I recently enjoyed my first Airbnb in Normandy and I have 3 insights into how you can make sure your stay is a success. I know I lucked out with the house I rented in Etretat. Up until now, I had rented self-catering accommodations via websites like VRBO or through Gites-de-France. But as everyone knows, Airbnbs are becoming so popular so I wanted to try it out. If you’re heading to Normandy, I would highly recommend you consider renting a place in Etretat.
To get some spectacular photos of the famous falaises d’Étretat here are two of the best ways to see the cliffs at Étretat: by hiking and by speed boat. This place is truly a photographer’s dream and I actually don’t think you can take a bad photo. For years I had seen pictures of the famous Falaises d’Étretat and thought I’d like to visit one day. That one day came back in July recently and because I was staying in the town for a week, I had the opportunity to gaze at them almost every day. They are just that striking.
Many times I’ll choose a place to visit in France simply from seeing a beautiful photograph. This has happened with Mont Saint-Michel, Etretat, and recently Pont d’Arc, which is located in the Ardèche department. Pont d’Arc is a 60 metre high natural limestone arch [“pont” means bridge] located in the town of Vallon Pont d’Arc and it is the gateway to the Ardèche canyon. The town is extremely popular with summer vacationers who are looking for water activities. There’s nothing quite like paddling on the Ardèche river under the arch. If you’d like to explore this area, I highly suggest you discover Pont d’Arc by kayak or canoe. I rented a kayak and LOVED it, but I do have some advice.
It’s not too late. Go now! RIGHT NOW! This post will tell you where you can find lavender in Provence because I just got back from France and searched high and low for fields (champs) of lavender during my week in the Vaucluse. I was determined to see fields of lavender so I could take photographs. I’m finding that more and more, I am interested in getting great looking photos from my travels. Sadly, during my trip in early June 2017 I only saw a few sparse rows of lavender by Avignon’s Pont Saint-Bénézet. This is why I returned in 2018.
Take a look at the photo above. Would YOU really want to visit this place? I was NOT impressed and expected so much more when I recently made the trek to the 20th arrondissement in eastern Paris (Trip #30). So many websites (including the Paris tourism board) were touting this interesting place as an oasis of greenery and nature. So I thought, ”Gee, I better check this out. Sounds like a really unique place to write about.” Unfortunately, when I got to La Petite Ceinture, I felt like I’d wasted my time. While I’ve written this post so you won’t waste your time, this only applies to the entrance that I found. There is a “chance” other sections of La Petite Ceinture might be nicer. The search for better areas will have to come another time.
For the past few months throughout France the residents in certain French villages have been jumping for joy. Why? They are now in the running for the next “Le Village Préferé des Francais”. And choosing the favourite village of the French in 2018 is done by millions of television viewers throughout France. Stephane Bern, a well known French journalist and television host, will announce the winner on the annual telecast sometime in June.
“You’ve seen one mountain, you’ve seen them all”. This was said by a 14 year old while travelling in the Canadian Rockies. [Disclosure: that was me]. While Paris is full of historic monuments and museums, I can imagine some people (and especially children) saying something similar as they venture through Paris. Fortunately, there is a way to see the “city of lights” in a way that makes the journey much more interesting (and educational)……by doing a city hunt with Paris In Action.