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

thegoodlifefrance
Views
3 months ago
Report

SUMMER 2026

  • View more details
  • France
  • Free magazine
  • French culture
  • Visit france
  • Paris
  • Provence
  • Normandy
  • Recipes
Brimming with brilliant features and beautiful photos - bursting with inspiring, entertaining and informative guides from sun-kissed, pickled-in-the-past villages and dazzling historic cities, plus articles about French history, heritage and culture from royal feasts to to the Roman Pont du Gard in Provence. Discover Paris, Provence, Saint Paul-de-Vence and more picture perfect Provence villages, the Loire Valley, the sun-kissed Var in southern france and Le Cannet, the arty town above Cannes, Brittany, Normandy and lesser known, but utterly beautiful, treasures in Burgundy, southern France, Vienne, cities that are perfect for a car-free break, stunning seaside towns and many more dazzling destinations. Plus mouth-watering recipes, history, culture, heritage and much, much more. Bringing France to you - wherever you are.

SPOTLIGHT on Orléans in

SPOTLIGHT on Orléans in the Loire Valley View from the top of the Cathedral © Jeremy Flint In the heart of France’s Centre-Val de Loire region, Orléans is a city of architectural wonders, and gastronomic delights. Just an hour by train from Paris, it’s a perfect base to discover the Loire Valley’s chateaux and charming villages says Jeremy Flint. Orléans is an ideal city for weekend and short break escapes where wandering on foot is a real joy. My first stop is the Sainte-Croix Cathedral (Cathedral of the Holy Cross) whose spires dominate the skyline of the Cathedral Saint-Croix © Jeremy Flint Statue of Joan of Arc in Orléans © Jeremy Flint town. The gothic masterpiece is one of the largest cathedrals in France - building began in the 13 th century, halted in the 16 th century after being partly destroyed by protestants and carried on for several more centuries including in the early 1600s when King Louis XIV insisted that the transept be built in Gothic style. His architect installed a rose window with the Sun King’s symbol, likeness and motto “Nec Pluribus Impar” - no one compares to him. I take a guided tour which provides a unique way to explore the cathedral from top to bottom. Descending to the crypts unveils the hidden history of the remarkable 11th century Romanesque crypt of Saint Avit. Through a hidden door at the back of the cathedral, we ascend 236 steps and cross a narrow openair walkway to the top. It’s the only place you can see the city from above - and you certainly need a head for heights! You also get a stunning view of the cathedral’s impressive structure - an incredible feat of engineering, made from stone, iron, wood, slate, brick, and glass. From mid-May to the end of August there’s a dazzling free sound and light show on the Cathedral’s sculpted façade. Don’t miss the elegant renaissance buildings including Hotel Groslot, a former royal residence, the museums of fine art and archaeology, and the bronze statue of Joan of Arc on horseback in the Place du Martroi central square. It’s one of city’s many tributes to Joan, Patron Saint of France, AKA the Maid of Orleans after she led the French army to victory when the English were forced to withdraw after laying siege to Orléans for almost 7 months. 48 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 49

  • Page 1 and 2: FREE The Good Life France ISSUE N
  • Page 3 and 4:
  • Page 5 and 6:
  • Page 7 and 8:
  • Page 9 and 10:
  • Page 11 and 12:
  • Page 13 and 14:
  • Page 15 and 16:
  • Page 17 and 18:
  • Page 19 and 20:
  • Page 21 and 22:
  • Page 23 and 24:
  • Page 25 and 26:
  • Page 27 and 28:
  • Page 29 and 30:
  • Page 31 and 32:
  • Page 33 and 34:
  • Page 35 and 36:
  • Page 37 and 38:
  • Page 39 and 40:
  • Page 41 and 42:
  • Page 43 and 44:
  • Page 45 and 46:
  • Page 47:
  • Page 51 and 52:
  • Page 53 and 54:
  • Page 55 and 56:
  • Page 57 and 58:
  • Page 59 and 60:
  • Page 61 and 62:
  • Page 63 and 64:
  • Page 65 and 66:
  • Page 67 and 68:
  • Page 69 and 70:
  • Page 71 and 72:
  • Page 73 and 74:
  • Page 75 and 76:
  • Page 77 and 78:
  • Page 79 and 80:
  • Page 81 and 82:
  • Page 83 and 84:
  • Page 85 and 86:
  • Page 87 and 88:
  • Page 89 and 90:
  • Page 91 and 92:
  • Page 93 and 94:
  • Page 95 and 96:
  • Page 97 and 98:
  • Page 99 and 100:

  • Page 101 and 102:

  • Page 103 and 104:

  • Page 105 and 106:

  • Page 107 and 108:

  • Page 109 and 110:

  • Page 111 and 112:

  • Page 113 and 114:

  • Page 115 and 116:

  • Page 117 and 118:

  • Page 119 and 120:

  • Page 121 and 122:

  • Page 123 and 124:

  • Page 125 and 126:

  • Page 127 and 128:

  • Page 129 and 130:

  • Page 131 and 132:

  • Page 133 and 134:

  • Page 135 and 136:

  • Page 137 and 138:

  • Page 139 and 140:

  • Page 141 and 142:

  • Page 143 and 144:

  • Page 145 and 146:

  • Page 147 and 148: