Expat in France shares her 'must-see' destinations - including the area that 'steps back in time'
An expat told Britons which places they need to visit in France
Janine Marsh / GETTY IMAGES
Janine Marsh, a self-confessed Francophile, bought a property in Pas-de-Calais two decades ago and relocated there permanently five years ago. She has been speaking exclusively to GB News about her top France tips.
She has shared the train trip you simply must take, and the city you simply need to visit - it was so beautiful it actually made her cry.
Today, Janine reveals her absolute favourite places in France, exclusively giving GB News her top five destinations.
Janine said: "Everywhere I go I think, 'Oh, that's a must-see, that's a must-see' - so I've made a little list."
'Gers: it's just like going back in time 50 years'
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For Britons looking to explore France, the expat's top five must-visit destinations are Gers, Île de Ré, Loire Valley, Corsica and Paris.
Gers
Janine said: "If we're going off the beaten track, I absolutely love Gers. That's down by Toulouse in the south of France, in the gorgeous countryside where Armagnac is made.
"It's like stepping back in time. There are no motorways and it's very difficult to get around by train - you need a car or a bike.
There are amazing markets - wine, Armagnac. It's just like going back in time 50 years. And the food is out of this world. It's also a very welcoming place."
What to do in Gers
- Visit Sarrant, one of the most beautiful villages in France for its medieval heritage
- Visit Lavardens for an artistic centre and exciting exhibitions
- Admire Flaran Abbey, a medieval monument in Valence-sur-Baïse, and talk a walk around its magnificent garden
- Check out Larressingle, the smallest fortified village in France
- Perfect for feline friends is La Romieu, "village of cats"
Île de Ré
Janine said: "It's a tiny island of La Rochelle, so it's a great opportunity to go to two places.
"La Rochelle is a superb place to go, a city on sea in the Atlantic. and then you can reach Île de Ré by road because there's a bridge to it - although it is quite expensive."
What to do in Île de Ré
- Cycle through 60-plus miles of marked cycling trails
- Try your hand at horseriding
- Climb the lighthouse Phare des Baleines
- Set sail and enjoy a peaceful boat trip
- Enjoy sublime beaches - think paddling, canoeing or kayaking
Loire Valley
According to Janine, Loire Valley is a must - "for the castles". She said: "I love the chateaux there. There are hundreds and hundreds of chateaux you can visit, and you've got wine and you've got river."
What to do in Loire Valley
- Enjoy goat cheese produced in the region
- Go castle crazy and visit chateaux after chateaux: Château Chambord, Château Chenoncea, Château Sully-sur-Loire and Château de Villandry are all beautiful options
- Take a relaxing boat trip
- Sip delicious vin at a wine tasting
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Enjoy paddling, canoeing, kayaking and beautiful boat trips in Île de Ré
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Paris and Corsica
Janine previously spoke to GB News about her other two favourite French destinations: Paris and Corsica.
Paris may be on everyone's travel bucket list, but there's so much more to the Europe capital than meets the eye.
The expat shared the "astounding" Paris attraction "most people don't even know is there". As for Corsica, Janine explained why it's France's "best kept secret" - she has no idea why more people don't go there.