My love affair with France began long before my first visit to Paris, earlier this year. Many of my friends were amazed that I hadn’t stopped by the city de l’amour and to tell you the truth I wasn’t really that fussed. I’d already fallen for the charms of the South-West coast and enjoyed occasional … Continue reading
Filed under France …
Le Sylvamar, Labenne Ocean, France
Our final stop in our French adventure was at Le Sylvamar, a campsite situated in the Landes Forest just a kilometre from the beach at Labenne Ocean. Labenne Ocean is located between the beautiful Basque city of Bayonne and the surfing mecca that is Hossegor. Since we first visited five years ago the area has … Continue reading
Rosalie
Meet Rosalie. Isn’t she lovely? These little yellow pedal cars were available to hire and drive around a park in Etampes, France. Twelve Euros paid for 35 minutes of precarious driving around the paths and tracks that snake around this expansive park. Now anyone who knows me knows I love to cycle, so the pedalling … Continue reading
Biarritz et le bébé phoque
For the past four years we have, without fail, stopped off at the Musée de la Mer to check in with le bébé phoque. The Musée de la Mer is part aquarium, part museum dedicated to showing the ocean in all its forms with a particular focus on the Bay of Biscay. It is housed … Continue reading
Le Ruisseau, Bidart, France
Meet Le Ruisseau campsite’s biggest and muckiest celebrity, Le Grand Cochon. This sizable character occupies prime position at the campsite’s little farm. As does this guy…Can’t See For Lookin’. Imagine our delight to discover a small menagerie of animals tucked away at the back of the campsite’s grounds. As well as the pig and chickens … Continue reading
Guéthary
Situated between Biarritz and St-Jean-de-Luz, close to the French/Spanish border, is the pretty village of Guéthary. Dating back to the 16th century the village was first established as a fishing port, however today the little Basque village’s main income comes from tourism. That said even in high summer the village remains a tranquil place, … Continue reading
Monsieur Metéo
And the rain came tumbling down. It’s hammering it down outside. Ever wondered how Lowry felt inspired by the cloud and rain that hangs over the north -west of England for days on end? Since we returned from France the sky has been cloaked in grey. Never mind, after the rain comes sunshine. We went … Continue reading
From Biarritz to Bayonne and beyond
Our next French adventure has been a few months in the making. Earlier this year I began squirrelling away vouchers from a British tabloid newspaper. Once I collected ten I could book a discounted stay at a campsite in the UK or France. The South-West coast of France harbours a certain magic. The natural beauty … Continue reading
A lesson in recycling from the shores of SW France…
Do you ‘forget’ to recycle from time to time? Sling that plastic food wrapper in the bin when you are in a rush? If ever there is a lesson in recycling it is this… …the debris washed up on France’s south-west coast after a storm. When we arrived in Biarritz the beaches were littered with … Continue reading
Animal Park, Labenne, France
The peacocks were on parade at Labenne’s animal park. The little zoo is home to two peacocks, one of which is a white peacock. Contrary to popular belief this magnificent white bird is not albino, it’s eyes are blue. The other peacock is equally as beautiful, especially as he paraded around the park showing off … Continue reading