What to Do in France? Can You Tell Me?

corey amaro photography and blog
A place that has been abandoned in Paris in the Marais. 

 

Nearly everyday someone asks me about France and the brocantes or both to the tune of:

Can you tell me what to do in France?

Since my natural tendency leans more towards spontaneous and less on structured details I thought I would take a leap to creating a once and for all blog post with links about things I am often asked about. Then when I hear, "Can you tell me what to do in France?" I can refer them this blog post, instead of writing a long email.

"Duh," I can hear myself say, "Should have done this years ago ding dong."

.   .

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Click on the highlighted words below which will lead to other links.

And please if you have any secrets, suggestions, hints or favorites about France add them to the comment section.

so

Just in case you want to see more of my photos, or want to know how to rent our apartment, or want to lick your computer screen, or encourage me to keep doing what I do, or want to know what to do when you are in France…

 

 

Corey amaro blog, brocante and photography

 

If you want you can follow me on 

Facebook

 

 

Corey amaro photography, blog, brocante

A bookshop in the Passage Jouffroy, Paris

 

If you love photos, I post daily to my instagram of everything around me. 

Or if you want you can see the photos rolling on the side of my blog.

Instagram

 

 

 

 

Corey amaro paris apartment

Our apartment in Paris

 Where to stay in Paris

Chez Nous.

If you or someone you know is looking for a place to stay in Paris, check out our apartment:

Our Paris Apartment

 

 

Corey amaro paris photography blog brocante

Paris twilight last year.

 

One of my favorite blogs, that has incredible information and tidbits, and history about Paris and more is

MESSYNESSY

 

 

Brocante corey amaro

 

Where are the brocantes?

Oh man. I could write a book about that, but do not want to.

Instead let me take you.

Brocante online 

Favorites:

Porte Vanves in Paris, every weekend  ten minutes from our apartment in Paris.

 

Isle sur la Sorgue Provence, every weekend

 

Aubagne last Sunday of the month in Provence.

 

Barjac twice a year, April and August.

 

International Antique Fairs (The best)

Where everyone goes, every one.

 

Ville Neuve d' Avignon every Saturday plus the 20 best brocantes in France.

None of the above are secret, they are constant, well known, sought after and very good. Everyone who loves the brocante knows these and goes.

 

BRACBROC

If you know when you are coming to France, and where you will be staying. The above site is the best to showing you what brocantes are in your area for the year.

Where are the "secret" ones? the best ones? the ones only the insider's know? Well those are the ones that come with living here and being here, and having the luxury of not having to go if you do no want to go because there are literally hundreds of them every weekend. 

 

 

Restaurants in france

A sign I love in the Marais.

 

 

Where to stay in Provence

 

Where to stay in Provence?

 

Chez Denise and Vlad's: Cotignac

 

 

La-madone- 

 

Jean and Nathalie's, La Madone in Apt.

 

 

The Tiny House in Provence Corey Amaro

 

The Tiny House

in my small town is a lovely place to stay while in Provence.

  

Ca roule in paris

 

When in Paris how to get around?

Bus

Train

Metro

Boat

Bike

Shuttle

Car

Electric Car

On Foot

Rollerskate?

 

 

The view, France

 

Lavender fields in Provence?

 

French Lavender Fields

 

Lavender in Valensole.

 

Lavender in provence

 

Everything you need to know about Provence Lavender.

 

LAVENDER? The best time to come and where to go s

ee the lavender fields in Provence?

 

 

Corey amaro French bakeries

Must stop into every bakery. I am not joking.

 

 

Where to go in Provence, corey amaro

Restaurant in Cotignac on the Square.

 

Restaurant Cassis Chez Gilbert Corey Amaro

Chez Gilbert in Cassis.

Oh Cassis

15 minutes from where I live.

My happy place.

Restaurants:

Grande Bleu ask for Philppe.

Chez Gilbert

Romano

Pastis Bar ask for Roger.

 

 

Pastis cassis corey amaro

 

Drink a Pastis when in Provence. 

 

Cassis must see corey amaro

Cassis

 

Must See Route de Crete in Cassis.

 

Cassis 

 

 

Restaurants in paris and provence

 

Restaurants in Paris and Provence

 

A favorite restaurant in Paris by our apartment

La Cantine.

 

A favorite restaurant in Provence

Chez Serge

 

Old fashion wonderful Restaurant in Paris

Dumonet's.

 

Our dear friend's Patrice's Restaurant in Marseille, where the locals go for lunch

Bar au Moment

 

 

Provence corey amaro

Provence my backyard.

