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Ports of Call - France

The Basics

Getting Around

Visitors, other than EEA state members, are advised to hold a return or onward ticket, documents for next destination and proof of financial means. The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. * Entry Requirements

 

ca

Canadians must hold a valid passport for entry to France. A visa is not required for stays of up to three months.

 

ir

Irish nationals must have a valid passport, but no visa is required.

 

au

Australians must have a valid passport. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months.

 

nz

New Zealand nationals must have a valid passport. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months.

 

za

South Africans must have a valid passport and a Schengen visa for travel to France.

 

uk

British nationals must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for endorsed British Citizen passport holders. Visa exemption is for three months for passports endorsed British National (Overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizen and British Subject with the right of abode in UK.

 

us

United States citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for a stay of up to three months.

Health

There have been a significant number of cases of Swine Flu confirmed in France. French hospitals and health facilities are first class. British, and visitors from other EU countries, are entitled to heavily discounted medical treatment and medicines on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Otherwise doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Medical insurance is advised. Pharmacies will provide some first aid, but charge for it. Rabies also occurs occasionally. In February 2006, France confirmed its first cases of bird flu; all affected birds have been culled and precautionary measures taken. The risk is low for travellers, but close contact with domestic, wild and caged birds should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes well cooked.

Tipping

Most restaurants and hotels automatically add a 15% service charge so a tip is not necessary, although another 2-3% is customary if the service has been good. If service is not included then 15% is customary. Taxi drivers expect 10-15% of the fare and hairdressers 10%. Hotel staff generally receive EUR1.50 a day and tips of EUR1 are given to washroom and cloakroom attendants and museum tour guides. Tour bus drivers and guides are also tipped.

Climate

The south of France has a warm Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. Strong winds, known as 'le Mistral', can occur in the Cote d'Azur, Provence and in the Rhone valley particularly over the winter and spring. Northern France, including Paris, has a temperate climate similar to southern England with warm summers, cold winters and rainfall throughout the year. The western coast, from the Loire valley to the Pyrenees, is milder and summer days are generally very hot. During the second half of July and August most French take their five-week vacation to the coasts and mountains, and empty cities tend to shut down accordingly.

Customs

French culture is of paramount importance to the French and in an increasingly Americanised world they feel duty-bound to protect it. It is appreciated if visitors can speak a few words of French; they do not respond well to being shouted at in English. While the food is second to none, foreigners may find the service in many restaurants sloppy; waiters can appear rude (particularly in Paris) and take their time. This is just the way they are. Traditional games such as pétanque(similar to lawn bowling but played on gravel) are popular in village squares, but the national sports are soccer, rugby and cycling. Smoking in public places is not allowed and will incur heavy fines.

Safety

Following the London and Madrid bombings, security has been heightened particularly in the transport sector. Unattended luggage left in public places will be removed or destroyed by security staff. While generally safe, visitors to France are advised to take precautions against petty theft and to ensure their personal safety. Thieves and pickpockets operate on the metro and around airports. Theft from cars is prevalent, particularly in the south, around Marseilles, and in Corsica. A Corsican nationalist group FLNC have been responsible for a series of bomb attacks on public buildings and holiday homes in Corsica and visitors should take care, particularly in Ajaccio the capital, and other town centres. Several recent cases of burglary have been reported while visitors were asleep in their caravans or motorhomes and motorists are asked to avoid parking in isolated or darkened areas of camping sites or parking lots. Tourists are advised to conceal bags and purses even when driving, and to never leave valuables unattended in the car. Bag snatching is also common, particularly on public transport and in shopping centres, and visitors should also be vigilant of luggage while loading bags into and out of hire cars at airports.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. European two-pin plugs are standard.

Money

The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in France. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels, though you will get a better exchange rate at the ATMs. Major credit cards are widely accepted, as are travellers cheques, particularly in major tourist destinations. Foreign currency is not accepted.

Language

French is the official language.

Business

Business etiquette is important in France. A smart, fashionable, sense of dress is common as the nation prides itself on haut couture. Punctuality is not always observed though and the 'fashionably late' tactic may be applied. A handshake is the common form of greeting for men and women upon first introductions. Titles are important and the person is to be referred to as 'monsieur' (Mr.), 'madame' (Mrs.), or 'mademoiselle' (Ms.). Meetings usually occur over lunches, and the French are known to enjoy food. Business hours are generally 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

Duty Free

Travellers from non-EU countries over 17 years entering France can bring in the following items duty-free: 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco; 1 litre of spirits with alcohol content 22% and over, or 2 litres of dessert wine or sparkling wine not exceeding 22% alcohol volume, and 2 litres of table wine; 50g perfume or 250ml eau de toilette and other goods to the value of EUR175 per adult or EUR90 for children under 15 years.

