France

Don’t Visit France Until You Read This

Posted by on Nov 4, 2013 in Countries, France | 0 comments

Don’t Visit France Until You Read This

Summary: France is a beautiful country to visit. Nevertheless, for different reasons it needs good planning. Below are six things to consider in order to not screw up your trip to France. Although France is my native country, I’ve started looking at it with a traveler’s eye since I’ve been living abroad and traveling for quite a long time. Traveling has made me conscious of things about my own country I would never have thought about before. If you’re planning a trip in France, just like for any other country, there are several things you need to take into consideration to make your trip more pleasant and enjoyable. Check the weather prior to traveling...

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Why Is Rouen Such an Attractive City?

Posted by on Oct 23, 2013 in Countries, France | 2 comments

Why Is Rouen Such an Attractive City?

Summary: One of the most attractive cities in Normandy —and our favorite—is Rouen, where we had the chance to spend five weeks. What is so special in the city, and what kind of treasures does it hide? Let us tell you about the city where Joan of Arc, Pierre Corneille, and Gustave Flaubert fulfilled their destinies. “Rouen has an unique historical heritage, but the thing the visitors will feel above all is the soul of the city.” This is the first sentence of the summary written on the tourist map of the city, and I must admit that I can’t find any better way to describe Rouen. Indeed, every traveler knows that a city is not only a collection of people, streets, history,...

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The Four Norman Cheeses

Posted by on Oct 14, 2013 in Countries, France | 6 comments

The Four Norman Cheeses

Summary: Here are four famous Norman cheeses that we recommend you taste if you’re in France. So if you’re a cheese lover, this post is for you. This almost sounds like a book title! Well, with more than four hundred kinds of cheese in France we could write a book about French cheeses, couldn’t we? But we’ll just introduce you to four kinds of Norman cheese here, as we spent most of our time in France in Normandy. If you’re not French, you might need some time to appreciate our cheeses. It took Bassel four trips to France to take the first step and taste a “real” French cheese! Here are tips to not screw up your French cheese experience: First point You have to get over...

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Paris on a Budget, $590 for a Week

Posted by on Oct 7, 2013 in Countries, France | 0 comments

Paris on a Budget, $590 for a Week

Summary: Everyone knows that Paris is quite an expensive city. But why should you miss such a great place just because of your budget? Nothing is impossible. One week in Paris for $590 including accommodation, food, public transportation and museums. Here are a few tips that will help you visit the French capital without spending all your money. Accommodation in a room for up to two persons: From $270 to $400 per week Accommodation is usually what costs the most. Still, you can find good deals by renting for a week instead of staying in hostels, which are not less than $50 on average. We suggest you check “petites annonces Paris” online (which refers to the classifieds...

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12 Visits You Shouldn’t Miss in Normandy

Posted by on Oct 2, 2013 in Countries, France | 0 comments

12 Visits You Shouldn’t Miss in Normandy

Summary: Normandy is for sure one of the most beautiful regions in France. First, it is very diversified in regards to geography and architecture, but there are also a lot of different things to do and to see. In this post you will find a complete list of the most beautiful things and most interesting activities in Normandy. Besides the fact that Normandy is a beautiful area and has a lot of different amazing landscapes (such as seashores, green and hilly terrain, and cliffs), the region has also been the theater of several historical events, which makes the place interesting on different levels. Here are all the places that you shouldn’t miss in Normandy: Etretat...

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The One Thing You Must Do in Bernay

Posted by on Aug 19, 2013 in Countries, France | 0 comments

The One Thing You Must Do in Bernay

Summary: If you are fond of paintings and old collections, you should visit Bernay’s small museum. It is not the Louvre, of course, but it is still well stocked with very nice paintings, old furniture and some sculptures. As we are now in France, staying in Bernay (my home town), we thought it would be nice to write a few articles about the city—first, because we totally love it, and second, because we think the place is worth visiting. Our purpose is to share with you all that we like so much about Bernay, and hopefully inspire you to come and visit the town. This post is about the museum of Bernay. We had a very nice surprise while visiting the museum, when we found...

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The Secret For an Authentic French Experience

Posted by on Jul 15, 2013 in Countries, France | 6 comments

The Secret For an Authentic French Experience

Summary: Bernay is a place you should definitely visit if you love France and want to avoid other touristy places. This typical little Norman town is located only an hour and a half drive from Paris, and will transport you to the French atmosphere you’re looking for: old houses, monuments and a beautiful medieval abbey. This post will give you a good idea about the town—what you can see, do and eat, and why Bernay is so worth visiting. Each country has its own specificities. France’s worldwide reputation for its cheeses is of course not to be questioned, but thank God France is not only about cheese! Located in the middle of the “old continent,” the country also abounds...

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Introducing The Sail of Freedom of Rouen – l’Armada de la Liberté

Posted by on Jul 15, 2013 in Countries, France | 0 comments

Introducing The Sail of Freedom of Rouen – l’Armada de la Liberté

Summary: What an event for boat lovers! The Sail of Freedom of Rouen (l’Armada de la Liberté) has taken place every five years since 1989 and gathers the most beautiful tall ships, warships and other sailing crafts of the world. The festival is one of the most important events in the nautical world. Here is an overview in photos of the festival, along with some information and advice to attract you for the next edition. We were lucky this year to attend the Armada de la Liberté 2013 of Rouen. We decided to go there on a Thursday. We woke up early to enjoy the day as much as possible. Though the weather was cold and rainy, we saw almost all the ships and spent a very...

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Mont Saint Michel, France Top Attractions

Posted by on Jun 17, 2013 in Countries, France | 4 comments

Mont Saint Michel, France Top Attractions

Summary: The Mont Saint Michel is one of the most visited monuments in France, and is definitely worth seeing. What is the history of the Mont? Why is the place so unique? Here is a list of the activities, monuments, museums and gastronomic delights that you won’t want to miss, followed by some practical information and advice. France abounds in historical sites, monuments and churches—that’s the main reason people visit the country! This makes for a difficult choice when you have to plan your trip. So let’s make it easier for you. The very famous Mont Saint Michel is a must do—you won’t regret this stop. In one visit you will enjoy dramatic...

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Tractor Pulling Contest in Bernay

Posted by on Jun 4, 2013 in Countries, France | 0 comments

Tractor Pulling Contest in Bernay

Summary: Do you like motor sports and big trucks? Then this post is for you! The annual Tractor Pulling contest in Bernay takes place in the beginning of June, and we had the chance to be there this year to attend the event and share with you some photos of this amazing sport. We arrived to the stadium to attend the so-called Tractor Pulling contest. The sun was gently beating on our skins, giving us this nice warm feeling after a few cold and rainy days. We started to hear the roaring engines of these big tractors, followed by cheers from the audience while we were approaching the contest track. We were wearing our press and VIP badges, as we were invited to cover this...

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