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. 23

Welcome to the summer! In this issue discover Dijon in Burgundy, sensational Strasbourg (and a secret speakeasy), and lovely Cognac. We'll tell you where the locals go on holiday, the secret places. Visit Versailles and the Paris Opera, Le Touquet - the "Monaco" of northern France and wild Provence. Guides, recipes and more - your trip to France without leaving home...

Le Touquet Paris-Plage

Le Touquet Paris-Plage The "Monaco" of Northern France Le Touquet is a small seaside resort on the beautiful Opal Coast of northern France. Architecturally it has a mix of British Edwardian and French Belle Epoque styles. Combined with a zest for outdoor living (and its own microclimate), swanky shops and excellent bars and restaurants. It’s a brilliant place for a weekend break (or longer). With loads of activities from water sports, a historic golf course, horse riding in the sand dunes, tennis and much more. You seriously won’t want for things to do here. History of Le Touquet Le Touquet was named Paris-Plage by Hippolyte de Villemessant, the founder of Le Figaro in the 1800s because it was so popular with Parisians who loved its forests for hunting, shooting and fishing. In the 1880s, British visitor Sir John Whitby decided to develop the town targeting rich Britons and the upper classes. Le Touquet became a town in 1912 and is known in France as the “Monaco of the north”. Right from the start it attracted the wealthy and the famous from around the world, lured by its beautiful villas, world class hotels and penchant for fitness and sports. The great British writer H G Wells (Time Machine) eloped here in 1909. Noël Coward, P G Wodehouse, Marlene Dietrich, Edith Piaf, Cecil Beaton and Ian Fleming all holidayed here – the latter based his iconic Bond, 007, story “Casino Royale” on Le Touquet’s casino. Serge Gainsbourg got his first singing break here, singing at Flavio restaurant (it’s still there), Sean Connery signed his first James Bond contract in the town. The list is endless for those who have fallen for its charms. And it continues: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are fans!