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The Cannes Film Festival: a Cinematic Pilgrimage

May 20, 2011 by John in France

Sarah Reese reports directly from the red carpet in Cannes, as she fulfils a childhood dream of being at this prestigious film festival.

A fortnight ago the French town of Cannes rolled out the red carpet for its sixty-fourth annual international film festival.

Aaaah…. The world had once again been gifted with the chef-d’oeuvre of all cultural events. In this little slice of the French Riviera you’ve got everything; the sea, the sun, the sand, and stars which certainly shine brightly. (Especially Robert de Niro, what a legend. And Jude Law. Although I still haven’t quite forgiven him for the whole nanny fiasco!)

In the midst of all the excitement, an aspiring young filmmaker (me) arrives for a crucial week of ‘networking opportunities.’ I was not disappointed. Cannes was everything I had always dreamed it would be – a true celebration of not just movies, but the art of collaborating with others to achieve something you are proud of. And what a perfect way to kick-start the festival with no other than Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris!

Fans go wild for the likes of Jude Law, Robert de Niro and Umu Thurman

Woody Allen is arguably the only living director who still manages to make one feature film per year – for those of you who are not ‘up’ with it in the film industry…that is HUGE. And he’s seventy-five! I don’t care whether you love him or hate him; Woody continues to make films that are celebrations of small snippets of our lives. When going to a Woody Allen film I don’t expect anything else but to be entertained; none of this pretentious arty stuff, just pure cinematic magic. Midnight in Paris, in all its frothy sweetness, is a film about you and me in the search for inspiration and love in our lives, and in this case, the film appropriately finds it on the banks of the Seine River. (Dreamy sigh.) Even the red carpet of this new Allen flick was a celebration! The film’s stars Owen Wilson (and his nose), Oscar-winner Adrien Brody, Michael Sheen and the ridiculously glorious Rachel McAdams were welcomed onto the red carpet to a jazzed-up version of Edith Piaf’s classic ‘La Vie en Rose,’ followed closely by Cole Porter’s croony ‘You Mean Something to Me’ which is impeccably integrated into the film. (Moment of reflection: Cole Porter, what a genius….)

I don’t know whether it was the horrific blisters burning holes through my heels or my new dose of sunburn, but I started to get all…emotional watching this all. I kid you not. Here I was, a mere spectator on the side-line watching cinema history unfold, watching my idols celebrate their achievements, and reflecting on the joys and hardships of film-making. It was the music, the red carpet, the Marchesa gowns, the flashes of the paparazzi; the whole atmosphere which said, “We’re here as one.” And in our thousands, we were. I know that sounds a bit lame and everything, but I felt like I was part of a film-making pilgrimage, and felt utterly revived by it.

Paparazzi camp out for hours to get the perfect glimpse of their camera candy!

Of course, Woody and his team weren’t the only ones to hit the sacred red carpet. The following night Cannes presented another true celebration of cinema – the premiere of the fourth installment of Pirates of the Caribbean. During the beats of Hans Zimmer’s iconic soundtrack, not only did we get to see Captain Jack Sparrow in person, but also the breath-takingly beautiful Penélope Cruz (in the most stunning, yet preposterously unpractical dress) and the not-so-beautiful, but equally talented, Geoffrey Rush. Although, not everyone was as ecstatic as I was to be seeing these cinematic icons in real-life… two old ladies interviewed for the news that night said they were disappointed they didn’t get to see Angela Jolie and Brad Petit. (Close….!)

As the countdown to Sunday’s grand prize-giving ceremony begins, it almost seems immaterial to name a winner. You see, this festival is about more than just winning and losing, it’s a festival which quite simply honors and appreciates true dedication to the art of film-making. From the animated Kung Fu Panda 2 to Terence Malick’s much-awaited The Tree of Life (starring Brad Petit himself), there’s something there for everyone at Cannes – it’s just waiting to be discovered!

The 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival runs from 11 – 22 May 2011.

For more information visit its official website.

Check out the latest red carpet arrivals .

Similarly, if you fancy a laugh, check out the comical summary of each day’s events at Le Petit Journal (of which most of it is in French sorry…)

 

Everything is ready and waiting for the beautiful people to arrive - off La Croisette.

Posted in France, News, Tourism, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments »

Packing your Bags!

May 13, 2011 by John in France

I’m off to Europe for three weeks, what am I supposed to pack?

