Quimper, France The cultural heart of Brittany, the charming small city of Quimper is a gateway into France’s most distinct region. Believed to be inhabited since the neolithic, Brittany is home to some of the …
Bayeux, France The quaint medieval city of Bayeux is home to one big ticket item – the fascinating Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the Norman Conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066. Though the …
Caen, France The city of Caen, with a dramatic history spanning from the time of William the Conqueror to the D-Day Landing, is a highlight of any Normandy tour. Caen rose to prominence under the …
Atlantic Ocean and How it Shaped Ancient Communities In Europe
- 12 mins read
Archaeology, Blog, British Isles, England, Europe, France, Portugal, Scotland
The Atlantic Ocean and its Secrets The Earth’s oceans are billions of years old and studying them, over the centuries, has offered some clues about human history and how the oceans might have shaped the …
Around the World in Six Coffees: Italy, France, Japan, China, Morocco & Argentina
- 16 mins read
Africa, Americas, Argentina, Asia and the Orient, Blog, China, Europe, France, Italy, Japan, Lists, Morocco, Travel tips
Around the World in Six Coffees: Italy, France, Japan, China, Morocco & Argentina Order a cappuccino in Italy after 11am and expect to receive strange looks. In Argentina, don’t be surprised when your coffee order …
The Elegant Arcades of Paris Part of the pleasure of getting to know the real Paris lies in getting off the main tourist trail and discovering its many hidden pockets and secrets. Its gorgeous arcades …
Questions About France Odyssey Traveller specialises in crafting unforgettable experiences for mature-aged travellers, providing adventure and educational programs to small groups since 1983. Odyssey has built up a reasonable knowledge bank to answer questions about France …
Conserving Versailles Versailles was the official royal residence for over a century from 1682 – 1789. The splendor of the palace and the hundreds of people living there is awe-inspiring to reflect on. However, at …
The Political and Social Climate at the Palace of Versailles The Palace of Versailles was a place of total luxury from the time of Louis XIV’s initial plans to the end of the French monarchy …
Constructing Versailles, the making of a Palace The Château du Versailles is an iconic destination for all of those interested in French history. A stone’s throw away from Paris, Versailles was the official residence of …
Claude Monet’s Water Lilies are among the most beloved and amazing artworks of the 20th century. Displayed in Paris’s Orangerie in a set of rooms devoted entirely to the paintings, they are Monet’s gift to …
Redesigning Paris The Paris that many of us know and love did not always look as it does now. When Napoleon III instructed Hausmann to tear down the urban centre to make way for the …
Paris Leaders & Landmarks The inhabitants of a place surely influence how it is perceived. Parisian politicians have certainly left their marks on some of France’s most famous landmarks, creating some amazing stories for …
South West France Travelling the Canal du Midi: this article will help mature and senior travellers understand the cultural and geographical links between the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea through Southwestern France as they prepare …
Guillaumot prevents Paris collapse. Modern-day Paris On April 24, 1777, architect Charles-Axel Guillaumot, newly minted Inspector of Quarries, experienced the worst first day at work. More than two years prior, in the afternoon of December …
Historic Loire Valley The Loire Valley has been the site of both aristocratic grandeur and thousands of years of territorial conflict. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the 15th century Château de Chenonceau as …
Practising Responsible Travel In January 2018 we reported on a growing problem: the overcrowding that affects tourist cities across the world. Time Magazine recently called it “The Tourist Trap”, because it is not as simple as …
Things to do in France It has been said that ‘no other nation on the planet approaches France in its subtle and seamless blend of the old and the new; theRead more
Cooking & eating French food: 10 of the best books for travellers
- 2 mins read
Blog, Europe, France, Reading lists for Travellers, Travel tips
Discovering French food France’s distinctive culinary tradition is among the most respected in the world. No trip to France will remain untouched by the wonders of French gastronomy. Whether you are tucked into a quiet …
10 Travel Books About France It has been said that ‘no other nation on the planet approaches France in its subtle and seamless blend of the old and the new; the industrial and the pastoral’. …