Visiting France need not be an exhausting itinerary of
grimly marching from one museum to the next or seeing one historic monument
after one. I personally recommend picking one area of France and exploring it
in depth. Seeing a part of France other than Paris is a great way of learning
how to appreciate the French way of life, the people, the balance between work
and pleasure, and the realization that maybe the French have figured out how to
prioritize the important things in life. If you like to go sightseeing, do some
research on the region you’re planning to visit before you travel, to
fully appreciate the history and the culture.
Some people may want to spend their time shopping,
others eating, golfing or just laying around not doing much of anything. Here’s
some advice for the adventuresome:
Shopping
The Number One shopping destination is La Vallée
Village, a discount shopping outlet mall specializing in designer goods, both
French and International labels. La Vallée Village receives more visitors
annually than Disneyland Paris nearby. You can take public transportation via
TGV and the RER from Paris to the shopping mall or take the Shopping Express
Bus from Place des Pyramides in Paris at 9:30am and return by 2:30pm. Round
trip fare costs 22€ per adult.
Troyes has France’s biggest collection of fashion
factory shops. It is located 170 km east of Paris and you can take the train
there. Other discount outlets there include McArthur Glen and Marques Avenue
Centers. Galeries Lafayette has stores across France and in Germany. Its
flagship store on Boulevard Haussmann in Paris was built in 1893 and its
spectacular Art Nouveau glass dome was completed in 1912.
Galeries Lafayette is an upscale department store
offering designer goods and fashions for almost any budget.
Golfing
For the men who must suffer through innumerable
shopping trips with their wives, France does have 550 golf courses with more
than 360,000 affiliated members. In fact, 25 of Europe’s top 100 golf courses
are in France. Check their wesbite for the ratings of each golf course.
Painting and Sketching Holidays
For the artistic or creative spirit, there are dozens
of painting classes offered in France with English instruction. The Painting
School at Montmiral near Toulouse offers a two-week course in painting. The
cost of tuition includes teaching, a stay at a local gîte, access to student
facilities and four evening meals. Check their site.
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