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Splash out at the Chevre d'Or Chateau Hotel

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:52:31 +0000

Located in the charming medieval hilltop village of Eze, the Chateau de la Chevre d'Or is the place to stay. Between Nice and Monaco and overlooking the blue waters of the Mediterranean, it's perfect for a short break. So if you've missed Valentine's Day, this might just be the chance to redeem yourself in your partner's eyes.

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Nice Carnival Starts February 17th

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:02:36 +0000

From February 17th to March 4th, Nice is awash with Carnival fans. This year His Majesty The King of the Carnival, who leads the whole glorious festival is the King of Sport. And, in a truly gracious Gallic gesture, His Majesty's guest of honor is...Great Britain. It's an acknowledgement of the 2012 Olympic Games which, hopefully the whole world knows by now, will be in London.

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Valentine�s Day in Romantic France

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:18:23 +0000

The French are good at romance and Valentine's Day offers every full-blooded French man and woman the chance for dressing up, going out and of course, eating and drinking very well. But the French are very good at romance all year round. See what the French get up to on St. Valentine's Day.

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Last Minute Ski Deals from UK Companies

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:01:58 +0000

The snow has been falling and the slopes on the French ski resorts are top quality. But a slow start to the season meant that many people held off booking or went elsewhere. So there are plenty of bargains out there, even over the half-term holidays. Here are a few suggestions from some small specialised companies in the U.K. Even if you don't use them this time, it's worth keeping their details for future ski holidays:

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Little Dunkerque's Mighty Carnival

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:39:40 +0000

For many of us, carnivals are usually associated with the south of France, and Christmas markets with the north. But both Christmas markets and carnivals are celebrated throughout France with equal gusto so wherever you are, you'll find one.

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Strasbourg's February Fleamarket

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 08:12:27 +0000

Shopping in French fleamarkets is a particular pleasure. Some cities specialize in gathering dealers together at fixed dates. Strasbourg has four brocantes or fleamarkets a year and the next two in February and April (7th and 8th) give you the chance to seek out all sorts of old items, some valuable, some possibly less so except in terms of the pleasure that an old set of cutlery, grape scissors or a vintage frock might give you .

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P&O Ferries Massive New Ferry

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:52:56 +0000

When P&O commissioned its two massive new ferries, the company had no idea that its main rival, SeaFrance, would go into liquidation. But what timing for P&O. Until a new ferry company takes over SeaFrance or sets up a rival, the considerable freight and passenger traffic is using P&O and its expanding fleet.

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Sooo British in Strasbourg

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:57:47 +0000

From November 2011 to May 2012, during the period of the UK Presidency of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg is celebrating all things British. So if you want British style, and art, and architecture, film, food, dance and, well, British culture generally, then the Alsatian capital is the place to visit.

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Snow Sculpture in Valloire, Jan 24th to 27th

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:05:24 +0000

You expect all sorts of exciting events in ski resorts, but this one is a bit out of the ordinary. This is the 28^th year that Valloire, at the foot of the famous Col du Galibier in Savoie in the French Alps, has organized their fabulous snow sculpture contest.

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Limoux Carnaval Jan 15 to March 25

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 13:13:58 +0000

It's that time of year again, when the Carnival season gets going and people traditionally throw off winter blues to celebrate the coming of Spring. Limoux, one of the first of the year, is a remarkable festival and the longest in the world. There are exhibitions and events all through the carnaval, but the main processions take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 11am, 4.30pm and 10pm, when masked characters parade through the town. These are the 'guilds' who play music and sing songs, but it's not as carefree as that sounds. The reason is satire, making fun of society and its rules, all conducted in the ancient Occitan language. The most impressive of these processions is the torchlit one at night, where you really do feel that the ghosts of the past are gathering.

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