My friend Denise and I created a mini list of things to do… 

Download A_little_paris-provence

 

 

Saint baume corey amaro

 

What to do in Provence?

 

Saint Baume

 

What to do, where to stay in Marseille.

 

 

Corey amaro flower signs paris

Buy flowers.

 

Corey amaro cassis must see

Cassis on the Route de Crete

 

 

Doors in paris corey amaro

 

Explore.

Just go without a map.

Open the door.

Let your desire lead you.

 

 

Reves d'argile pottery

Reves d'Argile's Pottery

 

My friend Mo's pottery.

Ten minutes from my home.

I cannot visit her without wanting to buy something.

 

Ruth bradley's

Ruth's photo of some wallpaper I found for her…

 

My friend Ruth and I have created The French Muse Experience where we offer week long, all included retreats in Provence.

If you are interested in the brocante, history, food, lifestyle, art, hanging out with us, staying in an old Provencal country house… and more. Tailored made experiences for you or your group. 

The French Muse Experience

 

 



Comments

19 responses to “What to Do in France? Can You Tell Me?”

  1. Thank you for all the information. Maybe someday a slice of this will be reality for me and my husband.
    Loved seeing all the photos of your Paris apartment–you have just the right touch when decorating.

  2. Irene Thomas

    Hi, Corey, Thank you for this post. I’m headed to French class this morning and will pass this on to other wishful thinkers. Sincerely,

  3. Wendy in Kennewick

    Oh, my gosh!!!! I NEED TO VISIT SOON!!!!

  4. This blog post is mouth-watering and right down my alley–as we say over across the pond. I’m an estate sale junkie every weekend. Now I’ll go back and look at your pictures again and make notes. 🙂

  5. I cannot wait to see your Provence.

  6. RebeccaNYC

    The first time I came to see the Carrières de Lumières (Quarries of Light), I cried. The combination of beautful art and music in an other-worldly setting is not to be missed. Also, if you are in Provence in the summer, the respite from the heat is a treat!!! Located directly below Baux de Provence, down the street from the ancient Roman site of Glanum and a hop skip and a jump from St Remy, this area is a treasure trove of Provençal delights. (the fact that it is near my most favorite restaurant in the world is also a very very good thing) For more information, check out this wonderful blog: http://www.theprovencepost.blogspot.fr/2015/02/new-show-in-les-baux-opens-march-6.html

  7. One day I will GET IT TOGETHER and plan a trip to tour with you and your friend Ruth. Seriously on my TO DO list.
    This post is amazing and so informative. Merci Corey!!!

  8. Would it be feasible for you to dedicate a separate T-I-C post to each of Paris’ arrondissements? Maybe Chelsea and Sacha could help with the research?

  9. If money were no object I would be on the plane tonight.
    How I love France.

  10. Diogenes

    Love the red and white checked tables in Cotignac!

  11. Corey, next time I come back ( this summer ) we have to go to Serge …. I WANT to try
    But may I add one adress for restaurant :
    Les arômes Gemenos ( it is the new arômes , the restaurant that was in a small street of Aubagne )
    See you this summer

  12. Ray Ramirez

    Hi Corey, surely you are asked about the Palace of Versailles all the time…would you say this is a must see in France? Any other places for a Marie Antoinette admirer I should know about?

  13. Hi Corey, as ever evocatively beautiful. Your posts make me wish that I could drop everything and hop on a plane. I don’t drive and that seems a prerequisite to being able to appreciate Provence in all its glory.

  14. Elaine Harbison

    Thanks so much, Corey, for compiling this list. My husband and I are once again in our “petit bijou” in Oppède. I am starting a list of the things you wrote about that we haven’t done yet. I really want to try that restaurant on the Mediterranean in Toulon. And can you believe we haven’t been to St Baume yet? Today we are off to the wine festival in Châteauneuf du Pape. Thanks again.

  15. Wow how tomely, I will be in Paris in June

  16. Oh, my goodness — so many gorgeous photos and ideas! One of my favorites is “Lavender in Provence.” Your hat, glasses, red lipstick, and lavender background is magnifique! It is perfect! What I wouldn’t give to have a copy of myself in that same type pose. You out-do yourself constantly and that’s one of the reasons I delight in looking at your blog everyday! French magic for my soul. Hugs to you!

  17. What a great resource, Corey! Thank you.

  18. Another absolute MUST TRY restaurant for your list is La Table de Sorgues
    in Sorgue. I think it’s one of the very best in the area. Great spot to stop if you’re doing the wineries.

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