Communications

The international access code for France is +33. The outgoing code depends on what network is used to dial out on (e.g. 00 for France Telecom), which is followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Other codes are used if using different networks. The area code for Paris is (0)1. Most public telephones accept phone cards, which are available in newsagents. Most hotels add a surcharge to calls, which can be very expensive; the cheapest way to call abroad is often with a phone card from a public telephone or at a post office. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international mobile phone companies. Internet cafes are available in towns throughout France.

Emergency Contact

Emergencies: 112.

Tourist Office

Maison de la France (Tourist Information Agency), Paris: +33 (0)1 4296 7000 or www.franceguide.com

 

Attractions

Hiking

The mountainous island is extremely well suited to walking, and options range from difficult multi-day hikes to strolls along clifftops, and day hikes up into the mountains. The GR20 is reputed to be the best and most challenging long-distance walk in Europe, and is the most famous hike in Corsica. Fifteen days of demanding walking takes hikers along the inland granite spine of mountains dividing the island from Calenzana to Conca. Other well known, but less taxing walks include the Mare e Monti (sea to mountains) and Mare a Mare (sea to sea) trails that last from five, seven and 10 days. The area around Corte and Vizzavona has numerous day walks in the mountains; there are also a number of coastal walks such as the walk to Girolata on the west coast or Le Sentier des Douaniers on Cap Corse, and forests and ravines invite walkers to discover beautiful waterfalls, swimming holes and wonderful views. The GR20 should be walked in summer between May and October, although late snows can prevail until June, which requires a more technical approach.

Diving

Corsica's Mediterranean coastline offers superb diving opportunities. The sea temperature is warmest in August, and calm, clear waters make for excellent visibility. The Reserve Naturelle des Bouches de Bonifacio is the most visited area with outstanding dive conditions. Almost all the gulfs have dive centres and there are sites in and around Ajaccio, Porto Vecchio, Propriano, Cargese, Porto, Calvi and St-Florent. For expert divers, one of the top dive sites is the wreck of a B-17 bomber near Calvi. The peak dive season is between June and August.

Walking in the Pyrénées

The wild mountains of the Pyrénées stretch for 250 miles (402km) from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and have for many centuries formed a natural frontier: physical, climatic and linguistic, between France and Spain. Second only to the Alps among the great mountain ranges of Western Europe, the Pyrénées are much less frequented, and still offer an exciting combination of knife-edged summits, small glaciers, forested valleys, mountain tarns and little-trodden summer passes. Splendid trails lead to the magnificent cirques and lake-spangled basins of France's Pyrénées National Park. Over on the Spanish side paths lead through the spectacular canyons of the Ordesa-Monte Perdido National Park, one of Europe's oldest. In 1997, the United Nations inscribed a portion of the French and Spanish Pyrénées near the French village of Gavarnie and the Spanish village of Torla on its list of World Heritage Sites. Here, nature over the eons has carved three stupendous glacial cirques including the renowned Cirque de Gavarnie and a 3,000ft (914m) deep canyon called Ordesa - Spain's 'Grand Canyon.'

Wine tasting

Boasting world-renowned terroirs of Alsace, Champagne, Provence, the Loire Valley and wine capital of the world, Bordeaux, visitors who decide to indulge in a spot of wine tasting in France can sip on some of the world's finest wines while soaking up the luxuriant landscape and dining on magnificent food - a bourgeois paradise! Visitors with a penchant for bubbly should head for Epernay in the centre of the Champagne region where it is possible to visit the vineyards and cellars (known as maisons)of the top producers. Wine connoisseurs can also sample Bordeaux's finest wines at several exporters premises in the city, which serve tourists as a stopover and central transport hub, handy for accessing this famous region which produces arguably some of the world's finest wines. Many of the vineyards in France are fairly small family run businesses lacking in staff to cater for tourists, but the more famous ones, such as Château Mouton-Rothschild organise tastings and tours of the cellars and vineyards while appointments need to be made with other farms, such as Château Margaux. With so many regions to choose from, each famous for their own cultivars, tourists intent on doing wine tasting are best off doing an organised tour so that the best and most recognised farms can be visited, while those opting to drive themselves should take their time to enjoy the fine wines and verdant vineyards of the French countryside.

