Cherbourg, or as it is known officially Cherbourg-Octeville (after having merged with its neighbouring town), can be described as “quaint”. That’s the word I would use if I were to be positive. The real words that come to my mind are “drab”, “rundown” and “uninspiring”. NOTE: Click on the top photo for a bigger panorama […]

Montbard is a small city of some 5500 inhabitants, a river and a big canal flowing through it and an incredible abbey close-by. It also has a castle perched high on the hill overlooking the city.   The small city is dominated by a big hill, and on top of the hill, perched as high […]

In the city of Montlucon in Auvergne lies an imposing fortress with a beautiful chateau on top. The fortress and chateau belonged to the Dukes of Bourbon, a noble family that would later become King of France (and later on Spain).   Perched high on a big rocky hill, it is the central building of the city and […]

If the Fort-La-Latte castle looks familiar, it is. This fortress has been used in many historical movies (like The Vikings with Kirk Douglas).   The Fort was built to protect the Brittany (Bretagne) coastline, including St. Malo and Dinard. The fortress is located on a peninsula and therefore the only access to the fort is […]

The ruins of the Fecamp castle show that once upon a time, it was impressive.   Once belonging to the Dukes of Normandy, the castle was built in the 10th century. It is reckoned that Willian Longsword (son of the Viking King Rollo) lived here. Richard I and Richard II lived here, and it was […]

In the city of Avranches, located very close to the Mont St. Michel, are the ruins of a fortress and its associated dungeon.   The fortress itself was built around the year 950, while the dungeon was built in the 11th century. Most of the walls are still intact, but parts of the castle/fortress were […]

  Transport Getting There By Airplane Caen has an international airport, but it’s not big. Most flights go to Lyon and transfer from there anywhere in Europe, but direct flights to London, Southend are scheduled. By Ferry There are direct ferries from the UK to harbours close-by: Ouistreham (Caen), Cherbourg, Le Havre, Dieppe and one ferry […]

The fortress and castle of Caen (known as the “Chateau Ducal”, the Duke’s Castle) was ordered to be built by William the Conqueror, together with two Abbeys (one for men, the other for women – click here for more photos and information). William had become the Duke of Normandy at the age of 8, and was […]

Caen is one of those cities you can have a problem understanding or coming to grips with. The 110,000 people city is a medium sized city dating back to the beginnings of the Iron Age, but the first real settlements where to be found in the 1st century AC. It was also William The Conqueror‘s […]

  Transport Getting There By Airplane From both Paris airports, many flights per day, direct to Marseilles. 1 hour 15. The airport also as many international flights daily. Within Marseilles There is a very good transportation system in Marseilles, with a very good and encompassing bus route and two metro lines. Prices are cheap. Restaurants […]

No visit to Marseilles is complete without a visit to the famous, even notorious, fortress called Chateau d’If (it’s like visiting Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower). For those of you who do not know what this castle represents, let me remind you of a very famous book written by Alexandre Dumas called the […]

Marseilles is France’s 2nd largest city in population (over 800,000 inhabitants in the city), and France’s biggest harbour. It is also one of the oldest dwellings in France, with cave painting found dating back 30,000 years BC. It doesn’t get any older than that.   NOTE: Below you’ll find an impression of Marseilles, but it’s […]

St. Malo in Brittany is one of those cities (population around 50,000) that shows very well why France is the #1 tourist destination in the world. It’s a medieval city, well maintained with an enormous walled city, enormous fortress towers, a big harbour, many old and majestic houses and cobblestone streets lined with restaurants. Definitely a […]

Rouen has a lot going for it, and a few things that are not so nice. But after a visit to Rouen, you will leave with two impressions in your mind: the sheer number of churches & cathedrals and Joan of Arc (in French “Jeanne d’Arc”). Because this is the city where Joan of Arc was […]

  Transport Getting There Within Rouen There is a good public transportation system with buses and metro available, but my suggestion is to go on foot. Even using the public transportation you will end up going on foot a lot. TIP: Make sure you have sturdy shoes since most of the streets are uneven cobblestones. Restaurants […]

Dieppe is a small harbour city (some 40,000 inhabitants) with an active fishing fleet, a ferry to the United Kingdom (Newhaven), an enormous fortress/castle and a nice looking inner city. Dieppe was founded in the year 1060 as a small fishing village, but already in 910, the Vikings started a settlement.   Dieppe, like most of […]

The castle of Dieppe, more a fortress, sits majestically on top of the cliffs overlooking the city it is protecting. The castle has seen many wars, the last one in which is was of service was World War II.   The initial castle was built around the year 1195, but for the biggest part was […]

  Transport Getting There By ferry, from Newhaven, UK, there are 2 daily return sailings. Within Dieppe Dieppe is rather small and mostly flat, so no transportation is needed. If you are in the city centre, you can walk up to the castle. If you have come via ferry, there is a shuttle bus that […]

The Mont St. Michel is France’s second most visited monument, second only after the Eiffel Tower in Paris. With over 3 million visitors each year, it is no wonder United Nation’s UNESCO put it on their World Heritage Sites. And there are several good reasons for this.   Mont St. Michel has not been changed […]

Transport Getting There By car, the A84/E3 motorway (autoroute) comes about 10 kilometres away and it’s well sign posted. TIP: If you reserve a hotel (or restaurant) make sure you get the access code for the barriers into the area. If not you will be forced to park in the parking areas (paid) and walk […]

The Jardins Suspendu, in English the Hanging Gardens is a vast garden on the heights of Le Havre overlooking the city.   The whole garden area is built on an old fort. The building of the Fort de St. Adresse started in 1854. Although not directly involved during the First World War (it eventually became a […]