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offbeat france Starts Here!

Welcome to Offbeat France, for the Francophile who seeks inspiration! We'll go beyond the baguette into French culture and history, and explore the backstory of France: some of it practical, some of it quirky, and the rest, at times, utterly unbelievable. All written by a local, yours truly, who strives to go beyond the cliché.

Hello and welcome!

If you're here, it's probably because:

  • you love France and you're thirsty for knowledge and inspiration
  • or, perhaps you're planning to visit France and are searching for ideas and answers.

Either way, if you're a francophile, you're in the right place!

There's a lot on this website, so this introductory page is designed to guide you through the stories behind France: the people, lifestyles, major landmarks, legends, offbeat places, culture, history, foods... you'll find it all here.

But first, here's a peek at my view, a glorious sunrise seen from my office window: I (and Leo, one of my six cats) overlook the Rhône River, in the hilly rural valley that roughly lies between Annecy and Lyon...

Leo the cat sitting on my roof

How to navigate this site

The offbeat side of France

Practical tips for your France visit

What you'll find on this site

And finally, a bit about this site's owner, Moi

Get in touch!

I don't want to lose you down a rabbit hole so to make things simple(r), start with one of these sections:

  • the culture and history section: to feed your deepest curiosity about our past, who we are as a country and what made us this way (and why we try so hard to hang on to it all!)
  • the planning section: for all your practical needs, from driving to weather to accommodation to itineraries － the nuts and bolts of your trip

In case you're anxious to get started, I go into more detail on each section below.

Off-the-beaten-path France

Everyone wants to see Paris and Provence and the Riviera...

But what about the sights the locals love? Little-visited départments and towns that are off the beaten path? The ones you may not have heard of?

The 'hidden gems' of France

There are two sorts of hidden gems: offbeat places, or places with unusual or offbeat stories behind them.

 France is full of surprises! Like...

For culture vultures

Some of you may be smitten with French culture (come on, fess up, there's no shame in it!). Or you may be fascinated by the many kings called Louis and Henri and Charles we have scattered throughout time.

I too have survived the tedious recitation of dates and battles from my school days but history does not have to be like that at all. In fact, I'll prove it to you by bringing history alive through the places we visit:

France for the inveterate foodie

Are you a foodie? We French not only have particular table manners, but we have a hugely diverse culinary tradition. In fact, there are those who come to France just for the food!

We like to make things

We have a long tradition of handicrafts and manufacturing, of artistry in many fields. Not only do we build huge aircraft and overwhelming bridges, but we make delicious chocolate, craft fine jewellery and create high fashion. So yes, we like to make things, and showcase the French artisans who make all this happen. Like these:

Practical tips for your France visit

This is a site about France, all of it, so of course I also have plenty of travel tips about France and planning information on France travel.

Here are some practical things to know before you arrive:

And one that's at the heart of your visit: where should I go?

What you'll find on this site

My goal is to set you off on a journey of discovery: of stories behind the scenes, unlikely places, or unfamiliar foods.

I hope to make you gaze in wonder, but also to laugh out loud because (contrary to popular belief) we DO have a (slight) sense of humor.

You may or may not appreciate mine, but you'll be subjected to it nonetheless.

And now, it's time for another lovely photo, this time of lavender. Can't you just smell those rows?

lavender fields Senanque Abbey in ProvenceThe lavender fields around the Senanque Abbey in the Lubéron region may well be in the top 10 places to visit in France - but did you know that the abbey contains a fabulous library with a collection of books on Provence, French history, religious architecture and historical novels? It's a wonderful place to hide away and discover...

And finally, a bit about this site's owner, Moi

Why should you believe a single word I say?

Because:

  1. I'm French.
  2. I live in France.
  3. I'm passionate about my country.
  4. I spend every spare moment traveling, exploring, discovering.
  5. I shall smother you in meringue and macarons if you don't!

I was born in Paris but spent most of my youth abroad. I returned in my thirties and have since had a home base on the edge of southeastern France, in the foothills of the Jura Mountains, a half hour's drive from the Swiss border.

Mine is a rural area, typical of that deepest, often forgotten France, even though it is this country's backbone (and has more cowbells than honking horns).

This is a France of rolling hills and cooperative tractors and of neighbors who know each other's business because, far from many government services, we often have to call on one another for help. 

For example, in winter, my minuscule mountain road can imprison me for days. But my farmer neighbor usually spots my predicament and trundles down with his tractor to clear a path for me.

And that's what neighbors are for!

That doesn't mean I don't appreciate the city – on the contrary, I am absolutely a city girl! I have a direct train to Geneva in Switzerland, and my nearest French towns are Annecy (which many of us believe might be France's prettiest) and Lyon, which I've adopted as my own and is just over an hour by train. This is where I go to get my urban fix whenever the cows and chickens become overwhelming. (You can read more about me here.)

Please stay in touch!

I mean it! I love hearing from you so don't be shy:

There are many ways to stay in touch or ask questions! So... please do!