Best Hotels To Stay In Paris During France Holidays

There are thirteen public holidays celebrated each year in France. In addition to these, French schools enjoy five sets of breaks, with at least two of these being two-week periods each.

A holiday is always an opportunity to get away from the boring daily routine of work or school. Choosing France as a vacation destination is always a good idea. The capital city of Paris offers lots of activities during any of the French holidays. Hotels in the city rank among the world's best.

Here are five of the best hotels in Paris where families can stay and have full enjoyment of their first ever vacation in France:

Apollon Montparnasse:

This hotel was originally built in the 1930s to serve as apartments. Like in most other hotels in France, the rooms here are midsize and are very clean. The rates are likewise very reasonable. Situated in an ideal location in Montparnasse, the hotel lies adjacent to a number of really good restaurants, several shops, grocery stores and bakeries, and the metro. The hotel's exact address is 91, rue de l'Ouest / street corner Pernety / 75014 Paris.

Bourgogne & Montana:

This is one of the oldest hotels in France, having been built around 1790. It consists of six floors and has small to midsize rooms. The hotel is just a couple of blocks from the Seine and lies across the Palais Bourbon. It is also close to some of the famous landmarks in Paris, such as the Jardin des Tuileries, the Place de la Concorde, and the Orsay Museum. The hotel is located at 3 rue de Bourgogne, Paris, 75007.

Fouquet's Barrière:

The spacious and luxurious rooms of this hotel are certainly its pride. Their features will make every guest feel important. The services offered in this hotel are considered to be among the best in the whole of Paris. Beside the hotel stands the equally famous restaurant with the same name. The hotel is located at 46 avenue George V 75008 Paris.

Golden Tulip Opéra de Noailles:

This hotel has rooms that offer all the comforts one will certainly look for in an accommodation. Some of the rooms even have their own patios and terraces. Close to the hotel are two of the most popular restaurants in Paris - Le Grand Véfour and Chez Drouant. Faubourg Saint Honoré, famous for its line of department stores and designer shops, is very near the hotel. The hotel is located at 9 rue de la Michodière, Paris, 75002.

Hôtel le Bristol:

This hotel stands close to the French President's residence - the Palais d'Elysée. It is said that the hotel ranks third among the many luxurious hotels in Paris in terms of glamour and style. Built in 1924, the hotel is famous for its 18th century Parisian facade and for its opulent rooms. It is located at 112, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré 75008 Paris.

Other hotels you may consider staying at when vacationing in Paris include the Hyatt Regency Paris-Madeleine (located at 24 bd. Malesherbes, Paris, 75008), L'Hôtel du Petit Moulin (located at 29-31 rue du Poitou, Paris, 75003) and Radisson Blu Le Dokhan's Hotel (located at 117 rue Lauriston, Paris, 75116).

Best Beach Destinations In France To Spend L'Eté Holidays

Summer anywhere always means taking long trips, going on camping, or enjoying the scenic beauty, fine sand and cool waters of beaches. In France, l'été (summer) is a great time for such activities, especially since practically all businesses, offices, and schools are closed during this long period.

Although France is not always on top of the list of summer vacation destinations, those who've been to this beautiful country were quick to realize that its geographical position makes it really an ideal summer getaway, with miles and miles of beaches that line its shores. This is because France is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, two of the world's vast bodies of water.

Here are some of the best beach destinations in France where summer vacationers can have a really good time:

Villefranche-sur-Mer:

This beach destination is famous for its coarse sand and tranquil environment. It's a low-profile getaway ideal for those who prefer a quieter time. The place is also highly preferred by sunbathers. Visitors here will find a market, a few cafes, and some shops. The beach is just a few minutes away from the city of Nice.

Cap Ferret:

This place is a cape that forms a sandspit. To the east lies the Arcachon Bay, while the Atlantic Ocean lies to the west. This makes it an ideal resort, as it provides beaches on either side. The beaches are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, surfing, and even fishing. The place is noted for its famous lighthouse and vacationers have no problem with accommodation as there are hotels right inside here. The resort is very near the port city of Bordeaux.

Argeles-sur-Mer:

This is one of the most frequented resorts in France during l'été holidays. The beach stretches along the entire length of the popular French Red Coast ("Cote Vermeille"). Shops and cafes add to vacationers' convenience here. The place is close to Perpignan, the capital of the Pyrénées-Orientales department, and is a short drive to Spain.

Saint-Jean de Luz:

This is another one of the favorite beach destinations in France, especially because of its fine sand. The place sits right in the center of the Northern Basque Country. A vacationer to this place often gets the feeling of still being in a city because of the many shops, cafes, and markets that are present here. The feeling, of course, is more of an appreciation for such conveniences than anything else.

La Grande Motte:

Among French vacationers, this resort is perhaps the most popular. One will find that time quickly passes here because of the many things he/she can do in this place. Besides the usual beach activities, such as swimming, sunbathing, and water sports, those who spend their summer here can also enjoy playing tennis or golf, go on nature hiking, or catch sight of white horses and flamingoes. Children can also have a great time at the resort's water park.

Of course there are many other beach destinations in France that are equally great as those already mentioned here. Those in the coasts of Brittany and Normandy, for example, are ideal places as well for l'été getaway.

