#TravelsWithRomance: La Belle France

New PHS columnist, Robyn Rychards, talks to us about her love of all things French...

Ever since I started taking French classes in school, I’ve longed to visit France. Actually, I find it hard to believe anyone wouldn’t want to experience Paris. Certainly it tops the list of the world’s most romantic cities. If I was making said list, Venice would be next in line. Really, what is it about Europe that seems so romantic?

For me it may very well be because I started reading Harlequin/Mills & Boon romances as a young teenager, and all the stories were set in the UK and Europe, making those locations seem so romantic to me. I longed to travel to England, France, Holland, Greece, Spain… Well, I don’t want to bore you with a long list of places I want to see.

Instead, let’s talk about the place I actually did visit, FRANCE!!

It was as glorious as I’d imagined it to be and Paris… Ooo La La! C’est magnifique! Especially Paris in the springtime, which was when I went. So, obligatory Eiffel tower picture here. How can a tall metal structure be so romantic?

However, Paris isn’t the only romantic place in France. We also went to the French Riviera. Made a stop for lunch on the beach in Cannes—a great city too—before heading to Nice. I can tell you right now, I didn’t spend enough time in Nice and am longing to return. For me, being by the water with all the sailboats floating in the harbor of an old European city is such a romantic scene.

Besides the Eiffel Tower, what else is France famous for? Wine, of course! How can you go to France and not visit the wine country? We had the joy of going to a small town called Chateauneuf du Pape and it was glorious. Had a delicious lunch (of course the food in France is delicious!) at a small outdoor café, and since we were short on time, only visited one winery for a wine tasting. Would have loved to try a few more, but I’m thrilled we did the one. Needless to say, a bottle of red was purchased. If there wasn’t a weight limit on the luggage for the plane ride home, I would’ve bought more!

Now, if you’ve already made it to the south of France, then it would be silly not to drive another 45 minutes to Monte Carlo. Ever since I saw the classic film To Catch a Thief, I’ve longed to visit Monte Carlo. Never mind the fact the Grand Prix takes place there. We happened to be visiting the week before the race and the racetrack through the city was set up. Now it did make driving to The Casino—you know, the one that James Bond frequents— a bit tricky, but actually standing on the Grand Prix race track more than made up for it.

So if you’re looking for a travel experience filled with romance, France and the Riviera is the place to go.

Where are the places that inspire you? Share your #TravelsWithRomance stories with us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Robyn's latest release, Escape to Paradise, is out now. For more information about her and her writing, check out her website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.