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The Best Food in Brittany

November 30, 2011 in France by TravelReflex Team

Kouign Amann

Annual family vacations to southern Brittany have left me with a keen taste for the local cuisine and I’m not talking about ice creams on the beach. From offerings of the sea to savoury pancakes, these summer holiday treats are never quite the same when eaten in Britain…

Moules Marinières

Mussels and chips, or moules frites, as the French say, is one of my favourite meals. There are many variations on this dish, but the most popular is undoubtedly moules marinières: mussels cooked in white wine with onions, garlic and sometimes a splash of cream. I’ve also tried these juicy shellfish in a light roquefort sauce and served in cider, both of which are delicious, though I’ve not yet ventured to sample them in mustard. Regardless of the sauce, there isn’t much that beats a large bowl of mussels with crispy fries on the side and a crusty baguette on hand for mopping.

Galettes

When thinking about savoury pancakes, most people imagine thick Dutch pannenkoeken. French galettes, however, are a similar thickness to sweet crêpes, with the differences being that they are made with buckwheat flour and often have a crispier texture around the edges. I adore galettes for their versatility, whether bought from a market stall with jambon et fromage (ham and cheese) or served in style at a crêperie, piled high with ingredients ranging from mushrooms and cream to potatoes, lardons and salad. Galettes can be a light snack or a filling meal and the summer holiday wouldn’t be complete without at least one.

Cidre

In contrast to English pint glasses, French cider is served in little ceramic bowls with handles. If everyone is drinking cider with a meal, a jug will be placed in the centre of the table along with a bowl for each diner, which adds to the charm of the French dining experience. Brittany is a famed cider-producing region, second only to Normandy, and nothing washes down a galette quite so well as a bowl of sweet, local cider.

Kouign Amann

Pudding time and this treat is definitely for those with a sweet tooth. In the Breton language, Kouign Amann translates as butter cake and it’s easy to see why: the dough is folded with butter and sugar. When cooked, this creates a cake with a sugary centre that melts in your mouth and a delightfully crunchy edge. It’s very rich, so best eaten in small portions, but I’d recommend it to anybody looking to sample an authentic Breton pastry.

Written by Jemma Saunders

Read more of Jemma’s travel writing here or follow her on Twitter @JemSaunders1

Thanks to ashesdream for the photo from Flickr!

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Top 10 Must See Things in Paris

September 28, 2011 in France by TravelReflex Team

from paris with love

There’s so much to see in Paris it’s difficult to narrow it down to only ten, but if you are limited on time then these are the sights you have see on your trip to France.

  1. The Eiffel Tower – Don’t just buy a cheap statue and think you’re done. A trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower is a must. The tower was built for the 1889 World’s Fair and has become one of the most recognizable structures in the world and a global icon of France. Aside from all the history, the view from the top is one you will never forget and it will also get you excited to see the rest that Paris has to offer.
  2. The Louvre – You could spend a whole weekend in the Louvre and still only scratch the surface of what it contains. With over 35,000 pieces of art it’s best to figure out what you want and have time to see and prioritize, otherwise you will get lost in the Louvre and never want to leave.
  3. Notre Dame Cathedral – The moment you step out of the Metro station located on it’s doorstep you’ll be in awe of the sheer size and beauty of this almost 850 year old building. This awe doesn’t fade once you step inside and see the amazing vaulted ceilings and breathtaking stained class. Make sure you take a trip to the top of the towers; the view is great and you can see both the gargoyles and the famous bells up close. Last stop before you leave check out the crypts under the cathedral entrance.
  4. Arc de Triomphe – Almost as iconic as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. The Arc was built to remember those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars. You will find the names of all French victories and Generals written on its inner and outer surfaces. Below lies the Tomb of the Unknown Solider from World War I.
  5. Champs-Elysees – Considered one of the most famous and beautiful avenues in the world. The Champs-Elysees is just over one mile long and runs through the 8th district of Paris from the Place de la Concorde in the east to the Place Charles de Gaulle in the west. The avenue is lined with clipped horse-chestnut trees, cinemas, cafés and luxury specialty shops and is one of the most expensive strip of real estate in the world.
  6. Musee d’Orsay – Originally a railway station from the 1900’s the Musee d’Orsay holds primarily French art from 1848 to 1915. This includes paintings, sculptures, furniture and photography. If you’re interested in impressionist art from such painters as Monet, Degas, Renoir or Van Gogh you won’t find a larger collection anywhere else.
  7. Saint-Sulpice – Made famous by the best selling book the Da Vinci Code, Saint-Sulpice is the second largest church in Paris, after Notre-Dame. One of it’s main attractions which was also featured in the Da Vinci Code is the Great Organ that dates back to the 18th century. The sound of this amazing instrument is unparalleled and considered Cavaille-Colls’ crowning jewel.
  8. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris – More commonly known as Sacre-Coeur Basilica, this Roman Catholic church is located on the summit of butte Montmarte, the highest point in the city. Be sure to remember your camera to get some magnificent shots of all of Paris.
  9. Palace of Versailles – Known by the French as Chateaux de Versailles, it is one of the largest and opulent castles in the world. Its exquisite architecture, breathtaking gardens, and long history is why it has become one of the most visited locations in France. When the chateau was built, Versailles was a country village, but today it is a suburb of Paris and around 20km southwest of the French capital. You won’t regret visiting this amazing location.
  10. Luxembourg Gardens – Even though it is the second largest park in Paris it is easily the most popular. The park is the garden of the French Senate and is home to the Luxembourg Palace in the 6th district of Paris. Located at the center of the park you will find the Grand Bassin, an octagonal pond. It is here that children can rent small boats, watch a puppet theater, ride ponies as well as a merry-go-round. You can also borrow one of the many chairs and take it anywhere within the park you’d like to sit, perhaps to watch a game of Jeux de Boules or have a relaxing picnic.

