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AUBRAC / Transhumance, en route to the summer pastures

Since ancient times, with the arrival of summer, farmers move their herd to the mountain pastures. Today, the tradition continues and the transhumance has even become a popular fête.

Texte : Patrick Forget - Photos : B. Compagnon, P. Forget

BASQUE COUNTRY / The art of living, a way of life

Across from the pretty little town hall in Guéthary, the players dressed in white play the traditional Basque pelota. For the Basque Country has a strength: its culture is rich enough that outside influences have not altered it.

Text : Yoanna Sultan - Photos : Stéphane Gautier

BIARRITZ / The imperial city

Who would believe that Biarritz the Fashionable was just four centuries ago a simple little port, from where the sailors left to hunt whales in the Bay of Biscay.
If the city offers you many facets, only one star guides its history: the ocean.

Text : Yoanna Sultan - Photos : Stéphane Gautier

Bordeaux / Mirror, am I still the fairest of all?

The Water Mirror reflects the buildings on the Place de la Bourse. This symbol of the city combines modernity and the richness of its heritage. In the last 20 years, Bordeaux has given itself a face-lift. Gone are the building façades blackened by pollution. The city center has transformed itself, to the point of becoming a model of the good life. Feature : Patrick Forget

BOURGES / Born under the sign of the arts

Evocative of a stroll in the historic center and some of the dishes and local sweets of the Berry not to be missed when in Bourges. In a charming High Middle Ages maze, hundreds of timbered buildings have been preserved.

Text : Gaelle Redon - Photos : Patrick Forget

BURGUNDY/ between vineyards and canals

For those dreaming of a meeting between Bacchus and Neptune, Burgundy is the ideal place. Here, the realm of water shares the land with the empire of wine; the Wine Road intermingles with the Burgundy Canal.

Text : Yoanna Sultan - Photos : P. Forget / S. Gautier

CHARTRES / Capital of stained glass and light

Stained glass is everywhere at Chartres, the Cathedral, in the workshops, the Centre International du Vitrail. Between glass and light, it is a long history that continues to this festival with "Lights of Chartres" that illuminates the city all summer.
Text : Gaelle Redon - Photos : Patrick Forget

EURE-ET-LOIR / The valley of the king’s favorites

Going along the Eure Valley is like entering History by the back door: the history of the secret loves of the kings of France. Very young, Henri II was enthralled by Diane de Poitiers. Taking advantage of her influence over the monarch, the favorite demanded the château of her dreams.
Text : Yoanna Sultan - Photos : Patrick Forget

FRANCE / Beaufort, the prince of Gruyères

A cheese with a nutty flavour nicknamed “the prince of Gruyères” by Brillat-Savarin in the Physiology of Taste in 1825, Beaufort is the renown of the high mountain pastures of the Savoy.

Feature : Bruno Compagnon

FRANCE / Burgundy, Paray-le-Monial, the beautiful story

100 years ago, Pope Benedict XV canonized Marguerite-Marie Alacoque, who 3 centuries earlier would have witnessed several apparitions of the Sacred Heart! This is how Paray-le-Monial became a high place of pilgrimage in France. With these numerous festivals throughout this year, the opportunity is ideal to come and discover it!
Text : Jeanne Morcelet, photos : Patrick Forget