destination-france.co.uk | Holidays in France | French Culture | Living in France

The new Terminal D at Toulouse Blagnac Airport opened today with an Air Austral flight departing to Saint–Denis in The Reunion Island.

The new terminal has almost doubled the airport’s surface area and brought its passenger capacity level to 8.5 million passengers, with the new terminal handling both European and Long-Haul destinations.

Popularity: 2% [?]

The Centre Pompidou is holding an exhibition of the unique work of Lucian Freud.

Opening on March 10th, the retrospective will present an overview of Freud’s output including his almost obsessive treatment of his portraits and the nude being drawn, and his desire to make his paintings to look like flesh.

in addition to aboutabout 50 large works of art, visitors will also be able to peruse photos of the artist’s London studio and a selection of graphic works. The exhibition sees some of his most famous paintings, such as Leigh Bowery and Big Sue, arranged around a 900 metre squared space in a studio theme.

Freud, who is still alive today at 88 years old and is the grandson of the famous psychiatrist Sigmund, has not had a retrospective at the Centre Pompidou since 1987 and this show is a real tribute to an important artist.

Tickest for the Freud exhibition can be bought online online or at the box office for €12 (£10.84), with the doors opening at 11:00 and closing at 21:00 (local time) every day except Tuesdays until July 19th.

Website – http://www.centrepompidou.fr

Popularity: 10% [?]

Going to the south of France on the French Riviera is a dream vacation. St. Tropez has been the playground for the rich and famous for many years including in the 1950’s when Brigitte Bardot made films there and made the resort known all over the world.

The warm Mediterranean waters and golden sand beaches are well-known for their sunbathing as well as water sports such as sailing, water skiing, and fishing. It is easy to rent the necessary equipment for canoeing, windsurfing, jet biking, power boating, and more. If you happen to be there in October, there is a special regatta that draws many yachts to the area.

The Quartier de la Ponche is the most beautiful section of St. Tropez. You can stroll through its cobblestone streets and admire the tall historic buildings with their unusual large lanterns as well as shops, homes, restaurants, and hotels.

The restaurants are unique with both local and international cuisine. Chez Joseph may be small and tucked away, but is very popular and requires reservations. The view of the city from its glassed-in porch is spectacular. Three brothers own the Caprice des Deux, and they boast of their authentic cuisine including Duck Comfit With Rosemary and the classic Creme Brulee dessert. For elegance you can go to the Cafe de Paris with its red velour sofas, gold-framed mirrors, and excellent food.

The Citadelle is hexagon-shaped and was built in the 16th century as a defender. Now a naval museum which holds cultural events, it also offers a spectacular view from its main terrace.

Built in the 17th century, the Chapelle de la Misericorde in the old town has amazing high stone walls which are topped by a tiled roof with swirls of greens, blues and gold accents.

Accommodations go anywhere from small villas in St Tropez to large ones that can sleep 10 to 14 people. Many of the latter are restored buildings from the 18th century set in vineyards, manicured gardens, wooded hills or pine forests. There are refurbished farmhouses and seafront luxury mansions available for rent, also. Some of the castles have their quarters made into smaller apartments for rental.

Popularity: 12% [?]

If you are looking to learn a new creative skill in a beautiful environment then Les Soeurs Anglaises may be you. With stylish accommodation in South West France and delicious home cooked meals using local produce accompanied by hand picked wines, what could be more conducive to getting those creative juices flowing?

Katie Elliott Armitage (whose wine buff husband selects the wines!) is opening her home and newly converted barn for a series of three and five day textile, creative writing, and dance workshops led by internationally renowned artists/teachers. The 2010 programme includes a ‘Poetry in Motion’ five day workshop led by internationally respected poet Roger McGough, as well as screenwriting, crime, and creative writing courses – all led by masters of their genres. These workshops are in addition to the proven textile and dance workshops amongst which is included Rachel Hazell’s ‘Extraordinary Expandable Sketchbook Journal’ workshop in collaboration with the prestigious Selvedge Magazine.

Les Soeurs Anglaises’ maison de maître sits in magnificent, and mature gardens alongside a burbling stream. The glorious house boasts a heated pool set against the idyllic countryside of South West France in the Perigord Vert region of Aquitaine, situated half-way between the bustling towns of Angoulème and Perigueux, not far from the historic villages of Brantome and Aubeterre.