 

Duke Dudley is a travel writer from Portland, Maine. He recommends 1-800-Fly-Europe for your future flights to Paris.

 

Thanks to agaw.dilim for the photo from Flickr!

 

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4 Ways to Budget for Traveling France

September 21, 2011 in France by TravelReflex Team

Flag of FranceFrance is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. This beautiful and historic country offers tourists all kinds of great and interesting experiences: wandering the lovely French countryside, eating at excellent restaurants, drinking wine, visiting castles, meandering through art galleries with famous art in them, and just experiencing the carefree and vivacious manner for which the French are famous.  From car insuranceto money for the amazing French food, one must know where to save when traveling to France!

 

As has often been noted, France is not always the most inexpensive country to visit. Neither is it the most exorbitant. However, as with any vacation, good budgeting is in order if you plan to travel to this world renowned location. The following are four primary areas you should consider in preparing a realistic travel budget for traveling in France.

 

Transportation to France

 

Your costs for travel to and from the France itself will depend on a number of different factors such as the country you leave from and the time you are traveling. If you live in the US, you need to compare on and off season air fare costs from various different airlines. Online comparison sites can make comparing rates easier. During the summer season you will find that rates are much higher than during the winter, particularly January and February. Round trip tickets with fixed dates are almost always the cheapest, so only travel one way of there is real uncertainty about your return date.

 

If you live in the UK, France may be accessible with only a ferry ride across the English channel. This will, of course be significantly cheaper than flying, though you should still check seasonal rates as well as factor in the travel to the ferry departure point (for instance Dover, Portsmouth or Plymouth).

 

Transportation Around France

 

Travel around France is another whole budgetary area you will need to consider. While you can take trains and busses around France, you may enjoy the independence of renting or even buying a car in France. There are vacation packages that include car rental or you can simply rent a car from the rental counter at the airport when you arrive.

 

Rental car insurance is usually included by the rental company itself. However you might look into independent insurance companies that may offer cheaper or more comprehensive coverage. You can opt to forego the insurance the company offers in favor of some other insurer. There is also general travel insurance that may provide extra coverage. Insurance is an important cost to factor in because, while it is an extra expense, the cost of auto accidents and breakdowns can be very high and might upset the budget for your whole trip.

 

You need to keep in mind that exchange rates on the Dollar to Euro fluctuate as well and can result in higher costs in the event of unexpected events. So inexpensive and comprehensive car rental insurance is definitely a good thing to aim for and to include in your France travel budget. As with air fare, there are many rental car insurance comparison sites that are useful for comparing insurance rates in France.

 

Hotels and Other Accommodations in France

 

You accommodations must be factored in as well. There is a huge range here depending on whether you will be staying in five star hotels, in bed and breakfasts, in cheap motels (one of the cheapest is the motel chain Formule 1), or will even be camping. With regard to the latter, there are a lot of great campgrounds in France, and if you are traveling during the summer this can be a great money saving option. Regardless of what you choose as accommodation, make an honest estimate based on how many nights you will be staying, investigate package deals and savings from making reservations well in advance, and try to save as much money as possible while still enjoying the luxury level that you feel you can afford.

 

Food in France

 

Food estimates should include a certain general figure for eating in some classy restaurants as this is something you simply shouldn’t miss in France. This may be only one occasion or many, but France has some of the greatest cuisine in the world, so you should plan accordingly. As for the rest, try to calculate a daily or weekly budget for food based on the eating at cheaper restaurants, buying food at supermarkets, and factoring in the cost of meals at hotels. You can get ballpark figures for all of these items quite easily online and add them up accordingly.

 

Travel in France need not break the bank in order to be luxurious and enjoyable. Be honest about your budget and add in a bit for miscellaneous items. Regardless of your how your final budget looks, think in terms of enjoyment of the country in a general sense rather than insisting on a certain comfort or luxury level. Let loose and really experience all that this wonderful country has to offer.

 

Thanks to anthony040 for the photo from Flickr!

 

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