Author: Cheryl Brooks

METZ – BEAUTIFUL CAPITAL OF THE LORRAINE REGION

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Aerial view of Metz, with Cathedrdal St Etienne.

The graceful capital of the Lorraine, the historic city of Metz lies barely 60 kms north of Nancy in the north east of France, and less than a 2 hour drive across to the German border. Sitting astride the confluence of the Moselle and Seille rivers, Metz is one of the most rewarding destinations in France, with beautiful historic riches and heritage that reflect its fascinating history. The city enjoys a vibrant cultural scene with various music venues, and one of Europe’s best Christmas markets.

NANCY – CAPITAL OF FRENCH ART NOUVEAU, AND SO MUCH MORE

Posted in Alsace Lorraine. 2 Comments on NANCY – CAPITAL OF FRENCH ART NOUVEAU, AND SO MUCH MORE

The gilded, rococo-style iron gates on Place Stanislas. Photo, Alamy

The fame of so many French destinations is down to the historic architecture and culture of the place. We love to visit beautiful historic places that speak of the history of the town or city. These can range from ancient sites dating back millennia to fine chateaux and glorious cathedrals erected centuries ago. So it’s a rare destination when the “new” town draws most of the attention. Nancy is just such a place. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and particularly renowned as the French capital of Art Nouveau and has a wealth of buildings in this style. But there are also grand squares, palaces, rococo fountains, the spectacular gilded wrought iron gates of Place Stanislas and a Vieille Ville (Old Town) that dates back to the 11^th century.

STRASBOURG – JEWEL OF ALSACE

Posted in France, Alsace Lorraine. 2 Comments on STRASBOURG – JEWEL OF ALSACE

Located at a crossroads between Latin and Germanic cultures, Strasbourg is steeped in over 2,000 years of history. With its unique architectural heritage, the city is brimming with fascinating sights and wonders just waiting to be discovered. We hadn’t been to Strasbourg for some years, and as the capital of the Alsace region, and also the seat of the European Parliament, it is a jewel that we will certainly put on our regular re-visit list. The diversity of its architecture and its warm and cheerful atmosphere will invite you to explore and enjoy its riches.

THE BEAUTFUL ROUTE DU VIN, ALSACE

Posted in Alsace Lorraine. 2 Comments on THE BEAUTFUL ROUTE DU VIN, ALSACE

A typical Alsatian village along the Route du Vin. Photo, Alamy

The Alsace Route du Vin (Wine Route) is one of the best, most scenic road trips in France. It’s the perfect itinerary for those who love sightseeing through outstanding landscapes, a string of picturesque villages, ruined castles from the Middle Ages, and enjoying the region’s fine wines along the way. Taken at a leisurely pace, you can easily spend as long as five days, but it can be done in less, if time is short, since the length is barely 170kms, starting from Colmar and finishing in Strasbourg. It’s such a beautiful part of France, you’ll be barely able to tear yourself away when you reach the end of the Route.

A MESSAGE FROM PARIS PLUS PLUS

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Dear Paris Plus Plus Subscribers,

As I’m sure many of you will be aware, there has been a gap over the last month or so of my blog posts. While some of you have continued to receive each post, many of you have not—perhaps starting to think that I had stopped writing them.

The reason for this gap is due to a new system of distribution via a new internet server. We took this time to update the layout of the blog itself, and introducing a better way of categorising each blog topic in order to make it easier to search for different subjects and destinations.

I’d love to have any feedback you would like to pass on to me, as well as any topics you would like me to cover in a future post.

In the meantime, below are links to the last three posts that you may have missed.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding—your continuing support is the reason I write the stories.

Enjoy!

Cheryl