Unsure about your French table manners? Click Here >> to avoid these 10 food etiquette mistakes !
Jun 11, 2021
Weird, Whimsical And Wonderful Facts About Lyon, France
These fun facts about Lyon, France, will show just how diverse the city is - more than you ever thought possible.
Continue reading "Weird, Whimsical And Wonderful Facts About Lyon, France"
May 26, 2021
Famous Landmarks in France and Some of Their Startling Backstories
Of the dozens of famous landmarks in France, these are the must-see French landmarks you absolutely have to visit.
Continue reading "Famous Landmarks in France and Some of Their Startling Backstories"
May 18, 2021
Getting Around France: How to Travel France by Train
Find out how to travel france by train - a complete guide to getting around France, even if it's your first time.
Continue reading "Getting Around France: How to Travel France by Train"
May 05, 2021
Napoleon Bonaparte: The Man The French Love To Hate
Napoleon Bonaparte: two centuries after his death, the man remains controversial in France. Here's why.
Continue reading "Napoleon Bonaparte: The Man The French Love To Hate"
Apr 23, 2021
Mur De La Peste: When The Epidemic Struck, They Built A Wall
Have you heard of the Mur de la Peste in Provence? The wall they built to keep out the plague?
Continue reading "Mur De La Peste: When The Epidemic Struck, They Built A Wall"
Apr 15, 2021
Loire Pronunciation and Other Loire-Related Peculiarities
Loire pronunciation? A challenge (click through to solve it). But which Loire? There are many...
Continue reading "Loire Pronunciation and Other Loire-Related Peculiarities"
Apr 09, 2021
Five Breathtaking Hilltop Villages in Provence's Luberon
These five villages in Provence are listed among France's most beautiful villages - this article shows you why.
Continue reading "Five Breathtaking Hilltop Villages in Provence's Luberon"
Mar 27, 2021
Nostalgia In Evian-Les-Bains, Where The Belle Epoque Still Lives
Belle Epoque Evian was a much-loved resort for the wealthy - if you're a fan of nostalgia, that Belle Epoque vibe is still there.
Continue reading "Nostalgia In Evian-Les-Bains, Where The Belle Epoque Still Lives"
Mar 13, 2021
The Mysterious French Legends of the Luberon, Provence
Love the Luberon? Fascinated by French legends? These are the myths and mysteries behind the Luberon's "perched villages".
Continue reading "The Mysterious French Legends of the Luberon, Provence"
Mar 05, 2021
20 of the Most Beautiful Cities in France (with great urban buzz)
These 20 are among the most beautiful cities in France that pack a punch - urban vibe, energy buzz, cultural hotspots.
Continue reading "20 of the Most Beautiful Cities in France (with great urban buzz)"
Mar 04, 2021
A Road Trip In France During Covid (Assuming You Live Here, Of Course)
Are you in France right now? During Covid? Here's what it's like to travel here.
Continue reading "A Road Trip In France During Covid (Assuming You Live Here, Of Course)"
Feb 10, 2021
The Typical Breakfast In France (A REAL Traditional French Breakfast)
The typical breakfast in France may not be what you think. Find out what French breakfasts are REALLY made of.
Continue reading "The Typical Breakfast In France (A REAL Traditional French Breakfast)"
Jan 23, 2021
How To Organize Your Loire Valley Day Trip From Paris
Here's how to organize your Loire Valley day trip from Paris, whether by tour, by train or by car.
Continue reading "How To Organize Your Loire Valley Day Trip From Paris"
Jan 08, 2021
Destination: Department Loire (Not The Loire You Think!)
There are many Loires in France but department Loire 42 may surprise you: renaissance grottoes and unusual museums.
Continue reading "Destination: Department Loire (Not The Loire You Think!)"
Jan 02, 2021
The 3 Most Beautiful Cities in France (That Aren't Paris)
Paris is Paris but beyond, these are among the three most beautiful cities in France.
Continue reading "The 3 Most Beautiful Cities in France (That Aren't Paris)"
Dec 19, 2020
Ode To Croix-Rousse, Lyon's Bohemian Silk-Weaving Hill
Croix-Rousse, Lyon, is a neighbourhood that once housed the city's silk weavers and workshops. There's a different feel up here...
