‘Delicious seafood served with charm and ice-cold white wine': readers' favourite restaurants in France
Melanie Clarkson
The perfect country bistro in Beaujolais
The countryside near Saint-Amour-Bellevue. Photograph: Connect Images/Alamy
Joséphine à Table, in the pretty village of Saint-Amour-Bellevue in Beaujolais, is the little country bistro you were always hoping to find in rural France. Hearty portions of rustic cuisine paysanne are the order of the day, or you could push the boat out and splurge on a sophisticated chicken in vin jaune sauce with morels. And don't forget to wash your meal down with a bottle of the local wine – there are plenty of cuvées to choose from on the extensive list, all priced unbelievably reasonably. A set main course and dessert is €24. Santé .
Natasha Hughes
Photograph: Charlotte
Ripaille (on Instagram) – a bistro on Rue de Lorette just north of the Old Port – was the unexpected gem of our time in Marseille. Tucked down a street awash with the city's characteristic street art, diners sit at snug Formica tables drinking delicious natural wines. There's a soft glow and the hum of a local crowd having a good time. We had everything off the chalkboard menu between four. Highlights were radicchio with stilton, pear and hazelnuts; scallops in smoked lemon; grilled dorade with almond sauce; and desserts generous on the cream. The staff were brilliant: cool yet attentive.
Charlotte
Read More Share a tip on your trip to Portugal
Pork sausage and pike parfait, Paris
A visit to Les Mauvais Garçons off the Rue de Rivoli in the Marais would be worth it for the name, which it shares with the street it's on, but more so for its Lyonnais fare. After regaling ourselves with pork sausage in a sublime brioche, we moved on to the more serious work of enjoying the pike dumpling in an exotic lobster bisque. You can complete your trip down south by indulging in a fondant au chocolat that would make Baudelaire himself feel decadent. The excellent service belies the restaurant's name.
Patricia
Amazing value in Brittany
Quiberon in Brittany. Photograph: Hemis/Alamy
Port-Haliguen is a quaint fishing village close to the beautiful town of Quiberon in Brittany. Here we found La Base, a bistro overlooking the harbour. The chef lets ingredients shine with minimal fuss, such as the freshest sardines to start, then a perfectly cooked medium rare côte de boeuf for two, while the chocolate mousse is velvety smooth and comforting. The impressive house red is served at only €4 a glass and bottles at about €20. The idyllic setting, precise cooking and amazing value made this a real highlight of the holiday.
James Allison
Lobster ravioli in the Dordogne
La Récréation in the beautiful Lot department village of Les Arques just south of the Dordogne is a fabulous restaurant. It is housed in what was once the village school and has plenty of outdoor seating for the summer months. The food is sublime and simply never disappoints. Lobster ravioli in a coral sauce and croustillants de Saint-Jacques are delicious signature dishes, but the experienced chefs are innovative and the menu changes frequently. The village itself is associated with the renowned 20th-century sculptor and painter Ossip Zadkine and attracts artists. La Récréation is a very popular restaurant, which must be booked in advance and is wholly deserving of its reputation locally.
Lesley
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Galette it be, Florac, Cévennes national park
Photograph: Stefanie Ashall
Au Pêcher Mignon (on Facebook) in Florac, near the Ardèche, is a real gem. The owner was so welcoming and a great host. They were very accommodating when our group of eight arrived for lunch and were happy to shuffle tables so we could all sit together. Our children enjoyed the cheese and beef galettes with a lovely salad. The adults enjoyed a split galette, which included wild mushroom, spices and cheese on one half and garlic, aubergine and cheese on the other – it tasted fantastic. All were homemade and used local ingredients. A very tasty cider accompanied the food. The homemade cheesecake was just delicious. All at a reasonable price.
Stefanie Ashall
Pick your poissonnerie, Dinard, Brittany
Photograph: Mick George
Le Pic à Bulot (The Whelk Pick) in Dinard is the perfect place for a seafood platter. In the Saint-Énogat neighbourhood, the restaurant serves fresh fish and seafood from its own poissonnerie next door. We visited in early April, sat on the terrace, well wrapped up, and shared an iced platter of prawns, langoustines, whelks, oysters and, in a blast from the past for me, winkles. All helped on by a bottle of head-turning Pouilly-Fuissé (it was our wedding anniversary). It's definitely worth a detour if you're visiting Mont Saint-Michel or arrived at Saint-Malo, and is reasonable with set menus starting at €15.
