City Breaks – Details, episodes & analysis

The author and film-maker Marcel Pagnol is inextricably linked with Marseille – where he lived, set some of his early works and is buried – and with the Provencal countryside around the city.  The area's garrigue landscape provides the backdrop to his popular autobiographical works, La Gloire de Mon Père (My Father's Glory) and Le Château de Ma Mère (My Mother's Castle) and is also the setting for his gripping novels, Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources.  This episode gives a little biographical information, an idea of where to ‘find’ him in the area today and some appetite-whetting snippets of his work.

Reading Suggestions

Autobiographical works My Father's Glory and My Mother's Castle (double volume)

3 Plays set in Marseille (in French) Marius Fanny César

Two novels set in Provence Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources (double volume)

Links for this post Information on walks in Marcel Pagnol territory      Marcel Pagnol’s Birthplace    Aubagne Tourist Office    Le Petit Monde de Marcel Pagnol    Village des Santons in Marseille      Guide to La Treille    Château de la Buzine   

  City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time! Check our website to find more episodes from our Marseille series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk

We love to receive your comments and suggestions!  You can e mail us at citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk And if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode.  That would be very much appreciated!   

This post introduces you to two great pleasures in this Provencal city: Marseille food and Marseille shopping, beginning with the signature dishes and key ingredients of the city's cuisine, plus a few ideas on where to look for restaurants. Then, we outline key items to buy as souvenirs of Marseille, followed by a rundown of the city's main shopping areas and what you can expect to find in each one.  

Reading Suggestions Garlic, Mint and Sweet Basil by Jean-Claude Izzo The Marseille Caper by Peter Mayle

Links for this post

More Information  Foodie Guide to Marseille     Shopping in the Le Panier district    Eating out in the Le Panier district  Information on Cours Julien    Santons of Provence   

Shops and places to visit Bar de la Marine  Musee du Savon de Marseille de la Licorne    La Cure Gourmande   Olympique de Marseille Souvenir Shop  Torrefaction Noailles   Maison de la Boule  Maison Yellow   Santons Village in Aubagne  

3 Santons shops in Marseille  Escoffier   Arterra   Marcel Carbonel  

City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time! Check our website to find more episodes from our Marseille series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk

We love to receive your comments and suggestions!  You can e mail us at citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk And if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode.  That would be very much appreciated!   

This post gives ideas for day trips from Bordeaux, focussing first on nearby St Émilion, attractive both for its history and its world-renowned wine industry.  To wander its cobbled streets is to find photo opportunities on every corner, both architectural gems and splendid scenery.  Then we cover ways to explore the countryside around Bordeaux and also the beaches and resorts along the nearby Atlantic coast.  Hikes and bike rides, boat trips and oyster tastings are all ways to enjoy the Nouvelle Aquitaine culture surrounding Bordeaux.

USEFUL LINKS

Guided Tours in St Emilion Introduction to St Emilion The King’s Keep Les Cordeliers Macarons de St Émilion Macarons Moulierac      St Èmilion Open Doors Festival Ban des Vendanges Festival Hot Air Balloon Festival Finding Beaches near Bordeaux  Cycle route from Bordeaux to Lacanau  Hiking trail around Bordeaux Oyster tasting in Arcachon Boat Trips from Arcachon More ideas for trips out from Bordeaux

City Breaks: all the history and culture you'd research for yourself if you had the time! Check our website for the blogpost accompanying this episode, to find more episodes from our Bordeaux series or to browse our back catalogue of other cities which are well worth visiting: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk

We love to receive your comments and suggestions!  You can e mail us at citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk And if you like what you hear, please do post comments or a review wherever you downloaded this episode.  That would be very much appreciated!   

Loads of inspiration for future city breaks from three great travel websites.  We're off to the Middle East, then taking in both Tuscany and southern Italy, as well as venturing into Eastern Europe for some New Year celebrations.  Something for everyone!

Useful links  

our website: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk to find us on twitter: @citybreakscast to e-mail us: citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk

Colour me Dubai: https://www.colourmedubai.com/ Postcard Stories Blog: http://postcardstoriesblog.com/ Gay Puglia Podcast: https://www.gaypugliapodcast.com/

City Breaks is taking a short break and this update gives you information about that, as well as introducing the brand new City Breaks series which will be launched shortly.  

www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk 

Lots of ideas for cities for a Christmas break, plus more inspiration for future city breaks from three great travel websites.  There's an Italian slant today, with visits to Turin and Venice, but we also take a look at Bratislava.  

Useful links  

our website: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk to find us on twitter: @citybreakscast to e-mail us: citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk

Vire-Volte: https://www.vire-volte.com Travel the World Club: https://traveltheworldclub.com

Some home-grown city break inspiration, plus three intriguing ideas from listeners.  One takes us to central Spain, another gives a new take on an old favourite and the third makes a lively suggestion for a city break with music, fun and ghost stories. To finish, there's a selection of spooky tales from other cities. 

Useful links  

our website: https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk to find us on twitter: @citybreakscast

to e-mail us: citybreaks@citybreakspodcast.co.uk

Our latest episode – the last in the Bath series – takes you on a day out to Glastonbury, home of the abbey ruins, the Tor, the King Arthur legends and one of the country's most unusual high streets.  Find out what happened to destroy the abbey, why a tree from Glastonbury was on Britain's Christmas stamps in 1986 and what starring role the town played in the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympics.    

Useful links https://glastonbury.uk     https://www.glastonburyabbey.com 

www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk/bath

Less than an hour's drive from Bath, Wells is England's smallest city and makes a lovely day out.  Hear about the main attractions, including the cathedral and the Bishop's Palace and learn lots of fascinating snippets: everything from bell-ringing swans to England's last fighting Tommy, via a fight in a vineyard, the stabling of horses in the cathedral and a record-breaking Olympic gold medal.

Useful links https://www.wellscathedral.org.uk https://bishopspalace.org.uk https://bishopspalace.org.uk/whats-on/swan-news https://www.wellsmuseum.org.uk https://wellswalkingtours.co.uk/wp https://www.visitwellssomerset.co.uk http://www.wellssomerset.com

https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk

The first of three episodes suggesting days out from Bath, this one takes you to Lacock and Corsham.  Hear about the widowed Mum of eight who founded Lacock Abbey in the 13th century, about the life of the nuns there and the village's role as a popular film set.  You've probably seen it in Pride and Prejudice, Wolf Hall or Harry Potter.  Secondly, off to Corsham, home of Corsham Court and of a 17th century almshouse and schoolroom. 

Useful links

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock-abbey-fox-talbot-museum-and-village http://www.corsham-court.co.uk https://www.citybreakspodcast.co.uk