North coast gastronomy
Whether it’s a quick day hop or an overnight stay, a visit to your nearest French port could open up a whole gastronomic experience, full of small producers, specialist shops, local flavours and hidden culinary gems. Kate Chappell heads across the Channel on an unforgettable shopping trip

France's best treehouses
Enjoy a whole new perspective on the French countryside when you stay in a treehouse. Kate Thomas and Eve Middleton give us the low-down on the best places to stay if you have a head for heights

Lagoons of the Languedoc
Flamingos flock here, artists too. Gillian Brown visits Narbonne’s nature reserve to discover why...

Off-piste in Alpe-dHuez
With so many nonskiing options available in the resort of Alped’Huez, Carolyn Boyd hangs up her skis to try out the other activities before finally giving in to the urge to strap them back on