Mick George
In the gritty Capucins market quarter, Au Bistrot delivers straightforward French comfort food for hungry market shoppers. Chef Jacques In'On cooks whatever looks best on the stalls that morning in a small open kitchen, while the host, François Pervillé, pours affordable bottles from an all‑Bordeaux list. My lunch: slow beef bourguignon, deep and savoury, plus a creamy garlic‑laced potato dauphinoise. The room is tiled and the staff are relaxed and quietly efficient. Menus change daily but rarely break €25. Decent wine by the glass costs €4. Book ahead or queue. Outdoor tables spill on to pavement when the sun shines.
Pamela
Winning tip: A humble gem in Boulogne, Pas-de-Calais
A dish at Le Chatillon in Boulogne
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‘Delicious seafood served with charm and ice-cold white wine': readers' favourite restaurants in France
Far away from the tourist traps of the old town, tiny seafood restaurant Coquillages Bouchet on Rue Rusca is a relative newcomer in Nice. Tucked away on a sidestreet near the port, the menu is short and the atmosphere relaxed. The young owners, Nicolas and Hugo, are best friends and their passion for fresh seafood, especially sea urchins and oysters, simply radiates. If you're after fancy, go to one of the exclusive beach clubs dotted along the coastline. If you want fresh, vibrant and delicious platters of seafood served with charm and glasses of ice-cold white wine, come here. Melanie Clarkson The perfect country bistro in Beaujolais The countryside near Saint-Amour-Bellevue. Photograph: Connect Images/Alamy Joséphine à Table, in the pretty village of Saint-Amour-Bellevue in Beaujolais, is the little country bistro you were always hoping to find in rural France. Hearty portions of rustic cuisine paysanne are the order of the day, or you could push the boat out and splurge on a sophisticated chicken in vin jaune sauce with morels. And don't forget to wash your meal down with a bottle of the local wine – there are plenty of cuvées to choose from on the extensive list, all priced unbelievably reasonably. A set main course and dessert is €24. Santé . Natasha Hughes Photograph: Charlotte Ripaille (on Instagram) – a bistro on Rue de Lorette just north of the Old Port – was the unexpected gem of our time in Marseille. Tucked down a street awash with the city's characteristic street art, diners sit at snug Formica tables drinking delicious natural wines. There's a soft glow and the hum of a local crowd having a good time. We had everything off the chalkboard menu between four. Highlights were radicchio with stilton, pear and hazelnuts; scallops in smoked lemon; grilled dorade with almond sauce; and desserts generous on the cream. The staff were brilliant: cool yet attentive. Charlotte Read More Share a tip on your trip to Portugal Pork sausage and pike parfait, Paris A visit to Les Mauvais Garçons off the Rue de Rivoli in the Marais would be worth it for the name, which it shares with the street it's on, but more so for its Lyonnais fare. After regaling ourselves with pork sausage in a sublime brioche, we moved on to the more serious work of enjoying the pike dumpling in an exotic lobster bisque. You can complete your trip down south by indulging in a fondant au chocolat that would make Baudelaire himself feel decadent. The excellent service belies the restaurant's name. Patricia Amazing value in Brittany Quiberon in Brittany. Photograph: Hemis/Alamy Port-Haliguen is a quaint fishing village close to the beautiful town of Quiberon in Brittany. Here we found La Base, a bistro overlooking the harbour. The chef lets ingredients shine with minimal fuss, such as the freshest sardines to start, then a perfectly cooked medium rare côte de boeuf for two, while the chocolate mousse is velvety smooth and comforting. The impressive house red is served at only €4 a glass and bottles at about €20. The idyllic setting, precise cooking and amazing value made this a real highlight of the holiday. James Allison Lobster ravioli in the Dordogne La Récréation in the beautiful Lot department village of Les Arques just south of the Dordogne is a fabulous restaurant. It is housed in what was once the village school and has plenty of outdoor seating for the summer months. The food is sublime and simply never disappoints. Lobster ravioli in a coral sauce and croustillants de Saint-Jacques are delicious signature dishes, but the experienced chefs are innovative and the menu changes frequently. The village itself is associated with the renowned 20th-century sculptor and painter Ossip Zadkine and attracts artists. La Récréation is a very popular restaurant, which must be booked in advance and is wholly deserving of its reputation locally. Lesley Profile Readers' tips: send a tip for a chance to win a £200 voucher for a Coolstays break Show Guardian Travel readers' tips Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will be featured online and may appear in print. To enter the latest