The Good Life France is an extremely popular online magazine devoted to all things French. We are delighted that they regularly feature contributions from French Connections and our latest article ‘Ideas for Autumn Breaks in France’ is now live.
We feature photographs of French Connections properties and explain the benefits of booking a holiday let, gite or B&B through our website for a holiday or short break during the autumn months. Our photo above shows vineyards near Mondounet gites in the Lot.
One of several ideas is an activity break. France offers a great choice of outdoor activities and many people prefer the cooler conditions of autumn for fishing or golf. Also for taking to the impressive network of tracks and paths for cycling, horse riding, walking and trekking. The autumn hues also provide a colourful subject on which to practice – or even learn – the skills of painting and photography.
In this anniversary year of the First World War battle of the Somme, we also suggest visiting Commemorative sites. Armistice Day, which marked the war’s ending on 11th November 1918, will be a particularly poignant time to visit the Picardy region.
Many of our owners of gites and B&Bs in this region are knowledgeable about local history and human stories. They are happy to advise on battle sites and war cemeteries for those who wish to visit them – and to combine that with lighter holiday activities. The same is true for the D-Day beaches in Normandy and other sites and memorials from the Second World War.
Read the full article here
I wouldn’t describe myself as a chocaholic, but I certainly love chocolate. Mind you, it has to be really good quality, so not one but two events coming up, both dedicated entirely to chocolate and both in France, the land of gastronomy, is a rather exciting prospect.
Like me, you’re probably already thinking about the film Chocolat and all the mystery and mastery attached to making those delectable creations of dark and light chocolate with oranges, nuts and so much more. They were destined to sit in the window of a small shop in a small village in France and entice even the most hard-hearted to try them.
And the hot breakfast bol de chocolat was one of the first things we were taught about French life at school. Mmm, I can remember now my taste of the real thing sampled on a teenage trip to Paris.
Anyway, back to the exciting French chocolate events. The first is the Paris Salon du Chocolat to be held at the Metropolitan Pavillion & Altman Building beneath the Louvre from 28th October to 1st November.
It offers tastings and chef's demonstrations of truffles, chocolate-dipped fruit kebabs, hot chocolate and cakes – and will display chocolate fashion, sculpture and art. The fashion show featuring chocolate-inspired creations is extremely popular. (Surely they don’t wear clothes actually made of real chocolate? Wouldn’t it melt?) There is also a Chocoland for children with chocolate makeup and other delicious activities.
The foodie city of Lyon hosts a Chocolate Fair from 6th to 8th November, with a similar mix of goodies. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the greatest chocolatiers from the region and the whole of France, to taste their exceptional chocolates and enjoy activities. These include demonstrations of chocolate recipes by Michelin starred chefs and renowned pastry chefs, children’s workshops, pastry courses and another Chocolate Fashion Show.
Tempted? Why not book a holiday let or B&B close to Paris or the city of Lyon or Rhone region and enjoy the best of French city excitement and country life whilst visiting chocolate heaven?
An article in the latest issue of French Property News magazine tells the story of two really rather romantic French Connections gites with a fascinating history. Both properties have been lovingly restored and now their owners invite holidaymakers to both savour the past and enjoy modern comforts - all in the glorious countryside of France.
A watermill in Maine-et-Loire
Carolyn and Peter Johnson fell in love at first sight with Le Vieux Moulin (above), especially its tranquil location on a small island between the mill stream and the River Thouet, the fabulous views and the regular sightings of kingfishers, herons, deer and other wildlife.
“The old mill house was re- built in 1846”, explains Carolyn. “We’ve traced it back to Napoleonic times but we know there has been a mill here since the 13th century. Now it’s our home and we’ve made a gite in the extension, which was once a restaurant and space for dances. Couples would get married at the Mairie and have their reception here.”
Now, after major renovation work, the watermill gite offers guests an enormous lounge with conservatory and French doors to a balcony, along with modern kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
A Perigordian farmhouse Pigeonnier
In 1989, Jerry Shively and his wife, originally from the USA, decided to retire to France and discovered Le Tondu, a small estate near the quiet Dordogne hamlet of Naussannes.
“The elderly couple who lived here were self-sufficient peasant farmers leading a disappearing lifestyle,” remembers Jerry. “They wore wooden shoes, there was no toilet and animals were everywhere. The Pigeonnier was full of chickens.”
The Shiveleys used local craftsmen to restore the Pigeonnier, preserving as much as possible of the original character and materials. Now it is a beautiful Perigordian cottage gite with its own garden, a bedroom in the tower and outdoor seating under the eaves.
