          
[Photo: © Cold Spring Press 2000-2008] FRANCE On Your Own © is pleased to offer this page of interesting offerings that may be of help when you are planning your next visit to France. It includes MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS ONLINE. . . with EasyToBook.com EasyToBook.com would like you to visit their web site. EasyToBook is the booking service for hotels that offers the best discounts making online hotel reservations simple, easy and secure giving the traveler access to a vast choice of carefully-selected and superb discounted hotels. The site offers thousands of discounted rooms, all of which may be booked (and cancelled) instantly. No waiting!
Save money because every hotel room offered is guaranteed to have the best rate available on the Internet; you pay no reservation fee and have a wide choice of fine hotels in Paris as well as throughout France and elsewhere in Europe and the world ~ at all price levels from 1 to 5 stars! And, because there are no 3rd and 4th parties involved in your reservation, the hotels can provide the lowest rates through EasyToBook.com. What makes EasyToBook.com your best choice for online booking? One thing might be the Dutch approach of high quality customer service. Your satisfaction is their goal. They designed their web site to be easy to find on the Internet, easy to use and to contain accurate information about hotels, their surroundings and local tourist attractions. For example, EasyToBook was one of the first companies to use Google Maps and provides customers with 360 degree pictures to give a total view of the hotel and the room. This avoids customer disappointment later. Since the founding of the company in 2004, it has expanded yearly, moved the head office to Switzerland in 2006, and it has plans to cover the world very soon. Just because you can receive the best discounted rate doesn't mean the hotels on EasyToBook.com aren't high quality accommodations. Here are two examples: The Millennium Hôtel Opéra Paris on boulevard Haussmann is a 4-star hotel:
The Hôtel Château Les Crayères just east of Paris in the Marne is a 5-star property:
Please be sure to visit EasyToBook's France hotels pages using the following links: and tell them FRANCE On Your Own sent you! P-121508
FRENCH CHÂTEAU
NOTE CARDS These luxurious,
ivory-colored classical note cards present our exclusive pen and ink drawings
of magnificent château chambres d'hôtes in France.
An assortment of twelve with matching envelopes will provide you with a
unique and elegant
Three of the
twelve cards (châteaus Canisy, Motte and Foulon) are
shown above.
$15.50 to
the United States / packet of 12 assorted cards includes first class
postage and handling.
Check payments: Mail your check payable to Cold Spring Press with a note providing your full mailing address to the Post Office Box indicated at the bottom of this page. For payments by non-US dollar check, please add 5% to the total amount. Credit card payments: click on the PayPal icon below. Please provide your full mailing address. "Make payments with PayPal. It's fast, easy and secure!" Currently, please allow for 2 weeks to receive your cards from the date your order is received by FRANCE On Your Own. If you need the cards in less time, please contact us at watercolors@franceonyourown.com for availability and express shipping costs. If your complete mailing address is not provided and we do not receive an email address to contact you, we will not be able to ship your cards. Thank you in advance for remembering! CSP-071231
XIX CENTURY FRENCH CHÂTEAU FOR SALE
The château not only provides private accommodations for its resident owners, but it offers two double guest rooms, one twin guest room and two suites, all with en suite bathrooms, for guests, as well as a formal dining room, finely-detailed classical French interiors, exquisite stained glass and other unique attributes. The château is in excellent, move-in condition. The total capacity of the château, cottages and longère is 40 persons.   
