Winter in France brings with it an undeniable charm. Its cobbled streets are blanketed in frost, the Alpine towns become even more charming and a crisp winter sun glistens over the French Riviera. All of France turns into a magical wonderland that merits a visit by travellers who thrive in sub-zero temperatures! So if you’re a chionophile, pay attention, because this winter, Paris, Lyon and Nice beckon you to a city break that you will never forget.
Let Air France take you to the wonderlands of France this winter
France is so diverse and vast that you could spend months exploring the beautiful country. Air France offers you the choice to fly direct from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru to Paris and connect to over 20 destinations in France. With high quality service and attention to detail, Air France gives its customers the best in line experience. Feel the pleasure of a journey with a foretaste of France from the moment you step on board the sophisticated interiors and the chic cabins of Air France! Discover the Business class cabin: an exclusive, convenient and peaceful space offering excellence in the sky. Alternatively, take advantage of the Premium Economy cabin to rest, read or work in total freedom. If you travel in the Economy class, fret not, for you can expect a calm and relaxing journey, with ample leg space and comfortable seats! Economy passengers can enjoy the essentials of Air France service more than ever at attractive fares. All over the world, Air France Business and Premium Economy passengers along with SkyTeam Elite Plus members have access to SkyPriority. With SkyPriority, you get priority access at the airport, every step of the way, from check-in, baggage drop-off and delivery, to security and boarding.
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the home base of Air France and offers multiple convenient connections to destinations in France and across the world. You are bound to be impressed by the stunning look and ease of the airport. If you are interested in shopping, you can indulge in over 6,000 sq. m of shops located at Terminal 2E that celebrate the essence of Parisian style and French living. Or you can choose to relax at the several bars and restaurants, many of which serve vegetarian delights.
In between flights, Air France passengers have top class options on how to spend their time. The largest lounge in the Air France network is located in Hall M, the boarding satellite in Terminal 2E. Spanning over 3,000 sq. m and dedicated to customers’ well-being, this lounge, designed by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, allows passengers to make the most of their time prior to take-off or between flights. A Clarins beauty care and massage service and shower facilities invite passengers to relax before boarding while Wi-Fi access, touchscreens and self-service computers allow passengers to work in peace. Other highlights of the airport include duty free shopping and play zones for children.
If you are cautious of environmental change and take steps towards sustainability at home or at work, Air France is the right choice for your visit to France. As of 1st January, 2020, Air France has begun offsetting 100% of CO2 emissions on all its domestic flights. This means that your flight emissions within France will be entirely offset by the airline! Air France strives to reduce CO2 emissions per passenger/km by 50% by 2030. If you travel with Air France, you would be taking a giant leap towards a cleaner environment and a better future for yourself and your future generations.
City breaks for your French escapade
The French capital where love, romance and magic brew in every corner is a must-visit if you want to experience winter in all its glory. Paris packs in a bunch of winter experiences that you just cannot miss!
1. Making the best of winter sales
There couldn't be a better time than winter to set the shopaholic in you free as Paris bustles with fantastic winter sales! If you want to emulate the style of the French, a trip to La Vallée Village is a must. A member of The Bicester Village Shopping Collection, the village is lined with gorgeous boutiques of the top designers in the world. You can avail exciting offers at La Vallée Village in the first two months of the year to make your shopping experience all the more exciting!
The Galeries Lafayette is yet another upscale French departmental store that offers an unparalleled shopping experience. The 20th century building, within which the store resides, is an attraction in itself. Its standout feature is the magnanimous Neo-Byzantine glass and steel dome. However, you’ll soon be pulled into the sparkling displays by the world’s top luxury brands, offering the finest couture, jewellery, perfumes and shoes.
2. Savour the spirit(s) of Paris
For travellers who are always in search of unique experiences, Prescription Cocktail Club makes for a must-visit. Sitting quietly behind a secret door, the club has a dark and romantic charm to it. The Experimental Cocktail Club will have you floored (quite literally) with its cocktails prepared by expert mixologists. There couldn’t be a better place to savour the indelible Parisian cocktail culture. If you love inventive twists and surprises, the cocktails of Night Flight will tease your taste buds and sobriety in equal amounts!
When you’re in France, you owe it to yourself to taste the world’s finest wines and champagnes. For wine tasting, visit De Vinis Illustribus, O Château or Les Caves du Louvre. You can also try a variety of champagnes at Les Dilletantes.
3. Indulge in culinary experiences
The French are known to be connoisseurs of the culinary world, so there's no surprise that food forms an integral part of the French culture. For a splendid culinary experience, visit Bustronome, where you can indulge in a gourmet meal on a luxurious double-decker bus. Enjoy a gastronomic tour of France as you go past the city's beautiful lanes and landmarks! Another unique culinary adventure awaits at Ducasse sur Seine, an electric cruise boat that sails across river Seine, offering fabulous views of the Eiffel Tower. The exquisite cruise experience has been launched by the multi-Michelin starred Chef Alain Ducasse. If you're missing the flavours of Asia while in Paris, visit Miss Ko that brings together Asian and European flavours quite wonderfully.
4. Try these once-in-a-lifetime experiences
Paris really does have a lot of hidden gems up its sleeve. Apart from shopping and gourmet experiences, it offers activities that will endlessly tease your mind! On top of your list should be the recently opened Musée d’Illusions or the Museum of Illusions which is replete with mind-boggling optical illusions. Walk through a vortex tunnel, witness holograms, go crazy at the anti-gravity room, find your way out in the infinity tunnel and get clicked at the rotated room. A day of fun and amusement at Musée d ’Illusions will take you back to your childhood! Another highlight within the city is FlyView Paris, a virtual reality ride where you can experience taking flight over Paris and its famous monuments!
