Jennifer Ladonne, with openings offering culture vultures something new each time they pay a visit


50 CITY FOCUS: ANGERS Gillian Thornton hits the high spots of Anjou’s historic capital


54 PARISIAN WALKWAYS Jeffrey T Iverson hops on a bus to rue Saint-Blaise


58 CHÂTEAU DE GUÉDELON In a unique project, 50 master builders are constructing a medieval castle using only materials and methods that would have been available 800 years ago. Dominic Bliss reports


102 TOP 5… NATIONAL MONUMENTS From Marie Antoinette’s prison cell to glorious sound and light shows, here are our must-sees


104 10 REASONS TO VISIT… ARDÈCHE Spiritual home of adventurers and art lovers, Ardèche’s dramatic gorges and cave paintings are catnip to holidaymakers keen to reconnect with nature and the origins of mankind


106 DRÔME


From its sweeping mountain ranges and fragrant lavender fi elds to its tiny hilltop villages, the département of the Drôme is becoming increasingly popular with those seeking a better quality of life, says Caroline Harrap


120 ARDÈCHE HERMITAGE 128


Surrounded by a landscape of enchanting vineyards, Ardèche Hermitage truly is the south of France – with the climate to prove it!


REGULARS


8 LES INFOS & WHAT’S ON Your essential round-up of the latest news and events


22 LA CULTURE Our pick of must-see exhibitions and shows 31 MY LIFE IN PARIS


Theadora Brack and pal struggle to stay upright as they follow in the footsteps of Marie Antoinette


86 REGIONAL NEWS The latest political and cultural news and views 63


SPECIAL SUBS OFFER SUBSCRIBE TO FRANCE TODAY 32


SAVE MONEY WHEN YOU TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION!


ON THE COVER


An object of fascination and, once upon a time, discord, the Eiffel Tower never fails to impress © Alamy


88 WHERE TO STAY Our pick of alluring hotels, B&Bs and quirky rentals


93 REVIEWS We critique the latest fi lm and book releases


130 LANGUAGE Our guide to the complexities of la langue française 146 LE DERNIER MOT


Kristin Espinasse takes a deep breath after discovering her husband has turned her dream chalet into a ‘man-tuary’


Dec/Jan 2020 FRANCE TODAY ❘ 5


THE GUIDE


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15