Special Interest Locations | A French Collection

Place des Vosges – The Oldest Square in Paris

Place des Vosges - The Oldest Square in Paris

Place des Vosges is famously one of the most elegant residential squares in Paris. It’s an exclusive and much sought after address with its distinctive red and sand coloured stone and tile matching buildings, with large windows that overlook its beautiful enclosed park.

While living in this prestigious and glamorous Square is not possible for the majority of us; the park with its fountain, playground, large trees and manicured lawns are available for anyone to enjoy. Peaceful all year round, but particularly charming in spring and autumn, I love to visit Place des Vosges when in Paris.

Monet’s Garden, Giverny – 28 Stunning Photos

After its long winter closure, Claude Monet's garden and home re-open each April for the French warmer months. Gardens have been planted and trimmed, paths primed, prepped and everything made ready for the expectant admiring crowds. The gardens and home complex are open from April to November each year and are operated by Foundation Claude Monet.

Monet's Garden, Giverny - 28 Stunning Photos

To celebrate the re-opening of the garden I've created this photo gallery post from photos taken during my visits over the years. Photos are divided into the two gardens, the top garden surrounding the house - The Clos Normand Garden and the lower garden, The Water Garden.

Marie Curie – Polish French Physicist

Marie Curie - Polish French Physicist

There are some people that are just simply extraordinary and who change the course of history. Marie Curie is one of these people. Marie Curie was a Polish French Physicist who changed the course of medicine and is one of France's honoured scientists. Marie Curie was born Marie Sklodowska but is mostly known as Marie Curie.

Life Story of Marie Curie

Marie Curie was born on 7 November 1867 and died on 4 July 1934. Marie was the daughter of a secondary-school teacher and gained a general education in local schools. Her father also taught her scientific procedures. After becoming involved in a students’ revolutionary organisation she thought it best to leave Warsaw (which was dominated by Russia at the time). She moved to Cracow which was under Austrian rule at the time to study physics and chemistry and then later moved to France.

20 Photos of France – A Stunning Gallery

Wow, where do I start to choose photos to include in a photo feature post of France? With so many charming little villages, ancient walled towns, boat filled harbours, extravagant chateaux and beautiful rural regions throughout France captured on my camera, choosing just 20 to share in this post for you was challenging.

20 Photos of France Just For You

If you are missing travelling to France, or just love a good daydream at any time, then this special post is just for you ... Enjoy visiting France along with these 20 photos!

The Best & Most Picturesque Golf Courses in Normandy, France

Golf Courses Normandy France - Etretat golf course

If you’re looking for a golfing holiday in Europe, then Normandy is the place to go. It's the heart of some of the best golf courses in France. With generally cheaper green fees (compared to the UK), golfing in France can make for an affordable holiday or short break. Take the morning ferry from the UK, and you could be on the 1st tee by early afternoon.

The rich history and wonderful cuisine of Normandy is another reason to visit this stunning area. Famous for their cheeses, seafood, and cider this region of France has much to offer.

We’ve chosen 5 golf courses that offer golfers of different levels the opportunity to enjoy playing in the Normandy region of France.

Carousels in Paris – A Complete Guide to Finding Merry-Go-Rounds in Paris

Paris Carousels - Your complete guide on where to find them

Carousels or merry-go-rounds, have always been a favourite of mine. In reality they are little more than an amusement ride that moves round and round in a circle but I think they are magical and I cannot resist them, especially the beautiful carousels in Paris. Once you start exploring Paris you'll find them dotted over the city and if you're like me, they'll draw you to them with their lights, music and happy children.

Have you noticed that many carousels turn in an anti-clockwise direction? Historically this is because they were designed for children to be able to wave with their right hand (closest to watching parents and minders) while holding on with their left. The French claim the invention saying they are derived from Louis the XIV’s jousting competitions.

Parisian VIP Shopping Experience at Galeries Lafayette

Parisian VIP Shopping Experience at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann

Paris is the home of style and fashion and the grand and glamorous department store Galeries Lafayette, is home to some of the most stylish and modern fashion in Paris. Not only does the store offer the latest in apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty and perfume, it is all artfully displayed in the breathtakingly beautiful Georges Chedanne and Ferdinand Chanut designed store. The glass and steel dome and Art Nouveau staircases were finished in 1912.

This flagship store on Boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement of Paris always impresses me with its new merchandise displays, lovely cafes and stunning Christmas displays. I've shopped in Galeries Lafayette stores in a few countries including Dubai, Beijing and Paris, and I must say that Galeries Lafayette Haussmann remains my favourite store.

Claude Monet’s Garden at Giverny, France

Claude Monet's Garden at Giverny in Normandy

"At Giverny, Monet created an ideal home for his family, a haven protected from the outside world and surrounded by the countryside that he loved. But this was also where he gained recognition as a major artist after years of rejection." - Adrien Goetz

Visiting Claude Monet's Garden

Visiting Claude Monet's Garden at Giverny in the region of Normandy, France is always a surreal experience for me and something I seriously recommend you try and do at least once. The house and gardens are where Monet lived from 1883 until his death in 1926. The gardens change with the seasons and sometimes the best season to visit is hotly debated, but I suggest you take the chance to visit Monet's Garden whenever you can - it will not disappoint.

At any time of the year wandering around the petite garden paths amongst the vibrant rainbow coloured flowers is like stepping into his paintings. I hope you enjoy my photos as I try and show you something a little different than what you may have already seen photographed in this garden.