This is a question that is being asked everyday by people heading off on holiday. In fact at this time of the year I have many hundreds of travelers heading off to Europe, and they are all scratching their heads over what to pack.

 

One Suitcase, one hand luggage - you need to be able to move independently - unless you have your own porter!

So what do we know?

You can take one suitcase, and one item of hand luggage with you. Whatever you pack, you must be sure that you can move around with your two items of luggage – be able to carry/pull your cases out of airports and through train stations!

So now that your have your cases ready we can work out what we pack.

The first thing you need to remember is that you will probably buy new clothes or items while you are away – who wouldn’t? You are probably going to buy things on your travels, so don’t leave home with a full suitcase.

How much can you take? Check with your airline, but normally you’re looking at about 23kg for your suitcase and 7kg for your hand luggage. So when you start your trip you really need to have less than this! Sorry! My last trip away to France I left with 13kg in my suitcase! Plenty of room to expand!

Life is a lot easier to start with room in your suitcase.

So these are my secrets for you all:

Fabric
You should choose fabrics that are easy care, and easy to travel with. I need to be able to wash a shirt at night and hang it up to dry, so that in the morning it will be ready or nearly ready to wear. Some cotton fabrics dry badly and some dry brilliantly – find this out before you go. Cotton T shirts for me are the worst of all, as they take for ever to dry, but having a good white T shirt is handy under a shirt or jacket. So choose carefully. I have some cotton socks that take days to dry, and if you move regularly on your travels this makes life difficult. You can always get your clothes laundered at a laundry or through your hotel, but expect to pay 30 Euros for a shirt – I can buy a new shirt for that!!!

Any clothes that you pack must be comfortable on a train or a plane, and I always like to choose something that looks good! When you pack make sure that everything can mix and match i.e. that any pants/ shorts can go with any shirt etc.

Footwear
For me, I usually get away with two pairs of shoes!

 

These can be worn with shorts, jeans, and even dress up in the evening if they have to! And they can walk all day without a break!

Walking shoes.

That can be worn with jeans and shorts and walk all day, as if they we’re sneakers. I don’t do sneakers!! These shoes can even dress up.

Dress Shoe. That can be worn with your jeans and look sharp, but must be comfortable and “broken in”. These shoes you’d mainly wear in the evening.

There is a third option – a summer mule/ sandal/ jandal for the summer holiday, but they’re not the most practical for walking in cities.

Situation
Where you are going and the type of holiday must be well thought of before packing; is it a beach holiday, backpacking, churches, dinner parties, Paris, countryside. Whenever I go to Paris I would never wear shorts, because the locals (except the students) don’t, the men all wear long trousers/jeans. Also in Paris most people wear jackets – so I do too – they also often in Paris wear scarves summer and winter, but you don’t need to do that, but it is a sharp look, and the locals will think you are local too! But if I wore my Paris clothes when touring Provence, the locals would laugh at me and double the bill at the bar!

Now here is the fun part – PACKING!

My SUITCASE – what it contains:

  • Shirts (short sleeve) x 4 (including some dri-fit)
  • Shirts (long sleeve) x 2
  • T shirt
  • Trousers: 1 pair of jeans or longs
  • Shorts: 1 pair
  • Underwear x 3
  • Socks x 3
  • Wind/rain jacket
  • Shoes x 1 pair
  • Swimming togs
  • Umbrella (collapsible)
  • Coat hangers x 2 (for drying clothes on!)

HAND LUGGAGE:
You must assume that if your luggage went missing this will see you through 24 to 48 hours.
Change of clothes:

  • T shirt (white)
  • 1 pair undies,
  • 1 pair socks
  • Toiletries – regulation (including medication)
  • Jersey
  • Scarf
  • Laptop and other technical bits and pieces!
  • Paper work

On the plane I WEAR:

  •  Trousers (jeans or longs)
  • Shirt
  • Undies, socks (goes without saying?)
  • Blazer/jacket (pockets galore for boarding passes, tickets, pens etc.)
  • Shoes (of course)
  • Security pouch

So sorry ladies I’m not too authoritative on what you have to wear, but either way just remember these things:

  • You are limited in what you can pack.
  • When you head off on holiday you need free space in your case.
  • Remember to mix and match!
  • You must be able to go from point A to point B carrying your own luggage!

Have a great holiday, and when you come home make sure your case is bursting full!!

