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. 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...

Island life I stayed at

Island life I stayed at a B&B in a cabin called Ch’Canard, on one of the floating gardens, a little corner of paradise. Accessible by a tiny bridge over a ribbon of water, as soon as I closed the gate, it was like being on a remote island, far away from the buzz of normal daily life. In my beautiful 120 year old, tastefully decorated cabin for two I felt cossetted and cocooned, the star of my own Robinson Crusoe story. In the gorgeous gardens I crossed little wooden footbridges to explore dozens of islands all around me, lilies floated on the calm canals, roses and willows dipped down to the water’s edge and the air was filled with the song of frogs and birds. I slept like a baby and can honestly say, it’s one of the most unusual and wonderful B&B’s I’ve ever stayed in. Details: Ch’Canard, Rivery The biggest Cathedral in France The first stone of Amiens Cathedral was laid in the year 1220. It is a masterpiece of Gothic art, 145metres long and 70 metres wide at the transept – it is truly monumental and utterly divine. There are vaulted doorways, statues of kings, apostles and saints. 126 pillars support the soaring vaulted roof, the 16th century wood carved choir stalls are magnificent, stained glass windows cast soft light on the ancient walls and floor. There are gargoyles galore, turrets and towers and listening to the majestic bells gives your goose bumps.

You can climb to the top, 307 narrow steps, for stupendous views over the town. It’s well worth the effort though probably not for those with vertigo or claustrophobia. Look out for the weeping angel, a wonderful statue which forms part of a 17th century mausoleum behind the High Altar. It was featured on a popular postcard sent by soldiers in the Somme during WWI. In summer and December, you’ll see Amiens Cathedral in a different light as the façade is lit up, an ingenious feat of engineering in itself. At night the exterior of the cathedral is smothered in a technicolour light performance in a show that makes audiences gasp. This free 50 minute show is an absolute must-see. State of the art projection technology creates a truly magical experience under a night sky.