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. 24

Bringing you the best of France - full length features on Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Montpellier, Boulogne, Le Havre, the Dordogne, the French Alps and loads more. Delicious recipes, brilliant guides - don't miss this jam-packed issue - it's the next best thing to being there...

Don’t miss: Head a few

Don’t miss: Head a few miles inland to visit the Vallée des Saints. Many visitors miss this but it’s well worth seeking out. Huge granite statues of saints are spread across a hilltop. It’s an ongoing project with the aim to have 1000 saints in total and you can watch the carvers working on their sculptures. It’s massively impressive. Where to stay: Hotel Ti Al Lannec in Trebeuden, a tranquil coastal town: Nothing beats staying in this old granite mansion on top of a hill with a private pathway down to the beach. It has lovey sea views, elegant but cosy sitting rooms, a fabulous spa area, pool with stunning views, and a terrific restaurant. The rooms are individually designed, it’s boutique but authentic and utterly charming. The views from the rooms are to die for. The staff are fabulous. This is old school glamour but with a deft personal touch that’s rare - the staff know all the guests names, there so much attention to detail here. It’s a family run hotel with the charming Isabelle her sister Marie plus mum and dad, making you feel really welcome, relaxed and utterly spoiled. There is nothing ordinary about this hotel, it’s one to fall in love with. www.tiallannec.com Paimpol and the Ile de Brehat Pretty Paimpol was once a major departure point for fishermen working in Icelandic waters. Famous French writer Pierre Loti set his novel Pêcheur d’Islande here but today the former fishing port is all about leisure and boats. There are plenty of restaurants and bars but despite its growing popularity it still feels tranquil and sleepy. Take the road south from Paimpol to discover the Beauport Abbey, romantic 13th century ruins set in beautiful countryside where you can sit in an orchard and simply enjoy the moment – or a picnic.

From Paimpol you can take a 10 minute boat ride to the Ile de Brehat, known as paradise island for good reason. Actually a series of islets set around two small car free islands which at low tide are joined by an 18th century built bridge. Take a 10 minute boat ride from the Pointe de l’Arcouest to discover pink rocks, mimosa, oleander, myrtle and figs growing in the open – it hardly rains here apparently! There are pretty villas, a church and chapel and restaurants joined by a labyrinth of paths. Where to stay Ker Moor Hotel in Saint-Quay-Portieux is built around a 19th century house with an astonishing onion-shaped domed roof, it’s a landmark in the area. Right on the GR34, it has a private path down to the sea with unique panoramic views over the Saint Brieuc Bay in Paimpol. From the hotel it’s a short walk to a sandy beach (there are five in the town) and there’s a popular free to use sea water pool on the beach. There are also two ports - one of which is northern Brittany’s biggest deepwater harbour. The hotel rooms are light and sunny and the people who work there are lovely – the sort that make your holiday feel really special. The hotel team know where all the best restaurants are (ask them where to go for oysters) and will make you feel very welcomed. Hotel Les Agapanthes in the small coastal town of Ploubazanec is run by a Parisian couple who gave up city life, unable to resist the lure of the area where they took their holidays. The little town has a charming port and isn’t remotely touristy. In nearby Pors- Even you’ll find a quaint little village with a cute little seafood restaurant which serves the freshest oysters and best moules frites you’re ever likely to taste. Tourist Office: www.cotesdarmor.com