Dreaming of Your Perfect France Vacation?
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A stroll along a quaint cobblestone street?
Dinner in a bistro with a lovely glass of local wine?
Exploring an ancient castle?
Shopping in chic, pint-sized boutiques for that one of a kind treasure to bring back home?
Ahhh...tempting images, n'est-ce pas? Except for all the kinks.
Like, where to stay, and how to book that special room and be sure that the bathroom isn't down the hall.
How to get from the out-of-town airport to that special hotel? Rent a car! Read the map, or better yet, get a GPS! Oops! The GPS lady speaks French!
Navigate on your own trying to guess at what the signs mean, trying to guess who goes when at an intersection where there is no stop light! And what's with all the traffic circles? Stop the car, abandon it, in fact, and find somewhere to eat.
How to order a really good inexpensive wine, yet be sure you won't regret it all night long once you're back in that special room?
Sure there's a concierge at your hotel, maybe. And sure, quite possibly, he speaks a little English, except where his version of English is spoken is somewhere you'll never want to visit.
The wait staff in that trendy little bistro? They can see that you're American, can hear it even, and will offer you the most expensive options, not the best mind you, just the most expensive.
You could be walking around wearing dollar signs on your forehead and it would have just about the same effect.
But you're reasonably intelligent, so, before going, you buy an audio program and brush up on your long-forgotten high school French during your commute to work. Good for you! You've learned how to ask directions to the bathroom!
The only problem with that is when somebody answers you with a verbal delivery approaching the speed of light. Then what do you do? If you're lucky, someone will take you by the hand and lead you to a “bathroom”. Relief! Until you look around and see a bathtub, sink, mirror and what? No.... ermm....toilet? Confusion! Frustration! Imminent danger of serious embarrassment!
It doesn't have to be that way. An average American can have a wonderful France vacation without the anecdotes which are so amusing once you get back home, even if they weren't at the time.
Read on, take heart, and start to pack your bags. This site will help you take control of your hard earned vacation dollars and make sure that your France vacation is filled with the kinds of memory making moments that YOU want. The good ones.
All you have to do is find a flight and you can do that from home.
So let's go!
Lodging - Where to Sleep During Your Vacation in France?
This lodging page will help you choose the sleeping arrangements that suit you the best and what to expect from the different options available be it a hotel, B&B, rental apartment or villa.
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Traditional Hotels - Tradition! (Cue the Fiddler on the Roof Music!)
Avoid surprises, and enjoy uniquely decorated traditional French hotels during your vacation, by learning what to ask when you reserve the room.
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Chain Hotels - Are They Right for You?
Spending all your time and money sightseeing and just want a clean pillow to fall on at night? Generic chain hotels could be just right for you. From no frills to more frills, you choose!
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Exploring France
Exploring France? Of course you'll “do” Paris, but what else is there to see and do in the rest of the country? Take out a map, some walking shoes and we'll hit some high points in northern France.
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What chateaux can you visit in France? And where are they located?
A wide variety of chateaux (castles) are dotted throughout each region illustrating France's history with their individual architectural styles and purpose.
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Eating In France - How to order yourself an unforgettably tasty meal in France.
French food is ranked among the best in the world. And eating in France can be fun, but a challenge. Here's some help in making sure you get the best you can for your budget!
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Noirmoutier in October
This first entry comes from a tiny island of the Atlantic coast of France called Noirmoutier and it's October....
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French Cuisine - It's Serious!
French cuisine - A few tips on how to introduce a taste of France into your meals.
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Restaurants in France
Open for lunch or dinner, restaurants are the obvious choice for dining out in style during your vacation in France. But there are a few things you ought to know before taking your seat.
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Practical Travel Tips to Make Your Trip Smoother
Got your ticket, booked your lodging and you're about to pack. Here are some practical travel tips you should know to make your trip go a little smoother.
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The particularities of the toilets or “water closets”.
Some practical tips and explanations of some cultural differences regarding toilets in France!
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What to Pack, What Not to Pack, and thus, What to Wear or Not
What to pack, what not to pack, what to wear or what not to wear. You'll find some fashion suggestions to help to ensure that the locals don't stare you down as if you've just arrived from the moon.
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Scenic sites to visit in Normandy
There are many scenic sites to visit in and around Normandy.
