Destination Artisans

Name: Destination Artisans
Address: Sydney, NSW, 2071, AU
Telephone: +61400883641

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We are a destination management agency offering private, made-to-measure tour services to France and Belgium. Itineraries designed exclusively for you.

Destination Artisans is a luxury destination management agency. We take great pride in the services we provide, handling every travel detail, from arrival to departure. Each itinerary we craft is tailored to the tastes, and interests of our clients. We offer world-class activities designed to discover art, history, museums, culture, theatre, architecture, gastronomy, wine, cooking, personal shopping and more. We've forged long-standing relationships with our professional, first class, English-speaking guides, historians, chefs and chauffeurs, ensuring an elevated and memorable experience. We specialise in France, Belgium and Luxembourg.

15/10/2026

Christmas in Alsace is one of the most joyous holidays you can have, either as a couple or a family. It is indeed magical, and it’s like walking into a fairytale set. Advent candles, decorated wreaths, bredele biscuits, Christmas trees, and Saint Nicholas. Christmas traditions in Alsace are full of symbols and stories passed down from generation to generation. They form part of the region’s cultural identity and give every visit a festive dimension.

Alsace is brimming with age-old Christmas traditions, from the first written mention of the Christmas tree in 1521 in Sélestat to Strasbourg’s iconic Christkindelsmärik that was first held in 1570.

Christmas lights illuminate every house, business, balcony, and balustrade. In the heart of this enchanted setting, the traditional Christmas markets come to life. There are of course the not-to-be-missed markets: Strasbourg, Colmar, Kaysersberg, Obernai, Ribeauvillé, Eguisheim, Riquewihr, and Mulhouse.

The artisans of Alsace’s markets share their know-how and expertise with their local creations made of wood, fabric, pottery, and glass. A perfect place for finding a gift to slip under the tree. Christmas is also a delight for the taste buds. It’s the most gourmet of the seasons: famous bredalas or bredles paired with a glass of mulled w**e or hot apple juice, a Christmas b**r, gingerbread, or a manala.

The region of Alsace really shines and comes into its own during the winter/Christmas season, contact Destination Artisans today, we’rehere to put th itinerary together for you!

09/09/2026

Amidst the heatwave that was sweeping through France, fountains were cooling the streets of Paris. To cope with the heatwave, 1,300 drinking water fountains were made available free of charge in public spaces across the capital. However, this initiative dates back to the 19th century with the Wallace Fountains.
The Wallace Fountains are one of Paris’s most recognisable and beloved street landmarks. These elegant green drinking fountains have been providing free drinking water to Parisians and visitors for more than 150 years, making them both beautiful works of art and practical pieces of public infrastructure. The fountains were donated by the wealthy British philanthropist Sir Richard Wallace after the hardships of the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871). During this difficult period, Parisians suffered severe shortages of
clean drinking water.
Inspired by London’s public drinking fountains, Wallace funded the installation of 50 fountains beginning in 1872, believing that everyone should have access to fresh, free water. Their popularity was so great that he later paid for an additional 20 fountains.
The most familiar fountains feature four graceful female figures (called caryatids) supporting a domed roof, with decorative dolphins around the dome, symbolising water. The four women represent kindness, simplicity, charity and sobriety. Their distinctive dark green colour dates back to the era of Emperor Napoleon III, who favoured green street furniture as part of his vision of a greener Paris.
The fountains are still in use today, there are now 107 Wallace Fountains across Paris, and they continue to dispense free, potable drinking water for much of the year. They are generally turned off during freezing weather to prevent damage from ice.
Along with the Morris columns, Art Nouveau Métro entrances, and Haussmann architecture, the Wallace Fountain has become one of the enduring symbols of Paris. It represents something uniquely Parisian: combining art, history, philanthropy, and everyday usefulness.
Perhaps you’ve seen them when you were last in Paris.

27/08/2026

Did you know that every Paris arrondissement has its own market? Some are open daily, others just 1 day per week, but these markets are what Paris and France is all about. It’s all about cooking with fresh ingredients straight from the producer, rather than from supermarkets for example. This is a huge reason why French food is so delicious and truly authentic.
Also, the food at a Parisian market isn’t just about food; it’s art, its heritage, its culture. That’s why when visitors do a morning cooking class, it always includes a visit to the local markets. It’s all part of the experience to be there with the chef and
watch him/her choose the fresh ingredients for the lunchtime meal the clients are about to make. it’s not just the cooking class, but the market visit is also just as interesting and important. People are amazed by the range of fresh produce or the meticulous arrangements. (I can’t tell you how many photos I have taken!).
What makes these markets so special, is that they are part of the everyday life and character of each neighbourhood. You can find stalls selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, cheeses, meats, fish, bread, flowers and prepared foods, often alongside small cafés and local shops.
Each market has its own personality, reflecting the neighbourhood around it, definitely worth adding it on the list of things to do whilst visiting Paris. Contact Destination Artisans today to book your next trip to Paris.

