France
Avignon, France — The Other Papal City
In the sun-drenched provencal city of Avignon, the greatest gothic palace in the world still bears witness to the power of the papacy over the Middle Ages.
Beyond Narbo Martius — Narbonne Through The Ages
Since its foundation in 118 BC as the capital of the first Roman colony in Gaul, Narbonne has experienced a turbulent history — which can still be found along the winding cobble streets of its medieval center.
Narbo Via – In Search of Narbonne’s Roman Past
In 125 BC, the major Greek port city of Massalia (now Marseille) in the hellenized region of Southern Gaul, threatened by incursions from the Celto-Ligurian tribes of the Provencal hinterland, called for help from its Roman ally. The Senate sent its armies and within...
A Paleolithic Treasure Under The Sea — Cosquer Cave
In the Cosquer Cave in Marseille, France, a prehistoric treasure trove of rock art paintings lies deep under the sea, unaccessible to anyone but a handful of expert driver-archeologists. Now a precise reproduction of the Paleolithic wonder is open to the public on the Marseille waterfront.
Raoul Dufy — A Passion for Color
A recently inaugurated exhibition at the Hôtel de Caumont – Art Center in Aix-en-Provence introduces the work of French painter Raoul Dufy (1877 – 1953). Through more than ninety pieces from French and international public and private collections, it reveals the artist’s virtuosity in a wide variety of techniques, from oils to watercolor, drawing, engraving and ceramics.
In the Historic Center of Aix-en-Provence — A Gem of Contemporary Cuisine
Americans would call it my guilty pleasure, the French my péché mignon (delightful sin), but to me it is just NIRO by Le Gambetta – my favorite bistronomie restaurant in Aix-en-Provence.
Nancy — The Fountainhead of French Art Nouveau
Best known for its medieval Old Town and its spectacular Baroque Place Stanislas, Nancy, the once capital of the Duchy of Lorraine, is also home to France’s richest Art Nouveau heritage.
The Museum of Paris History— Musee Carnavalet
Recently reopen after extensive renovations, the Musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris is the history museum of the city and its people from the Mesolithic times to the present. Although often overlooked by tourists, it is well worth a visit.
The Maeght Foundation — An oasis of Modern Art in the Hills of Provence
At the edge of Saint-Paul de Vence, one of the oldest and most picturesque medieval hilltop villages of Provence, the Maeght Foundation Is home to one of the most important collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe.
The Sainte Chapelle — The Other Gothic Gem In The Heart of Paris.
The largest of the two islands in the middle of the Seine River, the Ile de la Cité is where Paris began. It remains to this day the home of its two most remarkable Gothic treasures.
The Night Never Falls – Zao Wou-Ki in Aix-en-Provence
In Aix-en-Provence, the Caumont Art Center presents an exhibition regrouping more than 70 works by the great French-Chinese Post-Impressionist painter Zao Wou-Ki (1920-2021), illustrating one of his life-long creative themes: the representation of light.
Normandy’s Mystical Island – The Mont Saint-Michel
An unmistakable icon of the northern French coast, Mont Saint-Michel is a magical island crowned by a lofty gothic monastery, looming dramatically on the horizon and defying some of the highest tides in Europe. It was for centuries one of Europe’s major pilgrimage destinations. Now, it is one of the most visited monuments in the country.
Albi — The City Shaped By The Cathare Saga
An easy one-hour ride from Toulouse, Albi is a fascinating day-trip back in time to the troubled history of religious conflict of its Cathar medieval past.
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Josette King
I was barely in my teens when travel became a driving force in my life. Now as a travel writer and photographer, I have visited over 45 countries in some of the most photogenic corners of the planet, taking tens of thousands of pictures along the way. With my work, I thrive to capture the natural and cultural uniqueness of each area I visit. Get to know me better…
