Barcelonnette in the Ubaye valley

28 April 2015 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, French Riviera Reading Time:  7 minutes

© Speculos/cc-by-sa-3.0

© Speculos/cc-by-sa-3.0

Barcelonnette is a commune of France and a subprefecture in the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. It is located in the southern French Alps, at the crossroads between Provence, Piedmont and the Dauphiné, and is the largest town in the Ubaye Valley. The town’s inhabitants are known as Barcelonnettes. Barcelonnette is situated in the wide and fertile Ubaye Valley, of which it is the largest town. It lies at an elevation of 1132 m (3717 ft) on the right bank of the Ubaye River, and is surrounded by mountains which reach peaks of over 3000 m; the tallest of these is the Needle of Chambeyron at 3412 m. Barcelonnette is situated 210 km from Turin, 91 km from Nice and 68 km from Gap.   read more…

Beauvais in the historical province of Picardy

16 April 2015 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  7 minutes

Town Hall © flickr.com - Andy

Town Hall © flickr.com – Andy

Beauvais is a city approximately 79 kilometres (49 mi) by highway north of central Paris, in the northern French region of Picardie. It currently has a population of over 60,000 inhabitants. Beauvais lies at the foot of wooded hills on the left bank of the Thérain at its confluence with the Avelon. Its ancient ramparts have been destroyed, and it is now surrounded by boulevards, outside of which run branches of the Thérain. In addition, there are spacious promenades in the north-east of the town. The industry of Beauvais comprises, besides the state manufacture of tapestry, which dates from 1664, the manufacture of various kinds of cotton and woollen goods, brushes, toys, boots and shoes, and bricks and tiles. Market-gardening flourishes in the vicinity and an extensive trade is carried on in grain and wine.   read more…

Marly-le-Roi in the western suburbs of Paris

10 April 2015 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  4 minutes

Grande-Rue © Clicsouris/cc-by-sa-2.5

Grande-Rue © Clicsouris/cc-by-sa-2.5

Marly-le-Roi is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France. It is located in the western suburbs of Paris 18.4 km (11.4 mi) from the centrem, with a population of 17,000. The inhabitants are called Marlychois or less commonly Marlésiens. Marly-le-Roi is served by Marly-le-Roi station on the Transilien Paris – Saint-Lazare suburban rail line.   read more…

Theme Week Gascony – Auch

28 March 2015 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, UNESCO World Heritage Reading Time:  5 minutes

Armagnac Tower and Auch Cathedral © Chrwalker/cc-by-sa-3.0

Armagnac Tower and Auch Cathedral © Chrwalker/cc-by-sa-3.0

Auch is a commune in southwestern France. Located in the region of Midi-Pyrénées, it is the capital of the Gers department. Auch is the historical capital of Gascony.   read more…

Theme Week Gascony – Pau

27 March 2015 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  6 minutes

Boulevard des Pyrénées © Flo641/cc-by-sa-3.0

Boulevard des Pyrénées © Flo641/cc-by-sa-3.0

Pau is a commune on the northern edge of the Pyrenees, capital of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques Département in Aquitaine. It was also the capital of the historical Béarn Province. It forms the communauté d’agglomération of Pau-Pyrénées with 13 neighbouring communes to carry out local tasks together. Place Clemenceau, the heart of the downtown area, is the site of many public festivals, great shopping, and a beautiful fountain.   read more…

Theme Week Gascony – Tarbes

26 March 2015 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  4 minutes

Town Hall © Florent Pécassou/cc-by-sa-3.0

Town Hall © Florent Pécassou/cc-by-sa-3.0

Tarbes is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France. It was known as Turba or Tarba in Roman times. It is part of the historical region of Gascony. It is the second largest metropolitan area of Midi-Pyrénées, with 110,000 inhabitants.   read more…

Theme Week Gascony – Dax

25 March 2015 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  5 minutes

Bullring entrance © CTHOE/cc-by-sa-3.0

Bullring entrance © CTHOE/cc-by-sa-3.0

Dax is a commune in Aquitaine in south-western France, sub-prefecture of the Landes department. It is also a market town, former bishopric and busy local centre, especially for the Chalosse area.   read more…

Theme Week Provence – Carpentras

25 March 2015 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, French Riviera Reading Time:  6 minutes

Musée Duplessis © Soldanella84/cc-by-sa-3.0

Musée Duplessis © Soldanella84/cc-by-sa-3.0

Carpentras is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in southeastern France. It stands on the banks of the Auzon. As capital of the Comtat Venaissin, it was frequently the residence of the Avignon popes; the Papal States retained possession of the Venaissin until the French Revolution. Nowadays, Carpentras is a commercial center for Comtat Venaissin.   read more…

Theme Week Gascony – Bagnères-de-Luchon

24 March 2015 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  5 minutes

Casino © Père Igor/cc-by-sa-3.0

Casino © Père Igor/cc-by-sa-3.0

Bagnères-de-Luchon, also referred to as Luchon, is a French commune and spa town in the Haute-Garonne department in the Midi-Pyrénées region of south-western France. The inhabitants of the commune are known as Luchonnais or Luchonnaises. The commune has been awarded three flowers by the National Council of Towns and Villages in Bloom in the Competition of cities and villages in Bloom.   read more…

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