France Archives - French Side Travel

Category : France

A Brief Guide to the French Renaissance

Chenonceau castle in France
2 August 2026 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

From the French Revolution to La Belle Époque, the Resistance to the Enlightenment, France’s past is storied. Each era has left its unique mark on the country and culture, and the Renaissance is no different. The Renaissance may have been born in Italy, but it certainly spread to France and beyond. Perhaps it’s been awhile since you’ve cracked open a world history book. If you’re curious about the highlights of the French Renaissance as well as how you can experience this history firsthand, we’re here for you. This culturally rich and historically groundbreaking era shaped France. And one of the best regions to experience this period is the Loire Valley. From the Renaissance’s main characters to best Loire Valley visits, here’s our brief guide to the French Renaissance.

Your Guide to Paris’ 8th Arrondissement

27 July 2026 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

Picture glamorous boulevards lined with designer boutiques, grand palaces, world-class museums, and cafés where Parisians linger over coffee or a glass of wine. This is the Paris of fashion magazines, haute couture, classic films, and champagne celebrations. Welcome to the 8th arrondissement.

Whether you’re here for iconic landmarks, luxury shopping, or unforgettable dining, this elegant neighborhood delivers a little glamour at avery turn. Today, we’ll highlight the best things to do, where to eat, and where to stay in the 8th.

The Perfect Multigenerational Trip Itinerary to the French Riviera

20 July 2026 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

From strolling the Promenade des Anglais with your little ones to shopping in style in Monaco with your in-laws, the French Riviera is for the whole family. Whether you’re traveling with toddlers or grandparents, teens or in-laws, there are a wide variety of activities to tempt the entire crew. Foodies, adrenaline seeks, culture aficionados – the French Riviera has an activity designed especially for you. From cultural to outdoor activities, here is the perfect multigenerational itinerary to the French Riviera.

6 Ways the French Have Changed the World

13 July 2026 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

France has never been interested in doing things the ordinary way. Instead, it has a long history of turning bold ideas into beautiful realities.

From the first hot air balloon lifting gently into the sky, to the invention of photography, modern retail, and scientific breakthroughs that shaped what we eat and how we travel, French innovators have spent centuries transforming imagination into everyday life.

As France celebrates its national holiday, there’s no better time to raise a glass to the dreamers, artists, scientists, and adventurers who changed the world. 

The best part? You can still experience these inventions for yourself today. Wander through the grand department stores that reinvented shopping, drift above vineyards in a hot air balloon, capture your own timeless photographs in Paris, and taste wines and cheeses shaped by scientific discovery. All during your next trip to France.

The Beginner’s Guide to Champagne: Grandes Maisons or Grower Champagnes?

wine harvest in a champagne vineyard
6 July 2026 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

Birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. It’s on these special occasions that we pull out a bottle of champagne to celebrate a milestone. You may know that champagne is a highly regulated industry, and not just any bubbly wine can bear this label. Step aside, Prosecco, Crémant and Vouvray! From grape varieties to vineyard locations, champagne is clear, cut and dry. However, even with the AOC label, there remains a wide range of diversity between vine and bottle. For those looking to understand the champagne industry and simply how to better read wine labels, we’ve created a beginner’s guide to this bubbly beverage. We’re breaking down the differences between Grandes Maisons and Grower Champagnes as well as dishing our best secrets for reading bottle labels. And naturally, we’re sharing the best activities in Champagne for your next trip.

Your Guide to Paris’ 7th Arrondissement

30 June 2026 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

Home to the Eiffel Tower, elegant Haussmann buildings, flower-filled balconies, and some of the city’s finest museums, the 7th arrondissement is the Paris of daydreams. Mornings begin with a flaky croissant from the local boulangerie, afternoons are spent exploring world-class art and history museums, and evenings end with a glass of wine on a café terrace.

Ready to explore the 7th? Let’s go through all the top things to do, where to eat, and where to stay in this storybook neighborhood.

