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

Views
2 years ago

Issue No. 25

In this issue, visit France from home - Gascony, and Provence, fabulous day trips from Paris, captivating Toulouse and charming Northern France. Recipes, guides and a whole heap more to entertain and inspire...

4 Village Visits

4 Village Visits Giverny, Normandy Claude Monet’s house and garden in Giverny, Normandy certainly leave an impression. Take the train to Vernon (nonstop services save time) and then hop on the shuttle bus outside. 3 hours is enough to wander through the house which looks just like Monet has popped out to do a spot of painting. The gardens are stunning, a palette of colours, a riot of plants and an ogle-some lily pond. Afterwards take a wander through the tiny but pretty town and visit restaurant Hotel Baudry where many of Monet’s friends stayed (don’t miss the atmospheric studio in the garden). There’s a great museum in the one street town, several boutiques, a pretty church where the artist is buried and plenty of places for a pit stop. More on Monet's house and garden

Barbizon, Seine-et-Marne At the edge of the Fontainebleau forest, around 60km from Paris, Barbizon is nicknamed the village of the painters, because of the role it played in the history of French pre-impressionism. Artists like Renoir, Sisley and Monet flocked here, charmed by the picturesque village and surrounding nature. A listed Village of Character, today its postcard pretty streets are home to art galleries, artisan workshops and the Museum of the Painters of Barbizon musee-peintres-barbizon.fr The village is surrounded by woods and perfect for a walk to see what inspired so many artists... Take the train to Fontainebleau (see page 43) then a taxi or bus 21 to Barbizon. Painting: Charles-Francois Daubigny, 1877, Barbizon school. Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, Yvelines The town of Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse at the gateway of Paris is pretty, romantic and a real taste of the countryside. You’ll find the promenade des petits ponts, a path along a canal lined with stone houses and old wash houses. The history of Chevreuse dates back at least 1,000 years, and there’s a 12th century castle which is free to explore. And the lvoely 17th century Chateau de Dampierre is a 22 minute cycle from the town. There’s a cheese farm and several excellent restaurants – an idyllic place. Take the train from Gare du Nord to Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse which takes about 50 minutes. From the station you can rent ebikes and bikes – great to explore the Rambouillet Forest. Details: chevreuse-tourisme.com