Christmas’ Magic in French iconic chateaux, part one: Vaux-le-Vicomte – Meanderings through France n° 204
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny This year for Christmas time we invite you in three different wonderful French chateaux, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Cheverny and Chambord. Each...
Provence forever at the foot of Sainte-Victoire – Meanderings through France n° 203
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny Provence shelters a small valley stretching at the foot of the Sainte-Victoire Mountain. It’s called Vallée de l’Arc. Its...
A great inaugural cruise for “Norwegian Encore” – World Meanderings (n°75)
By Annick Dournes I had the privilege to attend the inaugural cruise of “Norwegian Encore”, the brand new cruise ship launched by Norwegian Cruise Line. With...
Halloween through the world, how do you like to play at being scared? – World Meanderings (n°74)
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny If Halloween was only celebrated in Anglo-Saxon countries for decades it now has invaded the whole world and each...
Amboise, Royal city and Leonardo da Vinci’s last home – Meanderings through France n° 202
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny French king François I undoubtedly is the symbol of French Renaissance and during his reign he built and transformed...
“Jesuit and Franciscan Roads”, the historical marvels of Paraguay – World Meanderings (n°73)
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny This is the second part of our reportage in Paraguay and it’s the most important page of...
Paraguay, one of South America’s best kept secrets – World Meanderings (n°72)
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny Paraguay, a name that makes you dreaming, maybe a mixed dream of jungle smells, wild life and...
Cross the oceans to the blue-feet-boobies’ country – World Meanderings (n°71)
By Frederic de Poligny & Annick Dournes Can you answer this tickling quizz? What is this strange country where these “blue-feet-boobies” freely...
Feed your body and soul in Conques – Meanderings through France n° 201
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny Conques is a superb village east of Cahors and Bergerac in southwest France. Set in a remote semi-mountainous region,...
Celebrating Leonardo and Chambord 500th anniversary – Meanderings through France n° 200
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny Once again Chambord was in the spotlight to celebrate the 500th anniversary of its foundation. Works began on September...
Sweet Indian summer in Nantes – Meanderings through France n° 199
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny According to opinion polls Nantes is one of French people favourite towns where they would love to live. Ideally...
Fontevraud Abbey, the impressive Plantagenet family necropolis – Meanderings through France n° 198
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny Fontevraud Abbey is one of the largest monastic cities in Europe founded in 1101. Two great historical characters, Robert d’Arbrissel...
A festive “grape harvest day” in Cheverny – Meanderings through France n° 197
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny For the ninth consecutive year winegrowers and winemakers of the Cheverny DOC organize a wine festival on Saturday 7...
Fort La Latte, Brittany’s most visited castle – Meanderings through France n° 196
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny Fort La Latte is an ancient medieval fortress built on top of a pink sandstone cliff overlooking the Channel, a...
All the charms of Italy in Pavia – World Meanderings (n°70)
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny The name “Pavia” refers to both a town and its surrounding area. Located in Lombardy in northern Italy Pavia...
Splendour and misery of Chateau de Cadillac – Meanderings through France n° 195
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny If Cadillac is a name known worldwide thanks to the famous car brand founded in Detroit in the USA in...
Marmande, from Richard the Lion Heart to an iconic tomato – Meanderings through France n° 194
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny When asked about Marmande every French person will think and answer “tomato”! This tomato variety is the true emblem...
Blois, much better than a history book for a glimpse of French Royals’ life – Meanderings through France n° 193
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny Blois is only a two-hour drive from Paris and an ideal starting point to explore the Loire Valley and...
Obernai, all of Alsace in a single village – Meanderings through France n° 188
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny At only 25 km south of Strasbourg on the “Alsace wine road” Obernai is a concentrate of the Alsatian...
Bordeaux, an appealing town between vineyards and ocean – Meanderings through France n° 192
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny In less than 25 years Bordeaux has been going through huge works of renovation and innovation, turning this old...
How about taking part in the day-to-day life of Alsatian winemakers? – Meanderings through Francece n° 191
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny All summer and autumn long Alsatian winemakers organize an amazing great number of events during which tourists are invited...
Medieval Knights Templar’s Commanderies in Aveyron – Meanderings through France n° 184
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny In the 12th century back from the Holy Land Knights Templar came back to Europe not only with fame...
500 years ago, Chateau de Chambord’s birth, Leonardo’s death – Meanderings through France n° 190
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny If leaving today no doubt that François 1er would have made tabloids headlines very often. In 1519 the 25...
Gourmet trip in Alsace
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny When travelling in Alsace one could think that Alsatians mainly focus on food and drinks. Without being completely true this is not...
The “Lot”, a bewitching French department (Part three) – Meanderings through France n° 187
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny Today is our last getaway in the Lot area. It will take us to Saint-Céré a charming little town...
The “Lot”, a bewitching French department (Part two) – Meanderings through France n° 186
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny After last week discovery of Rocamadour and the L’Ouysse Valley let’s go back to beautiful Lot and wander along...
The “Lot”, a bewitching French department (Part one) – Meanderings through France n° 185
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny Located in southwest France the Lot is a land of contrast with a particularly rich and diverse natural and...
Throughout the year Rodez celebrates “Soulages’ century” – Meanderings through France n° 183
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny Pierre Soulages, the French most distinguished contemporary artist still alive, was born on 24 December 1919. To celebrate this...
Diogo Vaz, one of the very best chocolates in the world – World Meanderings (n°69)
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny When buying a Diogo Vaz’s chocolate bar we don’t only have the chance to enjoy one of the very best quality-chocolates...
Lovely springtime in Chantilly – Meanderings through France n° 182
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny Spring is back and it feels good to get out in the countryside and enjoy nature’s rebirth. Being only...
Cruising the Lot River – Meanderings through France n° 181
By Frédéric de Poligny When came the opportunity to cruise the River Lot for a few days on board a rented pleasure boat, I couldn’t resist the temptation...
Ségala, a land of contrasts – Meanderings through France n° 180
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny Set at the foot of the Massif Central in between Rodez and Albi the Ségala has been a tough...
“Pech Merle cave”, an authentic prehistoric treasure – Meanderings through France n° 179
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny Pech Merle cave is part of a group of 13 adorned caves in Southwest France in the Lot Valley. 29,000...
Adagio jazz up breakfast in all its Aparthotels – Meanderings through France n° 178
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny In recent years we all have become aware of the importance of a healthy breakfast in our daily routine. Whether...
“Le Fouquet’s”, a symbol of French glamour since 1899 – Meanderings through France n° 177
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny For over a century “Le Fouquet’s” has attracted handsome, rich and famous people. Is it for its unique location...
Early spring in Cannes, going beyond the clichés – Meanderings through France n° 176
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny Since 1946 in early May Cannes becomes the world’s film capital for a crazy fortnight. During the Film Festival,...
A genuine Parisian mood at “La Clef Champs-Elysées”- Meanderings through France n° 175
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny The Champs-Elysées district probably is the most glamorous one in Paris, one with “the most beautiful avenue of the world”,...
“Imperial Treasure” launches its first European restaurant in London – World Meanderings (n°68)
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny No need to fly to Singapore, Hong Kong or Shanghai anymore to get the chance to enjoy one of...
Get on board for a gourmand London tour – World Meanderings (n°67)
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny To foreigners double deck red buses and afternoon high tea are the utmost British clichés. But bring them together and...
On your marks, get set… and slow down along the Lot River – Meanderings through France n° 174
By Annick Dournes & Frederic de Poligny Dreaming of switching off from your busy day-to-day life, cool down and connect back to life’s simple pleasures? Let us...