Best Places For Backpackers In France | Travel Blog

An Unforgettable Day in Annecy: how to get there and things to do

While travelling on the forty-five-minute bus ride from Geneva to Annecy, I didn’t really know what to expect. It was a spontaneous half-day trip I’d booked for myself during a long holiday in Switzerland and all I knew was that I was crossing over the Swiss border into a tiny French city that was famous for its pretty landscape and medieval chateau. Little did I know that I would stumble upon a hidden gem that would be the highlight of my entire trip. View of the French Alps from Annecy’s old town How to get to Annecy A small alpine […]

Top 10 free things to do in Paris

France is a unique country that you will never forget for sure. Every city or a small village that has been visited will ask you to come back again and again. That is Paris for me: the city of lights, history, and beauty in every single detail. Paris is the unique place that I simply cannot stop coming back. Unfortunately, the prices in the capital are always higher than in the province as in any other country. So, is there any possibility to save up? The answer is yes! In this article, I’m gonna tell you how to visit Paris […]

5 things to do in Lille to enjoy the city like a local

I was born in Lille, France. The city is the capital of the region Hauts-de-France located in the north of France and is a cluster of history and culture. It used to be a Flemish city, before Louis XIV annexed it as a French territory, which is why you will find a lot of baroque buildings. Lille is also known for its good food and one of the traditional meals is the potjevleesch (or meat in a small pot). Furthermore, being next to the Belgian border, the city has a lot of good beers to offer! Northern people are known […]

France: Pau – gate to the Pyrenees

If you decide to explore the French Pyrenees, it is best to start with the city of Pau. A free funicular takes you from the train station to the Boulevard des Pyrenees, opposite the Royal square. In clear weather, at least 83 peaks of the famous mountains can be seen from the Boulevard des Pyrénées. Right in front of you will see a crevice in the peak of Midi d’Ossau, one of the highest in the Pyrenees. Church of Saint-Martin Passing along the boulevard, on the right we will see the church of Saint-Martin. It began to be built under […]

Toulouse – the pearl of southern France architecture

Each city has its own symbol. For example, in Moscow – the Kremlin, in London – Big Ben. Well, the southern beauty of Toulouse in France is the Capitol (city hall). As in ancient Rome, the Capitol governs, if not the country, but the whole city. This is a beautiful building in a beautiful square, which I have already told you about. But the Capitol has a secret that you don’t know yet. Place Charles de Gaulle Go around the building. Here the square de Gaulle rustles with trees, with a funny fountain. It consists of a dozen smooth granite […]

Bayonne – the capital of the French Basque

If you like chocolate, you should definitely visit Bayonne, the main Basque city in France. After all, chocolate has created the glory of this city. The first floors of all the houses on Port Neuf street are occupied by boutiques and shops selling this delicacy. Church of the Holy Spirit The town was founded at the confluence of two rivers, the Adour and the Nive which flows into the Adour here. Unlike all other cities, Bayonne has three Old Cities. The Nive divides the city into a Large Bayonne and a Small Bayonne. And in the 16th century, they were […]

How to spend a weekend in Aix-en-Provence on a budget

Ah, Provence. I imagined myself waking up in front of a window that framed chalky mountains cutting like teeth into a brilliant blue sky. I imaged myself riding a vintage Vespa through rolling fields of gold and lavender in search of a baguette. I would throw my hands up in the air and exclaim “C’est belle la vie!” I came back to reality when I saw the accommodation prices in Aix-en-Provence. For all its beauty, the south of France is not the place for a cheapo backpacker. Yet I was determined to visit. After several nights of research, I figured […]

The Best Arrondissements to Stay In Paris

In the twinkling city of love, the bustling crowd to the aroma smelling coffee shops. It’s no wonder Paris is one of the most popular tourist attractions in France. Definitely a top seller for couples who are looking for a romantic getaway. Ask anybody, and they’ll say that Paris is on their bucket list, regardless if it’s a honeymoon trip or a college gift. Personally, I find Paris a confusing city, particularly the arrondissement districts. Choosing the perfect neighbourhood to stay in can be overwhelmingly stressful. Nobody wants to waste time and money, involving the tedious task of picking the wrong […]