Bon Voyage!

Posted in France, News, Tourism, Travel | Tagged , | 20 Comments »

Gardens in Paris: Part 3

May 9, 2011 by John in France

This is not your typical Parisian garden. In fact, this is probably as un-traditional as Paris gets. This is the Parc de Bercy, and our final chapter in the French Way Spring Special .

A garden seldom visited by tourists!

Located in the heart of the twelfth arrondissement , the Parc de Bercy is split into three gardens which run along the right bank of the Seine River. I accidentally discovered this quiet corner of Paris on the way to one of the neighboring movie theatres – what a joy! It is now included in my morning power walk ritual, where I watch it change effortlessly with the weather and seasons. This is one of those places in the world where you see something different on every visit; buskers on their accordions, tiny tots playing on the merry-go-round, young couples out walking their Chihuahuas, or latterly, a man walking down three flights of stairs…on his hands!

Although considered “off the beaten track” for most tourists, Parc de Bercy continues to fascinate me in a way I can’t really describe. You see, it doesn’t feel like Paris. It’s young, it’s hip, and it’s most certainly marching to the beat of its own drum. The Parc de Bercy presents us with a refreshing diversity of architectural designs, forms, ambiances, and discoveries.

In this corner of Paris, the old and the new are inextricably intertwined; a traditional garden house is located merely metres away from Frank Gehry’s modern Cinémathèque , rectangular Japanese-influenced ponds are constructed under the shade of trees that have stood the test of time, and families can quietly eat an habitual Sunday night picnic dinner on the grass before heading to the movies at the trendy Cour Saint-Emilion , which borders the park. Some argue that it is a bit of a ‘mish-mash’ of design strategies, but the Parc de Bercy is really Paris’ way of saying, “we’re moving forward, but guarding what we hold dear.”

Surprise at every corner.

Near the exit which leads to the impeccably constructed Simone-de-Beauvoir bridge, are twenty-one colored sculptures crafted by Algerian sculptor, Rachid Khimoune. Erected in 2001, these sculptures represent twenty-one children from twenty-one different countries of the world, symbolizing us entering into the twenty-first century with a regard and respect for one another. They stand on the slope overlooking the park, proudly looking ahead to the future and embracing the adventures it has in store for us.

Despite its modern flair, Parc de Bercy is still a traditional park. What I mean by that is that this area works in the way any other park does – there are always people playing, laughing, eating, drinking, sun-bathing (albeit not this week), and spending time with the people that mean a lot to them. This is what a park should do, and this one achieves it beautifully.

Parc de Bercy shuts at 9pm (hours vary depending on season)

The closest metro stations are Bercy or Cour Saint-Emilion on Line 14.

Article written by Sarah Reese.

Can you believe that this is in the heart of Paris?

You must try and make a visit through the Parc de Bercy on your next trip to Paris!

Posted in France, Paris, Tourism, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments »

Gardens in Paris: Part 2

May 2, 2011 by John in France

In the heart of the bustling Latin Quarter  overlooking Notre Dame Cathedral lies a tiny snippet of tranquility.

On a lazy Sunday afternoon I go there with a two euro ham sandwich and a chilled can of Lipton’s iced tea to reflect on what has been an eventful week. I take a much-needed swig out of my can and look over at the bordering church of St Julien le Pauvre, thinking of all the people it must have seen or sheltered over time. I sit there under a leafy green umbrella, simply watching the world go by. A father plays with his two adorable, impeccably-dressed toddlers while his wife cradles their new bundle of joy in her arms in the shade of an evergreen. A homeless man shakes a plastic cup in hope someone will stop and drop something in it, or perhaps even just smile. A young woman sits on the park bench next to me, diligently studying her Spanish notes, groaning with frustration as she checks the answers at the back of her book.

A view of the rose window of Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral from the Rene Viviani Gardens

This is truly a place where anyone regardless of age, race and religion can come to find a moment of peace in Paris’ continuous hive of activity and excitement. This is the Square René Viviani, and this is the ideal place to continue our French Way Spring Special . Located on the busy Quai de Montebello, in between the exquisite Rue Galande and Rue de Julien le Pauvre, Square René Viviani is the perfect ‘pozzy’ to reflect, relax, and people-watch. Named in honor of René Viviani, the first minister of labor of France in the early 1900s, it is hard to believe this little square has only been open to the public since 1928 – relatively new by Paris standards! In fact, it was originally a Merovingian cemetery, but during the dramatic nineteenth century renovations of the St Julien le Pauvre church, tombs were dug up from around the churchyard; many of them now displayed at the Musée Carnavalet .

