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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.
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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?
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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".
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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...
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Aug 08, 2020
23 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Jun 28, 2020
Lyon Murals: Monumental Naïve Art In Public Places
Lyon murals are so dazzling and popular the city is often called the mural capital of the world. Here's why.
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Jun 17, 2020
5-Day Lake Geneva And French Alps Road Trip Itinerary
This 5-day French Alps road trip itinerary will show you both the high points and some offbeat sightseeing ideas.
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Jun 17, 2020
Mysterious Prehistoric Caves: France's Leading Painted Cave Art Sites
If you're fascinated by prehistoric caves, France probably has more than any country (except perhaps Spain). These are the must-sees.
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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.