STAINED GLASS, HEATED POOL, CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE Nearby are many tourist attractions, including the historic city of Nantes (a half hour drive from the Château and two hours from Paris via TGV), Le Logis de la Chabotterie (historic castle of the Vendéen War) fishing, hunting, museums, son et lumière spectacle at Puy de Fou, the seaside resort of St Jean-de-Monts, La Roche-sur-Yon, the Île de Noirmoutier, and the Marais de Challans. The château and its dependencies generate a very substantial annual income for its owners, while maintenance costs and taxes are very low. Those with a serious interest in the possible purchase of this château can contact us at info@franceonyourown.com, (pleae indicate Vendée Château in the subjecdt line) and we will be happy to provide more details, photos and price information. We promise a prompt response to all inquiries. C-071231
UPSCALE PARIS APARTMENTS TO RENT Rentals
in Paris can
help you find just the right apartment in a good Parisian neighborhood
for your next stay in this exciting city. Guests are offered nicely
furnished, completely equipped quality apartments in the heart of Paris
in such popular neighborhoods as the Marais, Île de la Cité,
Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and Champs Elysées. Each apartment -- and there are nearly 25 from which to choose -- is stylishly decorated with attention paid to the comfort of guests. There are queen-sized beds, comfortable sofa-sleepers, cable television, and new bathrooms. Most have washing machines and/or clothes dryers, and some have air conditioning. And, at the suggestion of some former guests, many apartments are now equipped with high speed DSL internet lines. Compare feeling at home in one of these great apartments to staying in a Paris hotel -- and compare the cost. Guests have discovered why apartments in Paris are a better solution than Paris hotels in terms of comfort level, space, amenities and value for money when traveling to France. One bedroom apartments from Rentals in Paris range from 900 to 1200 euros per week or 2700 to 3600 euros per month, while two bedroom apartments cost from 1400 to 1800 euros per week and 4000 to 5000 euros per month. You will have the convenience of your own kitchen and all the other comforts of home. Prices are all inclusive, with local telephone access and weekly linen changes (for monthly guests) as part of the rate.
All reservations are handled personally, with the added convenience of booking on line at the Rentals in Paris web site - the link is provided below. English speaking staff in Paris greet guests at the apartments in Paris and are available during your stay. If you have any questions or need anything, you will always be able to contact a representative in Paris. For complete details, locations, and more photos, visit their web site at http://www.rentals-paris.com or email your American contact in Paris, Glenn Cooper at coopergl@wanadoo.fr. You can also phone him from the US at 1.516.977.3318. P-0110108
FRENCH COOKING
COURSES AT A PROVENÇAL CHÂTEAU -
The family
says, " We will be pleased to welcome you to our 17th-century estate,
to enjoy your own prepared quality meals matched to our excellent wines.
You will discover the atmosphere and aromas of Provence. With the
help of our chef, you will create traditional recipes based on seasonal
fresh products coming from regional markets."
Cooking on a Theme: This workshop is particularly designed for food lovers wishing to improve their knowledge and food and wine societies or culinary organizations. Object: Over a 5- day period, in this hands-on cooking workshop, using local and seasonal produce, you will discover Provençal recipes, master new and basic culinary techniques, and savor your recipes in a pleasant environment. The schedule is as follows:
Tuesday: 9 AM Meet at the Aix market, shop for the day's cooking. Cooking class for a light lunch, followed by wine tasting. Wednesday: Visit to a local craftsman (cheese maker, oil mill, for example) Cooking class at 4.30 PM and dinner Thursday: 9 AM visit to the fish market and lunch in Marseilles. Cooking class at 4.30 PM and dinner Friday: 9:30 AM cooking class, lunch, summary of the week's cooking workshop. Free evening. Price per
person - 2 persons in class
800.00 € / person
To schedule your visit (and see what dates are available) contact us at email at the end of this offer. Schedule: 9:00 AM Gather at the marketplace in Aix en Provence, discover the local produce, choose while comparing prices and the chef will purchase. 10:00 AM Travel to the Château 10:30 AM Assemble in the kitchen for your cooking lesson: chopping, preparation, cooking and tasting. 1:00 PM Time to enjoy an apéritif, then to sit down and enjoy the meal you have prepared. You will also taste wines from the Château OPTIONAL: To complete your day, visit of the wine cellar. Price per
person with 4 people in the class: 145.00 € / person
To schedule
your visit (and see what dates are available) contact us at email at the
end of this offer.
Lunch in our old Provençal kitchen, matched by the wines of the estate. This workshop is held on the dates below. The menu depends on the season. Dates and theme: Saturday April
21st :
small growths & germinated seeds : green Spring
[Travel expenses and cost of accommodation of your choice are not included in the package.] For available
dates, accommodations, detailed course descriptions, information on location,
to make your reservation or to ask any questions you might have, please
send an email to cooking@franceonyourown.com,
and we will promptly respond. We will be happy to assist in any way
we can to ensure your place in the château kitchen!