A view of the Rene Viviani Garden, right by the Seine River and Notre Dame Cathedral

What a clever move this was turning this into an area that everyone can come and enjoy! The small grassy patches provide idyllic spots for picnic lunches or dinners, with sublime views of the Notre Dame de Paris in all her glory and splendor. Through the arches of red roses in the centre of the square, you find yourself looking at perhaps the most celebrated rose window in architectural history – a truly appropriate way of mirroring Notre Dame’s beauty.

In the heart of the square lies a unique bronze fountain, erected in 1995 by French sculptor Georges Jeanclos . Although this fountain is not everyone’s ‘cuppa tea’ it cleverly depicts the legacy of St Julien le Pauvre, the patron saint of travelers, reminding us that wherever we’re from, we’re welcome and will be cared for in this little corner of the world. Next time you come to Paris, come and sit here and enjoy another pace of life.

Square René Viviani is open every day until 9.30pm (hours may vary depending on season.), and even has WIFI!

(Article and photos by my daughter Sarah Reese)

 

 

This is the Georges Jeanclos sculpture at the Rene Viviani Gardens - one of the most un-noticed, yet beautiful sculptures in Paris!

Posted in France, Paris, Tourism, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments »

April in Paris

April 28, 2011 by John in France

In the front row of my small school jazz band, I tapped my foot to the beats of Vernon Duke’s timeless jazz standard April in Paris . I thought of all the musical greats who had done the same thing over time; Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra, to name but a few. So what was it that enticed so many of these musical legends into singing this particular song? Was it the beat? The lyrics? No. It was, quite simply, the joy of singing about the most beautiful time of the year in the most beautiful corner of the world. In the mere space of a few minutes, you can get transported to a tree-lined avenue city, where flowers bloom, where children play, where the sky is painted blue, and where sunlight pours a large dose of happiness into your soul. This is April in Paris.

To celebrate April in Paris this year, we will be bringing you a French Way Spring Special. Over the next couple of weeks we will be exposing three of the leafy treasure chests of the City of Light, which will no doubt inspire you to get on the next plane out of your city, fill your picnic baskets with French baguettes and a creamy blue, and soak up the spring delights that Paris has to offer. It is also perfect opportunity to subscribe to the French Way Blog if you haven’t already done so to ensure you know exactly where to go to discover the natural gems of this much-loved city. 

To kick off our Spring Special, we have one of the main botanic gardens in Paris, the Jardin des Plantes. Tucked away in the idyllic fifth arrondissement , lies twenty-eight hectares of pure horticultural magic. Only a fifteen minute walk away from the busy Saint Michel area and a stone’s throw away from the spectacular Paris Mosque , the gardens are without of a doubt one of the precious gems in Paris’ impressive crown.

A sea of coquelicots (poppies) at the Jardin des Plantes

 

A little less manicured and ‘posh’ than the Luxembourg Gardens, the Jardin des Plantes has a special familial, friendly atmosphere which welcomes people of all ages. You feel as though you can get right up close to nature, rather than being shunted away from it by pristine borders, and impeccably mown lawns. Meandering down the endless tree-lined passages, I felt enveloped by nature and an unusual sense of stillness and pause in Paris’ relentless beat. In fact, apart from the rare glimpse of a modern sky rise in the distance, and the sound of a distant siren, you truly forget you are in the heart of such a bustling city.

 

Spring Flowers in the Jardin des Plantes, Paris

 

The Jardin des Plantes has something there for everyone. The property houses the prestigious Ecole de Botanique (Botany School), which trains some of the top botanists in Europe. The budding botanists construct demonstration gardens throughout the year, including an extensive herb garden which runs through the middle of the gardens, and has some of the best rhubarb I have ever seen! Bordering the Jardin des Plantes are its four museums; the Grande Galérie de l’Evolution, the Mineralogy Museum, the Entomology Museum, and the Paleontology Museum, which Friends’ Ross Gallagher would drool over. Throw in a few tropical hothouses, a unique art-deco style winter garden, a flawlessly crafted labyrinth, and a small zoo for the kids and everyone is happy!

