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Beyond Paris

Home > Blog > Beyond Paris

The new moliere interior with a coffee on a table and someone sweeping

The New Molière: Time travel in Tours, Loire Valley

October 3, 2024
Posted in Beyond Paris
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Montpoupon vintage postcard

Château de Montpoupon: Downton Abbey in the Touraine

March 6, 2024
Posted in Beyond Paris
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a painting of Vintage Tours

Tours, Loire Valley, 1854

February 17, 2024
Posted in Beyond Paris
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chocolate and espresso

Maison Kammerzell, Strasbourg

November 28, 2023
Posted in Beyond Paris
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Perfect French summer vacation terrasse

My perfect French summer vacation

August 3, 2023
Posted in Beyond Paris, French Food
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The hands of three friends toasting with glasses of rosé in a cafe bistro in Tours, France

Au Café

March 22, 2023
Posted in Beyond Paris
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Le monsieur with his shopping caddie walking down the street to do his shopping

Le Monsieur Et Le Caddie

February 1, 2023
Posted in Beyond Paris, French Life
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Postcard of Maillé - outside the local l'ecole and town hall

Maillé, the forgotten martyred village

August 25, 2022
Posted in Beyond Paris
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A Chocolatine, chocolate croissant

Serendipity

November 6, 2021
Posted in Beyond Paris
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royal wedding in Saint Jean de Luz church view

Royal wedding in Saint Jean de Luz

August 16, 2020
Posted in Beyond Paris
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Bonjour. Bienvenue chez Véro ! Meet my new fr Bonjour. 

Bienvenue chez Véro ! 

Meet my new friend Bob. 

He’s cute. He’s capable. He’s reliable.

He makes my life better. 

He was made in France, like me. 

Merci Bob ! 

#francewithvero #frenchlife #madeinfrance #faitenfrance #smallkitchen 

@bob_lave_vaisselle_dishwasher @daan_tech_fr
Bonjour. They call it “l’Etang de Thau,” a Bonjour. 

They call it “l’Etang de Thau,” an ancient salt-water lagoon in southern France lined with scenic, quaint towns like Marseillan, Mèze, Bouzigues and popular Sète (easily identified by mighty “Mont Saint Clair” that pops up in the distance.) 

I took you there recently, remember? 

These towns are part of my childhood. Mèze is where my brother and I spent a large part of our summer vacation as kids. Mèze is where my mom was born and grew up. 

Familiar names, colors, scenery. “La vie en bleu.” Blue everywhere, in the sky, the water, on the hulls of local fishing boats. 

“L’Etang de Thau” is renowned for oyster farming. Those interesting contraptions you spot in the water? “Les parcs à huitres,” where oysters grow and are harvested. 

Oyster sampling has been a local tradition here for as along as anyone remembers. 

Perk: One can visit “un ostréiculteur” (oyster producer) at his “mas” (humble abode) and watch how it’s done. This is back-breaking, physical work and there are many steps involved in creating the perfect “huitres” (oysters.) 

Meet the Artisans of the Sea! 

Along l’Etang de Thau, some oysters are said to be “charnues” (fleshy) but also “fondantes” (melting in the mouth,) offering a strong marine flavor with a hint of hazelnut. 

Eh oui. 

I learned a lot during my recent vacation in Occitanie. I sampled oysters any chance I got (a first for me.) Have you tried raw oysters with some lemon and a pinch of citrus-flavored Timut pepper? — Heavenly. 

Merci Arnaud. Merci Igor, pour ces délicieux moments au bord de l’Etang et à bientôt.

Véro

#francewithvero #occitanie #languedoc #etangdethau #mèze #sète #marseillan #frenchlife #ostreiculture #oysterfarming #frenchlife #tourguidelife #huitres
Bonjour. This charming Southern port town is wedg Bonjour.

This charming Southern port town is wedged between the Mediterranean and a salt water lagoon, l’Etang de Thau, renowned for oyster farming. 

It doesn’t take long to enjoy Sète’s nautical vibes and striking colors, even in November when the sun still shines brightly.

I recently spent a few hours there with a local friend, strolling along the canal and around town, munching on shellfish pushed down with a local white wine. 

On the quays or at the top of “Mont Saint Clair,” the hill with sweeping views that can be spotted from every single town around the Etang de Thau, Sète charms visitors year round. 

I know I’ll think of that afternoon often once the doom and gloom of winter months has swept over the Loire Valley. 

A bientôt, Sète. I’ll be back. 

Véro

#sète #languedocroussillon #etangdethau #occitanie_focus_on #roadtripfrance #francewithvero
Bonjour. Returning to Montpellier always feels a Bonjour.

Returning to Montpellier always feels a little strange. Strange yet familiar: This is the city where I lived as a teenager graduating from high school and moving away.

The city I once called home has changed a lot. It’s louder, busier; sprawls into new neighborhoods I never knew as a local. 

In the center of town  around “l’Ecusson” (the historic district) stately façades, elegant “hôtel particuliers” (private mansions) meandering medieval streets and independent businesses put up a brave fight against globalization. 

Yet like in so many other cities I spot familiar sights, international chains, coffee shops and fast food restaurants. 

In 2025 there’s a little bit of everything for everyone in cosmopolitan Montpellier, France’s seventh largest city and one of the fastest-growing urban centers in the country.

This dedicated urban explorer always feels more at ease in areas where authentic slices of French life can (still) be found. What better time than November, once tourist crowds have left, to take another look at Montpellier’s diverse neighborhoods?

Join me on another stroll. Bienvenue à Montpellier !

Featured: 

Tour de la Babote
Halles Laissac
L’Ecusson and its medieval streets
Eglise Saint Roch

Véro

#francewithvero francewithvero #visitsouthoffrance #montpellier #montpellier_focus_on #urbanexplorer #tourguidelife
Bonjour. It isn’t a season in the Touraine reg Bonjour. 

It isn’t a season in the Touraine region without a visit (or two, or three…) to magical Château de l’Islette.
 
Anyone familiar with my work has followed me there through videos, photos and even a special interview with Bénédicte Michaud, the delightful owner of l’Islette, last December (available on the France with Vero YouTube channel.) 

The Michaud family - who live on site - generously open their home to the public throughout the year, offering a variety of popular public events.

I had to be there a few days ago when the fall season wrapped up with glorious and colorful flower displays courtesy of local florists and landscape artists. 

November is here. The Michaud family have closed the front gate for a while, and I wish them a peaceful autumn in their beloved home. 

We will all relish the fond memories of our visits to l’Islette and look forward to returning soon. 

Véro 

#francewithvero #azaylerideau #chateaudelislette #loirevalley #autumnishere
Bonjour. C’est l’automne. Autumn has arrived Bonjour. 

C’est l’automne. Autumn has arrived here in the Loire Valley with its cooler weather, grey skies and falling leaves. 

Memories of sunnier days will help keep us warm over the next months. 

Trust the magnificent gardens at Château de Villandry to put on one last glorious, colorful show if you give them a chance.

Au revoir, octobre. See you, October. 

Véro

#francewithvero #loirevalley #villandry #chateaudevillandry #autumnishere #happyhalloween🎃👻
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