26/08/2026

Did you know that France is widely credited with creating the first discothèque (discotheque in English). It originated in France during the Second World War, although much different from the dance clubs we know today.
During the German occupation of France (1940–1944), jazz music was discouraged and live performances were often restricted. Some Parisian café owners began entertaining patrons by playing records instead of hiring live bands. These venues became known as discothèques, from the French words « disque » (record) and « bibliothèque » (library), meaning a « library of records. »

After the war, one of the first venues to popularise the concept was La Discothèque, which opened in Paris in 1947. Rather than featuring a live orchestra, the club played carefully selected vinyl records through a sound system while people danced. This was a revolutionary idea at a time when dancing in clubs almost always meant dancing to a live band. This was the difference.

By the 1950s and 1960s, the concept had spread across Europe, particularly to London and other major cities. The role of the disc jockey, or DJ, evolved from someone simply changing records into someone who curated the music, created a mood, and kept dancers on the floor.

The 1970s disco era transformed the discothèque into a global cultural phenomenon. Glittering dance floors, mirrored disco balls, sophisticated lighting, and powerful sound systems became hallmarks of clubs in cities such as New York, Paris, and London. Disco music by artists like Bee Gees, Donna Summer, and Gloria Gaynor helped make discothèques the centre of nightlife around the world.
Today, the word disco has gone out of fashion with the changing of music styles. However, the French word lives on as a reminder that the modern dance club began with an innovative post-war idea in Paris, replacing the live band with a
carefully chosen collection of records.

25/08/2026

Did you know that France is widely credited with creating the world’s first modern department store. The first true department store was Le Bon Marché, situated on the left bank, was founded in Paris in 1838 as a small shop and transformed into the world’s first modern department store by Aristide Boucicaut in 1852. She revolutionised shopping by introducing ideas that are now common place. Like :
Fixed prices instead of haggling.
Clearly marked price tags.
A wide range of goods under one roof.
Free entry with no obligation to buy.
Seasonal sales and special promotions.
Mail-order catalogues.
Exchanges and refunds.
Elegant displays designed to encourage browsing.
Before Le Bon Marché, most shopping was done in small specialist shops where prices were negotiated. Boucicaut transformed shopping into a leisurely, enjoyable experience, especially for women, who could browse freely in a comfortable and welcoming environment.
Le Bon Marché’s success inspired famous Paris department stores that followed, including Le BHV Marais (1856), Le Printemps (1865), La Samaritaine (1870), and Galeries Lafayette Haussmann (1893).
Paris gave the world one of its greatest shopping innovations—the department store.

The French inventions never cease to amaze me.

19/08/2026

There is a new reason to visit the Normandy coast: the D-Day landing beaches have officially been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The new World Heritage site stretches for approximately 80 kilometres along
the Normandy coastline and comprises six sites: Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach, Sword Beach and Pointe du Hoc.
Apart from the beaches themselves, UNESCO is recognising the surviving elements of the German Atlantic wall, wartime bunkers and artillery positions, traces of the battlefield, remnants of the Allied artificial harbour at Arromanches, and important memorial landscapes
such as the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. What
makes the inscription particularly meaningful is that UNESCO has recognised these places not simply as former battlefields, but as an “exceptional cultural landscape” shaped by both the events of 1944 and their enduring remembrance.
On 6 June 1944, more than 150,000 Allied troops came ashore or were dropped behind German lines during Operation Overlord. The Normandy landings marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from N**i occupation and became one of the defining moments of the Second World War. For visitors, this new status adds another dimension to a journey through Normandy. Walking along Omaha Beach, seeing Pointe du Hoc or looking across the remains of the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches, it is possible to appreciate both the extraordinary scale of the 1944 operation and the very human stories behind it.
If you who haven’t visited this part of France yet, what are you waiting for? This is now the time to visit this exceptional part of France and an exceptional part of world history and Destination Artisabs can help put together the itinerary for you. Contact us today.

13/08/2026

Bouillabaisse is the history of Marseille’s famous fish soup, it’s really the story of Marseille itself, a dish born beside the Mediterranean and closely connected to the city’s fishing traditions.
Bouillabaisse began as a humble fishermen’s meal. When fishermen returned to shore, they would keep the fish that were too small, damaged or otherwise unsuitable for selling. Rather than waste them, they cooked them in a large pot with water, herbs and whatever simple ingredients they had available. The result was a nourishing soup that could feed a family after a day’s work at sea.
Over generations, this very simple soup became more elaborate. Today however, bouillabaisse has developed into something much more elaborate.
By the 19th and 20th centuries, bouillabaisse had travelled from the fishermen’s huts and seaside to the restaurants of Marseille. What was once a meal made from fish of little commercial value eventually became one of the city’s most prestigious — and expensive — culinary specialities. In 1980, a group of Marseille restaurateurs even established a Bouillabaisse Charter to protect the name and establish standards for its basic ingredients and presentation, after concerns that restaurants were calling ordinary fish soup « bouillabaisse. »
Perhaps the most charming part of its history is the transformation: bouillabaisse went from a practical way to feed the poor fishermen to becoming a celebrated dish of Mediterranean cuisine. Again from humble beginnings to culinary status! Another must eat dish when in Marseille!
Destination Artisans can organise private, tailor-made touring, contact us today!