 

Airports

Charles de Gaulle International Airport

The airport is 14 miles (23km) north east of Paris.

 

Tel: +33 (0)1 48 62 1212.

 

There are ATMs, banks and bureaux de change in all terminals as well as a wide selection of shops, restaurants and bars. Terminal 1 also has a hairdresser and a business facility that includes meeting rooms, fax and photocopier. Internet facilities and wireless Internet access are also available. Mobile phones can be rented at the airport. Disabled passengers are well catered for at the airport.

 

All major car rental companies are represented.

 

The three terminals are linked by free shuttle buses.

Strasbourg Airport

The airport is nine miles (14km) southwest of Strasbourg.

 

Tel: +33 (0)3 88 64 6767.

 

Airport facilities include shops and duty free shopping, bars, restaurants, ATMs, bureau de change and a business centre. Disabled facilities are good; passengers with special needs should ideally advise their airline in advance.

 

All major car rental companies are represented at the airport.

Saint Exupéry International Airport

The airport is situated 15 miles (24km) east of Lyon.

 

Tel: +33 (0)8 26 80 0826.

 

Facilities at the airport include left luggage, a post office, bars, restaurants, shops, a travel agency and a business centre with meeting rooms and secretarial services. ATMs and bureaux de change are available throughout the airport. Disabled facilities are good; passengers with special needs should contact their airline in advance.

 

Plenty of car parking is available; the further away areas are connected to the terminal building by a free shuttle service every 10 minutes.

 

Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National Citer and Sixt are represented at the airport.

 

The two terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus.

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport

The airport is situated four miles (6km) west of Nice.

 

Tel: +33 (0)8 20 42 3333.

 

There are a number of restaurants, bars and shops, banks and foreign exchange in both terminals. Other facilities include a post office and business centre with meeting rooms, fax, photocopier and Internet facilities and Wi-Fi access. Disabled facilities are good, passengers with special needs should contact their airline in advance.

 

Plenty of short and long-term parking is available at both terminals.

 

All major car rental companies are represented opposite Terminal 2.

 

A free shuttle bus connects the two terminals, which are also within walking distance.

Toulouse Blagnac International Airport

The airport is located five miles (8km) northwest of Toulouse.

 

Tel: +33 (0)5 61 42 4400.

 

There are bars, shops and a restaurant in the terminal. Other facilities include banks, bureaux de change, Internet access, travel agencies and a business centre. Disabled facilities are good; passengers with special needs should ideally contact their airline in advance.

 

Long and short-term parking is available.

 

All major car rental companies are represented at the airport.

Paris Orly Airport

The airport is nine miles (14km) south of Paris.

 

Tel: +01 49 75 5252.

 

There are a number of shops, bars and restaurants throughout the airport and both terminals have ATMs, banks and currency exchange services. Other facilities include information desks, an art gallery, left luggage, and a medical centre offering vaccinations. Internet access points and wireless Internet access is available, and a business centre offers a venue and equipment for business needs. Disabled passengers are well catered for; passengers with special needs are advised to inform their airline in advance.

 

All the major car rental companies are represented at the airport.

 

The two terminals are linked by a free shuttle bus.

Marseille Provence Airport

The airport is located 15 miles (24km) north of Marseille and 16 miles (26km) south of Aix-en-Provence.

 

Tel: +33 (0)4 4214 1414.

 

Facilities include a variety of retail outlets and duty free shopping; bars, restaurants and cafes, Internet cafés, a Business Centre, and banks, ATMs and bureaux de change.

 

Avis, Budget, Europcar and Sixt are represented at the airport; desks are located on the ground floor of Hall 4.

Bordeaux Airport

The airport is located eight miles (13km) west of Bordeaux.

 

Tel: +33 (0)5 5634 5000.

 

Airport facilities include a number of bars, shops and restaurants, as well as travel agencies and tour operators. ATMs and bureaux de change are also available. Internet facilities are available in Departures. The airport has good facilities for disabled passengers; those with special needs are advised to let their airline know in advance.

 

Car hire firms Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz, among others, operate from the airport.

 

A short covered walkway links the two terminals/halls.

Lille Lesquin International Airport

The airport is situated about six miles (10km) from Lille close to the Belgian border.

 

Tel: +33 (0)3 20 49 6880.