competition visit the readers' tips homepage – Thank you for your feedback. Galette it be, Florac, Cévennes national park Photograph: Stefanie Ashall Au Pêcher Mignon (on Facebook) in Florac, near the Ardèche, is a real gem. The owner was so welcoming and a great host. They were very accommodating when our group of eight arrived for lunch and were happy to shuffle tables so we could all sit together. Our children enjoyed the cheese and beef galettes with a lovely salad. The adults enjoyed a split galette, which included wild mushroom, spices and cheese on one half and garlic, aubergine and cheese on the other – it tasted fantastic. All were homemade and used local ingredients. A very tasty cider accompanied the food. The homemade cheesecake was just delicious. All at a reasonable price. Stefanie Ashall Pick your poissonnerie, Dinard, Brittany Photograph: Mick George Le Pic à Bulot (The Whelk Pick) in Dinard is the perfect place for a seafood platter. In the Saint-Énogat neighbourhood, the restaurant serves fresh fish and seafood from its own poissonnerie next door. We visited in early April, sat on the terrace, well wrapped up, and shared an iced platter of prawns, langoustines, whelks, oysters and, in a blast from the past for me, winkles. All helped on by a bottle of head-turning Pouilly-Fuissé (it was our wedding anniversary). It's definitely worth a detour if you're visiting Mont Saint-Michel or arrived at Saint-Malo, and is reasonable with set menus starting at €15. Mick George In the gritty Capucins market quarter, Au Bistrot delivers straightforward French comfort food for hungry market shoppers. Chef Jacques In'On cooks whatever looks best on the stalls that morning in a small open kitchen, while the host, François Pervillé, pours affordable bottles from an all‑Bordeaux list. My lunch: slow beef bourguignon, deep and savoury, plus a creamy garlic‑laced potato dauphinoise. The room is tiled and the staff are relaxed and quietly efficient. Menus change daily but rarely break €25. Decent wine by the glass costs €4. Book ahead or queue. Outdoor tables spill on to pavement when the sun shines. Pamela Winning tip: A humble gem in Boulogne, Pas-de-Calais A dish at Le Chatillon in Boulogne
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These 2 Arizona cities were named top spots to retire in the West. Here's why
If you've ever thought about staying in or moving to Arizona for retirement, you might want to consider these two cities. Parker and Lake Havasu City made Travel + Leisure magazine's 2025 list of best cities to retire in. There seemed to be a common theme among the cities named best to retire in: natural beauty. The most popular retirement cities boast tons of outdoor activities, perfect for people looking to breathe in the fresh air and take the road less traveled after years of work. Travel + Leisure teamed up with Investopedia for "Destination: Retirement 2025," a comprehensive guide to the best cities in the United States for retirees. Editors with both publications factored in cost of living, proximity to major airports and access to quality health care to make their list. Here are the cities in Arizona, the Southwest and the Western states that were featured. Parker is a small town in western Arizona, located on the Colorado River near the border of California. Even though it's home to less than 4,000 residents, Parker is the largest town in La Paz County. The median home sold price is $315,000. The desert beauty and proximity to outdoor excursions is Parker's main draw. When temperatures rise in the summer, you'll find visitors and locals swimming, tubing, paddle boarding and wakeboarding on the Colorado River. Hikers can hit the trails of nearby Buckskin Mountain State Park, and golfers often tee up at Emerald Canyon Golf Course. While Parker is close to natural wonders such as Joshua Tree National Park, the downside to living there is the 100-mile distance away from international airports and major cities. For this reason, Parker might be best suited for the road-tripping retirees. A Parker hidden gem: Arizona's most remote bar is closing soon. Here's how to visit one more time Lake Havasu City is another great place for the outdoorsy folks to spend their retirement. Lake Havasu City is just north of Parker in Mohave County, also on the California border. The county's median monthly housing cost is $914, well below the monthly average. Known as "Arizona's Playground," Lake Havasu City is popular for its assortment of fun, outdoor activities, like mountain biking, golfing, hiking, fishing, swimming and water sports. Retirees and spring breakers alike flock to the city for the long, sandy beaches — complete with more lighthouses than any other city in America — a unique getaway from the usual desert landscape. The city also boasts one of the best downtown areas in Arizona, as well as historic landmarks. Mohave County has nine hospitals and 391 health care establishments, making Lake Havasu City a more accessible