Paul Shawcross Travel Writing and Photography

Recent reviews and Blogs about my travel apps:

French Travel Apps by Paul Shawcross  Reviewed by Scott Jones and Justin Postlethwaite of France Today Nov 2013

French Travel Apps by Paul Shawcross

 

It's a reflection of the times that a travel journalist who's used to making his living in print or online has now turned his hand to creating apps. But given his wealth of experience and endless visits to France, Paul Shawcross is well placed to share his considerable knowledge via tablets or smart phones.

Paul's first two apps are Dordogne Explorations and Provençal Roaming – a third, Nice and Beyond, will soon hit the download stores. Both are highly recommended, as they dig deep into the visitor essentials of these ever-popular French regions, with listings for and reviews of accommodation and choice gastronomic spots sitting alongside many historic and touristic curiosities. Both apps will serve travellers well, as a pre-vacation planning tool and a handy mobile companion while in situ.

Available for iPhone and Android

Originally published in the August-September 2013 issue of France Today

Provençal Roaming.

A Travel Guide - reviewed by Philip Haslett of Unique Provence Nov 2012

Created by Francophile Paul Shawcross here is an app that will guide you through Provence and beyond as far as Aigues Mortes and as far North as the Ardeche neither of which is strictly speaking in Provence. But I can see why they are there, I wouldn't be able to contain myself to strict geographical limits if I was creating such an app and I would imagine that if you are visiting the region you wouldn't either! However the Eastern limits are Aix en Provence and Cassis, and he recommends other apps (Riviera Roaming App by Kimberly Lovato) and a forthcoming app called Nice and Easy Nice to cover the missing department of Les Alpes Maritimes. I would have liked to have seen the Provence Verte included, (around Brignoles) as here there are a myriad of secrets to reveal and it is often left out. I hope that this will figure in later editions.
The informative text for each entry is written with authority and I would even say affection as he is not just mindlessly listing places but is sharing his vision as well as that of other people mentioned in the app and I suspect using their personal recommendations for some of the addresses, but this is hardly surprising as Paul Shawcross is a travel writer who is no stranger to Provence and that is why this is a must have guide.
It may not have every place listed, but it has the most important sites as well as some lesser known ones like the Tom Simpson Memorial on the top of the Mont Ventoux. It has a list of restaurants recommended by the author, some hotels, camp sites and even an address for camper-van hire. There is plenty of historical background about Provence and even a section on the Troubadours.  Another aspect of this app that I like is the fact that you can leave comments and Paul will get back to you with a pertinent answer, an unlikely event with major tourist guides.
It is an app that I will recommend to my self-drive clients (along with a few others mentioned in this post) for its good accurate information from someone who is talking from personal experience. Like Edible Heritage it is worth downloading this before you leave so as to whet your appetite for your journey to come! The App is available for I-Phone & I-Pad as well as Android platforms for a mere $2.99.
 

 

Provençal Roaming

A review in the November 2011 Newsletter of Just Provence

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Provence is one of those magical destinations which travellers dream about - blue skies, warm days, balmy evenings, healthy cuisine, splendid architecture, a fascinating heritage and the wonderful sing-song accent of the local inhabitants, the Provençaux. It is almost as much a state of mind as a geographical area! "
This splendid definition of Provence was written by Paul Shawcross. An enthusiast traveller, photographer and francophile, who has developed a very useful smartphone app for when you are visiting Provence or even planning your stay and culinary expeditions.
 

Just Provence looks forward to featuring Paul in our upcoming online publications.
 

You can download his pocket guide for Android or iPhone and iPad

Provence - A guide and Inspiration

Blog published on the website of  Holiday Let Exchange

Paul Shawcross is a Francophile, a travel writer and a photographer who first fell in love with France when passing through on the way to Spain way back in 1979. Since then he has been back every year, sometimes several times, in order to research books and articles for magazines as well as taking photographs and enjoying the occasional amazing and relaxing holiday. 

Paul has revised and added new text to several Michelin Green Guides and written articles for several leading periodicals such as France Magazine and Living France. He is the author of the Dordogne Explorations and Provençal Roaming apps by published Sutro Media. Following the launch of his latest travel app Paul has now become an Independent Apple Developer which means that he will be producing several more of these successful mini travel guides over the next year.

Pont du Gard

What is Provençal Roaming about?  

Provence is one of those magical destinations with blue skies, warm days, balmy evenings, healthy cuisine, splendid architecture, a fascinating heritage and the wonderful sing-song accent of the local inhabitants, the Provençaux. It is almost as much a state of mind as a geographical area? But where exactly is Provence? Technically it is contained within the Région of Provence-Alpes-Cote-d'Azur but for these purposes, I have followed many Provençeaux and include the territory on both sides of the River Rhône before and after it reaches the massive delta beyond Arles. It is around here that Nîmes, Aix-en-Provence and Avignon are found, as well as the amazing Regional Nature Park of the Camargue. To the north-east and east it extends beyond the Grand Canyon like Verdon Gorges into the Alps and on to the border with Italy. The Côte d'Azur is not included here (see French Riviera Roaming by Kimberley Lovato and the author's forthcoming app about Nice and its hinterland).

