France

Europe, France

Saint-Émilion Wine Escape: Bordeaux’s Hidden Gem

Famous Worldwide for Wine Production Saint-Émilion is one of the most famous wine destinations in the world and a perfect escape from Bordeaux . Bordeaux is probably one of the most famous places in the world for the production and sale of wine. The port of Bordeaux exported the region’s wines to both the old and new world. The famous claret comes from here and some of the greatest red wines in the world are produced in this region. The unique climate, rain and sunshine, together with the rich alluvial soil from the Gironde estuary and top-quality grapes, create the famous Bordeaux “superior quality”. Getting to Saint-Émilion The local tourist office offers organized wine tours for full or half days at approximately 89 euro, including transport, a light lunch and vineyard visits. Unfortunately, these were fully booked on our arrival, so we decided to take the train journey to the lovely town of Saint-Émilion, famous for its beautiful white sandstone buildings. Just 45 minutes from Bordeaux main station, Saint-Émilion is easily reached via the Bordeaux tram and rail system. A return day ticket costs approximately 15 euros. We met some Irish visitors who rented a car but found the costs expensive. It is often better to organize tours before leaving Ireland through the Gironde Tourist Board or travel agents such as Harvey Travel or Strand Travel. Walking Through the Vineyards There is a long uphill walk from the train station into the town itself, although taxis are available. Many visitors prefer the scenic route through the vineyards, stopping at wineries along the way. Some of the train travelers we met did exactly the same. This is also an excellent area for: Hiking Cycling Guided vineyard walks Wine tasting experiences From mid-May to mid-September, vineyard walking tours are especially popular. Many locals recommend late summer as one of the best times to visit. Exploring the Medieval Town Saint-Émilion offers much more than wine. Along the picturesque streets you can: Visit art galleries Browse craft shops Explore wine merchants Discover historic churches and cloisters The town has many wine shops with export experience and several owners know Ireland well, particularly Cork and Galway. There is also: The Collegiate Church The Monolithic Church bell tower The Cordeliers Monastery and cloister The King’s Tower (Château du Roy) The steep cobbled streets require care, but the views and atmosphere make the climb worthwhile. Wine Museums & French Heritage At the top of the hill you can visit a wine museum explaining how Bordeaux wines are produced. Nearby, we discovered a wine and crystal shop selling Baccarat crystal. The underground pottery museum is another hidden gem, showcasing ceramics dating back to Roman times and offering insight into French pottery history. Visitors can also explore: The Wine Grower’s Museum (Ecomuseum of Libournais) Historic wine cellars Roman and medieval heritage sites The Irish Connection to Bordeaux Wines We know some visitors, who have gone to visit Lynch Bages and the Dillon estates, both with strong Irish connections to the Bordeaux region. The Phelan family came from Clonmel and settled in the area in the late 1700s. The business later became known as Phelan Segur , located in St. Estèphe , just north of Bordeaux. The Kirwans and Bartons are other famous Irish names associated with vineyards in the Bordeaux region. Many original Irish families intermarried with the French over time and, in some cases, the family names evolved or changed on the vineyards. Now, the increased wealth of modern Ireland has also seen new Irish investment in vineyards, much like the Americans and Germans did in previous decades. The Cross family from Northern Ireland purchased Chateau de la Ligne , while Lochlann Quinn , brother of former Irish politician Ruairi Quinn , owned the well-known Chateau Fieuzal vineyard. These vineyards can often be visited, although it is best to check with the local tourist board and make advance bookings. A day of vineyard walks, wine tasting and a quality French meal can make for an ideal escape from Bordeaux city as part of a longer weekend break. Visitors can also learn about wine tasting and perhaps discover the historic Irish links to wine through the story of the “Wild Geese” — Irish families who left Ireland after the Battle of Kinsale and later periods of religious persecution. It is a wonderful region to reflect and relax as you travel back towards Bordeaux through acres of ripening vineyards. We had an Irish guide the previous day who explained how many Irish families settled in this region from the 1700s onwards, often after military service in France, later purchasing vineyards and developing successful wine businesses. That tradition continues today. Wine Tasting & Local Food Bordeaux is renowned for its red wines, but you will also find excellent white wines, both dry and sweet. Popular dry white grapes include Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, while regions such as Entre-Deux-Mers, Côtes de Bourg and Côtes de Blaye are also well known. The sweet wines of Bordeaux are famous too, particularly Sauternes and Barsac, which make excellent dessert wines, along with Graves Supérieures and Sainte-Foy wines. Exploring the Medoc Region While we focused mainly on reds and Saint-Émilion, a trip to the Medoc was also highly recommended for serious wine enthusiasts, although our schedule did not allow enough time. This area lies north of Bordeaux near the mouth of the River Gironde and is synonymous with red wines dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon grapes thriving on gravel-rich soils. Bus No. 705 from Bordeaux Quinconces bus station will bring visitors towards the Medoc and the famous Chateau Margaux area, home to some of the world’s most celebrated wine estates. For more details see: Pauillac Medoc Tourism There is also a train service from Bordeaux Saint-Jean station, approximately 35–40 minutes away. Back in Bordeaux Back at Bordeaux-Saint-Jean Station , a splendid building and a reminder of another era, it was time to board the busy tram and return to the hotel to rest the legacy and

