A collection of various road trips in discovering France with stories told and photographs captured through the eyes of a francophile. Let this series serve as road trip postcards throughout my many years visiting my second home. A proof that there's more to France than Paris and that there's magic to be found in the French countryside.
@discoveringarni/finding-happiness-while-getting-lost-on-a-road-trip-in-france
A perfect post to start this series that explains why getting lost on a road trip in France brings happiness.
@discoveringarni/a-day-in-paris
Paris used to be a place we just pass through to catch the train but during our last trip, I wanted to re-visit it, this time attuned to my daughter's impression of the city. Here's a short film that captures this moment, just a week before the Notre Dame cathedral's devastating fire.
Massif Central Auvergne Series
Part 1: Experience an Organized Family Vacation in Le Lioran
Le Lioran is a winter ski resort in the Massif Central that transforms into an adventure-packed nature hideaway from June to September. It is perched on the mountains of Cantal, right at the heart of the sleeping Cantal Volcano, the oldest and largest volcano in Europe.
Part 2: Explore the Charming Village of Auvergne
Salers is one of the 164 most beautiful villages in France and was ranked as one of the most ideal places to retire in the country.
They received this recognition in 1982 from Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, an association founded the same year that highlights the rich cultural heritage of small French rural villages after passing through strict criteria.
Murat is referred to as the city of three rocks - The rock of Bonnevie, Bredons, and Chastel Sur Murat. It's one of the oldest towns in the Cantal department that could be traced back to 270 AD with seven sites listed in the Inventory of Historic Monuments. It was a popular trade crossroads in the Middle Ages.
@discoveringarni/i-was-scared-of-heights-until-i-climbed-the-summit-of-puy-griou
Puy Griou is a sharp volcanic chimney in the department of Cantal, Auvergne France. It started with a lovely walk through the Auvergne woods which led to a sharp summit. What happens when one with a fear of heights accepts the challenge to reach the top?
Dordogne River Valley Series
@discoveringarni/dordogne-river-valley-series--bourdeilles
An unplanned leisurely stroll in Bourdeilles, a charming village that is nestled on the edge of the River Dronne.
@discoveringarni/dordogne-river-valley-series-perigueux
Périgueux is the capital of Dordogne, a department in southwestern France that serves as a good base while traveling in the magnificent villages of Dordogne. This post features things to do in the area that would be helpful in planning your itinerary.
@discoveringarni/dordogne-river-valley-series-brantome
A mid-day stopover in Brantôme, hailed as one of the most beautiful villages in Périgord Vert or Green Perigord in the department of Dordogne.
@discoveringarni/dordogne-river-valley-series--the-french-gites
A lovely day out to remote and privately owned French Gîtes in the beautiful Dordogne region.
Art and Architecture
@discoveringarni/lyon-architectural-tour-in-france
A DIY walking tour in the epicurean city of Lyon to admire its new and old architecture.
@discoveringarni/la-place-napoleon
Check out the transformation of this huge public square in La Roche Sur Yon, located in Western France.
@discoveringarni/reasons-why-a-weekend-in-annecy-ignites-creativity
Visit The Pearl of the French Alps. Annecy is the capital of the Haute-Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region in South-eastern France. Here's why a weekend in Annecy will inspire you.
@discoveringarni/shell-murals-of-joy
"If seashells are love letters in the sand, then let's spread that love on the walls." Discover a street with beautiful shell murals in Quartier de L'ile Penotte, along the coast of Les Sables d'Olonne in western France.
Puy du Fou Historical Theme Park
The Grand Parc of Puy du Fou is an international award-winning historical theme park, 55 hectares in size, offering shows and adventures for the family. The theme park is the closest thing to experiencing time travel and is located in La Vendée, a department in Pays de la Loire Region in Western France.
@discoveringarni/puy-du-fou-historical-theme-park-part-1-cinescenie-scenic-open-air-theatrical-show
The biggest show in the world. A spectacular nocturnal theatrical show held outdoors that features the history of La Vendee from the Middle Ages all the way to World War II. Watch the cinematic performance with a real 15th-century Italian Renaissance castle as the backdrop, expressed through technical light and laser shows, canons, fireworks, and epic cinematic acts on land and water.
@discoveringarni/puy-du-fou-historical-theme-park-part-2-18th-century-village
Visit the 18th-century village and traditional music in that period.
@discoveringarni/puy-du-fou-historical-theme-park-part-3-medieval-village
Explore the walled medieval village and watch a real joust
Experience the Renaissance Period, Watch Gladiators inside a gigantic colosseum, Watch the Vikings invade a village and stroll inside France during the 1900s
Road Trip Postcards
@discoveringarni/road-trip-postcard-marais-poitevin-france-s-green-venice
Marais Poitevin is a large marshland in western France. The still green waters of crisscrossing canals, dykes, and rivers drew the nickname La Venise Verte or The Green Venice. Discover what "ignites" ones' interest, literally, in this natural marvel.
French Brittany
@discoveringarni/road-trip-postcard-french-brittany-part-1-saint-malo-and-beyond
We borrowed the old family car back in 2010 for a week-long road trip. This is the first part of the trip up north as we explored Saint-Malo and Dol-de-Bretagne.
@discoveringarni/road-trip-postcard-french-brittany-part-2-mont-saint-michel
The second part of the French Brittany trip to the picturesque Mont Saint-Michel.
I will continue to add road trip experiences to this collection and will create a new series about day-to-day experiences during the time we lived in France for several months.
