The Good Life France Magazine




The Good Life France Magazine brings you the best of France - inspirational and exclusive features, fabulous photos, mouth-watering recipes, tips, guides, ideas and much more...


Published by the award winning team at The Good Life France

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2 years ago

Issue No. 12

Sensational cities to tiny villages, food and wine, culture and heritage. Champagne, an aristocratic saffron grower, Anger, Montparnasse, Morzeine, Carol Drinkwater shares her passion for France. Gorgeous photos and fabulous features will transport you to the heart of France in this brilliant, free magazine...

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The 12th century cathedral in the centre of the old city was the model for later versions notably Chartres and Notre Dame in Paris. Do you have a secret place to share? On the cycle route coming into St-Martinde-Ré from the west, along the coast (from the direction of La Couarde, Loix, and Arsen-Ré) a series of enterprising oyster farms have set up open-air pop-up restaurants where you can eat fresh seafood with a glass or two of Ile de Ré wine overlooking the sea – perfect for a long and lazy and very informal lunch. Where would you live in France if it could be anywhere and what sort of house would you choose? Laon, in the department of Aisne, fascinates me, and recently, as I wandered the streets filled with grand and beautiful 18th and 19th-century townhouse mansions, I fantasized that this is the sort of spot I’d like to hole up in for a few years, absorbing its history as a former bishop’s seat and a military town, and its views out over the landscape of Picardy from its high ramparts, and contemplating what role this kind of proud historic place can play in modern France. Antony Mason is the author of some 80 books on travel, history, art and… well, basically whatever people ask him to do. antonymason.com

LAON – A Great Place to Live Laon, known as "La Montagne Couronnée" with it's old, medieval city high on a rock crowned by a cathedral and over-looking the newer low town. Located in the Aisne department in Picardie it is close to the border of Champagne (Reims is less than an hour away). Almost unknown outside of France, this beautiful town has a population of circa 30,000. The lower town is a mix of residential and commercial property and has a thriving city centre with wide boulevards of shops, bars, restaurants and hotels. The fortified city retains small streets of private housing. This is one of the wealthier parts of France but house prices are comparatively low even in a small market. A 6 bedroom house to modernise in the old city can be bought for less than €90,000 and a 3 bedroom house for around €120,000, while a 1 bedroom apartment in the lower town is less than €40,000. With a history going back over 3000 years, its location between the great wine areas (Champagne & Burgundy) and the beaches of the Opal Coast in the north, plus a good climate combined with being a beautiful city, Laon is a great place to live! Local property expert Tim Sage shares 3 top picks in the area: Price €529,000 Beautiful, fully restored 19th century manoir located in the village of Marle, in the Aisne. Click here for more details Price €392,200 Price €414,000 Exquisite 18th century Maison de Maître, fully restored and tastefully decorated Click here for more details Marne - Must be seen! Beautifully renovated stone house giving a 2/3 bedroom family home lying between Reims and Epernay. Click here for more details