Beaujolais Nouveau Day And Some Of The Most Famous Nouveaux Wines

A special occasion celebrated in France is Beaujolais Nouveau Day. This occasion is celebrated on the third Thursday of November each year. On this day, wine lovers from around the world rush to France to have a taste of the Beaujolais Nouveau offered for the year.

What is Beaujolais Nouveau?

To begin, there is a region in France named Beaujolais. In this region, a purple-colored variety of grapes known as Gamay is grown. From these grapes are produced the most popular red wine, called Beaujolais Nouveau.

Beaujolais Nouveau is a nouveaux wine (also known as vin de primeur). A nouveux wine is a French wine granted certification under the Appellation d'origine contrôlée (controlled term of origin) to be released and marketed in the same year the grapes it's made from are harvested. Beaujolais Nouveau is released and sold on the third Thursday of November, which is usually only a few weeks from the time the grapes were harvested. Thus, the day is referred to as Beaujolais Nouveau Day.

Nouveaux wines are distinctively paler in color. This is because of the very short time of maceration and fermentation the products go through. The wines are fruity, light bodied, and may contain some residual sugar.

Besides Beaujolais Nouveau, there are other equally famous nouveux wines. Depending on regulations (which region in France a wine is produced), a nouveaux wine may be red, rose, or white. Below are some of the most famous nouveux wines of France:

1. Anjou wine - White wine produced in the Loire Valley region.

2. Burgundy wine - Red or white wine produced in the Burgundy region. Red Burgundy wines are made from Pinot Noir grapes, while the white ones are from Chardonnay grapes.

3. Côtes de Bourg wine - White wine produced in the Bordeaux region.

4. Muscadet wine - White wine produced in the Pays de la Loire region.

5. Saumur wine - White or red wine produced in the Loire Valley region. White Saumur wines are made from Chenin Blanc grapes, while the red ones are from Cabernet Franc grapes.

6. Tavel wine - Rose wine produced in the region of Rhône. It is made from either the Cinsault or Grenache grape varieties.

7. Corbières wine - Rose or white wine produced in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

8. Minervois wine - Red wine made from Carignan grapes grown in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

9. Bergerac wine - Red, rose, or white wine produced in southwest France.

10. Jurançon wine - White wine made from Courbu, Petit Manseng, or Gros Manseng grapes grown in southwest France.

11. Gaillac wine - Red, rose, or white wine produced in southwest France.

12. Côtes du Ventoux wine - Red, rose, or white wine produced in the region of Rhône. Red and rose Côtes du Ventoux wines are made from Cinsault, Carignan, Mourvèdre, or Syrah grapes. White Côtes du Ventoux wines are made from Bourboulenc, Clairette, or Grenache Blanc grapes.

Again because of the short processing time Beaujolais Nouveau and the other nouveaux wines go through, it is very likely that these were not exposed to any oak before their release to the market. Labels of all nouveaux wines need to show the words "nouveau" or "primeur" as per regulations.

Armistice Day: Observance Of The End Of World War I In France

The Armistice Day is one of thirteen holidays observed in France. It is celebrated every year on November 11. The term "armistice", which is synonymous to the word "truce", means "the temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement between the opposing forces. So what exactly is France observing during the Armistice Day?

On November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m., the two opposing forces of World War I - the Allies and Germany - signed a truce for the ceasing of all military actions in the Western Front, which stretched from Belgium to the northeastern portion of France. The Allies were composed of military forces from France, the United States, Belgium, Brazil, Italy, Portugal, the then Russian Empire, and the United Kingdom (as well as the British Empire then consisted of Australia, Canada, India, Newfoundland, New Zealand, and South Africa). Germany had Austria/Hungary and the then Ottoman Empire fighting on its side.

The momentous event, famous for its triple 11 mark (for the hour, day, and month the armistice was signed), signaled the end of World War I, which started on July 28, 1914 with the German invasion of three European countries including France.

It is fitting that France observes this event every year not only because of its involvement in the war, but also because the armistice was signed at the city of Compiegne in that country. Likewise, the signing of the armistice was considered the last major victory of France in military and political conflicts.

During this day, many villages in France hold commemorative ceremonies in honor of those who perished in the war. Visiting the graves of fallen soldiers is a tradition on this day. An interesting feature of the celebration is the decorating of the graves with flowers from the poppy plant (others simply wear the flower). This tradition is said to have been inspired by a line from a poem written in honor of the soldiers killed in the war.

For the war veterans, parades and such other activities appropriate for the occasion are held in their honor during this day.

In other countries (those that were parts of the Allies), the Armistice Day is called by other names. In the United States, for example, the day is referred to as "Veterans Day", while in others it's called "Remembrance Day". Still others refer to the day as "Poppy Day", in obvious reference to the memorial tradition as explained above.

While many countries, like France, observe Armistice Day on November 11 every year, other countries celebrate the event on different dates: New Zealand (the Friday before April 25, which is the Anzac Day); South Africa (the Saturday nearest to November 11); United Kingdom (second Sunday of November); and Italy (first Sunday of November). Countries that do observe Armistice Day on November 11 but not as a public holiday include Australia, Barbados, and the Republic of Ireland.

In France, as in other countries that observe Armistice Day, people pause for two minutes at 11 o'clock in the morning of November 11 (or of the date it is scheduled, as earlier mentioned) in honor of the millions of people - soldiers and civilians alike - who were killed in World War I, the "War (that was supposed) to End All Wars".