French Property News October issue is on sale now. Check out more of our Press coverage and read the full article here
France is home not only to Disneyland Paris but also some of the best theme parks in Europe. They make a great family adventure and are still open during half-term week later this month. Although most theme parks do have hotels on site, they can be costly and get booked up in advance. We offer a range of self catering holiday homes near to most parks, which can be a more affordable option and give you more flexibility to enjoy local French life. Here’s our top picks:
Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is the biggest theme park in France. The enchanted kingdom offers sensational attractions, breath-taking parades and a fairytale backdrop...And of course, there’s the chance to meet Mickey, Minnie and all their Disney friends wandering around the site!
Futuroscope
Situated in Poitiers, Western France, Futuroscope (top photo) is one of France’s most visited parks – and most of its attractions are indoors, so perfect for October. It’s all about multimedia, cinema, audio visual and robotic technology of the future.
The Astérix Park
Inspired by the famous comic book, Parc Astérix is based on the adventures of Asterix, Obelix, Getafix and their friends. It features a range of rides and attractions with an ancient history theme.
Vulcania
The Vulcania theme park gives visitors the chance to experience science through sense and feelings and features underground tours and film shows exploring the story of volcanoes. Attractions include magma explorer, angry earth, earth machine and the unveiled planet.
Use our guide to theme parks in France to find more detail on these and other options and to choose accommodation in the vicinity of your favourite park.
Now is the perfect time to plan an Autumn holiday or short break in France. Enjoy the relaxing peace and quiet of late season destinations and bask in the pleasantly warm sunshine flooding the hills, pastures, lakes and beaches of many parts of the country.
Another major bonus of spending time in France right now is that you can find beautiful accommodation at great value prices as owners adjust their rates for low season – and some make fabulous special offers for autumn weeks.
A holiday let offers plenty of space for your money and the opportunity to settle into a home from home with excellent amenities. This means you can return from a day’s activities to your own private retreat and choose whether to dine out or have a relaxing meal on your own terrace, taking in the view or the sky full of stars.
The gentler weather of autumn makes it a great time for an activity or sporty break and for days out sightseeing in towns and cities. Paris in the sunshine is hard to resist – and why not discover another of France’s beautiful cities?
Annecy in the Haute-Savoie, has clear air, lakeside strolls and mountain views, while Carcassonne’s romantic turrets and winding medeival lanes take you on a trip back in time. Hop on a train to visit sunny Avignon, the city of the popes, Bordeaux for the wine harvest or Tours for the Loire chateaux. For history there is Chartres, while for glamour and beaches, Nice is hard to beat.
At French Connections, we make it easy to find your destination and choose your accommodation, so start searching for your autumn break now and check out our special offers.
The Good Life France website and digital magazine are a great resource for ‘everything you need to know about France’. The emphasis is on quality content, so we’re delighted that right now the site is featuring advice from French Connections as the editor's pick of the week. It’s on a topic of interest to owners and holidaymakers – the top skills needed for running a successful holiday let.
Our article has prominent position on the Home page of the site and also promotes our holiday lets and their owners with stunning photos that link to the specific properties they show. This is all part of our publicity drive to support our owners and help to get them noticed. The photo above shows Kath and Dave Vowles and their dogs at their pet friendly farmhouse and gites in Ariege, south west France
We all know the difference it makes to a holiday when the accommodation owner is helpful, friendly and efficient. That feeling of a smiling swan gliding on the surface, yet paddling like mad unseen. So what are our tips about the skills that owners need? Well, they range widely from language to business, from people skills to property maintenance.
Whether you’re new to the business of letting or an experienced old hand, you’ll find food for thought in this article – and maybe you have something to add about the skills that you find important. Read our article ‘The top six skills that gite owners need’.
Own a holiday rental in France? You still have time to grab our great summer 20% discount offer and start getting your property noticed online.
The offer is open to new advertisers listing on the French Connections site and applies to both our Classic and Professional packages. Both are fixed cost advertising with no commission charges, so you keep all your earnings.
Adverts are easy to compile, as we put you in control of your pages. And optional upgrades mean you can display extra photographs, host video tours, run special offers and feature in promotions.
We specialise in France so you’ll also have the back-up of our great customer service and personal support, including native French speakers, and our active programme of promoting our owners in the Press. We get regular coverage for our advertisers in French Property News, Living France and The Good Life France.
So, if you’re thinking of letting your French property for the first time or looking to get more bookings, start at the link below now.
https://www.frenchconnections.co.uk/advertise