Europe, France

Paris Spring Short Breaks 2026: Hidden Gems, Food & Culture

We were recently back in Paris for the rugby international. Sadly, the match proved a heavy defeat for Ireland, but on the positive side it was a welcome return to the City of Light. Having briefly passed through Paris in 2022 and during the 2016 soccer championships, it was great to properly revisit one of Europe’s greatest capitals. From the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral to riverside walks along the Seine, lively markets and world-class museums, Paris remains ideal for a short spring break. Getting There We travelled with Dawson Travel in a package from Cork Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, with coach transfer to our hotel in Montparnasse. Paris is easy to reach from Ireland with direct flights from Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Belfast through multiple airlines. The city’s second airport, Paris Orly Airport, is often closer to the centre. Useful booking resources: Ryanair Aer Lingus Air France Booking.com First Impressions Paris remains one of Europe’s most exciting and multicultural cities. The restored Notre-Dame, busy boulevards, elegant bridges and packed cafés all create that unmistakable Paris atmosphere. Even on a short stay, the city offers history, culture, food and endless places to walk and explore. Where We Stayed – Montparnasse We stayed in Pullman Paris Montparnasse. Montparnasse may not be the Champs-Élysées or Latin Quarter, but in many ways it is better — more local, better value and full of authentic neighbourhood life. Historically this district attracted many Bretons arriving from western France due to the nearby railway station. Today it is diverse, lively and well connected, yet still feels safer and calmer than some larger city districts. Things To Do Edgar Quinet Market One highlight was the excellent Edgar Quinet Market near the metro station of the same name. This traditional market offers fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses and crafts. It is a feast for the eyes and ideal for bringing home quality French produce. Notre-Dame & Latin Quarter We visited the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral and nearby Shakespeare and Company, where there was still a queue to enter. The nearby St Michel area is lively, full of restaurants, cafés and nightlife. Reservations: To cut down on waiting times, you are highly encouraged to book a free time slot via the official Notre-Dame de Paris Website. Tickets are released 24 to 48 hours in advance. Luxembourg Gardens The elegant Luxembourg Gardens remain one of the best places in Paris for a peaceful walk. Seine Walks & Boat Tours Walking beside the Seine is one of the great Paris pleasures. We passed the historic riverside booksellers and the departure points for Bateaux Mouches cruises. Boat tours from Pont Alma remain excellent value and give a fresh perspective on the city. Museums & Culture Musée d’Orsay Our main cultural stop was Musée d’Orsay, still one of the best-value museums in Europe. For around €16 (book ahead), visitors can enjoy one of the world’s greatest Impressionist collections. Masterpieces by: Vincent van Gogh Claude Monet Édouard Manet A must for any Paris visit. Evening Jazz Later we enjoyed live jazz in a historic wine cellar venue near Rue de Rivoli — a reminder that Paris remains one of Europe’s great music cities. Food & Dining Montparnasse offers superb dining options: Traditional French brasseries Breton crêperies Vietnamese restaurants Italian food Moroccan couscous venues Classic café stops include: Le Dôme Café La Rotonde Nearby streets like Rue de Vaugirard and Cherche-Midi also offer excellent choices. Writers & Literary Paris Montparnasse has long literary links. Irish writer Samuel Beckett once lived in the area and reportedly frequented Le Falstaff, where Guinness is still available alongside French and Belgian beers. For book lovers, visit: Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore Shakespeare and Company Getting Around Paris transport is now highly digital. Use: IDF Mobilités app MyNavigo digital ticketing Metro operator RATP Single journeys start around €2.55, with discounts for bundles. The Metro remains one of Europe’s best urban transport systems. Practical Tips Spring is one of the best times to visit Book museums online in advance Stay in Montparnasse for value and convenience Use Metro apps instead of paper tickets Walk as much as possible — Paris rewards walkers Final Thoughts Paris remains one of the world’s great short-break cities. Whether you want art, food, markets, music, literature or iconic sights, the city still delivers in every season. Even after many visits, Paris always gives you something new. A marvellous few days in the City of Light. You may also enjoy: Lyon Travel Guide Nantes Travel Guide Beautiful Bath Travel Guide Hamburg Weekend Break Bologna City Break Guide Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Europe, France, Travel Stories