 

The airport has a bank, ATM, restaurants, cafeterias, bars, a duty free shop, newsagent, post office, tourist help desk and business centre.

 

There is an open-air car park and a covered car-park, the Car Hotel, with direct access to the terminal, both offering long and short-stay parking at various prices.

 

Four car rental companies have desks in the Arrivals hall: Avis, National Citer, Europcar and Hertz.

Restaurants

L'Ardoise - French

Paris - 28 Rue du Mont Thabor (Beaubourg/Les Halles)

 

This tiny bistro is simply decorated with a plain white facade and a rustic interior, and is always buzzing with locals. A blackboard menu offers classic French dishes such as calf's liver cooked in sherry vinegar, or scallops cooked in basil oil. There is also a selection of venison on offer, and the puddings are equally enticing. The bill is outrageously inexpensive for the quality of the food. Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, dinner only on Sunday. Reservations essential.

 

Web:www.lardoise-paris.com

Buddha Bar - Fusion

Paris - 8 Rue Boissy d'Anglais (Champs-Élysées)

 

The exotic Buddha Bar remains trendy with Parisians and foreigners in the know. A massive gilt Buddha dominates the spacious interior of the restaurant, which offers a variety of Japanese-Californian cuisine; tuna tataki sashimi and pork ribs with hoisin sauce are just two of the menu's many delights. Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Friday, and dinner only on weekends. Book well in advance.

 

Web:www.buddha-bar.com

Goumard - Seafood

Paris - 9 Rue Duphot (Madeleine)

 

Founded in 1872, the restaurant Goumard has all the charm of a century-old establishment with original oak woodwork, an engraved 1930s glass facade and designer chandeliers. One of the finest seafood restaurants in Paris, the food at Goumard is influenced by Mediterranean and Asian cuisines, served with subtle and delicate sauces - the emphasis is on enhancing the natural flavours of the catch. Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday, reservations required.

 

Web:www.goumard.com

Le Grand Véfour - French

Paris - 17 Rue de Beaujolais (Louvre/Tuileries)

 

Housed within the arcades of the Palais-Royal, Le Grand Véfour has been entertaining diners since the reign of Louis XV and has welcomed everyone from Napoleon to Danton. The menu is influenced by the cuisine Savoie - a blend of sophisticated and rustic dishes. Favourites include the sole meunière and the wild duck in laurel leaves. Desserts include the signature artichoke crème brûlée. Booking is essential, closed Friday night and weekends.

 

Web:www.grand-vefour.com

Le Bouillon Racine - International

Paris - 3 Rue Racine (St-Germain-des-Prés)

 

Le Bouillon Racine features a sophisticated Belgian menu and an enormous selection of Belgian beer. The food here is hearty and filling, even without the help of several thirst-quenching ales. The menu changes monthly and includes popular dishes like the casserole of mussels, shrimp and baby clams, suckling pig roasted with bitter Orval beer, and rack of lamb roasted in a pale biere blonde. The décor is festive and the service efficient. Reservations essential, open daily for lunch and dinner.

 

Web:www.bouillon-racine.com

La Tour d'Argent - French

Paris - 15-17 Quai de la Tournelle (Latin Quarter)

 

La Tour d'Argent (The Silver Tower) not only serves up mouth-watering dishes, but also has wonderful views over the Seine and Notre-Dame. A restaurant has stood on this site since 1582 and dining here is still an unsurpassed event. A good section of the menu is devoted to duck, and diners who order the house speciality - caneton (pressed duckling) - are issued with a certificate; the practice started in 1890 and they are now at well over a million. Book well in advance, a jacket and tie is required in the evening. Closed Monday, and lunch on Tuesdays.

 

Web:www.tourdargent.com

L'Alcazar - Modern Eclectic

Paris - 62 Rue Mazarine (Odéon)

 

L'Alcazar attracts fashionable Parisians looking to dine on seafood or Modern British fare. The huge ground floor restaurant is of course designed more for style than comfort and patrons can see the chefs in action in the open-plan kitchens; the octopus salad and steak tartare are excellent. L'Az bar has regular theme nights with celebrity artists and jazz musicians. Open for lunch and dinner daily, and brunch on Sundays. Reservations recommended.

