ISSN 2754-6799To

ISSN 2754-6799To Subscribe toTHE GOOD LIFE FRANCE MAGAZINEClick the button belowSUBSCRIBEThe magazine is free to read, download and shareContributorsAnna Richards is a writer & guidebookauthor living in Lyon. Her work hasappeared in Lonely Planet, NationalGeographic and many more.annahrichards.comAnnaliza Davis is an editor, translatorand writer. She lives in Brittany afterfalling in love with the area on a schoolexchange and loves to explore thecoast with her scruffy dog Mimi!Dana Facaros has lived in Francefor over 30 years. She is severalguidebooks and the creator of FrenchFood Decoder app: everything youwant to know about French foodGillian Thornton is an award-winningtravel writer specialising in Frenchdestinations and lifestyle. Her favouriteplace? ‘Usually where I have just been!’8CONTENTSThe Good Life France MagazineNo. 41 Spring 2024ISSN 2754-6799ON THE COVER8 Notre-Dame de Paris rebornDiscover the great GothicCathedral’s first – and secondrebirth.14 Cognac – town and eau de vieThe pint-sized town of Cognacis world famous for its liquor ofthe Gods.22 Secret France:Les Baux-de-ProvenceA beguiling mix of arts,gastronomy, cobbled streets andcotton candy-coloured sunsetsawait in this hilltop village.26 Go green in NormandyLush countryside is not the onlygreen thing about Normandy,2025 brings a raft of events andsustainable initiatives.DISCOVERFreelance journalist Karen Tait hasbeen Editor of French Property Newsfor over 20 years and contributes totitles such as The Sunday Times.TheGood Life FranceISSUE Nọ 41PARISCHARMSSpring gardens, theImpressionists, by boatCULTURALcity visitsNormandy, Cognac,BeziersHIDDENFrancePézenas, Brive,celestial Pic du MidiNotre-DameREBORNDelicious recipesBringing you an irresistibletaste of France – includingthe cheesiest charmers!152 pagesOf inspirational featuresand gorgeous photosMagazineFREEMarion Jones is a Paris lover podcaster(City Breaks) and freelance writerspecialising in places where travelmeets history.Rudolf Abraham is an award-winningtravel writer, photographer, authorof over a dozen books and hascontributed to many more, and hisarticles and images are publishedwidely in magazines.rudolfabraham.comThe Good Life France MagazineSue Aran is a writer, photographer,and tour guide living in the Gersdepartment of southwest France.She is the owner of French CountryAdventures, which provides personallyguided, small-group, slow traveltours into Gascony, the Pays Basque,Provence and beyond.Front Cover: Market at Aix-en-Provence by Janine MarshEditor-in-chief: Janine Marsh editor@thegoodlifefrance.comEditorial assistant: Trudy WatkinsPress enquiries: editor@thegoodlifefrance.comAdvertising: sales@thegoodlifefrance.comDigital support: websitesthatwork.comLayout design: Philippa French littlefrogdesign.co.ukISSN 2754-6799 Issue 41 Spring 2025385032 Town treats - Rennes,Bourges, BayonneThese heritage towns haveoodles of charm, heritage andsensational gastronomy.38 Slow travel on the River SeineDiscover Paris and Normandyby boat!44 Sacred ArchitectureDiscover France’s imposing andvaried places of worship.50 Gardens of ParisSpringtime in Paris is just themoment to seek out the city’smany lovely gardens.56 Parc de Bagatelle, ParisThe petite palace and parkwere the result of a wager byQueen Marie-Antoinette.4 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 5