The following was recorded during a travelogue I presented about my three-week trip to France. Sixteen people joined us in person while others watched via Zoom. The travelogue gives you a glimpse at the experience, what led to the trip, some of my trials and highlights, and offers tips for solo and international travel at the end.

To skip to a segment:

00 Intro

6:25 Week 1 – Paris

11:56 Week 1 – Agen/Relais de Camont

23:19 Week 2 – Bordeaux

32:23 Week 2 – Narbonne

42:14 Week 3 – Canal du Midi barge cruise

54:25 Solo travel trips

Learn more:

Paris

Timestamp: 6:25

2 nights at Hotel Montalembert by B Signature Hotels & Resorts

Situated in the heart of Paris’s elegant Saint-Germain-Des-Prés, Hotel Montalembert is a luxurious boutique hotel that epitomizes timeless elegance and contemporary comfort. Boasting a rich history dating back to 1926, this prestigious hotel has welcomed discerning travelers, artists, and intellectuals from around the world.

Paris tour with The Tour Guy

Join a local guide to see the city’s iconic highlights, including the Louvre, Sacre-Cœur, Notre Dame, a Seine River Cruise, and the Eiffel Tower (entry times might fall outside of the tour time).

Agen/Relais de Camont

Timestamp: 11:56

Relais de Camont for a food and memoir writing residency in the SW France countryside

Surrounded by rolling hills, sunflower fields, and vineyards, Relais de Camont is an artist’s retreat and destination where food and community converge. Helmed by Kate Hill, an award-winning food and memoir writer, this culinary haven celebrates the rich gastronomic heritage of Gascony, known for its hearty cuisine and exceptional local produce.

Bordeaux

Timestamp: 23:19

3 nights at Villas Foch

Discover this five-star hotel in the heart of Bordeaux, combining French refinement with 19th-century bourgeois elegance, featuring luxurious rooms, a vaulted cellar dedicated to well-being, and Le Ferdinand cocktail bar offering a selection of fine wines and tapas.

Don’t miss the La Cité du Vin museum and a tour with “Vert Bordeaux”

Narbonne

Timestamp: 32:23

1 night at Chateau Capitoul                     2 nights in Mosaïque Hotel

Visit Fontfroide Abbey and the Narbo Via museum

Canal du Midi

Timestamp: 42:14

European Waterways 6-night barge cruise on the Canal du Midi on the Anjodi luxury barge hotel

Embark on a leisurely journey through the tranquil waters of the Canal du Midi with European Waterways‘ barge cruise, a quintessentially French experience that promises relaxation, luxury, and exploration. As you step aboard your floating oasis, you’ll be greeted by the warm hospitality of your dedicated crew, who will ensure your every need is met as you glide along the historic waterway.

My itinerary from the trip:

Writing, Wine, and Waterways: A French Memoir – 3 Week Itinerary From Paris to the French Countryside, to the Coast