France | Travel Guide | The Indie Tripper

Three days in Nantes: Your in-depth travel guide

"If I were French, I'd keep Nantes a secret too", says my husband on the last day of our trip. I know exactly what he means. As major European cities get busier, overcrowded and more expensive, and with complaints from residents about 'over-tourism', smaller cities like Nantes are still a pleasure to explore, and you'll receive a warm welcome wherever you go.

Karyn Farrell

Aug 18, 202520 min read

Ile de Re: a whistle stop travel guide

It's our first evening on Île de Ré. We're perched on a wall on the promenade and everything is still and peaceful. Boats are bobbing gently and there's barely a ripple on the water but in contrast, the sky is dramatic and awash with colour, moving from bursts of orange, pink and purple to the most calming shades of blue before darkness set in. It's heart-stoppingly beautiful.

Karyn Farrell

Aug 10, 202517 min read

A view of the city of La Rochelle from the old port with boats and turquoise water

Three days in beautiful La Rochelle: a travel guide

La Rochelle has all the ingredients for a perfect holiday: a seaside location, a picturesque old town and port, and any number of fantastic bars and restaurants to while away the hours. It's neat and compact, with all key sights of interest within walking distance. It's a dream of a city, an absurdly beautiful maze of narrow streets lined in pristine white limestone buildings with tasteful pastel shutters. There's a good reason why they call it the Ville Blanche.

Karyn Farrell

Jul 31, 202515 min read

The calanques of the Blue Coast coastline

Impressions of the Blue Coast: Off the beaten path in Provence

The Côte Bleue or Blue Coast, so named after the iridescent colour of the water, is dotted with small ports, beaches and secluded inlets, and the coastline is rugged, craggy and wildly beautiful.

Karyn Farrell

May 20, 202510 min read

Three days in Marseille: travel guide for first-time visitors

First impressions of Marseille... A sparkly sea with boats bobbing in the harbour. Sunny day vibes at the old port - people sitting with their legs dangling over the edge, chatting and slurping ice-creams before they melt in the afternoon sun. Brazilian buskers rocking a bossa nova beat on the pier. An infectious exuberance and energy in the air. It was love at first sight.

Karyn Farrell

May 2, 202517 min read

Four Days in Lyon: A Guide for First-time Visitors

Quirky, arty, bohemian and beautiful, there are a myriad of reasons why you should visit one of France's most underrated cities.

Karyn Farrell

May 17, 202420 min read

Vignettes: A Taste of Paris - off the beaten path

It's a sunny Sunday afternoon as we make our way to Canal Saint-Martin. Tables and chairs spill out onto the pavements & the narrow streets

Karyn Farrell

Jul 6, 202317 min read

Toulouse city break: why you need to visit France's hippest city

After about three hours in Toulouse we were ready to pack in the day jobs and sell all our worldly goods to make this our new home. It's an absolute cracker of a city and has everything going for it: beautiful buildings, majestic squares, oodles of vibey bars & restaurants, picturesque river walks, friendly people & bags of atmosphere. In short, it’s deadly and feels livable rather than a museum set. Known as La Ville Rose, or the Pink City, Toulouse is divided in two by the

Karyn Farrell

Aug 26, 201913 min read

Impressions of the Cote Vermeille: from Leucate to Collioure

It's not hard to see why artists like Matisse, Derain and Dufy were drawn to the picturesque towns on the Côte Vermeille

Karyn Farrell

Aug 14, 201917 min read

I have a long affinity with France. My first trip abroad was to the scenic Dordogne region. I still have vivid memories of fields of sunflowers, the heady smell of lavender and rosemary, and the hypnotic sounds of cicadas as I walked the country roads each evening.

My first visit to Paris at age 19 will forever be imprinted on my memory. I walked its length and breadth, awestruck by the beauty of its streets and architecture. I spent hours in the Musée d'Orsay, my face pressed as close as allowed to a vast array of Van Goghs, Monets and Cézannes. I drank cheap wine, ate crepes from street vendors and immersed fully in the sights, sounds and tastes of this fantastic city.

Even a miniscule budget couldn't dampen my enthusiasm. It's a love affair that has continued to this day.

There are many more reasons why I have such an affinity with this country, and why I keep returning. It’s the food, the wine, the weather. It’s the style and their approach to life. It’s the sound of that beautiful language which I’ve been studying since I was a teen. It’s the joie-de-vivre. But most of all it’s the people. I’ve never understood why French people get such a bad rap. I’ve found them to be warm, hospitable, polite and charming. Yes, even in Paris.

I love a city break, and, in my humble opinion, France has some of the greatest cities in the world: Bordeaux, Marseille, Lyon and my own particular favourite, Toulouse. A recent visit to Nantes left us wanting more, and we’re also planning a return visit to La Rochelle this summer.

And then of course there’s the Riviera. I spent a fabulous week in Nice and Antibes for the week of my 40th birthday and discovered the wonderful little town of Vence. High in the hills of Provence, it’s home to one of the most incredible guesthouses I’ve ever had the pleasure of staying in, not to mention Matisse’s iconic chapel and the world-renowned Maeght Foundation of art.

I also fell in love with the colourful fishing village of Collioure and the countless picturesque towns on the Côte Vermeille. South of Marseille we explored the Côte Bleue or Blue Coast, so named after the iridescent colour of the water, dotted with small ports, beaches and secluded inlets. The coastline is rugged, craggy and wildly beautiful.

That’s just a little taster of why France is always on our holiday radar. I hope you find some inspiration here.

Bon voyage x