With intimate groups of between eight and 16 participants the LSA workshops make ideal affordable breaks for anyone interested in learning or improving their skills – not to mention, the perfect getaways for singles.

“I know I felt very privileged to have the pleasure of your wonderful home and garden whilst learning a new skill. I realise the seamless elegant delivery of meals and ambience is extremely hard work, How beautifully you manage it.’
Jacqui Mair – Southsea, UK.

More details at: http://www.lessoeursanglaises.com

Popularity: 100% [?]

Singer Songwriter, Dean Friedman, will be hosting a three-day workshop in Carcassonne this July.  Famous for such songs such as Lucky Stars, the three-day workshop will explore a range of useful tools and strategies for inspiring and facilitating the craft of songwriting. The course will be held at The French House Party, which has been named Top Retreat in the National Geographic book “The 100 Best Worldwide Vacations to Enrich Your Life” by Pam Grout.

The role of choice in determining the theme, idiom, narrative voice and goal of a song will be examined along with strategies for creating an environment that encourages inspiration to strike. Students will be encouraged to share their original compositions, for comment and review. Each day, students will be given specific songwriting assignments, individually and/or in pairs, tailored to explore some of the basic principles of the craft of songwriting.

Dean will also be in concert one evening at a venue local to the French House Party. Admission to the concert is included in the price of £750 per person.

The course dates are 30 July – 2 August, 2010.  Contact Moira Martingale on 0044 1299 896819 or by email on enquiries@frenchhouseparty.co.uk for more information.  More information is also available from the website – www.frenchhouseparty.co.uk

Popularity: 50% [?]

Eurostar managed to increase both the value of its ticket sales and passenger volumes in 2009 despite the severe disruption experiences during December owing to the wintry weather.

2009 ticket sales for 2009 totalled a record £675.5 million, up 1.7% on 2008.  Passenger numbers were up 1.2% at 9.2 million.

The highest rate of growth was on the London to Brussels route, with annual growth of 6% compared to 1% on the London to Paris route.

Growth was primarily focussed on leisure travel, with leisure ticket sales up by more than 15%.  The company reported that business travel still remained a difficult sector due to the economic situation.

Popularity: 9% [?]

France has some of the finest ski resorts in the world. Snowboarding or skiing France

is an unforgettable experience. It is also a fantastic place to get some really cracking ski holidays. These can include ski chalet and hotels in one of the best skiing countries, including Europe’s largest ski area the 3 Vallees where you can enjoy Courcheval, Meribel, as well as Val Thorens. The skiing at these resorts is suitable for all levels of skier, so if you haven’t skied before or you are a black run specialist, you will find it in the 3 Vallees. Don’t forget Paradiski either which was created in 2003 by joining the resorts of La Plagne, Peisey-Vallandry and Les Arcs, by the new superfast Vanoise Express transfer cable car, Paradiski provides 425kms of runs one of the biggest and above all most varied ski areas in the world.

That is not all that is on offer from this winter skiing playground, L’espace Killy offers some of the finest skiing and snowboarding, not just in Europe, but the world with renowned resorts like Val d’Isere and Tignes with the excitement and fun of après ski too. There are great last minute ski deals on offer either through snow train or flight and transfer, check our ski France, where the food is great, the runs fantastic and the snow is great.

Popularity: 10% [?]

There have been recent erroneous reports in the British tabloid media stating that that French flag carrier, Air France, will force overweight flyers to pay for two seats, or they will be prevented from boarding for ’safety reasons’.

Air France has officially denied the accusation, stating on their website that ‘Air France has no intention of making heavier passengers pay for a second seat’.  In fact, since 2005, Air France has had a polcy of offering heavier passengers the possibility of purchasing a second seat at a 25% discount, to enhance their own comfort and safety.

The only recent change to Air France’s policy on overweight passengers is to refund passengers the cost of the second seat, if the cabin is not fully booked.

Popularity: 9% [?]

