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Best Small Group Tour of Paris

A French Collection's Paris tour has been described as the best small group tour of Paris and "connecting with the heart of Paris". Our bespoke small group tours have been created from my passion and insider knowledge of the most romantic city in the world that has, simply captured my heart. You'll be seduced by the Eiffel Tower, Museé d'Orsay, Monet's Garden and the bucket list items Paris is so famous for. We'll also soak up the buzz of the boulevards and cafes as we eat beside the local residents.

This is no rush-around-tick-a-box tour, instead you'll get to see the most beautiful sites, historical gardens, and legends and icons of Paris. You'll visit authentic cafes famous for their patrons and sweet smelling patisseries, discover the secret bits that most visitors miss, take a garden picnic and stroll antique markets which make this the most romantic city.

Square Boucicaut, Paris

Square Boucicaut in the 7th Arrondissement, Paris

On our Paris walking tours you'll get to enjoy many of Paris' gardens. Some are large public spaces that attract hundreds of locals and tourists, and others we explore are slightly more hidden and usually only frequented by the residents living nearby. This is the Paris I love to share.

Square Boucicaut is one of the parks we spend time in as it's close to our hotel in the elegant 7th arrondissement. The park was named in honour of Aristide Boucicaut, who was the creator of the first luxury department store in Paris. That's right, Le Bon Marche.

Jardin du Luxembourg – A Paris Garden

Jardin du Luxembourg - A Beautiful Paris Garden

A stroll around Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Garden) takes you back in history to the golden days when ladies dressed in their Sunday best and shielded their fair faces from the sun with frilly parasols. Being out and seen by others was almost as important as people watching yourself, and really, not that much has changed! Jardin du Luxembourg is still the perfect garden to stroll through or to sit quietly and watch others as they also enjoy the garden.

Let's explore the garden together along with just a few of my photos taken on visits to Jardin du Luxembourg.

My French Platter Replenished: Book Review

A Journey to a Dream Life in France

Today I have a treat for you with a book extract from author Annemarie Rawson from her new book 'My French Platter Replenished'. This delightful memoir from Annemarie Rawson is the second book in her 'My French Platter' series. Annemarie's first book 'My French Platter' tells the story of how she, and her husband Steve, leave their life in New Zealand to manage a 15th century farmhouse in France. Little do they know that they will end up living in filth, rely on dilapidated equipment and deal with a belligerent boss. During this period they lived near Brens.

Annemarie's second book (cover pictured above) 'My French Platter Replenished' takes the reader on a further journey of their life in France whilst working in Lisle-sur-Tarn at Domaine de Mènerque and later at Combe de Merigot, near Gaillac. We get to meet more friends, experience their woes and joys and also to try out the recipes that Annemarie shares. I love the recipes that are a bonus find at the end of both books. I'm sure you'll love trying them out for yourself.

Moncontour-de-Bretagne – Perfectly Picturesque

Moncontour-de-Bretagne

Our family has always loved Moncontour as it was one of the numerous towns we explored on the first Christmas holidays we spent in France after buying our home. There's more to see and love about Moncontour-de-Bretagne than first meets the eye, so read on and find out more about this perfectly picturesque town in Brittany.

Perfectly Picturesque Moncontour-de-Bretagne

Moncontour-de-Bretagne is a fortified town perched on a rocky escarpment at the meeting of two small rivers in the Côtes d'Armor region of northwestern Brittany (department 22). It is between the two other charming towns of Lamballe and Saint-Brieuc (one of my closest major town centres).

A Guide to Mont-Saint Michel Abbey

What do you think of when someone mentions the region of Normandy? Do you imagine the world famous Mont-Saint Michel with its high rock dwellings, fluctuating tides and peaceful grazing sheep. And why not, it's a stunning site that draws many people to Normandy.

The people of the Middle Ages believed that Mont-Saint Michel was a representation of the heavenly Jerusalem on earth, an image of Paradise. I think many of us would agree that photos of the sun setting on the Mount or grazing sheep upon the marshes still looks a bit like Paradise!

A French Collection Podcast Is Launched

Announcing the Launch of our New Podcast 'A French Collection'

And so after much procrastinating and rumination, I've finally done what I've been talking to my inner circle about for ages, and launched the podcast of A French Collection.

If you, like me, love to listen to Podcasts and audio books while you drive or take your daily exercise, then our podcast is for you. Listening on the go about living in France, travel discussions, interviews with authors and special guests, book reviews and more, our podcast will save you reading time and entertain you.

New 2021 Trends in Purchasing Property in France

New 2021 Trends in Purchasing Property in France

Are you thinking of purchasing property in France and wondering if the pandemic has affected the property market? Have you been wondering what the new trends are for 2021? We wanted to find out more also, so we chatted with Joanna Leggett, Marketing Director at Leggett Immobilier, the leading international estate agency in France. Joanna tells us how buyer demands have shifted due to the pandemic and where the new “hot spots” are in France.

How the Pandemic is Shaping Demand

"Wealthy investors see lasting life changes after Covid-19" was the headline to a research paper published by UBS Wealth Management recently. The report shows how buyer needs have shifted dramatically and helps us gaze into the crystal ball, to see what is in store for the French property market in the coming years. Three quarters of those polled said that they anticipate permanent lifestyle shifts and, of course, property is central to how this change will be implemented.

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Best Small Group Tour of Paris

Best Small Group Tour of Paris

Square Boucicaut, Paris

Square Boucicaut in the 7th Arrondissement, Paris

Jardin du Luxembourg – A Paris Garden

Jardin du Luxembourg - A Beautiful Paris Garden

My French Platter Replenished: Book Review

A Journey to a Dream Life in France

Moncontour-de-Bretagne – Perfectly Picturesque

Moncontour-de-Bretagne

A Guide to Mont-Saint Michel Abbey

A French Collection Podcast Is Launched

Announcing the Launch of our New Podcast 'A French Collection'

New 2021 Trends in Purchasing Property in France

New 2021 Trends in Purchasing Property in France

How the Pandemic is Shaping Demand

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