Archive for 'France'
The Palace of Versailles, the Most Infuriating Place on Earth?
Posted on 23. May, 2012 by Marie-Eve Vallieres.
Let’s start off by stating this, loud and clear: I am NOT a people person. About 7 billion people on this planet, and I can only tolerate 30 of them. And not at the same time. So whenever I know I’ll be in a mingling situation, or an overcrowding one, I really have to put [...]
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Where to stay in Paris: Wilson Opera Hotel
Posted on 23. May, 2012 by Marie-Eve Vallieres.
During my recent stay in Paris, I had the chance to be invited by Elegancia Hotels at one of their best hotels, the Wilson Opera Hotel. After my stay at the Seven Hotel in February, I was giddy with excitement to experience another amazing hotel. Located in très chic 8e arrondissement of Paris, it’s a stone [...]
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What to do in Clermont-Ferrand: My Personal Favorites
Posted on 16. May, 2012 by Marie-Eve Vallieres.
After a year living as an expat in Clermont-Ferrand, and despite the daily challenges it implies, I find myself loving the feeling of having a selection of places I already like - knowing exactly what to expect, and that I will have a good time, no matter what. Whether it’s shopping, drinking, hanging out or [...]
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A Year in France
Posted on 14. May, 2012 by Marie-Eve Vallieres.
Apparently, it’s May 14th today. The calendar tells me I’ve been in France for a year now. Has a full year really gone by since I left Montreal? Sometimes I feel like I’ve been there much shorter than that, sometimes much longer. I’m a bit ambivalent when it comes to picking a side to this [...]
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A Rainy Day in Bordeaux, a Photo Essay
Posted on 09. May, 2012 by Marie-Eve Vallieres.
If you’ve been in Europe for the last couple of weeks, you’ve noticed one thing: weather is sh*t. It’s been overcast and rainy for the better part of the last two months, and honestly I wonder what the hell I’m doing in France with piss-poor weather when I could get the same exact thing in [...]
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Exploring Tours, the Loire Valley Capital
Posted on 30. Apr, 2012 by Marie-Eve Vallieres.
Tours was only supposed to be a dinner and a nap, initially. A brief stopover on my way to explore more gorgeous Loire Valley Castles. But as I made my way into the city after visiting Azay-le-Rideau, I quickly realized that despite putting all my resources in planning a realistic and interesting roadtrip focused on [...]
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Traveling in France - My Personal Tips
Posted on 27. Apr, 2012 by Marie-Eve Vallieres.
After spending almost a year living in and gallivanting around France, I have come to learn a few things - some of them the hard way. Whether it’s when I had to fork over 30 euros for having the privilege to park in Paris, or when I was involved in a car accident, there are definitely things everyone [...]
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Monday’s Postcard: Chaîne des Puys, France
Posted on 23. Apr, 2012 by Marie-Eve Vallieres.
Not so long ago, Auvergne was covered in a delicate white blanket, for the enjoyment of the winter sports amateurs. Spring came, did its job and took the snow away, but the last few weeks have been abnormally cold - so much in fact that the snow is back on the pointy peaks. On my [...]
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What to do in Auvergne: Vulcania
Posted on 16. Apr, 2012 by Marie.
Very few people know that there are volcanoes in France. Volcanoes, not volcano, because it’s actually a chain of 48 different cones and domes. The chain is about 40 kilometers long, and is located right in the heart of the country. The reason why you’ve never heard of them? They’re dormant, and have been since [...]
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Auvergne’s Prettiest Castle: Château de Val
Posted on 13. Apr, 2012 by Marie.
When people think of European castles, one of the first images that come to mind is the elegant, feminine Renaissance castles of France. While most of them are located around Paris and in the Loire Valley, Auvergne has a handful of them that are worth the detour -Château the Val being on top of the [...]
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Why I’m in Love With Annecy
Posted on 17. Feb, 2012 by Marie-Eve Vallieres.
If you are looking for the perfect provincial getaway during your France holiday, visiting Annecy might be just the perfect thing to do. I’ve fallen in love with the place and visited it three times in 4 months! So what it is about Annecy, you ask? Because it’s got amazing architecture. Because it’s in a [...]
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Best Macarons in Paris: Ladurée or Pierre Hermé?
Posted on 13. Feb, 2012 by Marie-Eve Vallieres.
In my book, any excuse is a good excuse for a sweet indulgence. And macarons are no exception, especially in the City of Lights. But when you want to have the best macarons in Paris, where do you go? With so many choices it’s hard to pick just one - but most guidebooks and locals [...]
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Paris, You’ve Grown on Me
Posted on 10. Feb, 2012 by Marie-Eve Vallieres.
Remember how I used to say that I didn’t like Paris? That London was so much better? Well, I have to be honest here - Paris has made quite an impression on me the last two times I went. And in a good way! Who would’ve thought? It seems like all the things I didn’t [...]
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Paris Coolest Design Hotel: The Seven
Posted on 08. Feb, 2012 by Marie-Eve Vallieres.
During my visit to (absolutely freezing) Paris this weekend, I was lucky enough to have booked my accommodation at the newest, coolest, prettiest boutique hotel in the famous 5th arrondissement: Hotel Seven Paris. While some might think the hotel isn’t in a good location, I thought exactly the opposite. It’s located a short walk from [...]
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Monday’s Postcard: Clermont-Ferrand, France
Posted on 06. Feb, 2012 by Marie-Eve Vallieres.
With the slightly freezing weather Europe is going through right now comes the usual joys of winter: snow, ice, windchill, wet socks and teeth clatter. And Auvergne is no exception! There has been snow in Clermont-Ferrand for about a week now, and the Canadian in me could not be more thrilled (although I wish I [...]
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Who am I?
Hi there! I'm Marie, a 20-something Canadian who moved to Europe to follow her dreams (and handsome husband). Tag along to follow my adventures through the Old Continent and get inspired to travel too!
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