Archive for 'Curiosities in France'

Those with little ones who are planning a trip to France and who have found a vacation rental in Centre may want to take note of a very particular type of theme park that is located in the region. There are three parks by the name, “Le Château des Enigmes”, or Castle of Riddles. These are old castles that have been reimagined to be used as places for play and fun. Le Château des Enigmes - Val de Loire, or Château de Rocheux, is the branch located in the department of Loir et Cher, 17 km from Vendôme. Here you can explore the beautiful castle and the grounds, go on treasure hunts, try out the escape room, visit the animals on the farm and more. It is the ideal spot for a day out for the whole family, somewhere that younger kids, in particular, will really love!

Those who love the Great Outdoors and like to get out and about to explore will have plenty of places to do so while holidaying in France, which ranges from a windswept northern coast and a Mediterranean south coast to Alpine peaks, and from fields of lavender to lush pastures. Amongst all of your options, one of the most picture perfect of all is the 2,000-hectare Néouvielle Nature Reserve. Located right next to the Pyrenees National Park, this incredible part of the world is a lake district with snow peaks and an idyllic glacier-sculpted scenery comprised of meadows, pine forests, mirror-like lakes and much more besides. If you have found a vacation rental in Midi-Pyrénées, be sure to come and see this computer wallpaper come to life...

While Disneyland is, without a doubt, the most famous theme park in all of France, it is not, by a long shot, the only one. In fact, it is not even necessarily the most interesting theme park you might visit. If you have found a vacation rental in Pays-de-la-Loire and you've had your fill of princesses and iconic characters and rides and are still looking for an interesting theme park to explore, one of the most fascinating that you could ever hope to stumble upon is Puy du Fou.

Puy du Fou is an incredible historical theme park in Les Epesses in the region of Pays-de-la-Loire that attracts 2 million visitors each year. Opened in 1978. originally as an open-air amateur dramatics night wherein volunteers re-enacted the bloody history of the Vendée in the ruins of a castle and is now known for its incredible historic recreation extravaganzas that make use of thousands of actors and animals, astounding sets, mind-blowing special effects and sumptuous costumes. There are no rides and, yet, children that visit are enthralled by the experience and adults, too, are blown away by the scale and magic of being transported back in time.

If you have found yourself a vacation rental in Provence and are looking for things to do in that beautiful part of the world, we would have to suggest a visit to the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh in Arles. This extraordinary gallery and museum is devoted to the life and work of the great Van Gogh and, in particular, his incredibly productive stay in Arles. A permanent collection of works by Van Gogh himself and by other artists in homage to his oeuvre, as well as temporary contemporary art exhibitions, are displayed throughout the museum, which is, in of itself, a rather beautiful work of art. If you're a Van Gogh fan or art lover visiting the area, it is a must-see attraction.

Vincent van Gogh came to live in Arles in 1888, in search of what he described as a “different kind of light” and he must have found it as is period in the city was the most productive of his life. It was then and there that masterpieces such as “Sunflowers” and “The Bedroom” were born. Sadly, few traces of the artist remained in the place that had inspired him so, bar the hospital in which he was treated after the infamous ear incident. To right this shame and reestablish a connection with the artist, a non-profit foundation was established according to Van Gogh's own desire to have an international center of artistic creation and exchange in Arles.

This week, I have been discussing the magic of Christmas in Paris and getting a little bit more personal on this blog. Paris is a city that I adore and, in all my visits to the city, I have come to love it most at Christmas. I have only been twice during the festive season but memories of both trips make me want to book a vacation rental in Paris and visit every December to enjoy the particular charms of the city in the run up to the holiday season.

In the last two posts, I recounted the most traditionally romantic experience one could have of the city but in this one I want to talk about my favourite trip to Paris over Christmas.