Kristin Blake, Author at French Side Travel

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.

Marie Antoinette-Inspired Paris Itinerary

19 February 2024 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

Among a history marked by kings and generals, few women have made their mark on French history quite like Marie Antoinette. Born in Vienna, Marie Antoinette married Louis XVI with luxury and infamy to follow closely behind. Although she died in the 18th century, you can still follow in her footsteps in Paris today. If you’re curious about French Revolution history and French royalty, we’ve curated our best Marie Antoinette-inspired Paris itinerary.

Best Museums in France (Other than the Louvre)

13 February 2024 - Reading Time: 6 minutes

From its rich gastronomy to its breathtaking landscapes, it’s no shock that France is one of the most visited countries in the world. Another big draw to France is also its vibrant museum selection. France’s capital is home to the Louvre, which is the most visited museum across the globe, according to Museums.eu. But the rest of France has much to offer in terms of art, culture and history. We certainly do recommend a visit to the Louvre, but beyond this classic, we wanted to share some of the best museums in all of France.

The Many Lives of the Louvre

5 February 2024 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

Mona Lisa, Venus di Milo, Liberty Leading the People. The Louvre is home to thousands of precious art pieces, and books and guides abound on all the treasures to be found inside the museum. But the history of the Louvre building itself is arguably as fascinating as the many canvases and statues it stores. Today, the Louvre is one of the most famous art museums in the world, but these buildings didn’t always serve this purpose. The history of this iconic museum has seen and survived multiple wars and républiques. Here’s a brief history of the Louvre with its different eras and how best to enjoy a visit today.

Epic France Bucket List: By Air, Land and Sea

30 January 2024 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

From strolling the historic halls of the Louvre to marveling at its Renaissance castles, France offers endless dreamy experiences. But perhaps you’re craving even more adventure for your trip to France than the typical tourist experiences. If you’re pining for the most luxurious activities for your trip to France, look no further. From hot air balloon to helicopter rides, we’re sharing our epic France bucket list – by air, land and sea.

The Beginner’s Guide to French Crêpes

23 January 2024 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

Do French people really do that? Whether it’s wearing berets or eating escargots, French stereotypes abound. Some of these assumptions have more merit than others. One classic “Frenchism” is their love for crêpes. And truth be told, crêpes are widely eaten in France. Nearly four out of every five French people enjoy sweet crêpes, per Statista. We’re sharing all about French crêpes: the different types; their history; and la Chandeleur, a holiday known for its crêpe consumption.

4 Local Specialities from Provence

16 January 2024 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

Whether it’s strolling down the Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence or hiking through Marseille’s calanques, southern France offers much to do. The region of Provence is a treasure chest for stunning hikes, village strolls and important monuments. But much of Provence’s charm stems from enjoying its local specialities. From its fragrant lavender fields to tranquil olive groves, the region of Provence offers delights for all five senses. From lavender to wine, we’re rounding up several of the best local specialities from Provence and how you can make sure they’re authentic.

Uncovering Roman History in Provence

9 January 2024 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

From Marie Antoinette to Napoleon Bonaparte, you may have brushed up on French history. Perhaps you’ve watched Les Misérables and even celebrated Bastille Day. But what happened in France long before Louis XIV ruled, before the Enlightenment took place or before the Eiffel Tower was built? The country we know as France today has been inhabited for thousands of years. And the country is still filled with relics from these ancient periods, particularly from the Roman era. In the region of Provence, many Roman ruins can be explored today. We’re uncovering Roman history in Provence and sharing the best sites you can still visit today.

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