From the point de vue* of a particularly long and cold Australian winter (we know, it’s all relative, but come on, it’s been froid*!), this is looking like le paradis sur terre*.
Located a two-hour drive from La Côte D’Azur and with shimmering turquoise water, soaring falaises* and peregrine falcons on offer, it’s yet another coup de cœur* to add to your wish list.
*point of view | *cold | *heaven on earth | *cliffs | *favourite
Biarritz is located in the Basque Country which straddles France and Spain at the foot of Les Pyrénées and has enough on offer to warrant multiple visits.
Whether you come for le surf*, le cidre* or les crampottes*, be sure to leave plenty of time for lazing about on the beach before feasting on une piperade* and un bon verre d’Irouleguy*. Paradis*.
*the surf | *the cider | *the whitewashed fishing huts | *a local omelette-like dish made of espelette peppers and tomatoes | *a good glass of the local wine | *Heaven
For many, a love of language goes main dans la main* with an appreciation of fine stationery. There’s a sense of vast possibility in a blank page and a freshly-sharpened pencil that’s hard to replicate.
Imagine my excitement, then, when I came across the website of Papier Tigre*, une petite papeterie* in the heart of the Marais in Paris.
L’angoisse* soon followed, though, as I fretted that their gorgeous bloc-notes*, cartes postales* and crayons* would be unavailable to us, here at the other end of the world.
Happily, this micro-story has une fin heureuse* - Papier Tigre is available right here in Brisbane.
Bons achats*!
*hand in hand | *Paper Tiger | *a little stationer’s shop | *Anguish | *writing pads | *postcards | *pencils | *a happy ending | *Happy shopping!
In 2019, Lingua Franca took two groups of Chouchous* on a two-week tour around north-western France. One of the absolute points forts* was our visit to St Malo and from these belles images* it's easy to see why.
One of the best nights of my life was spent in La Grande Place* in Brussels, drinking bière blanche* with a couple of young Dutch guys who also spoke French (and English and German and enough Spanish and Italian to get by - j'étais jalouse*).
I was about 21 at the time, wide-eyed and on my first trip to Europe. Quels beaux souvenirs*. I remember the sheer scale of the Place blew my little mind and the mix of culture, history, architecture and fashion was absolutely intoxicating. A spell was cast that night and la Belgique* has stayed close to my heart ever since.
I hope this post sends you straight back to your first experiences of travel and just how stimulating and exciting it can be. Oh travel, tu nous manques!*
*The Big Square | *white beer | *Belgium | *What beautiful memories | *We miss you!
Québec City is the capital of the French-speaking province of Québec, in Canada. The indigenous Algonquin people named it Kébec, meaning where the river narrows, before a French explorer created a European settlement in 1609.
With a population of just over 500 000, it is one of the oldest European cities in the Americas and Vieux Québec (Old Québec) was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. There’s a lot to swoon over in this petite ville magique*. Enjoy.
Have you simply had enough of cette chaleur*? Refresh your spirit with these belles photos* of snowy French landscapes. Guaranteed you’ll feel un frisson*, whether from the cold or the anticipation of future travel.
Name the French-speaking countries in which you'd find the following attractions touristiques*. The first person to contact us with all six correct answers will win a Lingua Franca En Voyage guidebook.
CLUE: 115 islands make up this sublime archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
CLUE: These surreal-looking gazelles are called les gérénuks and could not be plus mignons*.
CLUE: Sticky rice is a staple.
CLUE: The Historic Old Quarter was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
CLUE: Caught between two countries who enjoy a serious love/hate relationship. Starts with ‘G’.
CLUE: This destination is home to a significant Tamul community.
It’s always le bon moment* to be transported by la beauté* of France. Here, we present another spectacular French island, this time Napoleon’s birthplace: Corsica.
It’s always le bon moment* to be transported by la beauté* of France. Here, we present the charming Île de Ré on the Atlantic Coast, just near La Rochelle.
