ISSN 2754-6799 To

ISSN 2754-6799 To Subscribe to THE GOOD LIFE FRANCE MAGAZINE Click the button below SUBSCRIBE The magazine is free to read, download and share Contributors Anna Richards is a writer & guidebook author living in Lyon. Her work has appeared in Lonely Planet, National Geographic and many more. annahrichards.com Annaliza Davis is an editor, translator and writer. She lives in Brittany after falling in love with the area on a school exchange and loves to explore the coast with her scruffy dog Mimi! Dana Facaros has lived in France for over 30 years. She is several guidebooks and the creator of French Food Decoder app: everything you want to know about French food Gillian Thornton is an award-winning travel writer specialising in French destinations and lifestyle. Her favourite place? ‘Usually where I have just been!’ 8 CONTENTS The Good Life France Magazine No. 41 Spring 2024 ISSN 2754-6799 ON THE COVER 8 Notre-Dame de Paris reborn Discover the great Gothic Cathedral’s first - and second rebirth. 14 Cognac - town and eau de vie The pint-sized town of Cognac is world famous for its liquor of the Gods. 22 Secret France: Les Baux-de-Provence A beguiling mix of arts, gastronomy, cobbled streets and cotton candy-coloured sunsets await in this hilltop village. 26 Go green in Normandy Lush countryside is not the only green thing about Normandy, 2025 brings a raft of events and sustainable initiatives. DISCOVER Freelance journalist Karen Tait has been Editor of French Property News for over 20 years and contributes to titles such as The Sunday Times. The Good Life France ISSUE Nọ 41 PARIS CHARMS Spring gardens, the Impressionists, by boat CULTURAL city visits Normandy, Cognac, Beziers HIDDEN France Pézenas, Brive, celestial Pic du Midi Notre-Dame REBORN Delicious recipes Bringing you an irresistible taste of France - including the cheesiest charmers! 152 pages Of inspirational features and gorgeous photos Magazine FREE Marion Jones is a Paris lover podcaster (City Breaks) and freelance writer specialising in places where travel meets history. Rudolf Abraham is an award-winning travel writer, photographer, author of over a dozen books and has contributed to many more, and his articles and images are published widely in magazines. rudolfabraham.com The Good Life France Magazine Sue Aran is a writer, photographer, and tour guide living in the Gers department of southwest France. She is the owner of French Country Adventures, which provides personally guided, small-group, slow travel tours into Gascony, the Pays Basque, Provence and beyond. Front Cover: Market at Aix-en-Provence by Janine Marsh Editor-in-chief: Janine Marsh editor@thegoodlifefrance.com Editorial assistant: Trudy Watkins Press enquiries: editor@thegoodlifefrance.com Advertising: sales@thegoodlifefrance.com Digital support: websitesthatwork.com Layout design: Philippa French littlefrogdesign.co.uk ISSN 2754-6799 Issue 41 Spring 2025 38 50 32 Town treats - Rennes, Bourges, Bayonne These heritage towns have oodles of charm, heritage and sensational gastronomy. 38 Slow travel on the River Seine Discover Paris and Normandy by boat! 44 Sacred Architecture Discover France’s imposing and varied places of worship. 50 Gardens of Paris Springtime in Paris is just the moment to seek out the city’s many lovely gardens. 56 Parc de Bagatelle, Paris The petite palace and park were the result of a wager by Queen Marie-Antoinette. 4 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 5