Tucked along the Mediterranean coast, along southern France, between Marseille and the French Riviera, is picture-perfect Cassis. This charming seaside town, with sidewalk cafes and pastel-painted houses overlooking a harbor full of colorful boats, is also the gateway to the Massif des Calanques, a National Park known for its limestone cliffs and secluded beaches. Come here to hike, boat, and swim along the calanques, while exploring this small French Provençal town. This post covers the best things to do in Cassis and adventuring in the nearby calanques. I ended up here from Nice, after many suggestions from the people I met there. I had never heard of it, but it…

Gordes, the prettiest hilltop village in Provence is a must-visit, not only for a photo of its picture-perfect charm, but also because its a fun little stop. This lovely village overlooking the lush Luberon is a one hour drive from Aix-en-Provence and 45 minutes from Avignon, making it a perfect day trip from either. Settled by well-known artists Andre Lhote and Marc Chagal after WWII, it also attracted modern day artists like Victor Vasarely, and Pol Mara, all adding to its allure. Best Things To Do In Gordes View-Point Hill This view is likely the first things you’ll see as view-point hill is right before Gordes when coming from Avignon…

The crystal-clear azure waters of the French Riviera and views of the Bay of Angels in Nice, France, once a playground for royalty, are a must-see. This, paired with Nice’s historic Old Town and sites on nearby Cimiez hill, are vacation-worthy, offering many memorable things to do. Its beaches, with their striking and blue and white striped umbrellas, the heart-thumping views from old castle hill, buzzing old town, Roman ruins, and art museums devoted to greats Matisse and Chagall, make a great summer getaway. This post covers the best things to see and do in Nice, France. Best Things To See And Do In Nice, France Walk The Promenade des…

Aix en Provence, a chic, but unpretentious University town, known as Provence’s cultural capital. It’s another must-visit location in France. This is where Post-Impressionist Paul Cézanne was born and lived, and many famous artists came to paint, like Pablo Picasso, who lived, and is buried here. Novelists Ernest Hemingway and Emile Zola also lived here, as well as other notable creative personalities. This post covers what to see while visiting Aix en Provence. Aix is such a beautiful city, with its Provençal sun-drenched, sorbet-colored buildings, dappled by sunlight about 300 days a year. Its summer air, perfumed by flowers and blooming trees. It’s about as perfect as it gets. I…

Avignon, the seat of the papacy in the 14th century, has remarkable architecture, including the Palais des Papes and Notre-Dame des Doms, as well as famous bridge Le Pont d’Avignon and gardens Rocher de Doms, offering a glimpse into a little known part of France’s history. It’s also famous for Le Festival d’Avignon, which overtakes the town each July, welcoming tens of thousands of theater-lovers for open-air performances with Avignon’s stunning architecture as backdrops. Plus, this historic city also makes a great base for day trips to other stunning cities in Provence. This post covers the top things to see and do in Avignon. Best Things To See And Do…

Paris is always a good idea. Right? This remarkable ‘City of Light’, has a certain je ne sais quoi, and an unforgettable ambiance, drawing over 30 million visitors a year. With its iconic Eiffel Tower, magnificent royal palaces, formal French gardens, beautiful bridges, world-renowned cuisine, cafe culture, and amazing art museums, it offers an endless source of charm and beauty. This post covers the highlights of what to see and do when visiting Paris. This post on What To Do When Visiting Paris is updated as of December, 2021. What To Do When In Paris La Tour Eiffel, or The Eiffel Tower The iconic Eiffel tower, built to be the…

Famed wine region Bordeaux is much more than just sipping its excellent Gran Cru at one of its many wine chateau. Created at the height of the Enlightened age, this city also offers grand spaces and historical monuments, like magnificent Place de la Bourse, with the world’s largest reflecting pool, Porte Cailhau, a 15th century fairytale-esque tower, and more. It also offers a fun Sunday riverside market, excellent museums, churches, and a lively cafe culture with many Michelin starred restaurants. This post covers the best things to see and do in Bordeaux. Best Things To Do In Bordeaux Located near the France’s western coast, Bordeaux is one of its most…