C-091231
MAGNIFICENT
CHÂTEAU IN THE PAYS DE LA LOIRE:
We are delighted to offer this perfectly maintained and well-loved château for sale. (You won't believe the price, and serious buyers are invited to inquire.)
The château, currently operated as a luxury chambres d'hôtes, has several spacious guest suites, each with a lovely sitting area and three with fireplaces. Of course, there are beautifully appointed common rooms for the guests' enjoyment, and spacious separate living quarters for the proprietors.   
For further details, selling price and more photos, serious inquiries can be sent to info@franceonyourown.com, and please indicate Loire Château in the subject line of your email. C-050807
VACATION
IN A MEDIEVAL VILLAGE IN PROVENCE:
What if
your dream of a holiday in a heavenly Provençal perched village
could become reality? And what if it offered spacious yet cozy guest
rooms, art classes or a mix of creative arts including cooking, wine tasting,
language, culture and painting? What if such a place truly
existed and was waiting just for you?
Well your dreams have been answered! In the dramatic yet peaceful medieval village of Saignon in the Luberon of Provence you will find La Maison des Remparts, able to accommodate ten guests in double or twin bedrooms, a one-bedroom apartment or two comfortable studio apartments. All accommodations have private en suite bathrooms, and the apartments have kitchenettes and fireplaces. Prices
range from Regional
attractions are not far, with Avignon a mere 45 minutes (home to the Palais
du Pape on the Rhône) as well as the famed Cours Mirabeau in
Aix-en-Provence. Famous Luberon hill villages like Gordes and Roussillon
are just minutes away. A bit farther afield, but not out of easy
reach, are Nîmes, Arles, Orange and Vaison-la-Romaine. Your
hosts will be more than happy to help you plan your daily itinerary to
make the most of your stay. Past guests have given rave reviews after their stays. "Almost Heaven!..." "Far more like staying with friends than staying at an inn..." "We had an absolutely amazing four days..." and "I felt like Cinderella...it was a totally sublime stay." You, too can experience La Maison de Remparts, as a bed and breakfast guest who just wants to relax and soak up the Provençal warmth and fragrances, or as a participant in painting, art or other casual creative pastimes. For more information on the Painting courses, Creative Workshops or to inquire about guest reservations at La Maison des Remparts for a night, a week or longer, send an email to info@franceonyourown.com. C-091231
PENICHE
D'HÔTES ALPHONSIA MARIA:
The port of Marseilles les Aubigny on the Canal Latéral à la Loire between Rogny and Nevers in Burgundy is home to a magnificent Dutch barge, the Alphonsia Maria. Built in 1913 and completely renovated in 2000, this 110 foot vessel offers three spacious double cabins with private baths, a refreshing pool, solarium, library, elegant dining room and access to music, a computer, the Internet and games, television with international channels, telephone and a wine cellar.
Gourmet
cuisine
tops the list of on board delights. Chef Carlo Ciacchella offers
menus of traditional French food and Italian specialties -- dishes prepared
exclusively with fresh seasonal products. Enjoy such exotic selections
as Braised red peppers in Bagna Cauda (sauce based on anchovy, raisins
and aromatic herbs), Roman Artichokes (roasted with garlic, olive oil and
basil), Salmon Coulibiac, St-Jacques scallops with Calvados, Cailles
farcies à la provençale (stuffed quail), Guinea fowl with
pears, Roast pork with juniper, followed by desserts such as tarte
flambée with pears, Charlotte, chocolate croquants, Bavarian cream,or
other temptations! On deck
guests will enjoy the beautiful canal itself as well as the villages along
the route while having lunch in the fresh country air. On warmer
days, a refreshing dip in the pool is a welcome break. Bed
and breakfast guests can take part in wine tasting at nearby wineries,
visits to the local cities and villages, bicycle riding, concerts, trips
to regional markets, games of Pétanque and other activities.
