Category : France

French Wine Region Highlights and Itinerary Ideas

9 November 2025 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

The full-bodied reds of Bordeaux, the tangy rosés of Provence, the crisp whites of Alsace. Recognized across the globe, France’s wine inventory is highly decorated. But to be fair, the term “French wine” is an oversimplification because each wine region bears unique flavor, terroir and character. Each wine region promises its own story and experience. With a country as geographically diverse as France, it’s hard to fit everything into one itinerary: museums, nature, gastronomy, wine, and much more. So, whether you’re wanting to add several wine-themed days to your trip or desiring a trip devoted to discovering the different wine regions, we’re here for you. We’re sharing an overview of France’s main wine regions with their specialities as well as itinerary ideas.

Your Guide to Paris’ 1st Arrondissement

4 November 2025 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

Centuries ago, royalty walked the cobblestone streets of Paris’ 1st arrondissement. Today, tourists and locals alike wander those same paths, where palaces have become museums and royal gardens have turned into the city’s favorite gathering spots. Timeless, elegant, and unmistakably Parisian, this neighborhood is where the city’s story begins. Ready to discover its charm? Here’s your guide to the 1st arrondissement in Paris.

French Culinary Specialities by Region

27 October 2025 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

Croissants, escargots and cheese — this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to French cuisine. With 18 regions in France, each one has its own specialities and traditions. There’s no doubt that you can find wines, cheese and pastries across the country. But each corner of France has its own flair. From Bordeaux’s canelés to Alsace’s stollen, Lyon’s quenelles to Marseille’s bouillabaisse, French cuisine abounds with a flavor for each traveler. With French Side Travel, you can not only discover the best spots to taste these delicacies but also enjoy cooking classes and unique gastronomic experiences. We’ve rounded up some of the best French culinary specialities by region.

Our Little Black Book of Intimate Hotels in France

13 October 2025 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

Sometimes bigger isn’t better. And it’s no different when it comes to hotels during your stay in France. If you’re on the hunt for an exclusive stay for your trip, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite intimate hotel addresses in France. When referring to intimate hotels, we’re referring to establishments with few rooms or a particular boutique approach. Think confidential and reserved experiences from staying in a private floating lodge to having private beach access. Listed by region, here’s our little black book of the most intimate hotels in France.

5 Best Day Trips from Paris

29 September 2025 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

From ornate châteaux to quaint villages, there’s so much to see just outside of Paris. Of course, the French capital remains timeless for its wealth of art museums, esteemed gastronomy and historical sites. But there’s a trove of fabulous destinations surrounding the City of Light. Lucky for you, it’s not an either/or situation. We’re happy to share the good news that you can do both: enjoy the best of Paris and discover another corner of France easily. Thanks to the high-speed TGV train, round trips to these destinations are feasible within a day. From the blossoming gardens of Giverny to the Champagne vineyards, delve into France’s many colors during your trip to France by adding a day trip to your itinerary. Here are some of the best day trips from Paris.

Best 2025 Fall Destinations in France

15 September 2025 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

Flipping the calendar to September means one thing in France: la rentrée, or back to school. As summer winds down, tourists return home, the temperatures cool, and most head back to work and school. But truth be told, France begs to be explored in its shoulder seasons, especially fall. With fewer crowds and milder temperatures, autumn in France is just as ravishing as its other seasons. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite spots for the autumn season. From Bordeaux to Normandy, here are our top fall destinations in France for 2025.

7 Most Underrated French Villages (According to Our Staff)

25 August 2025 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

From Paris to Nice, most travelers flock to the bustling cities of France. It’s true that there’s a wealth of sights and experiences to take in: Louvre, Promenade des Anglais, calanques of Marseille. But so much authentic French charm is tucked in its villages. The quaint bakeries where the bakers know the locals by their first names. The natural music of cicadas chirping. The quiet monasteries coming up on a millennium of existence. Far out of the limelight, these villages may not attract the hordes. But it’s these places that best reflect French patrimoine, or heritage. On our quest for the most underrated French villages, we didn’t ask Lonely Planet or AI. We asked our very own travel designers and staff for their top picks. From Normandy to Provence, here are the most underrated French villages, according to French Side Travel.

The Cubist’s Guide to France

18 August 2025 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

Abstract figures, geometric shapes and a shift of perspective. The Cubist movement is easy to spot from across a gallery for its avant-garde interpretation. From Monet’s waterlilies of Impressionism to Cézanne’s bathers of Post-Impression, France is well-known for its art. And although Spanish artist Pablo Picasso is typically associated with Cubism, the movement flourished in France and was born in Paris. Along with the related movements of Fauvism and Orphism, we’re doing a deep dive into Cubism in France. From the movements’ important artists to where to see artwork, here’s our guide to Cubism in France.

9 Slow Travel Destinations in France

4 August 2025 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Versailles all in the same day? Nice, Cannes and Marseille back to back? It’s tempting to want to do it all while vacationing in France. And it’s true: there’s so much to see and do. But perhaps it’s not about checking monuments off lists but rather experiencing the trip to the fullest. Whether fetching a fresh baguette from the bakery to savoring a long meal, slow travel is all about embracing the moment and discovering the local culture. France is full of regions ideal for slow travel destinations. Charming villages, peaceful lakes, quaint wineries – there’s no shortage of slow-travel experiences. From the Gorges du Verdon to the Rhône Valley, here are several of our favorite slow-travel destinations in France.

The Impressionist’s Guide to France

21 July 2025 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

From Claude Monet’s water lilies to Edgar Degas’ ballerina statue, Impressionism remains a hallmark movement in French art history. France produced a laundry list of Impressionist artists: Monet, Degas, Morisot, Manet, Pissarro, and beyond. Although the movement wasn’t embraced at first, Impressionism remains a fan favorite for its bright colors and subject matter. And Paris is a playground when it comes to Impressionist art. We’re sharing some of the top names in the Impressionist movement as well as where you can see their masterpieces in France.

5 French Beauty Brands to Know (And Love!)

7 July 2025 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

The aroma of baguettes, history-laden monuments, and haute couture in the shop windows. There are some things that you’re sure to encounter during your trip to France. But one that you might not anticipate – but certainly shouldn’t overlook – is a small green cross. This seemingly insignificant symbol represents a pharmacy. Most tourists just move along with their itinerary or make a pit stop for over-the-counter medicine for a cough. But for tourists and locals alike, French pharmacies are a destination in and of themselves. Much more than just remedies for health problems, French pharmacies offer an extensive range of cosmetics and beauty products. Here’s a look at the French beauty scene that has dominated the global market as well as several French beauty brands to know.

The Post-Impressionist’s Guide to France

23 June 2025 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

From van Gogh’s “Starry Night” to Cézanne’s “Bathers,” the Post-Impressionist movement is all but forgotten. And France played a pivotal role not only in producing some of the most well-known artists from this movement but also inspiring creatives across the globe. Whether in Paris or Provence, Post-Impressionist art aficionados will find their bonheur all throughout France. You may not know Post-Impressionism by name, but you certainly have heard of some of its main players: Paul Cézanne, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Gaugin and Georges Seurat. Here’s a brief guide to the Post-Impressionist movement in France as well as where you can see some of its key pieces today.

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Category : France

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