FURTHER AFIELD

YO U ’LL BE SPOILED FOR CHOICE W HEN EXPLORING FRANCE’ S SPECTACU LAR MO U NTAINS, COASTAL SCENERY AND Q UAINT COU NTRYSIDE VILLAGES.

1. Route de Champagne

1.5 H RS FROM PARIS Characterised by its rolling green vineyards dotted with traditional villages, estates and churches, France’s Champagne region is home to the nest champagne producers in the world. Located 1.5 hours from Paris by car, simply follow the ‘Montagne de Reims’ route which runs 70 kilometer from Reims to Epernay, where you can stop along the way to visit local winegrowers and famous champagne houses. To discover the secrets of champagne production, companies such as France Bubbles Tours organise champagne tours from Paris. For more information: tourisme-en-champagne.com

France Bubbles Tours: france-bubbles-tours.com

2. Normandy Region

+2 HRS FROM PARIS A popular weekend destination for Parisians, the verdant region of Normandy o ers a wide variety of landscapes, history and gastronomy. For a seaside escape, visit the neighbouring Deauville and Trouville, along with the pretty historic village of Hon eur nearby. Further a eld, visit the fairytale island of Mont Saint Michel, a major UNESCO World Heritage site visited by over 3 million people each year. e Normandy battle elds and World War II landing beaches are also a popular attraction of the region, where you can visit famous wartime sites. You’ll learn fascinating insight into the wartime experience of the Allied soldiers and the French citizens they liberated. e White Cli s of Etretat are the most famous cli s in France, while the town of Bayeux is famous for its 70-meter ancient tapestry which recreates the scenes of the region’s major battles. For more information: normandie-tourisme.fr

3. Châteaux of the Loire Valley

2.5 H RS FROM PARIS Located 200 kilometers south of Paris, the Loire Valley is renowned for its magni cent châteaux, its verdant fruit orchards and vineyards, and the picturesque Loire Valley river. ree of the most famous châteaux in the Loire Valley includes the privately-owned Château de Cheverny, the Chenonceau Castle, and the historic Château de Chambord. While the region can be explored as a full day trip from Paris, it’s best to extend your stay to enjoy the charms of this picturesque French region. For more information: loire-chateaux.org

4. French Riviera

3 H RS FROM PARIS As one of the most jet-set destinations in France, the Côte d’Azur coastline is home to the world’s rich and famous who love to see-and-be-seen in the region’s many stylish restaurants, cafes and beachfront hotspots. St. Tropez , Nice and Cannes are the most popular coastal cities, while Monte Carlo is a haven for high-rollers. For a change of pace, visit the hilltop village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence , one of the oldest medieval towns on the French Riviera. For more information: cotedazur-tourisme.com

5. French Alps

+3 H RS FROM PARIS With the dramatic backdrop of the long, steep descents of the Mont Blanc massif, Chamonix is a winter and summer extreme sports haven, while Val d’Isère o ers a wide variety of challenging terrain, both on and o piste. Courchevel attracts the glitzy, jet-set crowd who come to both ski and party, while Megève is a smaller boutique ski resort. For more information: en.rhonealpes-tourisme.com

6. Provence Region

3 H RS FROM PARIS: With breathtaking medieval villages, rolling lavender elds, a rich and varied cultural scene, and some of the nest food and wine in the world, France’s southern Provence region is a sight for the eyes and the senses. Easily accessible by high speed TGV train from Paris is Avignon, one of the most culturally rich cities in France which hosts a wealth of cultural festivals throughout the year. Surrounded by the picturesque Rhône river, the city o ers breathtaking landmarks such as the imposing 14th-century Palace des Papes and the iconic Bridge of Avignon. As one of the most modern cities in the region, Aix-en-Provence features 18th-century architecture, historical monuments and a vibrant cosmopolitan scene.

Set within the picturesque Luberon region in Provence, Gordes is one of the most beautiful villages in France, perched on the edge of the Plateau de Vaucluse. Explore the myriad of ancient stone buildings and churches dating back to the 12th century, all tightly clustered around a labyrinth of narrow laneways. Don’t miss a visit to the nearby medieval Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque surrounded by bright purple lavender elds during the summer months. Coloured in vibrant splashes of ochres, reds and yellows and cascading dramatically down the mountain’s edge, the quaint village of Roussillon is built upon one of the most signi cant red ochre deposits in the world, making for an impressive sight for rst-time visitors. To get to Provence: catch the high speed train to Avignon or Aix-enProvence, and then explore the surrounding villages by car at a leisurely pace. For more information: visitprovence.com/en

How would you describe Paris? Paris is magic! Paris encapsulates the epitome of French beauty and it is the romantic epicenter of France.

Which person would you say embodies Paris and why? Without a doubt, I would say Yves Saint Laurent. He represents the values of timelessness and elegance that I associate with Paris.

With your eye as a fashion designer, which brand do you associate with the French capital? For me, Hermès stands out from the other brands as it has mastered the French savoir-faire and excellence in creating luxury goods, where their collections symbolise quality and longevity.

What would be your perfect day in Paris? I would wake up at the Murano Streets hotel in the Marais. It’s a cool and edgy urban resort hotel, close to many art galleries, cute boutiques and restaurants. Memorable parties that I’ve had there with friends come to mind, especially in their suites where some of them include a swimming pool! Within walking distance from there is the Canal Saint Martin district, where I love to

ADAMA NDIAYE Fashion Designer

Dynamic, gorgeous and full of life, Adama Ndiaye is the talented Senegalese fashion designer behind the glamorous international fashion label, Adama Paris. She is also the founder and organiser of Dakar Fashion Week, and the high profile Black Fashion Week event which takes place in Paris and other major cities around the world each year. Splitting her time between the African continent, New York and Paris, she shares with us her favourite things about the French capital.

wander and stop for a drink at one of the cafés along the canal. e Montmartre district is also a fantastic place to spend the afternoon, especially if you take the funicular railway all the way to the top of the hill.

When I’m in Paris, I also try to go to the Quai Branly museum, which is very close to the Ei el Tower. ey always have fantastic exhibitions to compliment their permanent art collections from continents such as Africa and Asia. e Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen ea market is also one of my favourite places for shopping, especially for vintage goods.

My favourite restaurant is the Mama Shelter which o ers great food and a very cool atmosphere, and also the African Lounge in the 16th arrondissement which prepares the best tilapia grilled sh in the world! To party with friends, I would head back to the canal Saint Martin, to an amazing place called Au Comptoir Général It is a sort of African shabby-chic space and cultural center which is full of life with posters of African celebrities and politicians. I love to enjoy a good “bissap” there which is the national drink for Senegalese people.