For all of you who thought the Alps were an exclusively winter destination, think again! The mountains make the ideal location for a summer holiday, as Nadia found when she visited Morzine and Les Gets...
When I think of mountains and more specifically the Alps the first image that comes to mind is that of a tanned Italian ski instructor safely carrying me down from the slopes at the end of a treacherous fall… maybe not the first image that comes to your mind but it certainly does in mine and tends to linger for a while…
For the purposes of this exercise however one must steer away from exciting Italians and consider that in truth the word association most likely to conjure up the word “snow” is either “mountains” or “Alps”. Does anyone immediately think of verdant and lush alpine meadows blossoming with summer wild flowers? Of course not. We are creatures of habit and our brain works fastest along those well travelled connections in complete defiance of the laws of reason. Arriving in June in Morzine and then Les Gets (which is a resort town in the Portes du Soleil) under a baking hot sun derailed all previous trains of thought with the effectiveness of a cow chewing the cud in the middle of a busy rail crossing.
My preconceived ideas about what a winter resort in the summer month would be were rerouted in an entirely new way. Surely all the inhabitants would have retired for some much earned rest after the frantic pace of having to serve, please and entertain thousands of winter visitors. There must be, I thought, such a thing as “summernation” in July and August when those popular alpine resorts close the shutters and recover from this year’s madness to prepare for the coming onslaught.
Not one bit of it. The winter months, albeit very exciting especially for those of us who can’t get enough of the white stuff and have not lost the childish excitement and sense of wonder that snow brings about, are almost bland compared to the extraordinary explosion of greenery, flowers, sun and activity which are the true mark of summer in an alpine resort. It quickly became apparent from the smiles and excited chatter of everyone around me, the delighted shouts and waves from children taking a ride in the mini-train around the town centre, the sounds of splashing from nearby pools, the murmur of conversations from the tables outside local cafes that what was to me a revelation was a much enjoyed everyday reality to everyone who had sampled the resort’s summer delights. Just as the mountains all around us had awaked so had the town, its visitors and its inhabitants.
Winter is a rather serious affair which cannot be undertaken without some preparation, it is full of equipment to buy or rent, clothes to be chosen carefully, slopes which need to be followed etc. Summer by contrast is a liberating experience with the license to do as one pleases whether it be a gentle walk through gently slopping trails alongside cool mountain rivers or a breathtaking mountain bike ride at top speed amidst clouds of dust. Anything seems possible and the bewildering array of summer activities available do nothing to disabuse you of that first impression.
A list of what is possible certainly far outweighs a list of what is not. As well as all the activities you can easily imagine being available such as walking and hiking, rock climbing, canoeing and kayaking, mountain biking, horse riding etc. there are a lot of activities which you would not immediately think of but which are, in retrospect, rather logical to find in such a rich and diverse environment. Fishing and angling in mountain lakes, adventure parks set in the middle of fragrant pine forests, paragliding from mountain tops even golf, of all sports, all find themselves at home in those majestic surroundings. Rather cunningly all the infrastructure which is essential to any skiing endeavour converts very easily to its new summer task. Bikes are attached to ski lifts which take you up to various trails and paths as they did with your skis in winter. Horse-drawn sleights turn into carriages for nostalgic tours of the old bourgs. Old activities are given new twists such as Afghan walking, hydrospeeding (not for the faint hearted and something you really will have to look up), summer sledging, grass scooters etc.
There seems to be a determined effort to ensure that every single possibility has been explored and that no one feels left out as almost all activities are available for all ages apart from the very young (think newborn). Families feel especially welcome with a charter and a label “Famille Plus Montagne” which aims at providing appropriate services specifically for families everywhere. Discovering those resorts in summer was a truly exhilarating experience. I thought I knew the Alps, I now realise that I had only seen a small proportion of what those amazing mountains can offer.
Next time, I am taking the troops with me!
Friday, 21 May 2010
Paris, Je t'aime!
