France: a country of diversity and emotion
France is not one destination — it’s many.
Each region has its soul: Alsace with its half-timbered houses, Brittany with its wild coast, Burgundy with its wines, and Paris with its light.
Our guides take you from famous landmarks to hidden gems, from villages to vineyards, to experience the real France.
What You’ll Find Here
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Weekend trips and itineraries across France
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Regional guides: Brittany, Alsace, Provence, Corsica, Vendée...
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Cultural walks through castles, villages, and UNESCO sites
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French gastronomy: recipes, local markets, wines, and traditions
In France, gardens are much more than just green spaces: they are botanical architecture, political manifestos, and a way of life. Few countries in the world have taken the art of gardening as far as France. France has also been able to take the best of what was happening in the gardens of other nations. Castles are the places that best showcase this art of gardening in France. A castle without its green setting is like a sentence without punctuation, a table of contents without the sentences of the chapters. From the flowerbeds of the Renaissance to the straight lines of the gardens of Versailles, from the romantic follies of the 19th century to the vegetable gardens rediscovered in the 21st century, castle gardens tell the story of our relationship with nature: a desire to tame it, idealize it, or lose ourselves in it.
France is a land of castles, a veritable open-air museum. Some are managed by the state, while others, private castles, are managed by families who often have roots there dating back centuries. Others are saved and promoted by heritage enthusiasts. Let's be clear: when you visit a private castle, you take a journey through beauty and history, but you also discover a very special place of life and human history.
Discovering a private castle like the ones I have chosen in this article means entering into the intimacy of a family, into its memories and its everyday life. It means sharing a little of this long history and allowing this family to continue to preserve the embodiment in stone of a long line of destinies. Come in! It's open, it's beautiful, and it's moving.
The French apéro dînatoire is not just a charcuterie board.
It’s a casual, relaxed way to entertain where small dishes replace a formal dinner. No courses, no pressure — just good food, wine, and conversation.
And even in the US, it’s easy to recreate using American ingredients if French ones aren’t available.
In the United States, "Barbecue" is a secular religion built on the pillars of smoke, patience, and heavy, caramelized sauces. We have mastered the art of the twelve-hour brisket and the fall-off-the-bone rib. But across the Atlantic, in the rolling hills of Burgundy or the sun-drenched terraces of Provence, there exists another way. A way that prioritizes the raw quality of the meat, the delicate fragrance of the embers, and a level of social elegance that turns a simple meal into an afternoon-long celebration of Art de Vivre.
It is time to introduce the French-Style Barbecue (or la grillade) to your backyard. It is faster than smoking, more sophisticated than a standard burger grill, and it focuses on the quality of the conversation as much as the quality of the steak. Here is how to master this chic alternative.
Many travelers return from Paris or the French Riviera with the same complaint: "The people were so mean!" But is there a "rudeness" gene in France, or is it just a massive cultural misunderstanding? As an expert in French heritage, I’ve decoded the social rules that turn a cold shoulder into a warm welcome. Understanding the French "Art de Vivre" is the first step to a perfect trip.
France is the world’s most visited country, yet many travelers are surprised to find that English is not always widely spoken. This isn’t arrogance or unwillingness. The reasons are deeply rooted in France’s cultural history, its education system, and a unique relationship with language itself. Understanding why the French struggle with spoken English reveals much more about French identity than about language skills.
French is a language of nuance, emotion, and razor-sharp precision—perfect for saying what feels impossible to put into words. If English is often about efficiency, French is about wit, imagery, and the perfect one-liner. Some expressions leave outsiders completely puzzled, because they don’t just translate words—they capture a whole French way of life. Here are 15 irresistible French phrases to discover.
Living in the US changes the way you look at France. You may miss the bread, the cafés, the rhythm of life—but there’s something else you suddenly notice: France is everywhere in your daily American routine. You measure, you pay, you get vaccinated, you watch movies, you store food, you eat out, you take photos, you travel fast—and many of these “normal” things were first invented in France. In this article, Monsieur de France brings these breakthroughs back into the spotlight—because they prove one simple truth: France has quietly helped shape modern life, far beyond its borders.
French culture
France
French Michelin Star Restaurant Etiquette: Dress Code & Fine
Jérôme Prod'homme
Stepping into a Michelin-starred restaurant or a legendary Paris Palace is an unforgettable experience, but it can be intimidating. Do you need a tie? How do you address the staff? Which glass is for which wine? This etiquette is not a barrier; it is a language designed to make the service flawless. Here are the keys to experiencing French excellence with confidence and grace.
Homemade French fries may look simple, but great fries require precision. Written by a French food writer, this guide explains how fries are traditionally made in France, using techniques perfectly suited to potatoes commonly available in the United States and Canada. You will learn how to make crispy fries with a soft, fluffy center.