 

Web:www.alcazar.fr

La Tupina - International

Bordeaux - 6 rue de la Porte de la Monnaie

 

Opened in 1968, this cosy and quaint French eatery specialising in local south western fare is a popular restaurant with both locals and tourists who come to sample the gastronomical experience it offers. Start with duck carpaccio with shallots before sinking into the delicious braised shoulder of lamb cooked in its juices with garlic, while those with a sweet tooth will love the rhubarb and apple 'tarte fine'. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.

 

Web:www.latupina.com

La Vieux Bordeaux - French

Bordeaux - 27 rue Buhan

 

Nestled in the heart of the old town, La Vieux Bordeaux serves traditional local dishes in a quaint and cosy atmosphere. Featuring two dining rooms, a patio and a shady garden, guests can sit back and enjoy dining on dishes such as grilled sea bass, sweet pepper butter with ham or duck tenderloin with pepper and foie gras. Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed last two weeks in February and three weeks in August each year. Reservations recommended.

 

Web:http://le-vieux-bordeaux.com

Le Chapon Fin - French

Bordeaux - 5 rue Montesquieu

 

Dining out in Bordeaux doesn't get much better than Le Chapon Fin. Established in 1825, it was one of the first restaurants to ever receive three Michelin stars, and one of the first 33 to receive a Michelin award. The stylish and unpretentious eatery features a wonderful variety of cuisines, all carefully prepared under the scrutiny of head chef and owner, Nicolas Frion, known for his innovative and refined style of cooking. Start with the pan-fried foie gras with a hint of garlic, onion & grenadine compote, and enjoy the Tajine-style canon of lamb served with polenta fries and olive tapenade. Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed three weeks in August each year. Reservations required.

 

Web:www.chapon-fin.com

Café de Flore - Café

Paris - 6th Arrondissement

 

The historic Cafe de Flore has been immortalised by more than one French painter. A popular meeting place for post-war intellectuals like Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir and celebrated artists Camus, Picasso, and Apollinaire, the restaurant has now been overrun with tourists from all over the world. The menu offers salads, sandwiches, pastries and other cafe fare. Cafe de Flore is open daily from 7:30am to 1:30am.

 

Web:www.cafedeflore.fr

La Part des Anges - Mediterranean

Nice - 17 rue Gubernatis

 

This Nice hotspot is half wine shop and bar, and half restaurant. The menu is small and concentrated on tapas, but that doesn't mean the food isn't good. The charcuterie platter of cold cut meat is a great starter or light meal, and the main courses are more adventurous on weekend nights. The restaurant has a large selection of wine by the glass available for reasonable prices.

La Reserve de Nice - French

Nice - 60 boulevard Franck Pilatte

 

This trendy restaurant overlooking the harbour has a modern vibe, both in the open, minimal decor and the menu, which features fresh updates of classic French dishes. The food is pricey, but you can enjoy the amazing views over their set lunches, which start around EUR30. The restaurant is open daily from 12pm to 2pm and 7pm to 10pm, and is wheelchair accessible. It also offers a car service and free wi-fi.

 

Web:www.lareservedenice.fr

Une Table au Sud - Fusion

Marseille - 2 Quai du Port

 

This Michelin-starred restaurant is tucked away above the tourist traps of the Old Port, but it is vastly different than its neighbours, lacking many of the clichéd trappings of many local restaurants. The menu is focused on fresh haute cuisine in the style of top London restaurants, presenting trendy updated versions of Provençal cuisine that change seasonally. The restaurant itself enjoys scenic harbour views from the sleek dining room.

 

Web:www.unetableausud.com

Le Ruhl - French

Marseille - 269 Corniche Président-J.-F.-Kennedy

 

Marseille is famous for its bouillabaisse, and one of the most popular places to get this regional dish is at Le Ruhl, located in the hotel of the same name. In fact the restaurant serves several kinds of bouillabaisse, all complying to exacting requirements. Located along a rocky stretch of the French Riviera, every seat in the house has a sea view, and is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

 

Web:www.lerhul.fr

La Kahena - African

Marseille - 2 rue de la République

 

La Kahena is a popular Tunisian restaurant in a diverse city filled with North African competition. While the decor isn't anything special, the food is, with ten different kinds of couscous on the menu to complement dishes like mechouia (roasted lamb) and fish tagine. The eatery has become something of a lunchtime hotspot, and is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm.

Le Jules Verne - French

Paris - Eiffel Tower, second floor (the restaurant has its own private elevator access at the south pillar)

 

The prestigious Jules Verne Restaurant is located on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower and has an atmosphere that is reminiscent of an airship moored high above Paris. The poached lobster and stuffed chicken are just two of the great dishes on the menu, and the wild strawberry and coconut cake dessert is fantastic. Open for lunch and dinner daily, reservations recommended.

