to walk from the city center and go to the Vallon des Auffes (it is just a short walk from the Old Port). This is a typical fishing port and an enjoyable and peaceful location. Spring is the best time to go there before the beginning of the summer (when the number of tourists is increasing a lot). This little cove could be also a secret swimming spot ! You'll find several restaurant, I could recommend the restaurant “Chez Fonfon”, best place for a good bouillabaisse.

During the afternoon, you could enjoy the sun at the Calanques National Park. You really have to plan a walk or a hike there, smells and colors are fantastics ! You will find more details about pre-organized trip to go there on the Official Tourism website of Marseille :

http://www.marseille-tourisme.com/en/

Restaurants around the Old Port can be pricey so explore the backstreets for the best bargains. I am sure that you will find a nice place to take dinner and a great glass of french wine at the Place aux huiles..

Some tips for your trip in Marseille :

     

      -  You can pay the driver to travel on the bus, but it's cheaper to buy tickets in advance.

  

I   -  If you're planning to visit a lot of museums and major sights, consider the Marseille City Pass, available from the Tourist Office.

v     -  Some French formal greetings. Say "Bonjour" (Hello) when you enter a shop, and "Bonne journée" (Have a good day) as you leave to get appreciative service.

See you soon !

What about Aix en Provence ?

H i   e v e r y b o d y,

I couldn't speak about France without a presentation of the city where I come from : Aix en Provence. I am born there, and I lived there until last year. This city is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur of Southern France.

 

Then, let's talk about something serious : How could you enjoy a short break in Aix en Provence ?

Firstly, you have the greatest reason to visit this grandiose city : with the launch of a new direct Eurostar service from London to Aix starting on May 4 for a two-month trial period, Aix becomes an accessible city, and the perfect place to have a break !

Otherwise, nearest airport is Marseille, a 30 minute shuttle bus ride from Aix which cost £6.50 one way.

To my mind, Aix is particularly admirable in spring. The gardens (believe me there are lots) are getting jollier, the fountains sparklier and café terraces are filling up with a mix of students, jurists, tourists, why not you ?

The first thing you have to do arriving in Aix is a stroll on the Cours Mirabeau, the heart of the city, from the vast famous Rotonde (have a look on the picture below), to the fountain at the bottom of the cours. This main avenue is lined with plane trees and old classical town-houses.

Aix is also famous for its café life. Just on the left side on the Cours Mirabeau, you can find one called "La Belle Epoque". It is a place where I enjoy both take a coffee or a breakfast the morning, or a cocktail to have the perfect french "apéritif".

It is good to know that every night from 7pm to 10pm, this is the Happy Hour : for each drink you order, guess what ? you'll get one free ! 

An other thing I could advise you during your discovery of the city : explore it, take time to chill in the old city and to walk down in the back streets. Aix is full of hidden cute areas and passages : one of them is the Passage Agard, a kind of gateway to the old city, through to the Place Verdun.

Besides, a visit to the Musée Granet, which opens at 10am is also a good idea ! You will have the possibility to see some Cezanne Paintings, the father of modern paintings whom lived on Aix many years. 

Place des Cardeurs by night

If you are looking for a place to have lunch or dinner, you should try "Le Bistrot des Philosophes" which is located on a vast place : Le Forum des Cardeurs. 

This is one of my favourite restaurants there. During spring and summer, there is a decent terasse. I've never been disappointed by their Provençal cooking.

 

In order to finish a perfect day in Aix en Provence, let's have a last drink in the "Scat Club", an old Jazz club located on the Rue de la Verrerie, which is full of other restaurants and pubs.

Regarding the place to sleep during this Southern french trip, I could advise you to look for a flat via the "airbnb" website.

I hope I have convinced you to visit Aix en Provence, don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions !

Stay tuned