FRANCE-The travel magazine for Francophiles.
Pros:
Lots of excellent articles. Great photographs.
Cons:
NOT, "the next best thing to being there".
The Bottom Line:
I like this magazine. I always learn something new or relive a pleasant memory of someplace I have visited.
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Author's Review
The headline of the magazine reads, "FRANCE - The Next Best Thing To Being There". I like this magazine, I really do, but let's get real...a magazine doesn't compare to a visit to France! However, between those long awaited vacations to France, this magazine does provide an escape.
I started subscribing to this magazine 3+ years ago. At that time, it was issued 4 times a year, but now comes out bi-monthly. The magazine is published in the UK, but is a great resource for any English-speaking Francophile.
FRANCE is a nice quality magazine. The cover shows a great photograph of a featured destination. And the magazine itself is packed with colorful photographs of the sights, sounds, smell and tastes that make France so alluring.
The Destination France section offers in-depth articles on various regions or destinations France. Some are well known, others are obscure and off the beaten path. The articles are always interesting and usually offer a recipe in connection with the destination.
Then there is the Food and Drink section...need I say more? Last month's magazine featured a recipe on one of my favorite French foods, Mussels. And I enjoy learning some new and interesting tidbit about wines, coffees, etc.
In the August 2001 issue was a new section called Galerie. This series will feature different views of France that can be requested by readers. There are some beautiful full-page photographs listed here.
The Festival and Markets section is wonderful. This section features an in-depth look at various festivals and markets in France, as well as a calendar of events taking place in the upcoming months. This is a great resource for planning an upcoming trip if you enjoy visiting festivals and markets.
Real people, telling real experiences can be found in the section French Experiences. Some of these are on contemporary subjects, some are recollections from older generations. There is something for everyone in this section.
Reader's Services is packed with information. You get a lot of common insight in the "reader's writes" area. There is an area with travel advice information. I like the article that is printed in French with a parallel test in English...someday, I might pick up a French phrase or two. In the meantime, my meager French vocabulary will have to see me through. In the Librairie article, you will find several recommendations for books about France and French travel (always dangerous for me to look here since I can't resist these.) The section ends with classified ads for various French services.
In the Competitions section, you will find listed 2 or 3 contests or games that award prizes, usually a voucher to spend at the FRANCEshop.
I can sit and dream while looking through the Property category. Yes, which magnificent chateau shall I buy? Seriously, there are tons of property listings from small cottages to yes, a grand chateau. In addition to the property listings, there are usually a couple of home improvement type articles as well.
The final section of the magazine is titled Current Affairs. This section offers reports on the latest commentary, tourism and news.
FRANCE magazine is usually about 150 pages in size. There are several ads, but no more than is usual in a magazine and they are travel related, so I find them interesting. A one-year (six issue) subscription is $29.95 and can be ordered on the FRANCE magazine website: www.francemag.com
For me, a magazine doesn't compare to being there, but I do enjoy this magazine. If you are a Francophile, you may enjoy it too!
