Neal Atherton French Travel Book Writer

In search of Hemingway and Midnight in Paris – The Full Story

Writing about Paris throws up too many ideas and most of them are very personal and I wonder does anyone want to read such personal memoirs. Which brings me to Hemingway and the Woody Allen film ‘Midnight in Paris’ which is basically a Paris travel advertisement ( and no less enjoyable for that) based on Hemingway’s book ‘A Moveable Feast’. We watched the film again for about the fiftieth time over Christmas. Hemingway’s book is a memoir of his time in Paris in the 1920’s with his first wife Hadley and their young son. CLICK ON PHOTO FOR FULL ARTICLE

Aix en Provence – In Search of Cézanne

The harbour at Cassis where many impressionists including Cezanne found inspiration

If you were to question me forcefully and make me confess, then I would probably say that if you exclude food and wine then my most favourite facet of the culture and art of France would have to be the paintings of the Impressionists. Provence and its landscape are synonymous primarily with Paul Cézanne, ifContinue reading “Aix en Provence – In Search of Cézanne”

D-Day Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery in Normandy

On the anniversary of D-Day these are my thoughts from a poignant visit to the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. This is taken from my book – OFF THE AUTOROUTE The cemetery is poignant especially because of being situated where these young men fell. I hope you enjoy this recollection We look forward to theContinue reading “D-Day Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery in Normandy”

Canal du Midi Pezanas & a D-Day Veteran

tables and chairs on tiled terrace with stone wall and tiled roof

On the anniversary of D-Day I recall this encounter with a veteran in Southern France – from my book ‘Off the Autoroute’

Perpignan, French Catalonia and our Café

Alt="bar restaurant le Malassis in the southern French town of Perpignan"

This chapter is taken from my book ‘Off the Autoroute’ which is now available on Kobo as well as Amazon The area around Perpignan in French Catalonia is where our travels all started around twenty-five years ago. It is a short hop from Provence so let us see what we found there starting in PerpignanContinue reading “Perpignan, French Catalonia and our Café”

Cordes Sur Ciel and a whole Lot of rain

alt="New French Travel Guide Book Off the Autoroute"

This excerpt is from my French travel book – OFF THE AUTOROUTE, the fifth in my Series of French travel memoirs. Please enjoy on Amazon including Kindle Unlimited. It will take you on a tour of France from Calais to the South and back through Brittany and Normandy. It is time to move on, andContinue reading “Cordes Sur Ciel and a whole Lot of rain”

The Angels Share – Wine Tasting in Beaune France

The domain of Maison Champy is a wine producer located by the old walls in Beaune Burgundy

Burgundy – The Angels Share Our stay in Beaune as the centre point of our introduction to Burgundy was at the Hôtel Henry II Rue du Faubourg Saint-Nicolas, 21200 Beaune and a fine place to stay it proved to be. Beaune centre was a short stroll away and this would become a town that notContinue reading “The Angels Share – Wine Tasting in Beaune France”

A Photographic stroll around Paris Restaurants Cafes and locations

Alt="Looking across the Place de la Concorde to the Eiffel Tower Paris France"

A few shots taken over the last few years. Paris always draws you back. – CLICK ON PHOTO FOR FULL VIEW

Flavigny-sur-Ozerain and the filming of the movie Chocolat in Burgundy

Alt="Photo of Burgundy village cycle for French travel guidebooks"

Taken from my French Travel book – OFF the AUTOROUTE Chocolat This destination is one of our favourites – Northern Burgundy. It is a much neglected part of France from a tourist standpoint. To the north is Champagne with its landscape of gently rolling vine covered hillsides. The towns of Champagne are steeped in wineContinue reading “Flavigny-sur-Ozerain and the filming of the movie Chocolat in Burgundy”

Historic Vézelay in Northern Burgundy

Priest walks down a path next to a church by a lawn with buildings in background and a blue cloudy sky

Historically, Vézelay is one of the most important religious sites in all of France. Back at the time of the inception of the Basilica it was arguably the foremost site of faith in the country. Vézelay in fact was chosen as the venue for the preaching of the second crusade in 1146 but rather fellContinue reading “Historic Vézelay in Northern Burgundy”