From the ultimate romantic Paris break to the nature-filled island of Corsica — treat yourself to a French holiday
WRITER Caroline White and her boyfriend Jules found romance and macaron-making in the French capital.
While Corsica offered stunning views and boat rides to the beach.
Paris
THE PAD: The Hotel du Petit Moulin, a sugar-sweet pied-à-terre in the Marais district, was once the bakery where Les Misérables author Victor Hugo bought his daily baguette.
The eclectic boudoirs, designed by Christian Lacroix, have flock wallpaper, marshmallow-soft beds, claw-foot baths and little boxes of nougat to welcome you. A breakfast of pastries and frothy cappuccinos in the intimate street-side salon feels like taking petit déjeuner in your own Parisian parlour.
THE MUST-DO: At La Cuisine Paris’ HQ right by the Seine, chef Guillaume guides you through the recipe for his perfect macarons, then lets you scrape your ganache bowl as “it is a sin in any country to waste chocolate”. Afterwards, he sends you on your way with a selection of the chewy rainbow-coloured treats.
EXPLORE: Marais is a pick-and-mix of delights: pretty boutiques, cosy cafes, glinting jewellery shops and manicured public gardens amid a maze of boulevards.
The Musée Picasso, entry £11, houses more than 5,000 of the Spaniard’s works in a medieval palace (). Meanwhile, at the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, expect taxidermied baboons playing poker and china dogs in beaded headdresses!
Entry costs £7 (). For a budget shopping spree, head to designer discount store L’Habilleur (), or pile up chic cast-offs and pay by weight at Marais’ Kilo Shop (Kilo-shop.com).
At Jouannault fromagerie, a few minutes’ walk from the hotel, the blue cheese tarts make posh snacks for the Eurostar home ().
REFUEL: For a sugar hit, stop at Stohrer, Paris’ oldest bakery and home of baba au rhum. Try the boozy cake with a dollop of whipped cream ().
At lunch, tuck into golden Breton crepes at Breizh Café – the queue moves fast, we promise (). And for dinner, reserve a table at the classic Bistrot Paul Bert and order sole with lemon butter, £36 for three courses.
BOOK IT: Macaron-making stays at Hotel du Petit Moulin cost from £309 B&B for two (). Eurostar trains from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord take from two hours 16 minutes and cost from £58 return ().
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
Corsica
Lifestyle Editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley and husband Andy explored France’s favourite staycation isle.
THE PAD: A stone’s throw from the turquoise sea on Corsica’s Cap Corse, newly opened Domaine Misincu is a luxe haven.
Rustic Ibiza vibes meet Manhattan apartment chic in rooms with bare wood and matte-black rain showers, and the stunner of a pool has double day beds (not to mention dishy waiters).
Breakfast on the sea-view terrace is a delicious spread of meat, cheese and fruit, while later the Tra Di Noi restaurant serves dreamy dishes like ceviche, £15, and lamb ragu, £18, plus a mouth-watering tasting menu.
Meanwhile, the woodland spa overlooking a river is small but a beaut.
THE MUST-DO: Just over an hour’s drive from the hotel, via mountain villages and beautiful coastal roads, the seaside town of St Florent is a gem.
Hop on a boat to Lotu beach, from £11 return (), then hike 45 minutes across dunes and woodlands to the white sands of Saleccia beach – one of Corsica’s most stunning. But get there early to beat the crowds!
EXPLORE: Grab an electric bike from the hotel and head up the mountains, past tiny churches and villagers playing boules, for incredible views of the coastline.
If you want a lazy day off-roading instead, jump in a 4x4 with Natura Corsa and learn about the island’s history – including its many invasions – from a local.
Day tours cost from £58 (). Further afield is the medieval town of Calvi – wander the cobbled streets of the citadel, then sample tasty wine, liqueur and sweets at vineyard Domain Orsini ().
REFUEL: For a special meal in a pretty courtyard, order tuna tartare at fishmongers and restaurant Auberge du Pecheur in St Florent, where mains cost from £22 ().
Watching the pennies? Pick up a ham and cheese pastry, £3, and a moreish white chocolate and honey ice-cream cone, £4, at Maison Salge ().
In Calvi, wine bar Casa Vinu offers gorgeous French tapas dishes like scallops and beef tartare, £9. A 20-minute drive from the hotel, friendly family-run La Vela d’Oro specialises in seafood, with a great-value set menu.
BOOK IT: Domaine Misincu is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Doubles cost from £265 (). Flights from the UK to Bastia with Air Corsica take two hours 15 minutes and cost from £49 each way ().
Car hire with Rhino costs from £19 a day ().