Nantes Travel Guide: Culture, History & Irish Links

Nantes – A Cultural Magnet with Irish Connections Nantes, in northwest France, is fast becoming a standout city break destination — especially for Irish travellers. With year-round flights from Dublin via Ryanair and seasonal routes from Cork, access has never been easier. What makes Nantes even more special is its strong connection with Ireland, particularly Waterford. The nearby town of Saint-Herblain, twinned with Waterford, has fostered decades of cultural exchange. Over 7,000 visits have taken place in the past 25 years, building a deep relationship between the regions. For Irish visitors, Nantes and the wider Brittany/Loire area feel familiar — a shared Celtic heritage, coastal landscapes and a welcoming atmosphere make it easy to feel at home. Why Visit Nantes? Nantes is the largest city in the Pays de la Loire region and offers a perfect mix of culture, history, shopping and gastronomy. Tourism officials describe it as an ideal short city break destination, with two days enough to explore the city, combined with easy trips to the nearby coast. The city is also gaining recognition internationally. Time Magazine once described it as one of the most pleasant cities in France, while L’Express ranked it highly among young people for quality of life. A City of History & Heritage At the heart of Nantes stands the impressive Château des Ducs de Bretagne, surrounded by a wide moat. Now a city museum, it tells the story of Nantes’ maritime past, including its links with Ireland following the Penal Laws. The museum also explores the more difficult chapters of history, including the city’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. Nantes was once a major port for sugar imports from the Caribbean, which helped fuel industries such as biscuit production. Before Brittany became part of France, Nantes was its most important city — and many locals still identify strongly with Breton culture, including its distinctive music and traditions. Art, Culture & Creativity Nantes has reinvented itself as a creative hub. The Le Voyage à Nantes initiative blends art, culture and everyday life, with sculptures and installations placed throughout the city — along rivers, in parks and across public spaces. The city is home to more than a dozen museums, including the excellent Musée d’Arts de Nantes, which features works from the 13th century to modern times. Another highlight is the legacy of Jules Verne, author of Around the World in 80 Days, who was born in Nantes. A museum dedicated to his life and work is set to expand, further strengthening the city’s cultural offering. Walking, Shopping & City Life Nantes is a city best explored on foot. Wide plazas, riverside walks and elegant streets make it a pleasure to wander. Highlights include: Beautiful parks and green spaces Historic cathedrals and river views Open-air art installations across the city Shopping is another attraction. The iconic Galeries Lafayette Nantes offers high-end fashion, while the charming Passage Pommeraye — a 19th-century arcade — provides a unique shopping experience with its ornate architecture. Local Nantais sweets and chocolates are also worth bringing home. A Maritime City with Global Links Like Waterford, Nantes built its wealth through maritime trade. Its port connected France to the Caribbean, Canada and Africa, shaping the city’s economic and cultural development. The River Loire remains central to this story, flowing through a fertile region known for its vineyards and châteaux. While shipbuilding has moved downstream to Saint-Nazaire, Nantes continues to thrive as a modern cultural and economic centre. Final Thoughts Nantes is a city on the rise — creative, historic and welcoming. With strong Irish links, easy access and a rich mix of culture, food and heritage, it offers an ideal short break with the option to explore the wider Loire region and Atlantic coast. For travellers from Ireland, it is not just another French city — it is a place with familiar connections and new discoveries waiting.  