Here at Lagrange, we enjoy nothing more than passing on our personal recommendations, top tips and general snippets of information we think you might like. Aren't we good to you? So, without further ado, here are a few choice highlights to consider if you find yourself planning a weekend trip to Paris...
We all know that Paris is bursting with beautiful architecture, spectacular museums and has an endless array of restaurants, bars and cafes to suit all tastes and budgets. However, occasionally it pays to venture off the beaten path and spend your time seeing or doing something a little different. I am a Paris lover and proud of it, so to make life that little bit easier, here is a selection of my favourite places plus trips for getting around, to help inspire the perfect weekend get away…
The Musee d’Orsay, located on the left bank of the river Seine in the 7th arrondissement, is a definite must-see for art lovers and culture vultures. Built in a former train station, the museum boasts an impressive collection of art, most notably impressionist and post-impressionist works by Cezanne, Renoir and Manet to name but a few. Even if you are not a budding Brian Sewell, the combination of world famous artworks and inspiring setting makes this museum a real ‘must see’ for any visitors to Paris.
Getting there: Solferino (Metro line 12) or Musee d’Orsay (RER Line C)
Those who prefer their culture to be a little livelier should head away from Paris’s center to the district of Montmartre, in the 18th arrondissement. The area is renowned for it’s cozy cafes and thriving arts scene, formally home to Salvador Dali and Toulouse-Lautrec amongst others. This link between art and Montmartre has continued to the present day, and artists still dominate the Place du Tertre in the heart of the district when the weather allows for them to take their work outdoors.
There is one landmark that dominates Montmartre – the basilica of the Sacre Coeur, on the top of Montmartre hill. Visitors who climb the 234 steps from its foot to its summit (walking from Abbesses or Anvers metro stations) will be rewarded with spectacular views over Paris that rival those from the Eiffel Tower.If you prefer not to arrive at cultural landmarks sweating and wheezing, there is a regular cable car, which accepts metro tickets, and travel passes and is a short, well-signposted walk from Anvers metro station.
Getting there: Abbesses (Metro line 12), Anvers (Metro line 2) for Montmartre hill/Sacre Coeur. Montmartre can also be accessed from Pigalle (Metro line 12), but visitors should be aware that the walk is a little further than from other stations.
After the inevitable uphill trudge encountered in any trip to Montmartre, visitors should relax by heading to Le Marais district, which spreads across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements in the centre of the city. One of Paris’s oldest districts, the area is dominated by impressive Hausseman buildings and filled with hidden gems tucked down side streets. Visitors looking to relax and refresh with a coffee or light lunch should head to Rue des Rosiers in the 4th, where the large Jewish community is clearly evident in the many delis and bakeries offering delicious goodies to help keep tourists' energy levels from flagging.
For a real teatime treat, look out for Le Loir dans la Thiere cafe just off rue des Rosiers, which serves delicious puddings and light meals in a cozy, Mad Hatter’s tea party-style environment. Everything about this café is ideal for a leisurely brunch, but be prepared for a possible wait for a table, as it is very popular.
For those who prefer to eat and walk, the falafel stands throughout the Jewish quarter are highly recommended. Each stand offers a wide variety of mouth-watering filled pitas and salads, the perfect solution for those visitors looking for a reasonably priced and filling lunch that won’t eat into valuable culture, sightseeing and shopping time.
If you can’t resist a bargain, Le Marais has some the best vintage shops I have ever stumbled across. Scattered throughout the district, these shops are full of fantastic finds (look out for leather bags and belts in particular) in good condition and far cheaper than most over-priced vintage shops in the UK.
Getting there: Saint-Paul (Metro line 1), Bastille (Metro line 1), Filles du Calvaire (Metro line 8) and Saint-Sebastien Frossiart (Metro line 8) are all within easy walking distance from Le Marais district.