A well-known composer was once asked to comment on the jazz favorite April in Paris. He replied, “…I’ll reduce the praise to ‘perfectly wonderful,’ or else say that if it’s not perfect, show me why it isn’t.” I thought about this comment as I sat on a bench in the garden overlooking an intoxicating sea of colored poppies in the glorious spring sun reading Stevan Eldred-Griggs’ spectacular novel Oracles and Miracles. If this is not “perfectly wonderful”, then I honestly don’t know what is. “April in Paris, what have you done to my heart?” 

Please note: Admission to the gardens is free, but admission charges to apply for the museums and the menagerie. For more information see the official Jardin des Plantes website http://www.jardindesplantes.net/

Article and Photos by Sarah Reese



Tropical Hothouse in the garden grounds

 

There's something there for everyone!

Jardin des Plantes - celebrating biodiversity

Posted in France, Holiday, Paris, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments »

Roussillon – Spilt Blood

April 20, 2011 by John in France

The Count d’Avignon from Roussillon in Provence was a dapper young man who was often led to fight for his country and to travel with the Crusades of the 12th century. His wife was a very attractive woman and enjoyed far too much the pleasure of other men, while her husband was away from town. Her husband was not too impressed with her behaviour, and on the return from battle chose to have a large banquet. He chose for the main course to serve to his wife the heart of her lover, but of course only chose to tell her this fact when she had finished her dinner!  The Countess in her distressed state threw herself off the cliffs of the village of Roussillon, and thereby her blood was said to have stained the cliffs and lands of this delightful Provencal village!!

Legends, don’t you love them!

The red ochre cliffs of Roussillon

But the “blood stained” cliffs and land of the village of Roussillon attract travellers from around the world. No-one knows this story but they all leave with ample photographs and very fond memories of this place. It is clear to see that the main feature of this village are the multi coloured ochre cliffs and surrounding land. What stands out is the complete sensitivity that the French have towards their land and architecture and how the houses and villages arise out of the ground as if they were just an extension of it. In many countries architects try to create a difference, to create a mark that stands out from everything – this is not the French way!

When you come to Roussillon there are limited parking places, but don’t give up. You should start your visit by walking up to the top of the village, past the compulsory postcard shops with glass bottles of ochre, and artists galleries. At every turn you will be greeted by views that take your breath away. Continue right to the top of the village until you arrive at the viewing table which offers you magnificent views over the surrounding countryside; Mont Ventoux, Mont Blanc, the Luberon Valley, Gordes, all stretch before you.

Once you have done this it is your turn to walk through the ochre cliffs. Signs clearly show you towards the “falaises” (cliffs) where for a small fee you can walk through these extraordinary “structures” seemingly painted in every shade of yellow, orange and brown. This is a fantastic thing to do, but be warned not to wear white shoes as the ochre could easily re-colour them!

Make sure you go for a walk through the cliffs - just don't wear white shoes!

If you choose to stay and admire this extraordinary countryside you could pause at the Restaurant David or  just the local pub on the main street where I’ve recently had the most glorious provencale lamb daube – slowly roasted lamb casserole.

Roussillon in the last century saw a valuable trade in ochre for dying of paints etc, but of course with the development of synthetic colourings this industry has disappeared from the region, but today it has been replaced by people like me and you, just appreciating it for its sheer beauty.

Roussillon lies about one hour’s drive from Avignon.

This is Roussillon, and on the right side you can just see the Restaurant David "hanging" over the cliffs!

Posted in France, Tourism, Travel | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments »

Change of Blog Address

April 19, 2011 by John in France

This is a quick note to let you know that the blog address for The French Way Travel Blog is being changed.

It will now be found at www.blog.france.co.nz.

As a subscriber to my blog posts you will continue to receive notification of each new article. However those people using RSS feeds will/may need to make some adjustments. The changeover should run smoothly, but if there are any hiccups I apologise! You may even notice a few changes!

I thank you for all the comments many of you leave on my blog, and look forward to sharing lots of great “French” stories in the months ahead.

Summer is arriving in France, and already the temperatures in Paris have especially been divine – maybe a reason for you to go there!

A bientot

John

The French Way Blog

Posted in France, Tourism, Travel | 4 Comments »

The Smell of Paradise – New Zealand

March 23, 2011 by John in France

Frederic Geffroy from Paris is a young Frenchman who has a strong connection with New Zealand. After reading about the Blog4NZ campaign to promote NZ tourism he wanted to write his own article in order to help. This is a intimate article written with love. We thank Fred for his lovely article supporting the beauty of our country in every form!

