Salut,mes amis, and welcome to the springtime edition of France Today. This is the committed Francophile’s peak season for holiday dreaming and route planning, when all our ideas come together for visiting la belle France this summer. Our writers have been all over the country to report on superb locations to visit, so I’m sure you will find plenty of inspiration in these pages.
Nothing epitomises a French summer quite like the magnificence and rich diversity on show on the Côte d’Azur, our Great Destination this issue. Aside from the aesthetic appeal so beloved of artists, there is truly something for everyone along the Riviera, from culinary wonders to cultural touchstones, from idyllic beaches to city break side streets to explore. Join Dominic Bliss for his coastal odyssey and then follow suit!
Elsewhere, we explore the long and fascinating history of cabanes en pierre sèche, those cute stone huts that dot the rural landscapes of Provence and the Languedoc; we bring you our (very subjective) pick of France’s perfect ponts – bridges that combine easy-on-the-eye allure and engineering brilliance; we head to Authentic Southwest, a new destination label that covers terroir in parts of Occitanie and Nouvelle- Aquitaine; we enjoy the diverse delights of the Vendée; plus there is a lesser known gem to discover – Vernon, near Giverny, whose iconic 14th-century mill inspires visitors today just
as it did Monet, who painted it several times.
We also examine the glittering history of the Cartier jewellery brand, take a tour of the splendid new cheese museum in Paris and explore the Gaillac wine appellation. Plus, Marcus Wareing provides some simple yet delicious French recipes to try at home.
All this plus your favourite regulars: language learning pages, best reader letters and photos (please keep sending your super snaps and try to add a few lines describing the trips you enjoyed), crossword, superb recipes, What’s on Guide, restaurant reviews and much more.