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A French Collection

France + All Things French

You are here: Home / Archives for Regions of France / Southwest France / Pyrenees

Salies de Béarn – The Venice of Béarn

Salies de Béarn

Salies de Béarn - The Venice of Béarn

Salies de Béarn is a picturesque town in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France. It is affectionally called the Venice of Béarn because of its canals that meander through the town under overhanging half-timbered houses and ancient buildings. 

Salies de Béarn is famous because of its thermal spas that are feed with the naturally occurring high content salt water from the springs under the town. There is more however to this lovely town than just the popular thermal spas and salt water medicinal treatments. I've put together a list of the top things to do in Salies de Béarn so you can make sure you don't miss a thing when you visit the Venice of Béarn. 

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Salies de Béarn – A Thermal Spa Town

Salies de Bearn

Salies de Béarn - French Thermal Spa Town

Salies de Béarn is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France and is home to wonderful thermal spas. The name of the town even comes from its naturally saline water. 

Recently I met Jo de Magneval online, a lifestyle documentary photographer and fairly new permanent resident of the beautiful town of Salies de Béarn. Jo agreed to share why she loves Salies de Béarn and her experiences of relocating her family from the UK and calling the town home. It's a perfect story to share this New Years as Jo, her French husband and children up and left the UK for France on, would you believe it, New Year's Eve.

I'm sure you'll love meeting Jo and reading more about this unique town. As a special treat we're also delighted to be able to showcase Jo's own photos of the region in this post. Jo has beautifully blended the splendour of the area with her family candidly enjoying their new life in France. 

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Toulouse – City of Violets

Toulouse - City of Violets Toulouse is also known as the City of Violets

Violets have been cultivated in Toulouse since the 1850s and can be drunk as a liquor, eaten, or crystallised to dissolve in champagne and are proudly an emblem of this French city.  This humble flower with its delightful fragrance and bold colour has also inspired the city’s nickname of ‘City of Violets’.

Toulouse is the capital of France’s southern Occitanie region, and is near the Spanish border.

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Annette Charlton

Annette lives with her family between their homes in France and Australia.  She’s been featured in International magazines including French Property News, on numerous blogs and travel websites and appeared on ABC National Radio. You can connect on Instagram or Facebook.

www.afrenchcollection.com

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Bonjour, I’m Annette, an Australian who’s been living part-time in Brittany since buying our second home in 2009 in a tiny farming village. With extensive time in Paris, visiting châteaux and gardens, historic sites and towns, and exploring my region of Brittany, A French Collection is your go-to for everything French. Enjoy A French Life with me!

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