Author: Love France
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The One Flower the French Never Give to the Living
In France, chrysanthemums are reserved for one thing: the dead. Here is why bringing them to a French home is one of the most common — and most invisible — mistakes a visitor can make.
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The Region of France That Has Never Quite Decided Whether It’s French
Alsace has changed hands between France and Germany four times in 150 years. It kept the dialect, the half-timbered houses, the choucroute, and the stubbornness. Here is what that looks like today.
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The Normandy Drink That Gives You Permission to Keep Eating
Discover the trou normand — Normandy’s ancient tradition of pausing a long meal for a glass of apple brandy. Here’s why the Normans have never stopped doing it.
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Why the Whole of France Goes on Holiday at Exactly the Same Time
Every August, France empties out. Beaches fill up, trains pack out, and a whole nation heads for the coast. Here’s the story behind France’s great summer exodus.
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The Ancient Spring Walk That Still Brings France’s Mountains to Life
Each spring in the French Pyrenees, shepherds lead thousands of sheep along ancient mountain routes in a ritual called transhumance. Here’s why this 3,000-year-old tradition still happens today.
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First-Time Paris Itinerary: How to Spend 5 Days in the City of Light
Plan the perfect first time Paris itinerary. This 5-day guide covers the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, Versailles, and practical tips for US travellers.
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The One Thing Every French Person Does Before 9 in the Morning
Every morning across France, a queue forms outside the boulangerie. Discover the ritual, the rules, and what makes this daily bread run so uniquely French.
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The Forbidden Faith That Left Ruined Castles Across the South of France
The Cathars were peaceful, deeply spiritual people who lived across the hills of southern France — and medieval Europe tried to erase them. Their ruined hilltop castles still stand.
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Why Monet Painted These Normandy Cliffs Over a Hundred Times
Monet returned to Étretat’s chalk cliffs more than forty times. Discover why this small Normandy village still casts such a powerful spell on all who visit.
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Why People in Brittany Say They’re Breton Before They’re French
Brittany has been part of France since 1532 — but many Bretons will tell you they’re Breton first. Here’s the story of the Celtic identity that has survived centuries of pressure.