After a long, hard day of eating and soaking up Paris’s cultural highlights comfy accommodation is a must. Lagrange offers self-catering apartments in Boulogne-Billancourt, located at the end of metro line 9. These apartments are the ideal base for exploring Paris, as they are only 15 minutes from the centre of the city. http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/location-vacances-boulogne_les_rives_de_seine-L_CITY_BOULOG_FRA_V_E_2_IF-rcre-6.html
So, grab your passport and hop on the Eurostar! Allez à Paris!
We all know that Paris is bursting with beautiful architecture, spectacular museums and has an endless array of restaurants, bars and cafes to suit all tastes and budgets. However, occasionally it pays to venture off the beaten path and spend your time seeing or doing something a little different. I am a Paris lover and proud of it, so to make life that little bit easier, here is a selection of my favourite places plus trips for getting around, to help inspire the perfect weekend get away…
The Musee d’Orsay, located on the left bank of the river Seine in the 7th arrondissement, is a definite must-see for art lovers and culture vultures. Built in a former train station, the museum boasts an impressive collection of art, most notably impressionist and post-impressionist works by Cezanne, Renoir and Manet to name but a few. Even if you are not a budding Brian Sewell, the combination of world famous artworks and inspiring setting makes this museum a real ‘must see’ for any visitors to Paris.
Getting there: Solferino (Metro line 12) or Musee d’Orsay (RER Line C)
Those who prefer their culture to be a little livelier should head away from Paris’s center to the district of Montmartre, in the 18th arrondissement. The area is renowned for it’s cozy cafes and thriving arts scene, formally home to Salvador Dali and Toulouse-Lautrec amongst others. This link between art and Montmartre has continued to the present day, and artists still dominate the Place du Tertre in the heart of the district when the weather allows for them to take their work outdoors.
There is one landmark that dominates Montmartre – the basilica of the Sacre Coeur, on the top of Montmartre hill. Visitors who climb the 234 steps from its foot to its summit (walking from Abbesses or Anvers metro stations) will be rewarded with spectacular views over Paris that rival those from the Eiffel Tower.If you prefer not to arrive at cultural landmarks sweating and wheezing, there is a regular cable car, which accepts metro tickets, and travel passes and is a short, well-signposted walk from Anvers metro station.
Getting there: Abbesses (Metro line 12), Anvers (Metro line 2) for Montmartre hill/Sacre Coeur. Montmartre can also be accessed from Pigalle (Metro line 12), but visitors should be aware that the walk is a little further than from other stations.
After the inevitable uphill trudge encountered in any trip to Montmartre, visitors should relax by heading to Le Marais district, which spreads across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements in the centre of the city. One of Paris’s oldest districts, the area is dominated by impressive Hausseman buildings and filled with hidden gems tucked down side streets. Visitors looking to relax and refresh with a coffee or light lunch should head to Rue des Rosiers in the 4th, where the large Jewish community is clearly evident in the many delis and bakeries offering delicious goodies to help keep tourists' energy levels from flagging.
For a real teatime treat, look out for Le Loir dans la Thiere cafe just off rue des Rosiers, which serves delicious puddings and light meals in a cozy, Mad Hatter’s tea party-style environment. Everything about this café is ideal for a leisurely brunch, but be prepared for a possible wait for a table, as it is very popular.
For those who prefer to eat and walk, the falafel stands throughout the Jewish quarter are highly recommended. Each stand offers a wide variety of mouth-watering filled pitas and salads, the perfect solution for those visitors looking for a reasonably priced and filling lunch that won’t eat into valuable culture, sightseeing and shopping time.
If you can’t resist a bargain, Le Marais has some the best vintage shops I have ever stumbled across. Scattered throughout the district, these shops are full of fantastic finds (look out for leather bags and belts in particular) in good condition and far cheaper than most over-priced vintage shops in the UK.
Getting there: Saint-Paul (Metro line 1), Bastille (Metro line 1), Filles du Calvaire (Metro line 8) and Saint-Sebastien Frossiart (Metro line 8) are all within easy walking distance from Le Marais district.