How this guide may help you. 

It will guide you through entries for the most fascinating places and quickly provide you with insights and information which would require hours of trawling through guide books, websites or tourist offices. There are website links which provide further information where required and cross references to other attractions so that you don't have to scroll through all the entries to find what you need. There are also entries for places to stay and restaurants located mostly in the main centres and cool web links. Recreational activities and other attractions are also listed as are entries for some famous regional characters like Pagnol and Daudet not to mention the saviour of its culture, Mistral. Apart from all the usual cities, villages and attractions, Provençal Roaming includes an entry on Brennand Buildings featuring the beautiful artwork of Catherine Brennand including architectural studies of Aix-en-Provence. There is also an entry on artist David Welsh, whose impressionist paintings of Provence are featured too. Also featured is a fantastic activity holiday in Hidden Provence organised by Mel Jones and Liz Lord of Space Between based in the old market town of Forcalquier in Haute-Provence which includes guided walks along the long ridge of the Montagne de Lure, down into the fabulous Verdon Gorge, up the Mourre Negre, the highest point in the Luberon and into the amazing red ochre Colorado de Rustrel.

Provence

His recently released travel app, Provençal Roaming, is available on both the iPhone/iPad  and Android  platforms.

The latest edition of Paul's top selling travel app Dordogne explorations on itunes and Android is now available with an extra 31 entries and another 160 stunning images. There are 2 new 'About' entries, one dealing with FAQs and the other with useful information about travelling to the region. In addition there are 15 extra fascinating places to visit, 9 new places to stay and 5 new restaurants.

Both apps are regularly updated and Paul is always happy to take into consideration additional entries, improvements and updates from his customers. At present he is working on the next app in the series which will feature Nice and its hinterland including the fabulous Mercantour and later it is proposed to have apps on Corsica, Languedoc-Roussillon and perhaps even his native Northumbria!

Dordogne Explorations Travel App

We have recently come across a new form of travel guide – one that is easy to take out and about with you, in the form of a travel app available on ipad/iphones and androids. It is written by Paul Shawcross, Michelin Green Guide travel writer and photographer and we can highly recommend it. So much so that we send it free to all our guests. Do not be put off by the title – although we are not in the Dordogne the app does cover the Quercy region too.

If you are not booked to stay at Cahors Country House you can click on the links below to buy this travel app:

Buy Dordogne Explorations Travel App for ipod/iphone/ipad

Buy Dordogne Explorations Travel App for Android phones

 

 

Dordogne Feature published by guide2aquitaine and guide2midi-pyrenees

The French Paradox or why the French live longer! 17th May 2012

The French Paradox refers to the apparent fact that the French, in particular those who live in the South West, seem to be able to consume large quantities of fatty foods while at the same time remaining healthier than many people living in Northern Europe and North America. 

In the South West of France people have a diet rich in animal fats derived from locally produced foie gras and the use of goose fat generally in their cuisine. It has been observed that in the Gers in particular, where the diet is typical of the region, that people live longer on average than in the rest of Europe. 

It has been suggested that the explanation for this is that the locals also drink large quantities of red wine, much of which is produced in the areas around Bergerac, Cahors or in the neighbouring Bordeaux region. This more than counters the effects of high fat consumption due its positive effect on the heart.  

Whatever the reason, this notion nevertheless provides a great excuse to consume at least some of the local produce whilst in the region and , you never know, it might just work for you too!

This article was written by  travel writer and photographer Paul Shawcross, author of the best selling Dordogne Explorations App.  For more information regarding the app and to download it, see the following links for iphone and android. 
© Paul Shawcross Freelance Travel Writer & Photographer 

 

Exploring the beautiful Périgord and Quercy

France has many beautiful regions but the author's favourite has to be the Dordogne with its beautiful meandering river valley stretching from the Massif Central in the east, through the départements of the Corrèze and the Lot before entering the Dordogne département on its way to the Gironde in the west. Imposing medieval castles from which the English and French conducted the long running saga of Hundred Years War during the middle ages and fascinating prehistoric sites where there are cave paintings dating back to the beginning of life in Europe.

About the Author

Paul Shawcross is a travel writer and a Photographer but above all a Francophile, who first fell in love with France when passing through on the way to Spain way back in 1979. Since then he has been back every year, sometimes several times, in order to research books and articles for magazines as well as taking photographs and enjoying some amazing holidays.

Paul has revised and penned new text to the last two editions of the Michelin Green Guide to the Dordogne Berry Limousin region and written articles for several leading Magazines including Living France and France Magazine.

 

Links to the Dordogne Explorations app: 

Dordogne Explorations Travel app for iphone & ipad

Also available on Google Play for Android  

 

Tel: +44 (0) 191 4885313 Mob: +44 (0)7708 952044

Paul Shawcross Travel Writing and Photography