FranckyBoy

Ok, it is a very narrow view, but that is the context in which I discovered the city. I went there for a bachelor party and, looking back, it seems like the perfect city to party and get wasted! I humbly admit that I only saw a very small part of Brussels and that I still have a lot to see, but the bars, the restaurants, and the general vibe make me think it is the perfect city to live a student life!

At my ripe old age, I am not really in the park's target demographic anymore. And yet, I had the chance to go recently with my nephews and you get caught up in the game pretty quickly! Actually, you find your inner child again pretty fast when you are face to face with Captain Hook or Mickey, and above all, you live vicariously for a day. It is actually a real joy to watch the little ones being so happy. The downside, of course, is that you walk a lot and wait in line quite a bit, even if the system has been improved quite a bit with the FastPass and the park's mobile app. In any case, it is a small price to pay for the fun you have. PS: I recommend keeping an eye out for discounts online…

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I think everything has already been said about this gothic masterpiece. I personally find that the Amiens Cathedral is just as good, if not better. Since its renovation, it has regained all of its luster. By the way, a little tip: I recently learned that Notre-Dame could actually fit inside the Amiens Cathedral, which has a very high vaulted ceiling.

I discovered Béziers about ten years ago during the Féria. So, my perspective is definitely partial, but it will give you some initial ideas about the city during that time of year. If you are looking for a place in early August to party with friends in a great atmosphere while walking around town, do not hesitate. Conviviality and good spirits are really the standard during this féria, even if it is not the most famous one. I have very good memories of it, though I hope the recent political changes in the city have not altered all of that. PS: Friends of good taste and refinement, skip this one.

I had the opportunity to discover Mexico a few years ago during a road trip that lasted almost a month. Among the different cities I discovered, Guadalajara is the one I liked the most. The legacy of Spanish colonization is still quite present here in the architecture, the plazas, and the monuments. If you have one city to visit in Mexico, I recommend this one, but it would be ideal to see several because one of the country's characteristics is its great diversity.

Sorry for the Pagnol-style accents, but I couldn't help myself :) I discovered Marseille recently (even though I'm a huge fan of the soccer team) and I have to admit the city doesn't leave you indifferent. There is a lot of grit in this city, which is definitely not "polished" at all. I had the chance to visit Naples when I was younger, and Marseille reminds me of it a lot. There are many narrow streets, laundry drying by the windows, and typical spots that can only really be discovered by getting lost on foot... In short, a city that, in my opinion, only truly reveals itself over time and well beyond the Vieux Port and the Panier neighborhood. If you like cities that have a soul, you won'…

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How many times have I heard Parisians say they would like to go see what else is out there? The truth is that as a Parisian, you often end up getting used to a certain lifestyle where you can regularly discover new places to go out, grab a drink... So, it is often hard to actually go elsewhere. Well, it seems to me that Lyon is a real alternative for all the Parisians who would like to see what else is out there. There is no shortage of activities, the city is big, the local gastronomy speaks for itself, and the economic landscape is dynamic. Basically, Lyon can be for a weekend or for life, kind of like a woman ;)

If you are looking for a city that is accessible even for small budgets, keep looking. Zurich is bursting with perks though, a truly beautiful quality of life, parks, lakes, and plenty of green spaces... all of that in a dynamic and economically thriving city. And actually, you just need to sit on a bench for a few minutes and watch the parade of Porsches, Audis, Mercedes, and other Ferraris to convince yourself that the standard of living here is very high. To finish convincing yourself, take a seat at a cafe terrace, and reading the prices on the menu should shed some light on things! Have a great trip anyway to those who are well off :)

I recently had the chance to discover Mont Saint-Michel. On this trip, I did the walk across the bay to reach the abbey. This crossing is obviously done at low tide and lasts about 5 hours round trip. It is really surprising because, accompanied by a guide (necessary!), you walk in the wet sand, you sink into quicksand (!), and then you arrive in areas where the water rises to your knees and schools of fish tickle your calves. In short, if you are a bit athletic, it is an unusual experience worth trying!

