#Eurotrip - France Tips & Tricks

The Charollais Beef Cow.

Today I want to share some tips and tricks I have learned for travel to France. I've been traveling to France almost every two years since I was six months old to visit family and friends, and I think I have learned a few things to make a trip to France fantastic! So without further ado, my Top Tips for France.

1. Every region of France has its own character, landscape and way of life.
I can proudly say that I have traveled to almost every corner of France over my life and I have to admit, each region is drastically different from the other. If you are looking for some Spanish influence than one should travel to the Southwest corner and travel the Pyrenees. If you are looking for glamour, sun and topless beaches, the Southeast of France is up your alley. For the wine enthusiasts, central France is key with all its different regions each named after the type of wine made there. If you want a more English influenced region, than Normandy and the Northwest is your choice with lots of history between France and England woven together in a tapestry of stories. If you want to experience the cultural mix of France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, then head to the Northeast. And then of course their is Paris, its totally own world in its own right. Paris is romantic, beautiful and cosmopolitan, but like most cities is not necessarily the true image of its country.

2. Picnic for lunch.
One thing that has remained a constant during our summers in France is that the French are great at a picnic. When you are traveling around the country during the day, sightseeing, wine tasting and soaking up the culture, it can be difficult to stop for lunch. This is also compounded by the fact that small towns close up shop for lunch. So instead of searching for an open cafe, hit the town in the morning to grab bread, cheese, pate, jambon, butter and rillettes. Throw a bottle of rose and sparkling water in the bag and make sure to travel with a picnic blanket. There are picnic tables and roadside parks all over France for this reason. Also if you are on the road at lunchtime, you are likely to see cars pulled over all over the roads. They are just having a little picnic. Join in on the fun.

Dom, Dad and I.

3. Chateaus and Churches are worth the stop.
In France, most major landmarks in town are churches and chateaus. Most are open for business throughout the day and almost all have great information panels and/or tourism guides in multiple languages for your information. In France, like much of Europe, their history is shown through their medieval cities and landmarks and most of what is left standing are churches and chateaus. They were marked landmarks by the allies in World War II and efforts were made to avoid damaging them when possible.

4. Wine is like Water.
You are in the land of wine and should take every advantage of it. There are so many options to choose from and you should really branch out and try wines you may have never tried before. The French drink wine with every meal and that's OK. Enjoy a glass or two and savor the moment.

Mom, me and Neeks at Cluny.

5. Cheese Cheese Cheese.
Like wine, the French have excellent cheeses. From the really stinky and smelly to the mild, you can find the right cheese for your tastes. Bread and cheese is one of my favorite snacks, so you can guess why France is heaven on earth for me. Resting on the balcony after a day of sightseeing with a cheese plate and bottle of wine is wonderful.

6. Experiment.
The French are the forefathers of classical cuisine but some of their most classic dishes can be intimidating to Americans. While on vacation, I always believe it is necessary to try exotic dishes you may not see at home. While I may have grown up with a lot of these dishes, to most Americans they are foreign and scary. But trust me, the French know food. Try escargot (snails) or frogs legs or pate or foie gras (goose liver). Try sweetbreads, the stinkiest cheese on the platter, and that pastry.

Dan and I at Cluny.

7. Go to Market Day.
Small town life centers around market day. If you have the chance to be in the area when a Market Day is held, jump on it. Its amazing and the selection is unparalleled to any store. You can get all the fresh produce you need, a roast chicken with roast potatoes, fresh cheeses, meat and/or fish for dinner, and even a tablecloth, dress or new knife. It is also a unique situation to see how the older French generations get their shopping done.

8.  Savor the sunsets.
The sun sets late in France. Much later than most of the US. It is a unique experience to be sitting on the terrace with a glass of wine at ten with dusk beginning.

The Aqueducts. 

9. Meals are social events.
Like most of Europe, meals are slower than they are in the US. You take the time to socialize while you eat and courses are served over a longer course of time. Enjoy it, drink an extra glass of wine, have that extra piece of cheese.

10. Always try in French first.
Most people in France can speak a little English, but they appreciate it to no end if you at least try to say it in French first. They will quickly realize that you are over your head and try to help with what may be broken English of their own. Just try and memorize some basic phrases. The effort will truly serve you well.