After a long, hard day of eating and soaking up Paris’s cultural highlights comfy accommodation is a must. Lagrange offers self-catering apartments in Boulogne-Billancourt, located at the end of metro line 9. These apartments are the ideal base for exploring Paris, as they are only 15 minutes from the centre of the city. http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/location-vacances-boulogne_les_rives_de_seine-L_CITY_BOULOG_FRA_V_E_2_IF-rcre-6.html
So, grab your passport and hop on the Eurostar! Allez à Paris!
So many Festivals, so little time...
So, summer is officially here. Or on its way. I get confused. Either way, it's time to start thinking about where to go, what to see and what to do while the sun shines (we at Lagrange are British optimists at heart). However, if you tend to frazzle rather than dazzle as soon as the sun peeps out from behind a cloud, finding summer holiday activities can be tricky. Luckily for all you English roses out there, France has a great selection of truly varied festivals to keep you entertained and in the shade this summer. Whether you’re looking to soak up the culture, rather than the rays or simply fancy doing something a little different this year, read on for a few choice cultural highlights on offer in L’ Hexagon over the coming months…
Jazz à Juan: 14th-25th July, Antibes/Juan les Pins: The 50th Jazz à Juan jazz festival is a must for both jazz aficionados and those simply looking to put a spring in their step who may be planning a stay in the Antibes/Juan-les-Pins area this July. Between July 14th and 25th, Europe’s longest running jazz festival will be celebrating it’s 50th anniversary with musical tributes to those who have previously graced the festival’s fames ‘Pinède Gould’ stage since it’s launch in 1960. With artists ranging from super-smooth crooner George Benson to New York club scene regulars the Brooklyn Funk Ensemble, plus performances from big bands and jazz orchestras, this year’s festival offers something for everyone, and is guaranteed to get toes tapping.
Tickets for individual performances are available from the official Jazz à Juan website, where a full programme of events is also available: http://www.jazzajuan.fr/en/home.html
Jazz à Juan: 14th-25th July, Antibes/Juan les Pins: The 50th Jazz à Juan jazz festival is a must for both jazz aficionados and those simply looking to put a spring in their step who may be planning a stay in the Antibes/Juan-les-Pins area this July. Between July 14th and 25th, Europe’s longest running jazz festival will be celebrating it’s 50th anniversary with musical tributes to those who have previously graced the festival’s fames ‘Pinède Gould’ stage since it’s launch in 1960. With artists ranging from super-smooth crooner George Benson to New York club scene regulars the Brooklyn Funk Ensemble, plus performances from big bands and jazz orchestras, this year’s festival offers something for everyone, and is guaranteed to get toes tapping.
Tickets for individual performances are available from the official Jazz à Juan website, where a full programme of events is also available: http://www.jazzajuan.fr/en/home.html
Lagrange offers accommodation in Antibes/Juan-les-Pins itself in the ‘Les Pins Blues’ self-catering residence, ideal for exploring the resort and sampling all the jazz festival has to offer.
‘Visa Pour l’ Image’ : 28th August – 12th September, Perpignan: Between August 28th and September 12th, Perpignan plays host to the ‘Visa Pour l’ Image’ photojournalism festival. This event offers those who are passionate about photography the chance to see a huge range of world class photojournalism reporting on world events and current affairs, as well as allowing professional photojournalists to discuss the future of the industry. Screenings depicting a chronological review of the year and it’s biggest news stories as seen through the photojournalist’s lens promise to be both interesting and thought-provoking, and might just leave you feeling inspired to start capturing the world on film for yourself. Someone pass me my Kodak…
· Full details regarding all events at ‘Visa Pour l’Image’, including how to register for accreditation, can be found on the festival’s website: http://www.visapourlimage.com/index.do
· Lagrange offers accommodation in Saint-Cyprien in the ‘Residence du Golf’ self-catering residences, just 25 minutes drive from Perpignan, ideal for enjoying sandy beaches and avoiding the higher prices in Perpignan itself during the festival’s run.