My experience of “what is the beauty of the New Zealand” is quite small. Actually, I have some difficulties to find a special emotional event. A moment when I just realize how wonderful are the landscapes of the Kiwi’s land. It is obviously. This is not the essential part.

Smell of Paradise - AkaroaI have to confess that I miss some part of the New Zealand history necessary to understand pieces of the  culture. But anyway, I’ll never be a New Zealander. That for sur. Even if I try my best, eat fish and chips everyday and play perfectly the Crowded House songs, I won’t be a truly kiwi.

New Zealand is more than tiny places hidden from the rest of the world, it is before everything people. They are the soul of the country. To be more precise, for me, it’s all about one person. One single special person. I must say the one.

You may guess hearing my accent that I am French. You’re right.

I’m Living in paris, studing art degree and running after the metro everyday. Nothing exceptional.

The special girl decides one day to have a long term holiday out her country. She uses to call that a gap year in New Zealand. France and Paris seems to be an appropriate place for a self improvement period. She was right.

Here she comes for the first day in our classes of 16 students. She’s nice. She’s cute and quite funny. It’s amazing how fast she can integrates herself into the group. Her simpleness and devotion just convinced everyone she deserves a place on the crew. She’s the kind of girl knowing exactly where she’s going, what’s her goal. And She was my aim.

I don’t remember how it happens, but we finally get together. Lovely thing. The more time I spent with her, the more I felt attached to her. Paris was the appropriate play ground for lovers like us. I don’t have enough fingers in my hand to list all the specials moments we had there.

Then, one day, she had to flight back to Christchurch to be graduated. My little kiwi leaves France after one year. I’ll avoid the departure at the airport. Sad as you can imagine but hopeful in the same time. We promise to see us again on the christmas time, five months later. We had to be patient.

I think New Zealand is at the extreme opposite of France on the earth. 20 000 kilometers separate France and New Zealand. That’s what we can call a distance relation.

Thousands of pictures and hundreds of skype conversations later, I started my long travel to New Zealand. Thirty hours of flight. I spent all I had on the plane ticket to Christchurch. That was the travel I was waiting for.

The plane landed smoothly on the ground. I tried to see through the small plane window of What is New Zealand. Nothing except mountains.

People in the airport seems to be nice. They were. Actually, they don’t succeed in saying my name. Instead of Geffroy, they tells  Geffry.

Arrivals are frustrating. You just travels hours and hours to arrive and overcome the new ordeal of border controls before being allowed to access to the pure fresh air.

Moreover, I couldn’t find my luggage on the moving carpet. Honestly, I was so exhausted that I didn’t give a dam about my bags and passeport anymore. My head was already out of the building.

Papers and signatures later, I was now a free man ready to front New Zealand Beauty. In fact, beauty was just waiting for me out of the arrival door.

I remember. She was wearing a lovely flowered dress with pale color. It is the perfect definition of a summer dress. I ran to her and give the biggest huge ever. My head on her shoulder, I smell her skin. I was paralysed. It was such a incredible smell. A smell of something new, a smell of freedom and sun. A smell of attraction and passion. From this moment, It becomes the smell of New Zealand. The smell of paradise.

That’s was my first contact with New Zealand and obviously my best. I’ll never forget my arrival in Christchurch. She’s for me the face of the country and the smell of a culture. I was charmed again by this truly kiwi.

My New Zealand is a lovely woman, beautiful, patient and hopefull.

Posted in France, News | Tagged , | 23 Comments »

The New Zealand Way

March 15, 2011 by John in France

Blog4NZ 21 to 23 March 2011

I know you have all subscribed to a blog about French travel. However, following the tragic events of the last three weeks, my attentions have been drawn to the heartache and hardship on our own Christchurch doorstep. For the next fortnight, French tourism will temporarily take the back seat so that we can all help shed light on the marvels and adventures of travelling in New Zealand. Please bear with me!

