ART: The Three Valleys

Skiers are spoiled for choice at The Three Valleys in the well known Savoie region of the French Alps. Imagine seven outstanding resorts, each with their own USP, in one of the world’s largest ski areas! The Trois Vallees or Three Valley region of France is one of the most famous skiing vacation destinations in Europe.

it is difficult to fault any of the resorts; Courchevel, Meribel, Les Menuires, La Tania, Orelle, Val Thorens or Brides-les-Bains. Orelle turned out to be the most convenient, as in addition to having its own ski area, the Gondola provides a quick access to ski areas of The Three Valleys.

Val Thorens is the highest resort, surrounded by six glaciers and offers outstanding opportunities for intermediate and advanced skiers. Meribel is a picturesque typical Savoyard resort with traditional chalets which was founded by a Brit and is still so popular with the Brits, that you hear more English than any other language here. Méribel's biggest advantage is its location at the heart of the Trois Vallées. Les Menuires may be less attractive but is the cheapest. La Tania is a peaceful haven in the middle of a forest.

Courchevel is the jewel of The Three Valleys, built on four levels. It is a popular resort with the jet set and has the most vibrant nightlife. Courchevel is extremely cosmopolitan and was among the first purpose built ski resorts in France. It is a multiple ski vacation resort built at four levels and some of the resorts are known by a number. They share the same ski area but differ from one another in every way. You can theres find something to suit most budgets and styles.

Courchevel 1850 is the highest, largest and most famous. It has an ambience of sophisticated chic that makes it a favorite with the Paris jet set. Courchevel Le Praz is a charming traditional village and Courchevel 1550 a family ski resort.

Brides-les-Bains is actually a spa resort with hot springs but one can go higher up to get to the ski areas.

The ski season at The Three Valleys runs from December to April and besides skiing, the seven resorts offer every kind of sport on and off the slope. There was ice-skating, snowshoeing, hang-gliding and parasailing. One can go bowling indoor swimming, wall-climbing, to cinemas, concerts and libraries.

The Savoyard villages nearby are charming and if shopping is your scene they sell wonderful regional produce and crafts. The baroque buildings add an interesting flavor.

Examples of The Three Valleys Accommodation on Holiday Velvet:

» Chalet Jonquille: La Tania Chalet, 8 bedrooms, from Euro 249
» Chalet Covie: Meribel Chalet, 5 bedrooms, from £249
» B&B Chalet Argent: Les Menuires B&B, up to 12 people, from £359

ART: Louvre, Orsay & Pompidou

The Louvre Museum - Paris

The Louvre Museum is the largest museum of France, houses collections of western art from the middle Ages to 1850. This museum also houses the antique civilizations divided in to eight departments: Oriental Antiquities, Islamic Art, Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities. A section here is devoted to history of the Louvre which includes the medieval moats erected by Philippe Auguste in 1190.

Address: Cour Napoleon, A.P. 34, 36 quai du Louvre
Opening hours: Open: Museum: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. - Pyramid: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. - Museum late night opening: Monday (Richelieu Wing) and Wednesday: 9.45 p.m. Closed: Tuesday and holidays.
Phone: +33 (0)1 40 20 53 17


The Orsay Museum - Paris

The French government, on the eve of the 1900 World's Fair planned to build a central terminus on the site of the ruined Palais d'Orsay. Orsay station was the head of the southwestern French railroad network, from 1900 to 1939 and in 1977 the official decision to build the Musée d'Orsay was taken. This Paris museum shows the artistic creation of the western world from 1848 to 1914.

Address : 62, rue de Lille
Opening hours : The museum is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9.30am to 6pm and on Thursdays from 9.30am to 9.45pm
Phone : +33 (0)1 40 49 48 14

The Centre Pompidou - Paris

The Centre Pompidou, also called Beaubourg, took birth in February 1977 to focus on all forms of modern and contemporary creation: sculpture, painting, books, cinema, video, performances, music, etc. The museum holds performances (theater, dance, and music), cinema, symposia and debates, and publications.

Address: Place Georges Pompidou
Opening hours: The Centre Pompidou is open every day from 11am to 10pm, except Tuesdays and May 1.
Phone: Standard: +33 (0)1 44 78 12 33 (recorded message, Sundays and public holidays, and from 7.30pm)

ART: Skiing in France

If you are fond of skiing, then France is the destination for you. In France there are a number of skiing resorts. These resorts offer you a variety of options but one should consider your skill level before choosing the resort. French resorts are scattered across seven mountain ranges. Chamonix, Alpe d’Huez and The Three Valleys are some of the main ski resorts in France; each one is offering a different and varied skiing terrain.

Chamonix is considered the birthplace of mountaineering and is located on the foot of the Mont-Blanc which is also on the list of World heritage sites. This resort is full of visitors throughout the year and the resort has on offer something for everyone. The official ski season starts around mid-December and runs up to 8th May. Though the altitude of the resort is as low as 1035 m most of the ski areass are located at a height of 2000 m. There are three different ski arenas, which are well connected by very capable shuttle bus service and a special sightseeing train. Grands Montets the so called Mecca for skiers is the specialty of this resort. Tramway du Mont-Blanc, France's highest cog railway takes you to the top of the Aiguille du Mid. For a change you can enjoy walking on the 17 km of footpaths through the picturesque landscapes. A large sports complex and The Alpine Museum are also on offer for the visitors at this resort.

Alpe d’Huez has got the nick name 'L'Ile au Soleil' and is located in the Grandes Rousses mountains. It is ranked the fifth largest ski area In France. This skiing resort is widely popular among the beginners of skiing due to its wide gentle slopes and the availability of ski schools. These local ski schools have a great reputation in giving the beginner the best start. For intermediates in particular, this resort offers a wide range of choice of blues and reds. Among other things available at this resort are a sports complex, good child care and lively night life.