Lyon is the city that gave birth to one of the most statement fashion pieces to be ever made–the Hermès silk scarf. The city is renowned for its rich history of producing and weaving silk. In contemporary times however, Lyon has emerged as the world capital of gastronomy! There's no doubt that this charming city is an ideal pick for gourmands who'd like nothing more than to spend a long weekend treating their taste buds to new flavours, spices and fragrances. Air France flies from Paris CDG to Lyon five times daily and thus is the most convenient option for you to fly to Lyon from India. Here's how to make the most of your trip to Lyon.
1. A gastronomic adventure like no other
Head to the recently opened Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie de Lyon in Hôtel-Dieu for an insight into the French culinary culture and its relationship with health and nutrition. Culinary enthusiasts and professional chefs will especially appreciate this space as it offers culinary demonstrations by the world's best chefs, guided food walks, a host of multidisciplinary projects that blend gastronomy with music, drawing and even sustainable development.
Les Halles de Lyon – Paul Bocuse is an indoor food market that pays homage to Lyon's rich gastronomic history. The market is named after the late Paul Bocuse, one of the biggest icons in French gastronomy who founded the nouvelle cuisine. Lose yourself in the market’s splendour and delight in freshly cooked meals and tangy cocktails. The market hosts about 48 vendors who represent a variety of produce such as vegetables, poultry, flowers, spices, breads and meats, to name a few. If that’s not what interests you, the market is also lined with cafés, restaurants and bars where you can relish signature French dishes and sip on wines from the region.
Choose from 20 fantastic Michelin Star restaurants that grace the city of Lyon. Some of the highest rated Michelin Star restaurants that you need to pamper your taste-buds at are La Mère Brazier, Au 14 Février and Restaurant Paul Bocuse.
Your trip to Lyon is incomplete without treating yourself to a meal at a cozy local bouchon, a type of restaurant that is traditional to Lyon. Bouchons serve authentic Lyonnaise cuisine. A few dishes that make for the perfect comfort food during winter are delicious sausages in brioche, gooey French cheese puffs, rooster in wine sauce and ground fish dumplings!
2. Traverse through the Beaujolais region
The beautiful city of Lyon is also the gateway to one of France's most famous traditional wine producing regions – Beaujolais. A day trip away from Lyon lie the verdant vineyards of Beaujolais. You can visit the breathtaking vineyards of Fond-Vieille estate in Oingt, Les Averlys estate in Lacenas or Bois du Jour estate in Cogn. Visit wineries to learn the intriguing process of wine-making or indulge in wine tasting to try different varieties of wines.
3. Music in the Mountains
Prepare for 7 days of non-stop partying at the popular musical extravaganza – Tomorrowland! The second winter edition of this popular musical event will take place once again at Alpe d’Huez from 14-20 March. Combine skiing on the slopes and grooving to the pulsating beats of Tomorrowland for an alpine experience like no other!
If your idea of a winter getaway involves visiting a place that has sunshine 365 days of the year, then Nice makes for the perfect winter city break. Air France flies from Paris CDG to Nice seven times daily offering a convenient connect from India. Nice’s pebbled beaches and sparkling, turquoise blue waters grace the French Riviera, making the city a hotspot for tourists from around the world. Here are a few experiences exclusive to Nice that you must have:
1. Attend a carnival of epic proportions
Nice Carnival is one of the biggest in the entire world, and also happens to be one of the most popular events to take place on the French Riviera. This annual carnival is being held from February 15th to 29th this year. If you’ve always wanted to witness a celebratory parade on a large scale, this is your chance! Leave all your worries behind and lose yourself in the carnival’s festivities. Attend the Carnival Parades swinging to the rhythm of street art and music from around the world. On Saturdays, revel in the Carnival Parade of Lights which is a glorious procession that takes place at night. The Flower Parade is another one that you must attend as it pays tribute to local flower-producers. If you love all that is extravagant and exhilarating, this carnival will surely impress you.
2. Lounge on its beaches
The four-mile-long coastline of Nice is home to 20 public beaches. Its gorgeous shores are perfect to spend a day doing nothing but sipping on cocktails and bathing in the winter sun. Beaches that you cannot give a miss here are La Réserve, Plage Beau Rivage and Castel Plage.
3. Gorge on authentic Niçoise cuisine
The local cuisine of Nice –Niçoise is known for its high-quality ingredients and at the same time, the simplicity with which it is cooked. Its signature dish is the Niçoise salad that merits the attention of every culinary enthusiast. To make the food taste better, sit on the terrace with a good bottle of rosé!
4. Explore medieval villages
Nice is surrounded by quaint, fairytale-like medieval villages that you must visit, especially if you enjoy being wrapped in the warmth of old-world charm. Nestled in the hills, these villages offer time away from crowded coastal cities, with fantastic panoramic views and architecture dating back to centuries ago. A few villages that you must visit are Grasse, St Paul de Vence and Èze. Apart from these, another hotspot that will take your breath away is the resort town of Antibes that is situated between Nice and Cannes. Do take a walk through its 16th century Old Town that is enveloped in ramparts and the star-shaped Fort Carré.
5. Visit this famous town on the French Riviera
Cannes hosts the International Film Festival every year and is visited by the biggest names from film industries across the world. The city is the go-to filming location for famous movies with its palm trees and turquoise bays. Take a day trip to Cannes and tick it off your bucket list.
Let these extraordinary cities show you the magic of France beyond the Eiffel Tower. Create the best vacation of your life with Air France! For more information on booking flights, visit Air France. To know more about what to see and what to do in France, visit Atout France.
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