Carl Carlson tells us about the leisurely trip through France he took with his wife in 2021. They have visited France every year for the last 30 years and have only skipped in 2020 (pandemic oblige), that's how much they enjoy France!

Carl has a keen eye for great hotels and restaurant (listed below). We also talk about the joy of getting lost in Paris, the lovely river walk in Bordeaux, a great B&B in Bergerac, and his favorite place in France: Sancerre.

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Accommodations recommended in this episode

Carl likes to stay at the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile because Porte Maillot is nearby and it's an easy place to pickup a rental car. It also makes it easy to rent a car in Paris and not drive through central Paris, which is difficult when you're not used to driving in France.

The old manor house maison d'hôtes called Clos D'Argenson in Bergerac. Room with a large sitting area, large bathroom, laverie and Carrefour Market nearby, comfortable beds, and an incredible breakfast.

L’Esplanade hotel in Domme. A nice hotel with a marvelous restaurant. A tad expensive, but the dining room is lovely, the view is great, the food is great, a favorite of French people as well as Anglos.

Château de la Bourdaisière near Tours: gorgeous XV century chateau in an outstanding setting. This would be a lovely "pied à terre" to explore the Loire area.

Discussed in this Episode

• [00:04:39] Travel to France during Covid
• [00:05:53] The Advantages of staying near Porte Maillot at the Hyatt Regency
• [00:07:28] Sébillon Restaurant
• [00:09:20] Getting the Health Pass for France
• [00:10:46] The Apple Store on the Champs Elysées
• [00:12:07] Getting lost in Paris
• [00:13:32] Train to Bordeaux and a walk along the Garonne
• [00:16:08] Driving to Bergerac and stay at a beautiful Maison d'Hôtes
• [00:21:51] Why choose a B&B over a hotel
• [00:22:54] Spending a few days in Bergerac
• [00:25:36] Bergerac to Domme
• [00:27:49] The market in Sarlat
• [00:29:21] Getting all "ducked-out"
• [00:32:24] Covid rules enforcement in France
• [00:33:14] Driving to Sancerre
• [00:35:00] Château de la Bourdaisière near Tours in the Loire Valley
• [00:40:00] Reading French restaurant menus
• [00:40:29] Why is wine so cheap at everyday French restaurants?
• [00:45:12] How to ask for restaurant recommendations from French people
• [00:48:53] Thank you patrons and donors!
• [00:49:57] This week in French news and pandemic news
• [00:54:54] French tip of the week

Can you name the two new bits of music in this episode? The first 10 people to send an email to annie@joinusinfrance.com identifying them correctly will receive a podcast sticker in the mail!