Europe, France, Travel Stories

Lyon City: History, Food & Culture

France’s Historic Second City and Gourmet Capital Lyon is the number two city of France and on a recent visit to France proved was a revelation. It has many interesting sights to see, great food / gastronomy, magnificent buildings, massive rivers in a city that will not disappoint. Lyon dates back to the Roman and early Christian period. Situated on two major rivers, the Rhone and the Saone, if you remember from your school geography lessons. Today it is a bustling thriving city of 1.5 million people, much the size of Dublin but with many lessons for here. Lyon is an excellent stop over between Paris and the North, a half way point to the south and its sunnier climes of the Riviera. We were heading south on a brief road trip in the past, but never made the city centre. Old Lyon or “Vieux Lyon” was a revelation. A friend from Lyon but based in Waterford, Laurent, gave me some useful tips in advance. He said focus on the old parts but also check out the modern side and its great culinary heritage. We were there in 2024 and suggest it for 2026. Getting There & Around Lyon is well served with transport but the airport is far out of town. Some helpful locals at the airport explained the best way to the city via local bus to tram way and then onto the city centre via lines to the main station. A local Moroccan working as a building engineer made sure we made the right connections and was most obliging as we made tracks for our city centre hotel near the main Perrache station. Across the main river Saone, a tram link on the other side proved useful to visit the local market, Les Halles, where good fresh food awaited. Old Lyon – Vieux Lyon It was then onto “Vieux Lyon” on what was becoming a nice sunny day. A chat and snack saw some more options. Bellecour is a fine place to start too with its wide open square and main focus for shopping, where the FNAC shop overlooks the square. There is a great impression of the city’s prestige and wealth here, tourism office close by and various downtown hotels. It is a 15-minute walk or short tram ride. Paris looks splendid but Lyon gives it a strong impression too with facelifts and regeneration. Old Lyon attracts many tourists but is not overbearing in June, early in the tourist season. See the Iris Galerie, art on eyes and health. A miniature is also an attraction, many interesting points near Place de la Basoche. We sat on an open square under the Jean Baptiste sculpture and took it all in, as it faced the main cathedral of the same name. The fountain had flowing water and a local guy just dashed along to cool off from the water, provoking conversation with nearby locals as he made a bow for his genuine effort, offering a welcome smile and bow (Metro Vieux Lyon). It was a nice introduction again to this impressive city. Along the streets of Vieux Lyon, browsing interesting shops and restaurants, thus finding possibilities for the next day. Guided Tours & Architecture The local tourist office has city tours at 10am daily, given by Laurence. She had great knowledge of the Roman origins and can show you, walking through the city, the incredible Lyon architecture and restoration of older buildings to make them now a tourist attraction with expert guidance. Various tax incentives and local supports encouraged this process. We need to send some Irish urban planners here and see good practice. The quality was superior to our standards but they had great heritage buildings to restore. Local stonemasons and builders have great expertise in this work, restoring residences of four to five storeys high in multi-apartment dwellings over shops and inner courtyards. The thick walls are great in summer heat with shuttered windows. There are apps for such tours also and puzzles. Rivers, Hills & Views The river walks are splendid and give a sense of importance to these great rivers. Other tips from locals are on the edge of the city’s hills or “Colline de Fourvière”. The Esplanade de Fourvière is very impressive. We were recommended to see the river and try some of the boat tours, the food market Les Halles, and the bouchon restaurant area near Bellecour. Bellecour is a fabulous square in the centre of the city, a great meeting place and also the location for the main tourist office. Near access to the rivers of Saone and Rhone and the great bridges, we were recommended to visit an amazing hotel transformed from its previous existence as a hospital. Fabulous job and open to the public for drinks and outdoor dining in the courtyard. This is now known as the Grand Hôtel-Dieu. Locals love it as they remember it from the hospital era. Silk, Fashion & Workers’ History Lyon as a city has tremendous heritage and fashion is another one. It was known as the French city of silk, a prize won by the Sun King Louis XIV as they battled with the Venetians and Italians over trade openings. Venice gave its silk secret to Lyon as part of a deal. Croix Rousse is the area for silk and an old silk artisan building is still operational for visitors to watch and buy silk. Some small artisans still use it but most production is now in Asia. Lyon still has a sense of style but also a cosmopolitan flavour with many nationalities, some from former colonies in Africa and the Caribbean. In the 1830s there were riots and deaths as workers rebelled over wage regulation reductions, with police opening fire on strikers. Over a hundred died. They were called the Canuts and the story is explained at Maison des Canuts at Croix Rousse Metro, about 300 metres from the station. Music, Bars & Nightlife Vieux Lyon is a good location

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