retirement town while still feeling remote. According to Travel + Leisure, these are the best cities in the Southwestern United States to retire in because of their low taxes, quality healthcare and affordable cost of living. Las Vegas, New Mexico Santa Rosa, New Mexico Hugo, Oklahoma Port Arthur, Texas Eagle Pass, Texas Longview, Texas Parker, Arizona Albuquerque, New Mexico Muskogee, Oklahoma Lake Havasu City, Arizona These cities are perfect if you love the outdoors, according to Travel + Leisure. Pocatello, Idaho Butte-Silver Bow, Montana Twin Falls, Idaho Pomeroy, Washington Omak, Washington Great Falls, Montana Carson City, Nevada Evanston, Wyoming Ontario, Oregon Pueblo, Colorado This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 Arizona cities were named top spots to retire in the West
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PROGRESS 2025: Ridership levels rebounding on Hatfield-McCoy Trail
By all indications the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system was on track in late 2024 to set a new ridership record. The multi-county trail system was hoping to surpass 95,000 permit sales last year, which would have been a new ridership record. But then something totally unexpected happened. The remnants of Hurricane Helene slammed into West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. The mountains, which normally protect the region from such extreme weather events, failed to stop Helene. The last time a hurricane had made it this far into the mountains was in 1989 when Hurricane Hugo slammed into the region. Helene was far more destructive. Locally, the tropical-force winds from the remnants of the hurricane toppled thousands of trees across the region. Many others, including 100-year-old trees, were uprooted from the ground. Thousands of power lines also were knocked down. Trees fell on homes and cars. More than a hundred thousand people across the region were left without electricity for more than a week. But North Carolina, and communities like Asheville, were hit even harder by Hurricane Helene. Coincidentally, many of the ATV tourists who travel to the region from Interstate 77 and ultimately Bluefield are those riders who come from North Carolina, according to Hatfield-McCoy Trails Authority Executive Director Jeffrey Lusk. But once the storm devastated parts of North Carolina, ATV tourists from those areas canceled their reservations and stayed home — many struggling to recover from the destructive storm. As a result, ridership numbers dropped in October, which is normally one of the biggest ridership months for the trail system. But the drop in ridership was not as severe as originally feared. The trail system finished its 2024 ridership season with 93,830 permits being sold. That was actually a 1.6 percent increase in permit sales over 2023. 'So we did grow and that ended up being 1,469 new riders on the trail,' Lusk said of the final 2024 ridership numbers. All indications point to a significant rebound in ridership levels this spring. 'We expect a great spring,' Lusk said. 'We really do. The lodging owners I've talked to — their forward reservations are trending ahead of next year. This is just going to be a great, great year. We are very, very excited for our trail system.' Ridership levels also increased during the winter months. 'Most of our riders who come in the winter, they come from the northeast. They don't come from the south,' Lusk said. 'It is usually power sports enthusiasts. They will just use that same gear and come down here and ride their ATVs. They are just acclimated toward doing power sports outside when it is cold outside. I think they just own both types of equipment. They will come down from as far away as Canada. They don't seem to be as sensitive to the weather as the folks from the south who aren't used to the cold weather. It's all about having that insulated gear.' As a result, January and February ridership numbers on the trail this year were higher than normal thanks in part to the growing popularity of snow tourism on the trails. Lusk said some riders follow the local forecast for Bluefield, and when snow is in the forecast, they schedule a visit to the region. 'We are open 365 days a year,' Lusk said. 'And we get riders everyday of the year. Literally we have riders everyday of the year, which is just great.' As more riders make use of the trail system, more lodging and related accommodations are needed, according to Lusk. 'Our growth is actually premised on folks opening up and providing new lodging,' Lusk said. 'Our entrepreneurs in Southern West Virginia have been really great.' Lusk said one recent example of a closed structure being converted into new ATV lodging is the Old Bank Lodge facility in Bluewell. That structure was once a bank and is now a new ATV lodging facility. 'It's a very unique reuse,' Lusk said of the structure. 'It can sit up to 14 people. It is really nice inside.' Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