Toulouse — the pink city of violets

I want to introduce you to Toulouse in France — the pink city of violets. Why is the city pink? Many houses in Toulouse are built of pink brick. A violet — a real symbol of the city. It is grown here in large quantities and then used for the production of perfumes, cosmetics, liqueurs, jams, honey, all kinds of sweets and even covered with sugar. The station Matabiau If one day you get to Toulouse, I wish you to come there by train. The fact that the station Matabiau, where you arrive — a real business card of the […]

Èze – A medieval city overlooking the Côte d'Azur

Our goal was to visit the Côte d’Azur, we set base in Nice but didn’t have much else planned. At our first day, we started talking with people in Nice about the cities around and which ones we should go to. We did receive a lot of suggestions, but Èze was definitely the best one. Èze is a medieval city at the top of a mountain around 30 minutes from Nice, by Bus. It is the cutest and the most charming city I´ve ever visited and it has the most amazing view of the French Riviera. Is the perfect place […]

Top 10 Choices From Cafés in Paris

When in Rome do like Romans, and when in Paris do like Parisian. This is the most obvious reason why you should spend some time sitting at a café, whether in a sunny afternoon or a rainy morning, for a cup of coffee or a glass of champagne, to rest or to work. French cafés are not just coffee shops, but a statement and a way of life. And the perfect choice for a snack or a full meal. In the last thirty years, I’ve spent quite a number of days in France strolling around this amazing city and have […]

France: Aix–en-Provence – the city of fountains

If you want to see the blessed South of France and for this purpose flew to Marseille, do not rush to the beach. I have a pleasant surprise for you! Just half an hour by bus (8,6 euros) from the airport and you will find yourself in the most charming city of Provence, which was once its capital. Is — Aix–en-Provence, the city of water. Why is Aix–en-Provence called the city of water? After all, there are no large rivers nearby, and the sea is 27 km away, in Marseille? This city in 123 BC was founded by the Roman […]

Travel Like a Local: Must See in Montpellier

Montpellier is a glamorous student city in the south of France. You will have the great chance to explore the boutique stores in the old town, sipping the 2 EU ‘best’ wine on the grass and drink coffee with your friends at a patio under the sun… Key highlight: Plaza de la Comedie, good weather, young Being attracted by the awesome weather and great life in southern France, I decided to share my experience after staying here for half a year as a master student. I tried to explore as many places as I could (touristy attractions, shopping centers, coffee […]

Moustiers-Saint-Marie : Discover a romantic village in France

If you are in the South of France and looking for a quaint, hillside town that promises to charm you with its old buildings and cobbled streets – I highly recommend visiting Moustiers located in the Verdon region, close to Lac St.Croix. Picturesque buildings adorned by florals This hillside village is one of France’s best-kept secrets My husband and I first heard about the village while we were still in Paris. Before heading to the South of France, we were asking for recommendations when a French girl told us about a romantic gem that is not well-known by tourists. […]

Must See Attractions in Normandy, France

Whenever you plan a trip to Paris, remember to take a day or two to go to the Normandy. By car, train or bus, it will take you just a few hours to reach this calm and picturesque region in the north of France. Amazing beaches, great food and unique architecture of this region is a must see for those who want to discover France. Best way to travel in Normandy Normandy is a region in France that lies around the cost of the Atlantic Ocean. The territory isn’t big, but the sightseeing spots are spread all over the area. […]

Wintering on the French Riviera

The prospect of spending the winter on the French Riviera sounds enticing – especially if you would otherwise be spending it in more northerly, rather chillier climes. So when the opportunity came up to do exactly that, we didn’t need a second invitation. The place we would effectively be house-sitting from the beginning of December through to the end of March looked palatial in the photos we were sent, came with its own swimming pool (as do most of the large properties in this area), and was set a little way up the slopes overlooking the town of Mouans-Sartoux, a […]

