FPN Editor's Blog

France.e.motion

I went along to the ‘France.e.motion’ photography exhibition at Canary Wharf the other evening – a joint project between the French tourist board Maison de la France and photography students from the London College of Communication-University of the Arts. The photos were of 22 French cities from a variety of perspectives, including lifestyle, culture, landscapes, gastronomy, design, cafes and nightlife. The exhibition is only on until the 18^th October, so if you’re in the Canary Wharf area, drop in and have a look. Alternatively, log on to www.franceemotion.com and check out the photos along with trip ideas for each of the cities – plus there’s a chance to win a short break to Mulhouse, Metz or Dijon.

The exhibition got me thinking – what’s my favourite French city. I’ve been to a fair few over the years, and driven through many more on my way somewhere else, almost always thinking I must come back here some day and have a proper look around. Paris is so special, so iconic, from great monuments like the Eiffel Tower to intimate restaurants hidden down side streets. Dijon’s a place of culture, with beautiful buildings, great restaurants (are you getting an idea of what I like about France?) – and birthplace of one of my personal favourites, the kir royale… Montpellier is at once modern and ancient - with its vast student population, there’s a youthful feel to the city and plenty of nightlife, yet the university is the oldest in France (and there’s a Banque de Worms, which tickled me, but then I’m easily amused…) Amiens is one of those French cities with hugely impressive architecture (i.e. the cathedral) but a friendly small-town atmosphere – and a great antiques market, which I’ve happily plundered. I’ve been along to the Lille Braderie a few times too, in fact in England I sleep in a lovely old Louis XV-style wooden bed courtesy of the vast antiques and flea market that takes over the city’s streets every September (and only €80, what a bargain!). And what about Lille’s great Christmas market – I nearly froze to death on the Big Wheel one year. Avignon is another amazing city, with the stunning Pope’s Palace and views over the Rhone – and yet more wonderful restaurants and antiques markets. But I think my favourite city (or is it a town?) is probably Annecy; I just love the old town, the canal, the lake, the mountains surrounding it (and the restaurants… no wonder I’ve piled on the pounds while working for FPN) – if only other people didn’t love Annecy so much too and the property was cheaper!

The French cities in the exhibition are Amiens, Aix-en-Provence, Angers, Avignon, Bordeaux, Dijon, Grenoble, Le Havre, Lille, Marseille, Metz, Montpellier, Mulhouse, Nancy, Nantes, Nice, Nimes, Reims, Rennes, Rouen, Toulouse and Versailles.

Is one of these your favourite? Or an entirely different city? What makes them your favourite? And do you love them as a place to visit or would you like a holiday home there? Perhaps you'd like to live there full-time? Whatever your thoughts on French cities, I’d love to know.