In centuries gone by, like across much of Europe, France had large areas that were covered with dense woods and forests. Although France still has a great deal of forest (increasing each year, as agricultural land in inhospitable regions gets abandoned), there are also many areas that we now see as open farmland that were once forested. About 500-700 years ago, the Lot-et-Garonne region of southern France was well covered in trees, including oak and mixed woodlands. So the first [...]
Archive for February, 2009
The Dordogne region has numerous buildings that are immediately recognisable, such as Chateau Beynac or Chateau des Milandes – great impressive medieval castles standing aloft on rocky clifftops that have come to represent the region, along with the picture-postcard-pretty villages that dot the region. But these are perhaps not the memories that you will take away with you after a vacation in the region! Despite the popularity of the region with visitors (during the summer months) there are still numerous [...]
Yes, I know that Monaco is not in Provence, or France.I’m allowed to take liberties, especially for somewhere so attractive as the Exotic Gardens of Monaco. If you are in this part of south-eastern France a visit to these gardens is indispensable. Covering about 3 acres the garden is set on a cliff overlooking the bay of Monaco and the French and Italian Riviera. It is absolutely stunning. Cacti and Succulents as well as Mediterranean plants cover the cliff and [...]
In recent years there has been an ‘explosion’ of airports opening in France, and of new routes becoming available to visitors (especially from the UK) being operated by the budget airlines such as ryanair and flybe. This is good news for the visitor, since the new airports tend to open up new areas of France to visitors – think of the impact Rodez airport has had on visitors to the Aveyron region, for example. Likewise, Bergerac airport has been very [...]
Monpazier is a small town (OK, village) to the south of the Dordogne region, and south of Domme. A little removed from the main highlights that follow the Dordogne river, Monpazier is none the less firmly on the tourist circuit – and if you are visiting the Dordogne it should be on yours! The region to the south of the Dordogne and into Lot-et-Garonne was once a wild, undeveloped region – and also the frontier between French and English territory [...]