Five reasons to visit Cluny – the Medieval gem of France

Do you know where the biggest church in the world once stood? No? Would you believe it was in Cluny – a little town, situated in the southern part of Burgundy? Next time you visit France, be sure to reserve a day or two in between exploring Paris or chilling on the sandy beaches of its Mediterranean coast and visit the place in between. After all, even the late president of France Francois Mitterrand found it worthy enough to bring the former leader of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev to Cluny during his visit to France. No convinced yet? Let […]

Paris on a Budget

Are you one of those folks who’s always aspired to travel a lot, especially to different countries, but somehow lacked the means? It can seem a pretty daunting task to plan for a vacation that looks so clearly out of your reach. That’s what a lot of us think. I thought that way too. But with a little foresight and quite a bit of sound planning you can bring life to that dream of yours. Take it out of the dusty shelf you’ve put it in and breathe new life into it. Let’s dive in and discuss some of the […]

Six Things To Do In Les Arcs 1800

The Alps are big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big they are. Ok, nowhere near as big as the universe, but there’s still a lot of places in The Alps and a lot to do in those places. But let’s say you’ve arrived in on particular place; one of the Les Arcs resorts sat just above the Tarentaise valley town of Bourg Saint Maurice. To be exact, you’re in Les Arcs 1800, the biggest and arguably most interesting of the four resorts. You’ve got a week here; maybe two. Yes, you’ve packed your snowboard (or maybe your […]

Paris – For the first time traveller!

Hello! Let’s start this off with a quick question, What does the word ‘travel’ mean to you? No, and I don’t mean the definition in the Oxford dictionary. Everyone has a different understanding of what travelling is to them, and that’s why everyone has a different way to travel. So while you think about what I’ve asked you, let me tell you what ‘travelling’ is to me. Travelling or to travel is freedom, it’s an opportunity for one to get lost, get scared and maybe even find themselves in a new city, at the top of a mountain or while […]

Hiking from Le Claux to Puy Mary

„Don`t you get bored here?” asked Lize trough Google translate. After two months of learning French, my rough Estonian mind can understand what is written , processing text word by word, but not really the speech. Lize is the one who trusted me to house-sit their home while she and Jean-Michel are traveling. I have wanted to house-sit when it is the darkest time in my home country for a while. I just took advantage of the opportunity and had finally the courage to jump. The more I experience different places in the world, the more every place feels like home. I would say that wherever you […]

Weekend in Paris- 6 top places worth to see

Surely, most of you had a list of places you planned to see in your life and at least one place you had dreamed to go. Definitely, such a place for me was Paris. Watching fashion magazines or movies I admired the style and architecture of this city. It was something that impressed me every time I see it. A visit to Paris did not let down my expectations and this is something I will always come back to in my mind. I want to share with you my point of view, give you some advice, help you better organize and […]

Palace ideal – the main sight in Hauterives – France

France is one of the most beautiful countries in the world with a rich cultural tradition and sights. Palaces and castles built by renowned architects for no less famous persons are the hallmarks of this hospitable country. But there are masterpieces unknown to the general public, I will tell you about one of them today. You will be impressed by Palace IdealAt 70 km from the city of Lyon, the second largest city in France is a small settlement of Hauterives which became famous for the simple postman Ferdinand Cheval.For the construction of the Perfect Castle for compatibility, […]

8 Restaurants you must try in Lille – France

Lille is a really nice city in the north of France, close to Belgium. That’s why it has the best beers in town! I lived there during my year abroad and I loved it. So I want to share with you some of the food places I really liked and that you must try! This will help you if you are visiting or passing by this amazing city or you live in it and ran out of ideas. As I said it is a small city so it is quite easy to get around and most of the places I […]

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