Author: Love France
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The Abbey That Survived Viking Raids but Not the French Revolution
The ruined towers of Jumièges Abbey in Normandy tell a story that spans Viking raids, royal visits, and Revolutionary France. Here’s what to expect.
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The Island That France Calls Its Own — But Has Never Fully Tamed
Corsica sits off the coast of Provence but has never felt like a French suburb. The island joined France in 1768, yet its language, its maquis, and its fierce sense of identity have never quite surrendered.
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The Burgundy Ritual That Happens Before a Single Grape Is Picked
Every autumn in Burgundy, before the harvest begins, winemakers walk their neighbour’s rows as carefully as their own. This is the unwritten ritual that has shaped the world’s greatest wine region.
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The One Day Each Year When a French Village Belongs to the Sheep
Every spring, French mountain villages stop for the annual shepherd migration. Discover the ancient tradition of transhumance — still very much alive.
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The Hidden Symbol on a French Baker’s Collar That Means Everything
Every French baker who wears three stripes of red, white and blue on their collar has earned something extraordinary. Here’s the story behind the Meilleur Ouvrier de France.
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Why the French Never Eat Lunch Alone, Standing Up, or in a Rush
In France, lunch is never rushed. Every midday, brasseries fill, streets quiet down, and the two-hour lunch ritual plays out as it has for generations. Here’s why.
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How to Trace Your French Ancestry – A Step-by-Step Guide for Canadians and Americans
Learn how to trace your French ancestry step by step. Free archives, databases, and tips for Canadians, Americans, and Acadian descendants.
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The Villages Along This French River Look Like a Medieval Painting
The Dordogne Valley hides more officially designated beautiful villages than almost anywhere in France. Here is what makes this medieval river valley so extraordinary.
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The French Château Built by Women That Became a WWII Escape Route
Château de Chenonceau was built by a woman in 1521, passed between queens and mistresses, and in WWII became a secret escape route across the Nazi demarcation line.
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Why France’s Most Famous Oysters Are Eaten Before 10 in the Morning
At the Arcachon Basin, France’s oyster heartland, the real ritual happens before tourists wake up — fresh oysters, cold white wine, and a wooden dock over the water.
