Les Gourdiflots, a characterful bed-and-breakfast  in the little village of Cysoing (just 15 km from Lille and located on the famous cobbled stretch of the Paris-Roubaix cycle race), is offering a couple of cookery breaks. So come and have a go with the whisk and enjoy a cookery lesson given by the lady of the house, followed by a tasting session. The break is for three nights, so there's plenty of time to enjoy the delights of the surrounding countryside and the attractions of Lille, a refreshing break far from the hubbub of the royal wedding in London...

The break is available from the 23rd to the 25th of April and also from the 30th of April to the 2nd of May and includes three nights accommodation with breakfast for two persons, the cookery classes (starter, main course and dessert) and tasting session. Cost: 405 € for two.

Don't worry if you miss the offer, Les Gordiflots is open all year round.

Practical Information

Les Gordiflots
Cysoing, Nord, 59
Les Gourdiflots Website
Email: catherine.charles41@orange.fr

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The skies over Berck-sur-Mer, a seaside town on the coast of northern France, fill up from April 16^th to 25^th with some astonishing kites. The multi-colored extravaganzas swoop and dive, startle and make you laugh with their extraordinary shapes and antics. It's Europe's biggest kite festival with kite-flyers coming from as far afield as China and Australia. And it's not all watching; you can try it yourself.

The beach at Berck-sur-Mer is huge, stretching seemingly endlessly with its golden sand washed by the cold springtime waters of the English Channel. So get the cobwebs blown away as you watch the kites reach for the sky.

Essential Information

Berck-sur-Mer is on the Nord-Pas-de-Calais coast, south of Le Toquet

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If you fancy a Bonnard or a bureau, a Corot or a cupboard, or just like browsing, then try the now well-known 39^th Salon des Antiquaires in Antibes. The huge marquees take over part of the Vauban Port and fill up with European antique dealers. It's not just large objects, the Fair has jewellery dealers and a less expensive brocante part where you might just pick up a bargain.

Once you've done your antique shopping, there's plenty more in Antibes to keep your interest, whether it's sightseeing, visiting the delightful Picasso Museum, or eating looking out at the crystal clear blue waters of the Mediterranean at Le Rocher.

Practical Details

Port Vauban
Website
Daily 10:30am-7:30pm
Entrance: 8 euros

Antibes Tourist Office
11, place de Gaulle
Tel.: 00 33 (0)4 97 23 11 11
Antibes Tourist Office Website

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This is for all those who like a touch of nostalgia on holiday. It's a bit of a cliché, but what's wrong with that? So if your idea of France is of a cartoon Frog with his beret and baguette, the only thing missing is the famous 2CV car or "duck" as they used to be known.

Lille is a good city to take a tour in a 2CV; the streets are narrow and though the cobbles might be a tad uncomfortable, you'll feel like a native.

You're driven around by a knowledgeable driver-guide who will provide you with all the information you want. Tours vary from half an hour to 90 minutes and the cost is per person. A half-hour tour is 35 euros per person for one or 15 euros per person if there are three of you; the 90-minute tour is 100 euros for one person or 45 euros per person for three.

But there's more to this. The French are onto a good thing here and in Nord-Pas-de-Calais which is a favorite destination for 'les rosbifs' as the Brits are jokingly known, there are various special offers over the week of the Royal Wedding (that is, the British Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29th). The idea is that, sacre bleu!, some Brits might want to escape all the hullaballoo.

So between now and May 2^nd, book with the company using the password "Nicole" and you'll get 30% off.

Will the entente cordiale be stretched to the limit by this blatant attempt to lure loyal subjects away from a royal occasion with such commercial considerations? We will see!

www.tradibalade.com
Email: contact@tradibalade.com

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