12/08/2026

The Bouchons of Lyon are far more than restaurants, they are a symbol of the city’s working-class heritage and one of the reasons Lyon is regarded as the gastronomic capital of France.
The tradition dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries, when Lyon was Europe’s centre of the silk trade. At the height of the silk industry, thousands of silk weavers worked long, physically demanding hours and needed inexpensive, hearty meals. Small inns and taverns began serving filling dishes made from affordable ingredients, creating what would become the first ‘bouchons’.
In the 19th century, the bouchon tradition evolved thanks to the famous Mères Lyonnaises (« Mothers of Lyon »). These talented female cooks had often worked in wealthy households before opening their own modest restaurants. They transformed simple peasant recipes into memorable regional cuisine, using every part of the animal to avoid waste.
Fun Fact : Mère Brazier, who became the first woman chef to earn three Michelin stars, later trained legendary Lyon chef Paul Bocuse.
Traditional bouchon cuisine are known for generous portions and rustic cooking rather than fine dining.
Although many restaurants in Lyon call themselves « bouchons, » only a relatively small number have been officially recognised as authentic. Genuine bouchons preserve traditional recipes, warm hospitality, communal dining and an unpretentious atmosphere, often with wooden furniture, red-and-white checked tablecloths and walls decorated with photographs and memorabilia.

So next time you are visiting Lyon, a must visit is to an authentic buchon restaurant, it’s all part of the charm of travelling! Contact Destination Artisans to help put together a tailor-made itinerary designed just for you!

11/08/2026

I’m sure you’ve all read about the devastating fires around Bordeaux. Bordeaux city is safe as are the vineyards of Medoc and Saint Emilion - thank GOD. To lighten the situation a little bit, here’s a background on those little pastries known as canelé that originated in Bordeaux. The Canelé de Bordeaux is one of France’s most iconic pastries, instantly recognisable by its dark caramelised crust, fluted cylindrical shape, and soft, custard-like centre infused with vanilla and rum. Although simple in appearance, it is considered one of the most technically challenging French pastries to perfect.
The history of the canelé is closely linked to Bordeaux’s world-famous w**e industry. According to the most popular tradition, local w**emakers used egg whites to clarify red w**es—a process known as « fining. » This left them with an abundance of unused egg yolks,
which were given to the nuns at the nearby Convent of the Annonciades. The nuns combined these yolks with flour, milk and sugar to create a small cake that they distributed to the poor.
Another important fact why they were created in Bordeaux is that Bordeaux is a port city, and many of the canelé’s signature ingredients reflect Bordeaux’s importance as one of France’s busiest trading ports during the 17th and 18th centuries. Ships arriving from the Caribbean brought rum, while trade routes supplied fragrant vanilla, both of which became defining flavours of the pastry. The result was a uniquely Bordelais sweet that showcased ingredients from across the French colonial trade network.
Today the canelé is as much a symbol of Bordeaux as its celebrated w**es. Every pâtisserie in the city proudly displays these glossy little cakes, often in several sizes and now with a wide assortment of different flavours. You absolutely must stop to try these little yummy, 3 bites and they’re gone pastries, on your next food walking tours! Contact Destination Artisans for a tailor-made itinerary toay!

05/08/2026

We all know about the Christmas Markets in Paris and throughout all of France and how beautiful and festive they all are, well Disneyland Paris is incredible when it comes to Christmas and wintertime. Disneyland goes all out to turn this already amazing place into something even more extraordinary. Great for families, especially if you’re coming from warmer climates, come and enjoy what is truly the magic of Christmas.
There are places that are amazing all year round, but in winter, Disneyland Paris takes on a whole new personality. As the festive season arrives, the park is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland where every street, castle turret and shopfront sparkles with Christmas charm. From the moment you walk down Main Street, U.S.A., you’re surrounded by the sights and sounds of the season. A towering Christmas tree welcomes guests, garlands and twinkling lights decorate every corner, and gentle snowfalls drift through the air several times each day, creating that storybook moment everyone dreams of.
Winter is one of my favourite times to visit because the atmosphere is simply unforgettable. The music, the festive parades, beautifully dressed Disney characters and spectacular nighttime entertainment make every visit feel like you’re stepping inside your own Disney
fairytale.
There is also something wonderfully comforting about escaping the chilly air for a steaming hot chocolate or a delicious meal before heading back out to enjoy another attraction. Whether you’re travelling with children, grandchildren, or simply embracing your own inner child, Disneyland Paris has a way of bringing smiles to every generation.
If you are planning a European holiday during November or December, don’t just think of Disneyland Paris as a theme park, think of it as one of Europe’s most magical winter experiences and I recommend to stay for a few nights to really enjoy the atmosphere. A visit to Disneyland Paris in winter isn’t just about the rides, certainly not at Christmas time, it’s about embracing the season, creating unforgettable family memories and experiencing the magic of Disney at its most enchanting. Contact Destination Artists today.

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Sydney, NSW
2071

Telephone

+61400883641

Website

http://www.destinationartisans.com/

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