Continue reading "Ode To Croix-Rousse, Lyon's Bohemian Silk-Weaving Hill"
Dec 15, 2020
France Off The Beaten Path: 12 Unexpected Places You May Not Know
France off the beaten path is for those of you who want to visit places most of your friends won't know - here are 12 of them.
Continue reading "France Off The Beaten Path: 12 Unexpected Places You May Not Know"
Nov 11, 2020
"Let Them Eat Baguette", Said Marie-Antoinette, Never.
What is it about the baguette in France? Where does it really come from and why do the French love it so?
Continue reading ""Let Them Eat Baguette", Said Marie-Antoinette, Never."
Oct 12, 2020
The Art Of Shopping In France Like An Artiste
Shopping in France can be confounding, and what to do or say confusing. This in-depth guide will help you avoid the pitfalls of French shopping.
Continue reading "The Art Of Shopping In France Like An Artiste"
Oct 05, 2020
How To Assemble The Perfect French Alpine Cheese Board
French Alpine cheese is perfect for a cheese board: various ages, different textures. Here's how to prepare a perfect cheese tray that will impress.
Continue reading "How To Assemble The Perfect French Alpine Cheese Board"
Sep 25, 2020
19 Sensational French Christmas Gifts I Found For You Online
Can't come to France right now? No problem. Any one of these French Christmas gifts will remind your loved ones of La Belle France!
Continue reading "19 Sensational French Christmas Gifts I Found For You Online"
Sep 25, 2020
11 Surprising Christmas Markets In France (Each Is In Some Way Unique)
There are hundreds of Christmas markets in France, but these 11 each have something special that makes them stand out from the rest.
Continue reading "11 Surprising Christmas Markets In France (Each Is In Some Way Unique)"
Aug 28, 2020
The Perfect One-Week French Basque Country Itinerary
You can adapt this one-week French Basque country itinerary to fewer days or even a weekend - and still see plenty.
Continue reading "The Perfect One-Week French Basque Country Itinerary"
Aug 23, 2020
4 Chateaux of Loire Valley: Conspiracy Theories, Lust and Secrets
Behind the facades of the chateaux of Loire Valley lie secrets hidden by centuries of drama and mystery. Here are some of the more remarkable.
Continue reading "4 Chateaux of Loire Valley: Conspiracy Theories, Lust and Secrets"
Aug 10, 2020
7 Surprising Basque Products That Are Still Made By Hand
These 7 French Basque products could easily be made by machines, but this ancient land embraces tradition with a vengeance. Here, small is beautiful.
Continue reading "7 Surprising Basque Products That Are Still Made By Hand"
Aug 08, 2020
24 Attractions That Are Off The Beaten Path In Paris
You could spend a decade exploring what's off the beaten path in Paris, so I've made it easier: here are 23 of the best.
Continue reading "24 Attractions That Are Off The Beaten Path In Paris"
Jul 25, 2020
A Day In The Life Of Louis XIV, Sun King
Here's what a day in the life of Louis XIV at Versailles was like (he couldn't even go to the bathroom alone).
Jul 16, 2020
15 Weird French Foods You May Have To Be French To Appreciate
In France we love what some call weird French foods - which to us may not be weird at all. Here are 15 foods you may not have tried.
Continue reading "15 Weird French Foods You May Have To Be French To Appreciate "
Jul 06, 2020
Why Do The French Celebrate Bastille Day on July 14th?
What is the REAL reason the French celebrate Bastille Day? The answer is probably not what you think.
Continue reading "Why Do The French Celebrate Bastille Day on July 14th?"
Jul 01, 2020
Driving Tips In France: Coping With Mercurial French Drivers
These driving tips in France will help boost your driving confidence - but no sugar-coating. I'll tell it like it is.
Continue reading "Driving Tips In France: Coping With Mercurial French Drivers"
Bonjour - je m'appelle Leyla!
But don't be fooled by my name... My Turkish father may have won the naming battle but my mother, with 10 centuries of Frenchness behind her, won the education war.
And she passed on her fascination with France to me.
This Offbeat France travel blog goes beyond the baguette -– we explore curiosities, oddities and mysteries, searching for legends and backstories, all wrapped up in a passion for history. (Along with plenty of food stops and many castles – I am French, after all.)
Please note: Pages on this site may contain affiliate links, which bring in a small commission and help Offbeat France buy its daily baguette.