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  !

The "Do" in Paris

H i   G u y s

Today I would like to present you an article a little bit different. It won't be a presentation of the city, but more about things to do there... Of course, I chosed Paris. I guess it already exists lots of articles allowing you to plan your holidays there. 

Moreover, I know the city only from the two times I went there for holidays, so it is not enough to speak as a tourist guide.

Therefore, I prefer to help you during this trip allowing you to avoid the French “Faux-pas"..

First of all, I can say that “Paris is always a good idea”.

Let’s start this article with the “DO” in Paris, and some things to take note to maximize your Parisian experience.

Have a break on pavement café - Coffee culture is taken very seriously in Paris. You don’t need a book, a magazine, your phone, or another person for entertainment; the busy streets of Paris offer plenty of fodder for distraction. You just have to find a cozy "Café" with outdoor seating at a good location. In mi opinion The Marais is a good place to start.

Test French food - You probably already know that Paris is one of the world’s leading gastronomic capital. If not, (actually even if the answer is “Yes”..!) you have to discover haven of culinary excellence. Food has never tasted so good, so enjoy every crepe, baguette, macaron, pain au chocolat, every kind of fromage, and every croque-monsieur without any guilt. 

After all, food is culture, no ? 

 
Learn a few basic French phrases beforehand (and use it!) - Even if it’s just the basic phrases like “merci, s’il vous plait, bonjour, au revoir, je ne parle pas Français", it is the thought that counts! 

Go shopping - Paris is known as the world’s most fashionable city! I’m not talking about shopping on the Champs-Elysees; in fact, don’t do that at all! Stroll through the cobbled streets of the Marais or rue du Commerce and scope out aspiring designers and trendy boutiques that can only be found in Paris.

Musée d'Orsay

Acquaint yourself with Paris’ museums - Of course, you have the Musée Grévin. Finally, it is a kind of  “Madame Tussauds” museum in London, so what about discover new places you’ve never seen before? I’m all about exploring the beautiful corridors of the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. I went there for a special night visit last year, it was just amazing! 
But there is much more to Paris’ museum circuit than those two. A few others that are worth a visit: the Musée d’Art moderne at the Centre Pompidou with its atypical façade and the Musée du Vin (a whole museum on wine…!).

To sump up, last thing to do is to book your plane asap ! Next article will be about the don’t in Paris, so...

S t a y   t u n e d !

Discover the "Beauty Island"

H i   g u y s !

I think that discover a new city for your next travel destination is the best way to start this week end, isn’t it? It brings me some inspiration for a new article about a place you have to go especially during summer holidays !

Do you know Corsica? (“Corse” In French)

This is an island in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to France. It is located West of the Italian Peninsula and Southeast of the French mainland. In France we get it the nickname of “Ile de Beauté” (the Beauty Island), so I let you guess that the scenery over much of the island is fantastic! The driving experience on the minor roads is something you really won’t forget.

There are only two towns (Ajaccio and Bastia) which could be described as “large” in Corsica. 

I have been there several times, in different parts of the Island. I would like to present you my favourite city in Corsica : Porto Vecchio. I have spent one week there for summer holidays 2 years ago with some friends, it is such a great memory!

I went there particularly for a Festival, the “Porto Vecchio Festival” which takes place every summer at the end of August, and has become a can’t-miss event for music lovers! I stayed a week in a camping just next to the festival (near Santa Giulia beach).

Santa Giulia beach

This is not a secret : South of Corsica have some of the best beaches of the island ! It is worth taking a kind of “beach tour”, starting from Pinarellu further up North of Porto-Vecchio and then heading South to Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, then Rondinara. I went to all these beaches and I can assert you won’t be disappointed.. 

Palombaggia beach

Concerning party at Porto Vecchio, I advise you to plan a night to the famous “Via Notte”, which is probably the most popular club in Corsica. The “Via Notte” is located a few kilometres outside of Porto-Vecchio and offers a superb open air setting for summer partying. It also hosts a raft of very good guest DJs all over the peak season. It is THE club to go to.

In Porto-Vecchio you will find trendy bars and fancy outdoor restaurants in the town centre to kick off the night. 

For corsican people, the topic of food and wine is serious! The island offers a lot of dishes inspired by fresh and tasty Mediterranean products locally grown (tomatoes, zucchini, figues…) but also products much more specific to Corsica and its inland mountain culture such as herb-fed veal, boar, brocciu, seasoning herbs of the maquis..

During your trip, you could enjoy the degustation of specialities such as :

Charcuterie - Cured meats :

Boudin - Black pudding

Figatellu/Fitonu - Liver Sausage

Fromage de tête - Cheese head, a delicacy made with from brains of pigs and seasoned in different ways

Meat dishes :

Agneau Corse - Corsica lamb that is slow roasted with fresh rosemary, potatoes, and whole garlic cloves is one of the more traditional and tasty dishes.

Ragoût de Sanglier - This wild boar casserole is highly revered as the signature dish of Corsica. It is a hearty and very rich casserole with a gamey boar flavor combined with carrots, chestnuts, fennel, garlic and onions.

Veau aux olives - Veal with olives, is one of the most popular stews of the Island, I let you appreciate its taste by yourself..

Seafood :

You can always find an excellent selection of fish and oter seafood whenever you visit the Corsican coast. The more popular are :

Huitres - Oyster 

Langoustine - Crayfish

Loup de mer - Seabream

Rouget - Red mullet

Truite - Trout

Desserts :

It's time to talk about desserts..to my mind the most important part in a menu! The most traditional Corsican desserts is Fiadone - Essentially a cheesecake, but with a twist! Fiadone is a traditional recipe using Corsican brocciu cheese, eggs and chestnut flour that is then flavored with lemon zest and eau de vie. Normally served chilled, this is a delightful finish to an evening meal.

You can also eat Fiadone with a dash of Cosican Honey, another of the Island’s specialty.

What can you drink with all these tasty dishes?

First of all, Corsican are wine producers, there are no less than 9 “AOC” (protected designation of origin) regions for wine in Corsica. Both quality reds and whites can be found with a large variety in strength and taste. This variety is brought both by the richness of Corsican vine soils, the altitude of the vines and the proximity of the sea. Corsican wines are also made unique by the use of grapes that are seldom used outside of the island; mainly Sciaccarellu, Niellucciu for red wines and Vermentinu for the whites.

 Another Corsican specialty is the chestnut beer, brewed since 1996 by the Piera Brewery.

How to go to Corsica?

Corsica is now within easy reach of many European Capital cities by plane. Several low cost airlines also now offer cheap flights from France, Belgium, Germany or the UK, mostly from April to October. (The best period to discover Corsica). From United Kingdom, there are direct flights with Easyjet from London to both Ajaccio and Bastia and from Manchester and Bristol to Bastia and from London to Figari with Ryanair). Figari is the nearest airport to Porto-Vecchio.

However, ferry from the french or italian coast remain the most popular access yet, so if you plan a trip to Marseille, Corsica could be the perfect way to conclude your holidays !

I hope you liked this article (and I guess you already love Corsica..)

S e e   y o u   g u y s  !