The Three Valleys is the largest ski area in the world. The three valleys is the formation of four different resorts namely: Courchevel, Meribel, Les Menuires, and Val Thorens. A variety of ski options are available here according to the skill level of the skier. Courchevel, Meribel offers easy trials for the average skier, where as Les Menuires, and Val Thorens are destinations for the experts.

ART: Paris Champs Elysées

The Champs-Elysées, means for the French "La plus belle avenue du monde". It starts from the Place de la Concorde and runs up to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. This is where some of the most significant events of the year are held: New Year’s Eve gathering, 14th July military parade and the arrival of the Tour de France cycling race. The Champs-Elysées is at the center of Parisian life and the walk from the Champs-Elysées Clemenceau to the Etoile Charles de Gaulle metro stations are a perfect introduction to the city. Here you can find people from all over the world in shops, theaters and in restaurants.

The Champs-Elysées are 2 Km long and 80 meters wide. At the top of Champs-Elysées is The Arc de Triomphe, which was completed in 1836. This arc is a memorial of the soldiers killed in World War I and there is one permanently burning flame in the memory of those killed in the war. Here you’ll find the Tricolor hoisted at the arc. In French they call it “Les Champ” and it’s the most fashionable and luxurious area in Paris.

The season of Christmas starting from December and up to January with numerous illuminations is one of the most coveted times on the Champs Elysées.

The Champs-Elysées is the home of some of the very best cinemas, car showrooms, cafes, restaurants and beauty salons. If you’re missing your films then UGC and Gaumont, the two biggest French film distributors, screen a vide range of international films along The Champs-Elysées.

The Champs-Elysées also houses Citroën, Mercedes and Peugeot showrooms. Cafes and restaurants like Planet Hollywood, Häagen-Dazs ice-creams , the gigantic Pizza Pino ,the Copenhague Nordic restaurant ,the Brasserie Lowenbrau with its Bavarian orchestra ,the Chez Clément ,Batifol and Bistro de la Gare are some of the international cafes and restaurants available on the Champs.

ART: Paris Museums

French capital Paris houses some of the greatest museums and galleries. Below you’ll find some of our favourites.

ARTS ET METIERS, Musee des (history of science and technology)
Over 80,000 items are placed at this museum pertaining to the history of science. There is a huge collection of items from Renaissance Italy, China, Japan and US. This museum is an interesting place to visit for the children also.
Address: 60 rue Réaumur, Métro : Arts et Métiers
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 10.00 to 18.00
Telephone.: +33 (0)1 53 01 82 00

BALZAC, Maison de (life and work in the home of Honoré de Balzac)
This is the place where Balzac lived and worked passionately on his masterpiece la Comédie humaine. Balzac hides himself here from blood-hungry money Landers from 1840-1847 and to cheat them he adopted a false name: M. De Breugnol.
Address: 47, rue Raynouard
Opening hours: 10 a.m.-5.40 p.m. 
Closed: Monday, bank holidays
Phone: +33 (0) 42 24 56 38

CAMONDO, Musee Nissim de (home, art and objects of banker Nissim de Camondo)
This is a three story mansion mostly houses the 18th-century French furniture. Rococo items, some of them belonging to the famous names of that era, like Madame de Pompadour and Marie Antoinette, are housed in the rooms. In the grand salon a beautiful portrait of a woman by Vigee-Leburn is placed.
Address: 63 rue de Monceau, 8e Arrondissement
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 10am-5:30pm
Phone : +33 (0) 53-89-06-40

CARNAVALET, Musee (history of the City of Paris)
On display at this marvelous museum are the grandeur, the esteem, the innovation, the brilliance, the blood, sweat, and tears of Parisian history from prehistory to the 20th century. This museum is having more than 140 rooms, and houses a huge range of objects of archeology, painting, sculpture and furniture.
Address: 23, rue de Sévignee, 3rd Arrondissement.
Opening hours: 10h - 17h40; Closed Mondays and public holidays
Phone : +33 (0) 42 72 41 13

PICASSO, Musee National (work of painter Pablo Picasso in a hotel particular)
The museum repeats the truth that Picasso was part of each notable art work during his lifetime. The two floors of the museum contain the numerous work of Picasso.
Address: Hotel Sale, 5, rue de Thorigny.
Opening hours 9.45 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Tuesday's and New Years Day
Phone : +33 (0) 42 71 25 21

DELACROIX, Musee Eugene (home and studio of painter Eugene Delacroix)
Delacroix was the home and studio of the great French painter Eugene Delacroix, where he spent his last years (1857-1863). The museum has been arranged very smartly. One can find there the biblical sights and pastels of inland scenery.
Address: 6, rue de Furstenberg.
Opening hours: Winter: 9.30 a.m.-5.30 p.m. - Summer 9.30 a.m.-6 p.m. Clsoed Tuesday’s and New Years Day
Phone : +33 (0) 43 54 04 87

JACQUEMART-ANDRE, Musee (spectacular home and art collection of famous couple)
The couple Jacquemart-Andrés spent a lot of money on the wealth that decorate the museum today. Passing through the marble hall and meticulously arranged courtyard, one can imagine the things ahead. Paintings of the famous French painters of the 17th and 18th centuries, like Boucher, Chardin, Drouais, Fragonard, and Greuze adorn the salons. The salon de thé is absolutely the marvel.
Address: 158 Bd Haussmann, metro Miromesnil
Opening hours: Everyday 10h-18h
Phone : +33 (0) 45 62 11 59