Kristin Blake, Author at

11 Unique Souvenirs to Buy (Or Make) in France

Spend the afternoon wandering round the City of Love!

18 June 2024 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

Standing underneath the glittering Eiffel Tower, inhaling the fragrant lavender of Provence, tasting a Grand Cru in Bordeaux. When we experience lavish vacations, it’s only fitting that we search high and low for that special something to remember these sweet moments. But what’s one more keychain, magnet or t-shirt? At French Side Travel, we craft custom luxury experiences, and it only makes sense to return with extraordinary souvenirs. France is filled to the brim with unique souvenirs to remember your adventures, and we’re sharing some of our favorites.

Audrey Hepburn-Inspired Paris Itinerary

4 June 2024 - Reading Time: 3 minutes

Audrey Hepburn may not have hailed from France, but this icon of elegance left her mark on this country. From Funny Face to Charade, many of this British actress’ films took place in Paris. Audrey also rubbed elbows with famed French designer Hubert de Givenchy and became a sort of spokesmodel for his brand. Here’s a look at Audrey Hepburn’s relationship with France and the best Audrey Hepburn-inspired activities in Paris.

Henri Matisse: Life, Legacy and Love of Southern France

21 May 2024 - Reading Time: 3 minutes

From the sea to flowers, animals to people, artists find their inspiration all around. For some artists, such as Henri Matisse, it’s a particular region that stirs their creativity. Born in the northern region of Picardy, Matisse blossomed artistically in southern France in the warm sunshine. We’re doing a deep dive into the life and inspiration of Henri Matisse as well as the best Matisse-inspired activities in France.

Guide to Ajaccio: Home of Napoléon Bonaparte

2 May 2024 - Reading Time: 3 minutes

Military commander, short man with his hand folded across his chest, dictator riding on a magnificent horse. Napoleon Bonaparte has many images and titles that precede his name. But beyond the pages of history textbooks, who was this Frenchman? Napoleon I certainly left his mark on French history, including in his hometown of Ajaccio on the island of Corsica. Here’s a brief history of Napoleon Bonaparte as well as a guide to Ajaccio.

Louis Vuitton and His Rise to LVMH Luxury

20 April 2024 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

LV: Two small letters pack a lot of weight. It was nearly two centuries ago that Louis Vuitton launched his luggage brand. Since then, the Louis Vuitton name has only grown in prestige and has also acquired a swath of other brands along the way. Today this luxury goods conglomerate has become one of the leaders in its industry. We’re tracing the path of Louis Vuitton, the brand’s evolution over the centuries and best Louis Vuitton-themed activities in France.

From Albi to Paris: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

6 April 2024 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

From Claude Monet’s water lilies to the grandeur of Versailles, France is an icon in the world of art. This country has produced or heavily influenced some of the world’s biggest names: Edgar Degas, Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Van Gogh and beyond. Even more, it’s home to the largest art museum in the world, the Louvre. Although lesser known, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec played an important role in French art history, namely the Art Nouveau and Post-Impressionist movements. From Albi to Paris, we’re exploring Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s roots and legacy, plus best activities inspired by this artist.

Your Guide to the Provence Wine Region

25 March 2024 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

Bright blue waves and year-round sunshine draw many to Provence. But there’s much more to be explored and enjoyed in this region in southern France. This sun-drenched region is also well-known for its breathtaking vineyards and wine selections. With nearly 90% of its wine production being rosé, Provence is rather pink. We’ve curated a guide […]

Your Guide to the Loire Valley Wine Region

12 March 2024 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

Somewhere in between bustling Paris and sun-drenched southern France lies the Loire Valley. This region of France is particularly known for its hundreds of castles. But its Renaissance architecture isn’t all this French region boasts. The Loire Valley is sprinkled with vineyards, which spread across 220 square miles, per Vins du Val de Loire. From Sauvignon Blanc to Muscadet, from Cabernet Franc to Vouvray, we’re exploring the best of the Loire Valley wine region.

Your Guide to the Bordeaux Wine Region

5 March 2024 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

The city of Bordeaux is known for its cannelé pastries and its regal Haussmanian-style architecture. But above all, Bordeaux is synonymous with wine. Named the wine capital of the world, this town is especially known for its red wines and boasts 53 appellations per Wine Folly. Bordeaux has long been tied to the wine industry. And we’re breaking down the Bordeaux wine region with its history and terroir, plus the best wine activities in Bordeaux.

The Beginner’s Guide to French Wine

27 February 2024 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

Rouge, rosé ou blanc — if only it were that simple! With more than 3,000 wines crafted in France, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. From sunlight to temperature, barrel storage to grape variety, there’s so much that goes into the creation of what goes into a wine glass. And within a country as diverse as France, each of its dozen or so wine regions offers a unique taste and perspective on this timeless beverage. We’re going back to the basics of winemaking with our beginner’s guide to French wine and our favorite wine activities.

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