Like many people, I have always dreamed of sailing on a real square rigger yacht. I instantly conjure up images of Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley (I am, of course, Keira, but where is Johnny?) Well, those stars may not be there, but the chance for a romantic three-day cruise is here for the taking.

Star Clippers have a special, one-off, three-night mini-cruise on the 170-passenger Star Flyer leaving September 28th from Monte Carlo. The stately vessel, a wonderful tall ship, calls at L'Ile Rousse in Corsica and St Tropez where you can watch Les Voiles de St Tropez, one of the most important events in the classic yachting race calendar. It's a world-class event, with world-class crews (running from September 25th to October 3rd), and is one of the South of France's most glamorous sporting events.

There is a special package available, put together by Fred Olsen Travel and operated from the UK. It costs £899 per person and includes scheduled flights from London to Nice, or rail travel by Eurostar, helicopter transfer to Monaco for flight passengers or private car for rail passengers; one night's bed and breakfast at the Columbus Hotel, then the three nights' full board accommodation on Star Flyer.

For more information on the U.K. package: email star.clippers@fredolsentravel.co.uk

For more information on Star Clippers in the U.K. www.starclippers.co.uk

For more information on Star Clippers in the U.S.A. www.starclippers.com

Join the Mediterranean Yachting World this September originally appeared on About.com France Travel on Monday, August 9th, 2010 at 18:30:22.

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La Chaise-Dieu is a mysterious, wonderful small town high up on a wooded plateau in the Auvergne mountains of the Livradois and the Forez. Here you'll find the strange, 11th-century abbey church of Saint-Robert. I came across the medieval building in April when it was snowing, it was night and the flakes fell slowly, masking the sound of the bells from the illuminated abbey church. It was one of those magical moments you always remember. The next day we went into the church and were astonished by its treasures. The interior has ancient wooden seats, stunning tapestries and marble tombs, but particularly impressive was the Dance Macabre, the Dance of Death -- three richly painted, astonishingly detailed panels depicting humans among the dead who are inviting them to dance. It's the kind of image that send shivers down your spine.

So, the perfect setting for the Festival of Sacred Music which began 40 years ago and has grown to become one of the most important in France. Bach, Monteverdi, Brahms, Chopin, Bruckner and Wagner are all being performed this year by a range of top French and international musicians, including the Choir of King's College, Cambridge. Magical music in a superb setting.

Information: La Chaise-Dieu Festival
Tel: 33 (0) 4 71 09 48 28
www.chaise-dieu.com

Information on La Chaise-Dieu

Image: Orchestra Francais des Jeunes © G. Cavaillès

Sacred Music at La Chaise-Dieu Festival, August 18th to 29th originally appeared on About.com France Travel on Monday, August 16th, 2010 at 14:00:38.

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It's glamorous, the programme is exciting and it's accessible. Just three great reasons to visit the Deauville American Film Festival. The well-established, highly regarded festival has been held here for 36 years. This year the special guest is Annette Bening, so you can see some of the films she was in, from Valmont (1989), Bugsy (1991) and American Beauty (1991) to the latest, The Kids Are All Right.

Terry Gilliam will also be attending, as will independent film makers like Eric Mendelsohn with 3 Backyards and the British graffiti artist, Banksy. There are documentaries on subjects from nuclear weapons and their threat to the paparazzi.

It takes place in three major cinemas, the Deauville International Center (C.I.D.), the Casino's cinema and Cinema Le Morny. And the setting is wonderful -- beautiful Deauville is known for gracious living, horse racing, its casino, gourmet restaurants and all the good things in life.

More information on the Film Festival

Tickets and information:
Deauville International Center (C.I.D.)
Les Planches, 1 ave Lucien Barriere
Tel: 00 33 (02) 31 14 14 14
www.congres-deauville.com

Information on Deauville from the Tourist Office

Read more on Normandy

Image: Le Public Système Cinéma/Les 4 Lunes

The Deauville American Film Festival, September 3rd to 12th originally appeared on About.com France Travel on Monday, August 30th, 2010 at 06:16:28.

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Brittany is celebrating its Celtic roots at its annual Celtic Festival from August 6th to 15th. The Celts have a rich, much treasured, and increasingly honored cultural tradition. Spread out through Brittany, throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, down into Spain, in Louisiana and in Mexico, these are a proud people. And their traditions of music and dance are varied, exciting and inspirational.

Every year, groups gather at Lorient in southern Brittany for the biggest Celtic celebration in Europe. The Celtic Festival lasts from August 6^th to 15^th, but there are exhibitions and events in the town until the end of the month celebrating this great culture.

During the festival you can hear the accordion, the harp, bagpipes and the wonders of the human voice singing traditional songs. Dancers whirl in their Scottish kilts or their huge circular skirts, the Irish go through their glorious River Dance-style routines. There are big names here, like The Cranberries who perform on the opening day, and names of young up-and-coming performers like the Breton singer Clarisse Lavanant.

It's a colorful important event, rightly celebrated in Celtic Brittany.

For more information

Celtic Festival: www.festival-interceltique.com (in French)

Information on Brittany

How to get there:

By air:
From the U.S.A. you will have to fly via Paris to any of the following regional airports in Brittany:

Aeroport de Lorient 02 97 87 21 50 www.lorient.aeroport.fr
Aeroport Brest - 02 98 32 01 00 www.brest.aeroport.fr
Aeroport Nantes- 02 40 84 80 00 www.nantes.aeroport.fr
Aeroport Rennes - 02 99 29 60 00 www.rennes.aeroport.fr
Aeroport Quimper- 02 98 94 30 30 www.quimper.aeroport.fr

For air travel: Compare prices

By train from Paris:
The train journey from Gare Montparnasse in Paris to Lorient takes 3 and a half hours.
Book on www.raileurope.com

By ferry from the UK: Brittany Ferries goes from Plymouth to Roscoff in Brittany and from Portsmouth to Caen in Normandy.
Brittany Ferries: Tel.:00 44 825 828 828.
www.brittany-ferries.com.

Image: Celtic Festival, Lorient, Brittany ©Delfikprod

The Celtic Festival in Brittany August 6th-15th 2010 originally appeared on About.com France Travel on Monday, August 2nd, 2010 at 06:52:17.

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Every year, enthusiasts get together for the French Hot-Air Balloon Championships somewhere in France. This year, from August 24th to August 29th, they will sail serenely over the Auvergne skies in the Haut-Lignon region and Les Suc. It's a wonderful volcanic location (I love this region as I have a house here looking down onto the Allier River gorges). So I'll be there, watching the 50 balloons competing to find the target on the ground. Once located, the balloonists have to drop a marker from their basket as near as possible - or better still a bullseye shot.

The flights take two to three hours and are held in different towns in the region. While not gazing upwards, spectators can look around model aircraft shows, jump from parachutes, buy at local produce markets, listen to concerts and talk to fellow enthusiasts.

The locations:

• Tuesday August 24th: Yssingeaux
• Wednesday August 25th: Retournac
• Thursday August 26th: Chambon-sur-Lignon
• Friday August 27th: Tence
• Saturday August 28th: Saint-Jeures
• Sunday August 29th: St-Maurice-de-Lignon

Information on the Championships (in French).

Hot Air Balloon Champions over the Auvergne originally appeared on About.com France Travel on Monday, August 23rd, 2010 at 09:00:34.

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