I loved the medieval city of Carcassonne! The view of the rest of the city is magnificent, and unlike other medieval sites, I wasn't bothered by the touristy side of things. I think the balance between the tourist aspect with the shops, restaurants, and the preservation of the place has been well maintained. I recommend going in the nice season to make the most of it.

That is kind of what Le Touquet-Paris-Plage is (like the name suggests) for better or for worse... The good part is that there is actually quite a lot to do there: shops, restaurants, bars... The bad part, however, is the crowds, the prices (!!!) and sometimes the feeling of being on Rue de Rennes or Rue des Cannettes... just with a beach!

I had the chance to discover the city, and I have to admit that I do not have a lasting memory of it. What do I take away from it? The touristy side! Between the omnipresent vendors and the crowds of tourists who came from all four corners of the world and were ready to fight over holy water, it is sometimes a bit disheartening...

Arcachon is just the right kind of town to get some fresh air when you are a city dweller like me. The town is very pretty and life is good there. You can also discover all sorts of activities around the famous bay, not to mention the food... :) But, I have to admit that after a few days, I felt like I had seen enough, and I was actually happy to head home to the pollution and the hustle and bustle of Paris :)

Lille is a city that is especially close to my heart. Lille, in a nutshell, is a beautiful city, with nice people (even if the city is often considered the bourgeois hub of the North), narrow streets and little bars to discover constantly, and it is... the local food! Are there less positive sides? The weather, of course (sun lovers, stay away!) and the lack of green spaces. For everything else, it is a top-notch city.

To paraphrase what people often say about the North: You cry twice for Amiens. The first time when you find out you are going there, and the second time when you have to leave! Amiens is not necessarily the most famous or renowned city, but in my opinion, it is bursting with treasures: the Saint Leu neighborhood, the pedestrian zones, the floating gardens, the Cathedral... not to mention the kindness of the locals, even if they can seem a bit gruff at times. I am a bit biased because I was born in this city and lived there until I was 18, but in all objectivity, it is worth a look. With the exception, perhaps, of its train station, the renovation of which was heavily criticized a few years…

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One of the first things that struck me about Nantes is definitely this easygoing way of life. The people of Nantes enjoy a city built along the water, whether it is on one side or the other of the Loire or along the banks of the Erdre, and it is a place where there are plenty of green spaces. Life is good in Nantes, and actually, I lived there for 3 years as a student. In any case, it is always a pleasure for me to head back toward the Duchesse Anne area or over to the Ile Beaulieu.

I discovered Lisbon last summer and, it is rare enough to be worth mentioning, I had nothing but pleasant surprises as this city revealed itself to me. I do not know the rest of Portugal, so I will refrain from extending my opinion to the rest of the country, but I loved: the small terraces, the wide cobblestone streets, the little local restaurants, the kindness of the people, the local coffee shops (much, much cheaper than the originals!)... In short, I recommend it and recommend it again! PS: One small downside though: if you do not like to walk, you should probably stay away. While public transportation works very well in the city, to truly discover it, you really need to do quite a bi…

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As a soccer fan, I managed the feat of discovering Barcelona without even making a pilgrimage to Camp Nou! That just goes to show how the city is packed with so many perks that it made me forget my passion for the beautiful game :) Barcelona is, after all, the perfect synthesis of city happiness: sea, places to go out, sun... all that in a big, dynamic city! Lucky Barcelonians PS: I love Messi !!!

My memories of New York are starting to get old. They go back to my college days when the Twin Towers were still standing... To be honest, my feelings back then were mixed. I was just as fascinated by the sheer scale of the city as I was bothered by how suffocating it felt, where you could barely see the sky (especially around Times Square). In a word, looking back, I owe this city a second chance (or maybe it is the other way around!)

... And a Marseille fan is the one saying it :) Jokes aside, like many people from the provinces, I arrived in Paris reluctantly. I had a negative bias about the big City of Light being impersonal and a place where no one talks to each other. A few years later, I realized my mistake. Paris is also about a well-developed neighborhood life where you know your butcher, your newsagent, and of course your baker :)