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An American In France Blog
Want to get a glimpse into real French life? Here, I will give periodic updates and musings on my life in France!
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France Vacations Blog
The France Vacations Blog keeps you up-to-date with all additions and changes to the France-Vacations-Made-Easy.com web site. Subscribe here.
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Electrical Tips for France
Are you bringing electrical appliances with you? Here are some very important tips!
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How to Buy Things in France
In this "How to Buy" section you'll learn how to pay for your things and some tips about your passport.
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Bathrooms in France
You'll be staying somewhere in France: a hotel, a bed-and-breakfast, a gite or a rental apartment. There will be variations in the bathrooms in France available for your use.
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Bed and Breakfast Options in France
If, during your stay in France, you have the choice to stay in a bed and breakfast, do so. It's a great opportunity to see the inside of a French family home, something most tourists don't get to do.
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Favorite Chateaux from Others
Tell about your favorite chateaux here!
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Thanksgiving in France
How does an American approximate the very-American holiday of Thanksgiving?
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Eating French Street Food
It might seem weird to recommend French street food, but keep reading - there are some good options!
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Your Favorite Traditional Hotel in France
Rave about your favorite traditional hotel in France here!
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Stories about Street Food in France
Tell us your Stories about French street food here!
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Your Favorite Restaurants in France
Give us a small taste of your own restaurant experience here!
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Menage-a-20; Tales with a Hook - The Book
Read the press release for Menage-a-20 author, Diane Condon
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Brasserie - Another Choice for Eating in France
What is a brasserie or bistro? It’s a sort of café/restaurant which serves a less formal menu of main dishes.
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Christmas in France
It's Christmas! There are many variations on Christmas themes that are noticeable from one country to the next. France has its share of odd ones. Read about it here!
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Christmas - Part Deux
Christmas - Part Deux is about our Christmas trip to Disneyland in Paris. We're excited to see the wonderful Christmas decorations Disney has and enjoy a little family merry-making.
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Luxury Hotels in France
If you're lucky enough to have an extra wad of cash weighing down your pocket, you might want to do something really special and aim for 5-star, luxury hotels.
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The New Year in France
With the coming of the New Year, each one of us takes stock of the past year and decides what to do to make the next one a little better.
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Creperies and Pizzerias in France
As you wander through the streets of any town in France you continually run across tiny eating establishments of creperies and pizzerias tucked in amongst the shops in the city centers.
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Preparing Coquilles St Jacques
Coquilles St Jacques (French Sea Scallops) - A taste treat for disheartened taste buds, a culinary expression of happiness, or a physical manifestation of yumminess.
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My Bed and Breakfast
Read here about my bed and breakfast. If you've been thinking about visiting France, now's the opportune time to put your fears aside and come visit us.
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Day Trips While in France
Here are some day trips for your stay at my bed and breakfast.
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The Perfect French Vacation Wasting Time!
Let's talk about the perfect French vacation. Time slows down, as it should whenever you are on vacation. Read here about how (and why) to waste time for your perfect vacation in France.
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The Martainville Chateau
The Martainville Chateau, northeast of Rouen, is a large renaissance marvel which takes your breath away.
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The Chateau of Eu - Chateau d'Eu
The chateau of Eu is a remarkable castle, as it was the summer royal residence of the last king of France, Louis-Philippe
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Filet Mignon of Pork Recipe
Would you like a sure-fire recipe for filet mignon of pork which is sophisticated yet deceptively easy and makes very little mess in your kitchen? Sounds perfect n'est-ce pas? Well it is!
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Quiche - A Whole Meal in a Pie
Quiche is a delicious whole-meal-in-a-pie, and very French. Read here about to prepare and enjoy quiche!
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Questions and Answers about your French vacation.
Questions and Answers to help make your French vacation easy.
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Other Travel Links
Find some other great travel links here.
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Other Links
Other Links
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About Me
Let me tell a bit about my story and how I ended up here in France.
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Our Privacy Policy
Our Privacy Policy
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Contact Us
Contact Us
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Arques la Bataille Chateau
The castle of Arques la Bataille, located in the northern half of Normandy, is a wonderful medieval castle with turrets, a drawbridge and a moat.
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French Urban Legends
French Urban Legends - let's have a look at some of those myths and see how much truth is behind them.
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