Christopher Campbell-Howes accounts for his morning . . .
Published February 1, 2012 | 
ALONG THE road early to St Pons de Thomières, a place of 2353 inhabitants, according to the 2007 census. One of the curiosities of St Pons – as it’s called for short – is that there’s a cathedral in the middle of it. If hosting a cathedral promotes a place to the rank of city, St Pons must be the smallest cathedral city in France, if not Europe. It’s a peculiar cathedral, too. For one thing it’s the wrong way round. For the early church builders it was imperative for the altar end to face east, towards Jerusalem.
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Tagged in: Campbell's Diary, churches, St Pons
Love France on Valentine’s Day
Published January 27, 2012 | Romance is in the air and I love to make Valentine’s Day really special with a short break or long weekend in France. It just feels like the right place to be. Travel is quick and easy from the south east with Eurotunnel or by ferry from Dover – and Northern France has some fascinating places to discover. Continue reading
Tagged in: eurotunnel, ferry, France Lovers, northern France, romance, valentine
When the Village Christmas Lights went out
Published January 13, 2012 | The village where I live is in that part of France that was occupied by the Germans during World War 2, as opposed to the ‘other’ southern portion of France which was Vichy France.
The consequence of this was that there was a German Lieutenant and a section of Germans troops billeted in the village during the War. This gave the village population someone to fear and hate directly, as opposed to the French South where the resources of Police and manpower were put at the disposal of the Third Reich, so ‘They’ instead became the feared official force.
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Tagged in: christmas, French Bread, french lifestyle, world war II
French Entree Competition
Published January 12, 2012 | The lucky winners of our competition in January’s FrenchEntree magazine will be taking their family of four for a free week’s stay at the gorgeous La Flotte, a recently restored Manoir and character cottages in sunny Charente Maritime near the sea. La Flotte has 16 acres of private grounds in a wildlife and wild flower reserve surrounded by vineyards and sunflowers and the stay will be in Honeysuckle Cottage, with its vaulted ceiling, exposed beams and a staircase up to the two bedrooms, available as king doubles or twin bedded. Continue reading
Tagged in: competition, France Lovers, News
New! Fly direct from London City to Brive-Dordogne Valley
Published January 10, 2012 | From January 2012 regular flights are in service between London City and Brive-Dordogne Valley airport, operated by City Jet. At present there are two flights a week, on Fridays and Sundays, and a more frequent service will be offered from 23rd March for the high season. The new Brive-Dordogne Valley airport was opened in June 2010 and is located between the towns of Brive, Souillac and Sarlat. London City is located in London’s Docklands. Continue reading
Tagged in: accomodation, boating, brive, dordogne, flights, France Lovers, london city, News
January in France and some winter recipes
Published January 6, 2012 | Well, it’s now January 2012! Bonne année et bonne santé – I wish you all a very happy new year and the best of good health.
If you are travelling to France this month you have many things to look forward to as there is so much to see and do. It’s a good time to take it easy and simply browse the museums and art galleries if you love French art or have a love of history..
Tagged in: cooking, food, French Recipes to Love, sale
Christopher Campbell-Howes hears it from the horse’s mouth . . .
Published January 1, 2012 | THE OTHER evening our friend Jean-Claude came round to see us. He appears in Campbell’s Diary quite often. In some ways you could say he was a pillar of this column. He has many claims to fame, and not the least intriguing is that he is, or was, distantly related to Saint Theresa of Lisieux. He’s a senior village councillor and has been involved in local government for about 40 years, latterly in the village and before that in Île de France, the region around Paris. We rely on him for all our inside information about what’s going on the village and round about.
Tagged in: Campbell's Diary, french lifestyle
Vets instead of Doctors? Why not?
Published December 29, 2011 | Madame Françoise Tenenbaum, a deputy mayor of Dijon, has suggested that Vets could be drafted in to make up for a lack of Doctors in Rural Areas, “so that all Burgundians are guaranteed to have access to healthcare”.
Tagged in: burgundy, doctor, French Bread, vet
Win Easter at a Languedoc Wine Estate!
Published December 23, 2011 | We at French Connections have teamed up with Bonnes Vacances digital magazine to offer the fantastic competition prize of a week at Domaine de St Ferreol, a beautiful traditional wine estate near the picturesque medieval town of Pezenas and gorgeous Mediterranean beaches. Two people can stay in Le Catalan, a spacious, luxury villa, any week from early April to mid May, including Easter. Continue reading
Tagged in: Bonnes Vacances, competition, easter, France Lovers, languedoc, News, wine
Discover lakes and mountains in the Haute-Savoie
Published December 15, 2011 | High in France’s Rhone-Alpes region, the Haute-Savoie department is a world of lakes, waterfalls, caves, gorges, glaciers, nature reserves, perfect ski slopes and, of course, majestic mountains. Back in the 18th century, the English came to Haute-Savoie to admire the glaciers. Now, this beautiful natural landscape is a top destination for tourists. Continue reading
Tagged in: activity holidays, Annecy, France Lovers, french alps, haute savoie, rhone alps, ski resort, skiing