 

Web:www.lejulesverne-paris.com

Guy Savoy - French

Paris - 18 Rue de Troyon (Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile)

 

Guy Savoy's creations are audacious and inventive; the steam-baked Bresse chicken with lemongras and the roasted rib of veal are testament to this. Half-portions allow patrons to sample various dishes on the menu, and the wine list reveals a treasure trove of exceptional vintages. Although the décor is formal, the atmosphere is relaxed and ambient. Book well in advance. Open Tuesday to Friday for lunch and dinner, and for dinner on Saturday; closed Sundays.

 

Web:www.guysavoy.com

Au Pied de Cochon - French

Paris - 6 rue Coquillière

 

Opened in 1947, this Paris restaurant is a traditional all-day Brasserie serving authentic French fare like stuffed pig's trotters, veal kidney flambéed in Cognac, and Provençal-style pan stuffed mussels. The long benches and brass fittings echo the authenticity of the food for a truly Parisian experience. Open 24 hours a day, the restaurant is popular with tourists just come from browsing the Louvre.

 

Web:http://www.pieddecochon.com

Kong Restaurant and Bar - International

Paris - 1 Rue du Pont Neuf

 

Set in an Art Deco building on the banks of the Seine, Kong has beautiful views of the city and is full of surprises - from its Sex and the Citystint to the dining area's interesting Japanese Manga décor. The exotic menu offers cuisine such as the Kong Plate (a mixed fish platter), Chilean bass and Japanese beef carpaccio. Open daily for lunch and dinner, with brunch on Sundays. Reservations essential.

 

Web:www.kong.fr/

Le Mably - French

Bordeaux - 12 Rue Mably

 

Set in the heart of historic Bordeaux and surrounded by antique shops and cobbled streets, Le Mably is the perfect spot for anyone and everyone. It has been described as kitsch but cute, but whichever way you look at it, the small and bustling eatery featuring a few tables spilling out into the nearby square creating al fresco dining, keeps patrons coming back for more. Try the duck necks stuffed with pistachio nuts or the boeuf bourguignon with your favourite bottle of red from a nearby winery. Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Bookings recommended.

Philippe Chez Dubern - Seafood

Bordeaux - 42-44 allées de Tourny

 

Established in 1886 by the Dubern brothers, Philippe Chez Dubern specialises in fish and seafood, featuring innovative and inspired dishes that just about every foodie will enjoy. With several airy dining rooms, the décor echoes the style of cuisine and the descriptions 'light and tasteful' come to mind when describing this popular eatery. Sample the delicious Tepinyaki fillet of beef and prawns with sautéed vegetables, or enjoy a glass of the region's finest red wine while you enjoy dining at Philippe Chez Dubern.

 

Web:www.philippe-chez-dubern.com

Chez Mounier - French

Lyon - 3 rue des Marronniers

 

This restaurant seems tiny from the street, but there is plenty of room inside. Chez Mounier has the traditional atmosphere of a Lyonnais bouchon, with regional dishes like quenelle de brochet (dumpling in crayfish sauce) and herring salad. Locals and tourists alike love Chez Mounier for its unpretentious atmosphere and cheap food. Open Monday to Saturday, 9am-6pm.

Brasserie Georges - French

Lyon - 30 cours de Verdun

 

The oldest brasserie in Lyon, La Georges has been serving Lyonnais delicacies since 1836. Since then it has hosted notable celebrities like Edith Piaf, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway, and the Dalai Lama. The restaurant also brews its own beer. Its location can appear a bit seedy, but the large dining area means you can usually get a table without reservation unless dining at peak hours on the weekend. The restaurant is entirely no smoking. Open weekdays 11:30am-11:15pm, and Fridays and Saturdays 11:30am-12:15am.

 

Web:www.brasseriegeorges.com/

L'Auberge de l'Ile - French

Lyon - Place Notre Dame, Île Barbe

 

This Michelin-starred restaurant is near to the heart of Lyon, located in a charming 17th-century inn on the tiny island of Île Barbe. It has a pretty ivy-covered courtyard and more intimate indoor dining area where you can sample dishes like meat stew mille feuille or red tuna tartare with quail and salmon eggs.

 

Web:www.aubergedelile.com/