Author Archives: admin

Vivienne Mackie pays a new visit to a Saumur troglodyte cave. Mention the word “Troglodytes”, and pre-historic cavemen spring to mind, or we conjure up images of trolls and dwarves. I think of the folktale of “Three Billy Goats Gruff” … Continue reading →

Back in the middle of the 20th century, we still believed that some illnesses were triggered by letting ourselves get too cold. A lot of volunteers got free board for a couple of weeks at the Common Cold Research Centre … Continue reading →

Vivienne Mackie visits Provins, which has been a World Heritage Site since December 13th, 2001. This pretty medieval town is easily accessible from Paris (a 2-hour drive), so is perfect for an overnight stay. The initial approach to Provins doesn’t … Continue reading →

According  to Pierre Kosciusko-Morizet, president and co-founder of the e-commerce site PriceMinister, online sales of unwanted Christmas presents will rise to around 3 million this week, compared with 2 million last year. Most of it is desirable stuff that has … Continue reading →

Vivienne Mackie takes us down into the sewers of Paris. For most, Paris conjures up images of the River Seine, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and the iconic Eiffel Tower. But, beyond these icons are many other museums and sights … Continue reading →

I often check my website stats to find out how people find this site. Occasionally, like today, I discover a site that fills in the gaps in my somewhat personal offering. If you regularly take family holidays in France, take … Continue reading →

Like the British, the French have several proverbs (old wives’ tales, if that’s what you’d rather call them) about the weather. Here is a selection: RAINY SAINTS’ DAYS ‘St. Swithin’s day if thou dost rain For forty days it will … Continue reading →

Over 3 million tourists a year pay a visit to Mont Saint Michel, a mediaeval town dominated by a Bénédictine abbey, perched on a granite outcrop sticking out of a sandy bay. How many of these have visited the  underground … Continue reading →

We get a lot of contrails, and some beautiful clouds, in our quiet corner of the Limousin. Sometimes I take photos, and sometimes I can’t resist a little spoof. How’s this for a pic of a UFO (Objet Volant Non-Identifié … Continue reading →

Are you looking for ways to practise and improve your French? Talking to your neighbours is an obvious start, but what if they don’t share some of your interests and hobbies? What if you live deep in rural France and … Continue reading →