14 Best “Coolcation” Trip Ideas in France

hiker in the french alps summer trip
22 June 2026 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

When we think of summer in France, both Provence and the French Riviera pop to mind. The fragrant lavender fields, the crisp Mediterranean waves and sun-soaked terraces. But these spots can also mean throngs of tourists and hot temperatures. With French Side Travel, you certainly can enjoy a luxurious trip to southern France during the summer, but perhaps consider other parts of France for a cooler vacation. Beat the heat with these best “coolcation” trip ideas, and save Provence and the Riviera for shoulder season. From the French Alps to Normandy, here are our favorite “coolcation” trip ideas in France.

7 Best Hiking Experiences in France

8 June 2026 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of reaching a summit. Whether overlooking the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, the dramatic peaks of Corsica, or the snow-capped Alps, every trail reveals a different side of France.

While France is celebrated for its cuisine, culture, and charming villages, it is also a remarkable destination for active travelers. Scenic hiking routes wind through vineyard-covered hills, rugged mountain ranges, coastal cliffs, and protected nature reserves, often revealing landscapes inaccessible by car. 

From gentle countryside walks to exhilarating mountain adventures, these experiences combine spectacular scenery with authentic discoveries. Lace up your boots and prepare to take the scenic route through some of France’s most beautiful regions!

3 Best Regions to Bike in France for Travelers

8 June 2026 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

His newspaper was failing, and Henri Desgranges needed a solution. In 1903, he organized the first Tour de France in the hopes of “revitaliz(ing) his struggling publication, L’Auto, through the spectacle of a long-distance race,” per Ebsco. What he didn’t realize was that the event itself would be a whopping success – much more than his publication. Today this cross-country cycling race remains a household name and has put France on the map for its cycling appeal. You might not be Lance Armstrong, but perhaps you enjoy biking. If you’re looking for an active trip to France with biking, there is a wealth of regions to explore. From quaint villages to rolling vineyards, majestic castles to lush forests, France is the ideal backdrop for your cycle. No matter your fitness level, France promises beautiful landscapes and trails for each traveler. From the Loire Valley to Burgundy, here are our favorite regions to bike in France.

Your Guide to Paris’ 6th Arrondissement

1 June 2026 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

The 6th arrondissement is the Paris people imagine before they arrive: café terraces spilling onto cobblestone streets, jazz drifting from open windows, and impeccably dressed locals walking with fresh baguettes tucked under their arms. Somehow, everyone here looks effortlessly chic, even when browsing the market or grabbing coffee.

This is where revolutionary thinkers debated philosophy over espresso, where artists and writers found endless inspiration, and where visitors today still come searching for that unmistakable Parisian atmosphere that somehow feels both glamorous and effortless at the same time.

Set on the Left Bank, the 6th is refined and romantic. From the literary soul of Saint-Germain-des-Prés to the quiet beauty of the Luxembourg Gardens, this district embodies the timeless Paris travelers dream about long before they step foot in the city.

Read on for our full guide on what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in the 6th. And while you’re at it, check out our other guides featuring the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th arrondissements.

The Perfect Multigenerational Trip Itinerary to Paris

25 May 2026 - Reading Time: 5 minutes

A romantic honeymoon to Paris? Easy. A fun girls’ trip marked by wine tastings and Eiffel Tower photo shoots? Piece of cake. But a trip to the capital that caters to the whole family from Grandma to little Tommy is no easy feat. If you’re dreaming of a trip to the French capital but are struggling to make it a delight for your entire crew, let us be of service. True, France gets plenty of publicity for couples’ or friend trips, but its capital has a wealth of activities, whether you’re in elementary school or retired. Employing a travel agency like French Side Travel for your multigenerational trip is a fabulous way to focus more on sipping coffee with Grandpa and less on finding activities to please everyone. From teens to kids, parents to grandparents, here is our perfect multigenerational trip itinerary to Paris.

Seven Ways to Fall in Love with Burgundy

19 May 2026 - Reading Time: 4 minutes

Few regions capture the romance of France quite like Burgundy. Set in the heart of eastern France, this region unfolds in a patchwork of vineyard-covered hills, medieval villages, and centuries-old estates. Burgundy is not just a wine region, though its vineyards are among the most famous in the world. It is also defined by a way of life shaped by terroir, tradition, and an unwavering respect for craftsmanship. 

From immersive wine tastings and intimate culinary moments to cultural discoveries and scenic explorations, there are plenty of unique things to do in the region. Here are seven unforgettable ways to experience the true essence of Burgundy.

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