The beautiful barge Alphonsia Maria in the town of Marseilles les Aubigny
will be your home in France -- comfortable, convenient and relaxing. For those
interested in cruising the canal, a six-day itinerary begins with a rendezvous
in Paris and a short trip by bus to the barge. A visit to Nevers
is a well-remembered experience, and the first day concludes with a candlelit
dinner by the pool on board the Alphonsia Maria. Subsequent days
take in visits to Apremont, Charité sur Loire, dinner at la Ferme
des Barraux (Foie gras specialties), Sancerre and its renowned vineyards
for some wine tasting. Of course there will be free time for bicycling,
golf, tennis, miniature golf and more. Currently, prices for bed and breakfast accommodations (chambre double with bathroom) are € 78 per night for two people; € 130 for two nights for two people; € 68 for 1 person for 1 night; and, € 110 for 1 person for two nights. Breakfast is included in all cases. Lunch or dinner on board (table d'hôtes) with reservation is € 19 - 29 per person for a gourmet meal. The sun deck, refreshing pool and living room are at the disposal of guests. There is a 10% reduction in rates for children under the age of 10 for bed and breakfast accommodations. Also offered is the B&B Freedom Cruise, from 1 to 7 days in duration,atis €1140 per person (€324 each additional day) includes geared bikes, captain and crew, breakfast each day and the freedom to choose where and when to stop. Prices for groups of 4-6 person charters for 4 days or one week range from € 4,870 to € 10,690. The Dine-Around Cruise on the Loire River, which is 3 to 7 days, includes a welcome reception, full board (lunch each day on the peniche) and dinners each evening in superb local restaurants. Prices are per person €1390 for three days (€401 each extra day) or 4-6 person charters for 4 days or 1 week from € 5,920 to € 12,930. The Half-Board Gourmet Cruise, which is also 3 to 7 days, includes daily continental breakfast and set menu dinners at canal side bistros and restaurants (alcohol and beverages not included). Geared bikes are available to guests, and air-conditioned sightseeing minivans are provided. Prices are per person €1300 for three days (€371 each extra day) or 4-6 person charters for 4 days or 1 week from € 5,600 to € 11,950. A special week-end package from Friday 5 pm to Sunday 5 pm is now being offered with half board. Guests are picked up at the railway station in Nevers, and there is an excursion to visit Apremont-sur-Allier, a beautiful medieval village with a splendid garden. The price for is very attractive: from 310 to 370 euros per person all included with 2 days cruising. There is a discount for 4 or 6 persons. Only two hours from Paris, visitors can easily visit the City of Light and enjoy the canals of Burgundy even if they have a short stay in France. Animals are not accepted on board. For exact details of each package or to make reservations or inquiries, please contact us at FRANCE On Your Own at info@franceonyourown.com and type "peniche" in the subject line. Let us know what dates you have in mind, and we will reply immediately with availability. We and your experienced crew of three aboard the Alphonsia Maria are looking forward to hearing from you! C-091230
FAMOUS LUXURY
CHÂTEAU NEAR PARIS FOR SALE FURNISHED ~
This luxurious château very convenient to Paris yet situated in the pastoral countryside has just come on the market. A classical château, designed by Jules Hardouin Mansart, it is currently rented for weddings, group gatherings or corporate functions, and has been the location in the recent past for photo shoots and the making of a very popular movie.  The château is being sold completely furnished with elegant and tasteful furniture in the French style. Telephone service is available in each room as is a wireless Internet connection. The professional château kitchen was installed in 2001 and boasts top quality commercial grade appliances. There are also two service kitchens, a gym, a billiard room, a library, a music salon and a banquet room.