The French village of Megeve offers a longstanding recipe for great ski holidays under the imposing Mont Blanc and just an hour away from Geneva airport making transfer times very tolerable, we all know about those “crack of dawn” starts to catch a ‘plane that is leaving around mid day! This pretty and chic village is paved with cobble stones and automobile circulation is banned, to the great pleasure of all that come to ski and shop in well known boutiques found in famous cities around the world.
 

Megeve boasts 445 km of marked trails, served by 81 integrated lifts, (and no t-bars) offering extensive terrain for skiers of all levels. Since opening in 1913, the resort has played its part in the development of the sport of skiing and regularly hosts World Cup races. Two snow parks and a half-pipe are available for snowboarding. In addition the resort has ice rinks, a swimming pool, acclaimed restaurants that are mentioned in top gastro guides. The resort is served by a modern, high-speed lift system that ensures a quick ride to the top. With an average of 200cm of snow falling every year, the trails are well covered. On the occasion when the snow cover is lacking, the resort has invested in more than 278 snow cannons to ensure that you can enjoy your skiing holiday. The skiing is wonderful and challenging on a huge domain called the “Espace Mt.Blanc” and the “Evasion” lift pass is valid in all of these areas. The domaine has a great majority of its runs cut in the trees which makes it the area to be in when there is a bad storm or “whiteout” conditions. In most ski areas above “treeline” one would have to stop skiing for safety in bad weather conditions but not in Megeve.

Because Megeve is in close proximity to Geneva, as well as Chambery, ski weekends and short breaks are extremely popular and this means that mid week breaks of 3, 4 or 5 days can be offered at greatly reduced prices, so why not look out for ski deals of this nature at your online ski holiday provider?

Popularity: 66% [?]

Skiing in the French Alps is a dream come true type of vacation! Especially if you head for a destination such as Serre Chevalier, which is one of the southern Alps’ largest complexes for winter sports. It is also one of France’s most popular snowboarding areas. There are long hours of sunshine (they boast of 300 days of sunshine a year) and good weather to enjoy its 115 slopes, mountains covered in forests, valleys in between, and the Encrins National Park. It is close to the Italian border so that you can take day trips to other ski resorts if you desire. The different resorts are easily reachable by buses, 66 lifts, ski runs, 3 cable cars, and 6 gondolas which you can also take to the top of the Grand Alps.

The three other linked villages in this long valley are Chantemerie, Monetier les Bains, and Villeneuve la Salle. Monetier has its own snowboard park as well as a spa and thermal baths. Villeneuve has many gentle beginners’ slopes, an ice skating rink, a fitness center with a sauna and gym, an indoor heated swimming pool, a floodlit circuit for ice driving, and a good variety of restaurants, bars, night clubs, and shops. There is also the town of Briancon with its historic medieval fortress and cobbled streets as well as a modern sports center featuring ice hockey matches.

Throughout the large ski area you will also find all levels of ski slopes from nursery ones to difficult ones such as the Isolee black run and a long Olympic run. There are 15 expert (black) pistes, 42 difficult (red) ones, 33 intermediate (blue) ones, and 25 easy (green) ones. At the bottom of the valley are cross county trails. And if there isn’t enough snow, there is plenty of snow-making equipment handy!

There are excellent ski schools for beginners, sleigh riding, sledding, ice skating, ice and rock climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, alpine mountaineering, canoeing, kayaking, torchlight descents, carriage rides, and more.

There has been a 50 euro-million investment here which includes a new drag lift and other modern lifts, increased snow making, improved runs access, and the use of a “Holiski Card” which allows skiers to beat the crowds and receive discounts off lift passes for as much as 30% per day. The Les Grands Bains center can hold 1200 people every day over three floors and features outdoor and indoor naturally heated pools, Roman features, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and is an oasis for those seeking a calm atmosphere as well as beauty and health treatments.

Serre Chevalier is a picturesque mixture of old villages and new buildings. It is the Alps’ seventh largest ski resort and was voted the number one wellness resort by Alpes Magazine. The resort has 3 skating rinks, 6 movie theaters, 3 outside pools, 1 indoor pool, 2 fitness centers, and much more. This is the home turf of Luc Alphand, an international downhill racer.

The French Alps have been the scene for several Olympic games including races and speed skiing.

Popularity: 15% [?]