MK2 Quai de la Seine

Advantages: Relatively unknown to English tourists
Disadvantages: I can't think of any

...itself holds many attractions with excellent seafood restaurants along the Quai Henri IV (Le New Haven and Le Sully are personal favourites) but it is the beautiful area around Dieppe itself that continues to attract French holiday makers. The 'Pays de Bray' which stretches from Neufchatel en Bray (from where the excellent heart-shaped local cheese originates) to encompass the valleys of the Bethune, Eaulne and Varenne and includes the spa town of Forges-les Eaux. The undulating landscape of the Pays de Bray evokes the essence of Normandy - peaceful hamlets of colombage houses, Normandy cows and of course the apple trees which produce the region's excellent cider. Our personal favourite is the Vallee de la Varenne. The river Varenne wends its way peacefully through Saint-Saens, a picturesque market town with a very good restaurant (Le... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: One of the most beautiful cities in the world
Disadvantages: Not enough time to do every thing you canin Paris

...inside, head across the Seine to indulge in less hectic, outdoorsy pursuits. Roam and relax in the Luxembourg Gardens, central Paris' backyard. Shop the Sixth Arrondissement, with its scads of antique book and print sellers, as well as groovy home and clothing emporiums around St Sulpice Church. Or stick to the Right Bank and window shop in the Marais, sticking to the Rue des Francs Bourgeois where you can pick up Campers at their eponymous boutique. Then cruise the gay-flavored merchants along the Rue Ste-Croix de-la-Bretonnerie. Why not try a lively is a bike tour of the city, or just rent your own and hit the streets. On Sundays, the usually traffic-choked highway along the Quai du Louvre and the Quai des Tuileries on the Right Bank is closed to cars, and is the place to skate, bike or just be seen. If it's sunny, rest your wheels... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: One of the most beautiful cities in the world!
Disadvantages: people often find Parisians unfriendly

...to translate if French is a mystery to you and you risk turning up at the wrong time or on the wrong day! Of course Paris is also full of art galleries.....pop into the Louvre, even if it's only to see the Mona Lisa! Jeu de Paume is great for the Impressionist pictures, so do that too if you have time, it's near the Quai D'Orsay. (by the Seine) Forget picnicking in the parks, or at least if you intend sitting on the grass. Parisian parks do not allow this. Why *England* got the reputation for "Keep off the grass!" signs I will never understand.......probably a cunning French plot! See at least one flea market if you have time....Clignancourt is the biggest and pretty permanent, but you can find ones where people lay their goods out on blankets and you wander round hunting for the occasional bargain. Make sure you try a crepe with chantilly... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful