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Beyond Paris

Home > Blog > Beyond Paris

new moliere 1

The New Molière: Time travel in Tours, Loire Valley

October 3, 2024
Posted in Beyond Paris
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Montpoupon 1928

Château de Montpoupon: Downton Abbey in the Touraine

March 6, 2024
Posted in Beyond Paris
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Tours 1854 1

Tours, Loire Valley, 1854

February 17, 2024
Posted in Beyond Paris
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Expresso et chocolat 1

Maison Kammerzell, Strasbourg

November 28, 2023
Posted in Beyond Paris
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Hortense 3

My perfect French summer vacation

August 3, 2023
Posted in Beyond Paris, French Food
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Bistro 6

Au Café

March 22, 2023
Posted in Beyond Paris
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Le Monsieur et le caddie

Le Monsieur Et Le Caddie

February 1, 2023
Posted in Beyond Paris, French Life
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Maille 3

Maillé, the forgotten martyred village

August 25, 2022
Posted in Beyond Paris
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Chocolatine

Serendipity

November 6, 2021
Posted in Beyond Paris
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Royal wedding in Saint Jean de Luz

August 16, 2020
Posted in Beyond Paris
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Bonjour. Once upon a time through the study of t Bonjour. 

Once upon a time through the study of the English language, old movies and music, a young French girl fell in love with the United States. 

After a first trip Stateside (a high school graduation present from her family) she continued traveling to the US every summer, eventually earning a full scholarship to study for a year in a small private college in Atlanta, GA. 

That college year was the stuff dreams are made of.

Of all the happy memories that have passed the test of time, road trips stand out, the early ones around the American South. There were visits to Savannah, GA and to New Orleans in a "land yacht" belonging to a college friend's family. 

There was another rollicking good adventure through Tennessee. On the way to  the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the French girl insisted on making a stop at Dollywood. Her friend obliged.

As a big country music fan the French girl was secretly hoping to meet one of her idols, the one and only Ms Dolly Parton. 

She did not but enjoyed a fun slice of Americana.

The trip's soundtrack for the rest of the short vacation featured Emmylou, Kenny, the Judds and of course, Dolly Parton as a French and an American girl, college friends, belted out classics like "Jolene" and "Here you Come Again."

To a French girl, Dolly was bigger than life, 200% American, a woman who embodied the American dream yet was generous enough to share her good fortunes with many. The trip to "Dollywood" only reinforced her admiration for "the Queen of Country."

A few hours ago, the curtain fell for the last time. The world became a little dimmer.

Au revoir, Dolly, et merci. 

Je t'aimerai pour toujours. 

Véro

#francewithvero #dollyparton
Bonjour. What a blessing while on a staycation to Bonjour.

What a blessing while on a staycation to be based in a region offering limitless opportunities to discover, to savor, to learn. 

A few days ago I headed to a favorite location, “le Manoir de Saché,” a.k.a. the Balzac museum. 

Originally from Tours Balzac lived in Paris for most of his adult life but never forgot his native Touraine where he traveled often. Here in Saché, he had a bedroom waiting and worked long hours creating unforgettable stories, instant classics like “Le Lys dans la Vallée,” (The Lily of the Valley.) 

What a treat to join a small group on a “balade littéraire” (literary walk) guided by a cultural mediator, as we walked through the peaceful Touraine, discovering the scenery that had inspired Balzac, from the Indre river and its nostalgic bridges to vineyards, fields and shaded pathways then back to the Manoir de Saché” for a magical wrap-up in the shade of ancient “platanes” (plane trees.) 

“Do not ask me any more why I love the Touraine. I do not love it as one loves their cradle, nor as one loves an oasis in the desert; I love it as an artist loves art; I love it less than I love you, but without the Touraine, perhaps I would no longer live.” - 

— Honoré de Balzac, “Le Lys dans la Vallée.”

Véro

#francewithvero #balzacmuseum #literarywalk #touraineloirevalley
Bonjour. "Les Grandes Vacances" (the French summe Bonjour.

"Les Grandes Vacances" (the French summer vacation) - and French employee benefits - is the stuff of legends to some. 

What if things weren't that clear cut?

In the summer of 2026 those who continued working (and volunteering) may very well be the reason France is still standing. 

Our heroes, in short. 

Intrigued? 

If you enjoy a good read  get a copy of the August "Lettre de France" tout de suite and peek at France from within. 

Link in the Bio - where else? 

Véro

#francewithvero #frenchlife #Frenchvacation #grandesvacances
Bonjour. The lazy days of summer come into their Bonjour.

The lazy days of summer come into their own in France by the time August rolls in.

City dwellers on a staycation are in for  special treats. Many locals are gone. The city belongs to tourists (or at least we let them think so.) 

Favorite pastime: people watching. 

From a favorite "terrasse," observe the world around you.

Watch "la factrice" deliver mail along an old medieval street. 

Spot a curious tourist peeking into a private courtyard. 

Worry about the mighty Loire river. Water levels are at an old time low as a reckless "promeneur" ventures out in her dried-up bed. 

Find spot where she can still run freely, as beautiful, as healing as ever. 

Take road trips to discover local treasures like the village and Château de Villandry. 

Enjoy daily strolls on the Loire riverbanks and think about love, life and the pursuit of happiness. 

Collect "les petits bonheurs" (small joys.) 

Fall in love with your chosen city all over again. 

Véro

Note: A new "Lettre de France" comes out on Saturday. Take a closer look at the French summer vacation in 2026. This is France from within, more than a postcard. Subscribe if you haven't yet and read the story first. It's free. Link in the comment section below.

#francewithvero #loirevalley #toursmaville #tourscity #frenchstaycation
Bonjour. The renowned Renaissance gardens of the Bonjour. 

The renowned Renaissance gardens of the Château de Villandry attract visitors from around the world. 

Every summer during “La Nuit des Mille Feux” (the Night of a Thousand Lights) a sold-out event, Villandry shines. 

The 2026 edition did not disappoint. 

Follow the tour guide on a magical adventure! 

Véro 

#francewithvero #loirevalley #chateaudevillandry #villandry
Bonjour. Last Sunday Tours, Loire Valley threw a Bonjour.

Last Sunday Tours, Loire Valley threw a big party with its annual “Foire à l’aïl et au basilic” a fair celebrating garlic and basil. 

It was crowded. It was fun. Here’s a peek if you couldn’t make it. 

Véro 

PS: Yes, I shopped with a @traderjoes bag! 

#francewithvero #loirevalley #tourscity #toursmaville #fairday day
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