The world is in shock that one of the prime tourist destinations in the world could suffer such a harsh blow by Mother Nature, in the form of such a devastating earthquake which occurred on 22 February 2011. My desire has been to ensure that tourists around the world keep coming to New Zealand – just because central Christchurch has been badly damaged, does not mean that tourists should stop coming here. So with three other Kiwi travel writers, we have started our campaign Blog4NZ, which from March 21-23 will saturate social media sites worldwide, with wonderful stories about the beauty and excitement of New Zealand. There is no reason why over these three days we cannot get up to five million readers around the world. While all our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has lost someone or something, these stories will tell everyone that New Zealand is still very much ‘open for business.’

Now’s the time for all of you to help out New Zealand in its time of need. I haven’t heard from a lot of you who have subscribed to The French Way Blog, so now would be a perfect opportunity to participate! Simply leave two or three sentences about your favourite holiday destination in New Zealand in the comments section below, or if you’re really keen, submit an article to the Blog4NZ website. Your words will help, and will delight people with your fond memories of our beloved country.

“My task which I am trying to achieve is by the power of the written word, to make you hear, to make you feel; it is, before all, to make you see. That, and no more, and it is everything.”
– Joseph Conrad

The colours of New Zealand: still as beautiful as ever!

Photography courtesy of Frédéric Geffroy.

Blog4NZ Facebook Page: Like us!

Organisers of Blog4NZ:

Posted in News, Travel | Tagged , , | 23 Comments »

New Zealand – Sharing the Love

March 2, 2011 by John in France

I bet you remember where you fell in love. Maybe not just with a person, but with a place!

I remember when I first visited the fishing port of Villefranche sur Mer in the south of France. I was speechless, and promised that I would bring my future spouse for our honeymoon here – and I did.

Easy to fall in love here!

I remember when I saw Chartres Cathedral in France for the first time. In fact after seeing it, my outlook on life changed. I had never before experienced the magnificence of this story-book of stone.

I remember a family holiday in New Zealand visiting Doubtful Sounds. We travelled through the Sounds on a boat, completely isolated, completely alone, completely silent – there was a silence and a beauty that I had never experienced. A deep greeny blue mirror-like sea was only interrupted by the wake of our boat. “Look Dad at the penguins” my daughter excitedly exclaimed!

I remember where I fell in love!

I share my life with my family between New Zealand and France. I was brought up in Christchurch, and my family has been living here for over 150 years. On 21 February you will have read of the earthquake that changed our lives in Christchurch.

The effects of this disaster in Christchurch will be felt for years ahead. Homes and lives need to be rebuilt, buildings and businesses need to rise again.

Amidst this disaster we need to all reflect on the situation we find us in. Our struggle here in Christchurch and New Zealand is to ensure that internationally people do not see a beaten and damaged country.

In June 2010 there were major floods in the Var district in the south of France centred on the town of Draguignan.  They had over 25 deaths caused by these floods. This disaster was broadcast internationally through the internet and television. As a specialist in travel planning in France I was inundated by clients wanting to cancel their travel due to these floods. The reality was that the disaster in Draguignan covered an area of only about 10 square kilometres – it didn’t affect the whole of the south of France, nor the entire country of France. Only the people wanting to holiday in Draguignan were affected, and nearby was the glorious Cote d’Azur for them to enjoy, which would hardly have been too off-putting for holiday makers!!

New Zealand

The same can be said for Christchurch. The centre of Christchurch is inaccessible and for the moment a holiday in our city isn’t the greatest idea, but outside the immediate centre it’s almost business as usual!  But even in this area within an hour from Christchurch you can savour the pleasures of the French settled village of Akaroa or go trout fishing in the Rakaia River or some of the nearby fishing lakes, or go walking in the Southern Alps.

New Zealand can make you fall in love! It may be the golden sandy beaches of the Abel Tasman National Park, the pristine wilderness of the McKenzie country or the West Coast, the beauty and excitement of Queenstown and its adventure tourism, or you too could visit Doubtful Sounds or the nearby Milford Sounds.

So please don’t let an earthquake change your travel plans. We’d all like to look after you and help show you our country – the New Zealand Way!

Come and fall in love here!

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Need help to Travel to New Zealand then contact:

Lookout Point

Tourism New Zealand

Phil Keoghan of The Amazing Race

Christchurch Tourist Board

Read Earthquake Stories from Christchurch

Jim McIntosh of Holes in My Soles

Heather Hapeta

France – The French Way Travel Blog

Read Tourist Stories of Travel in NZ

Inspiring Travellers

Fundraising Assistance Please

Christchurch Earthquake Appeal launched by the NZ Prime Minister John Key

Red Cross

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