The château sits on more than 185 acres of gardens designed by Le Notre spreading out behind the chateau on a central axis with two rectangular lakes filled with swans, ducks, birds and fish. A spectacular cascade and fountain resembles the one at Louis XIV's Chateau Marly. Residents or guests can jog, ride bicycles, hunt, play tennis or relax in or around the swimming pool. Mansart and Le Notre designed the palace at Versailles at the same time they were designing this château which represents similar elegance and inspiration but on a smaller scale. Numerous outbuildings can be found at the château, one of which is a spacious chapel with adjacent reception room. There are also horse stables and a greenhouse. For further details including pricing, photos and how to see the château for a possible purchase, please contact us at info@franceonyourown.com and specify 'Paris château' in the subject line. C-10063-123108
ENTREVAUX
DELUXE VACATION PACKAGE:
An American
couple offers their delightful, comfortably furnished apartment in spectacular
Entrevaux in the foothills of the Alps near Nice, Grasse and the Gorge
de Verdon. Weekly or monthly rentals available. The sunny apartment,
with views of the river and village, consists of a pleasant living room
with fireplace and oak beams, as well as a completely equipped kitchen
with a dishwasher, washing machine and refrigerator-freezer. Bathroom
with tub and European hand-held shower. Bedroom with twin beds plus
queen-sized sofa bed in living room. Central heating. This
apartment comfortably accommodates three people but can accommodate four. Conveniently located for day trips to Grasse to visit the perfumeries, the coastal town of Cannes, the beaches of the Mediterranean or the rugged back country for hiking and exploring ~ Entrevaux and this charming apartment make an excellent home base for a Provençal vacation. Spend a
wonderful week or more in this sunny part of France in a sparkling clean,
nicely appointed apartment that you can call home, plus enjoy dinners in
restaurants that the locals recommend and the comfort and convenience of
being able to settle down in one place for awhile -- it all adds up to
a truly relaxing vacation in southern France!
C-091231
HISTORIC STROLLS IN PARIS Paris Through
the Ages offers
a series of seventeen strolls to help you discover little-known facts about
the City of Light which will be revealed to you in a most entertaining
and enlightening manner by Arthur Gillette. He knows Paris. Arthur
is an American graduate of Harvard (Magna Cum Laude in French language
and literature) with a doctorate from the University of Massachusetts.
He has lived in Paris since 1958 and for many years was an official at
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
headquartered in Paris. At UNESCO he was Editor-in-Chief of Museum
International magazine. You can just imagine what a stroll with Arthur Gillette will offer you! As the author of the Paris Through the Ages series of nine pocket map-guides, and an expert on Paris and her monuments, your time could not be better spent. Strolls are organized for small groups (and almost always for a party of family and/or friends) to allow people to interact and ask questions along the way, focusing on the vestiges of a single historical period -- in some cases on a single monument. Each stroll takes from two to two and a half hours and is done at a comfortable and leisurely pace. The themes of sixteen currently-offered strolls are:
F-091231
DISCLAIMER: Neither FRANCE On Your Own nor Cold Spring Press accept any liability or responsibility for the contents or offerings in the ads on this web site. Any purchases of goods or services are made between the buyer and the advertiser, and any differences or disagreements they may have because of said purchases will be resolved between them. Cold Spring Press and FRANCE On Your Own are not a party to any transactions between buyers and sellers unless specifically agreed to in writing by Cold Spring Press, P O Box 26098, San Diego, California 92196-009892 USA prior to a transaction taking place. Home | Newsletter | Style de Vie | Carte Postale | Marketplace | Galerie | Archives | Links | Contact Us | Search ©1998-2008 Cold Spring Press All Rights Reserved |
truly easy online booking for hotels in Paris and other French cities ~
at great discounts!
Constructed
in the sixteenth century and a registered historic monument of France,
this château is in Anjou between Saumur and Angers and is perfect
as a private residence or an ideally-located bed and breakfast accommodation
for visitors to enjoy while in the Loire Valley. The façade,
with four unusual Baroque attic windows, was added in the XVIIIth century.
These dishes are only a small sampling of what is offered on the Alphonsia
Maria, and your hosts want you to know that they will cater to the tastes
and particular dietary needs of their guests. Of course, the appropriate
French wines accompany each course to make your dining experience just
perfect!
During the fifth day of the cruise guests will experience the Garden of
Tisserand, famous for sericulture (silk worms) and weaving, Châtillon
sur Loire with its towers and ancient houses, possible participation
in local artistic events, music and harvest festivals, and an evening enjoying
a Gala Dinner on board. The sixth day brings guests to the
very famous canal bridge of Briare built by Gustave Eiffel followed later
by departure for Rogny -- 14 locks in 14 miles -- and the 7 locks
of Henri IV, then on to Gien, a city famous for its porcelain
where you will see the Castle at Gien and more. Guests depart the
next morning for Paris.