‘Normandie Impressioniste’: June – September, throughout Normandy: Art lovers and culture vultures alike should head to Normandy this summer for a feast of Impressionist art being held in museums and galleries across the region from June 5th onwards. This festival will celebrate works by artists such as Manet, Renoir, and Monet to name but a few, as well as exploring contemporary Impressionist mediums. Events will include concerts, photography exhibitions and art installations, all held in the dramatic Norman surroundings and landscapes that originally inspired the Impressionists and their work. Magnifique indeed.
· For a full and detailed programme of events, anyone interested should head to the ‘Normandie Impressioniste’ website: http://www.normandie-impressionniste.fr/en/home
· Lagrange offers self-catering accommodation in Houlgate and Deauville, both of which are ideally placed for visiting exhibitions and events throughout the region.
‘Rock En Seine’: August 27th – 29th, Paris: Summer just isn’t summer if at least one weekend isn’t spent catching your favourite bands in the ‘intimate’ surroundings of a field or park. Held over the August bank holiday weekend in the Domaine Nationale du Saint Cloud on the outskirts of Paris, Rock en Seine offers a cracking line-up in far more civilised settings than most English festivals. The organisers really seem to have thought of everything, from the Mini Rock festival especially for children aged 6 to 10 years, to the headliners finishing in time for festival goers to catch the last metro or RER home rather than camp on site. Rock and indeed roll.
· Rock En Seine is ideal for anyone venturing over to Paris towards the end of August, as day tickets are a mere 45 euros each. Check out the website for more details: http://www.rockenseine.com/en/
· Lagrange offers self-catering accommodation in Boulogne-Billancourt, just minutes from the festival’s site. What better way to end a great day of live music than by knowing you’re heading back to clean sheets and a hot shower?
For details regarding all the Lagrange accomodation mentioned here, check out our website: http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/home.php3?p=1&id=0
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Lagrange Holidays are back and blogging!
Lagrange Holidays are back and blogging indeed!
We were starting to feel sorry for Alison's solitary entry about her holiday in Samoens, and we thought it was high we stopped neglecting our blog and started to show it the love and affection it deserves. After all, how else will we be able to share our anecdotes about lazy weeks spent sipping vin rouge in the Alps or sunning in Sainte-Maxime? Not to mention tip-offs on great holiday deals and new residences, top tips for holiday makers to France and anything else that catches our eye.
This marks the start of Lagrange Holidays relaunching ourselves back into the blogosphere as your one-stop shop for all things Francophile. We're re-vamping our Twitter and Facebook accounts as well, so there really is no excuse for being out of the loop with Lagrange Holidays. Got that? Good. This also means keeping up to date and in touch with Lagrange has never been easier - just Tweet, blog or pop a post on our Wall! We welcome feedback (but keep it clean, we're sensitive souls here in Hammersmith), comments and questions from everyone, especially if it means we can help make your holiday with us that little bit better.
To get us started, we will be uploading a selection of our finest literary efforts to get you in the holiday mood....
We were starting to feel sorry for Alison's solitary entry about her holiday in Samoens, and we thought it was high we stopped neglecting our blog and started to show it the love and affection it deserves. After all, how else will we be able to share our anecdotes about lazy weeks spent sipping vin rouge in the Alps or sunning in Sainte-Maxime? Not to mention tip-offs on great holiday deals and new residences, top tips for holiday makers to France and anything else that catches our eye.
This marks the start of Lagrange Holidays relaunching ourselves back into the blogosphere as your one-stop shop for all things Francophile. We're re-vamping our Twitter and Facebook accounts as well, so there really is no excuse for being out of the loop with Lagrange Holidays. Got that? Good. This also means keeping up to date and in touch with Lagrange has never been easier - just Tweet, blog or pop a post on our Wall! We welcome feedback (but keep it clean, we're sensitive souls here in Hammersmith), comments and questions from everyone, especially if it means we can help make your holiday with us that little bit better.
To get us started, we will be uploading a selection of our finest literary efforts to get you in the holiday mood....
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