Travel
Dig in to New Haven’s greatest pizza
Captivated with US journey, oddball and neglected locations, and secret societies, Lonely Planet Senior Director of Content material Laura Motta hopped on the prepare from NYC to New Haven, Connecticut, for a weekend of not-quite educational journey.
I’m all the time on the hunt for a weekend getaway from New York City, and New Haven, Connecticut, has been on my record for years. Spurred by dreamy concepts of Rory Gilmore wandering round campus (holding a e-book, in fact) with the sound of crackling autumn leaves underfoot. I wished to completely expertise this quintessential Ivy League city with out having to maneuver right into a dorm. Or do homework. Plus, who would not love taking a prepare?
I visited New Haven and the Yale campus within the fall, when these colourful leaves had been at their brightest, the world abuzz with present and potential college students. I wore a backpack and, in hopes of wanting smarter, my glasses. Here is the way it all went down.
Check out some of the best rail journeys in the USA
How did you get there?
New Haven is a straightforward two-hour prepare experience from New York Metropolis through the unglamorous-but-useful Metro-North Railroad that runs from Grand Central Terminal to factors Northeast into Connecticut. In case you’re like me, you’ll in all probability need to arrive a couple of minutes earlier than your prepare departs so you may gaze up at Grand Central’s towering home windows and its well-known turquoise-hued ceiling.
Prepare tickets price $19-$25 every approach, relying on whether or not you are touring throughout peak (prime commuting hours) or off-peak (principally evenings and weekends) durations.
Amtrak trains additionally service New Haven, arriving at State Road Station, which is a fast stroll from the Yale campus. Metro-North trains arrive farther away at New Haven Union Station. A rideshare will simply get you to campus from there. I walked to all the sights described beneath.
The place did you keep? What was the vibe?
There are complete lodge chains organising store completely in faculty cities as of late, and New Haven is residence to 2 of them: The Study and the Graduate. I stayed at The Examine, the place the nods to academia should not refined: blonde wooden, leather-based furnishings that is presupposed to evoke dorm furnishings (however a lot, a lot much less crappy), and book-stuffed bookshelves galore. The rooms with views over New Haven’s church spires and Yale’s gothic towers are particularly charming, as is the comfort-food-focused menu at Heirloom, the lodge’s restaurant. I ordered a dressed-up, completely oozy bacon, egg and cheese on a roll for breakfast and had no regrets.
In case you’re selecting between these two academia-themed motels, the principle distinction is vibe: The Graduate conveys a cheeky sense of maximalism whereas The Examine embraces an airier, extra minimalist aesthetic.
I would be remiss if I did not point out the brand new lodge star on the town: the Hotel Marcel. Designed by Marcel Breuer and opened within the late Sixties because the headquarters of a tire firm, it stood vacant for years earlier than its transformation right into a lodge in 2022. The lodge’s stark, topsy-turvy design is a delight for structure lovers, even beginner admirers like me. However vacationers involved with their carbon footprint will discover lots to like right here as properly. The lodge is LEED Platinum licensed, 100% fossil fuel-free, and goals to be a Web Zero construction by the tip of 2025. The Lodge Marcel can also be a part of the Hilton household of motels, so you may earn and use your factors.
Smartest thing you ate?
Clearly, it is pizza.
New Haven pizza, or apizza, as the town’s Italian immigrants and my Sicilian grandparents referred to as it, is having a second. With splashy options in The New Yorker and The New York Instances, and a shoutout from Yale alum Paul Giamatti on late-night TV, this humble dough-and-sauce creation has change into a purpose to go to all by itself. It is easy to know why. With a skinny crust and an emphasis on non-cheese toppings, the crispy dough and tangy sauce have room to shine.
So, which pies did I strive? I took (and endorse) a pizza tour with Taste of New Haven. This guided four-hour stroll by way of New Haven’s Little Italy neighborhood makes stops on the most well-known pizzerias, Sally’s and Frank Pepe’s, in addition to a number of newer and extra off-the-beaten-path eating places. It additionally contains ten (ten!) slices of pizza, about two at every restaurant, together with a dose of neighborhood historical past delivered by a neighborhood information. My favourite slice? The tomato sauce pie at Sally’s, which can’t be beat for large taste and utter simplicity. Excursions price $95 per individual and embody beer and wine.
Who did you meet?
You’ll not set foot wherever in New Haven with out encountering its sizable pupil inhabitants, however most of Yale’s inside areas are off-limits to the general public. Even Previous Campus, the place college students rub the bronze toe of former college president Theodore Dwight Woolsey for luck earlier than exams, is just accessible through a campus tour. Join one on-line or on the Mead Customer’s Heart, the place an undergrad will take you behind the iron gates and inform you about life at Yale. My information shared tales about recording an a capella album in an on-campus recording studio, and the numerous complexities of attending Yale by way of the pandemic. Excursions are free and final an hour. Put on your greatest Rory Gilmore cosplay.
Locked gates be damned, I did get one other glimpse at on-campus life. Gryphon’s Pub is open solely to Yale’s graduate college students and their company – I used to be positively the latter, due to a friend-of-a-friend who hooked me up – and presents $5 beers and events on most nights. And sure, it appears to be like… precisely the way you assume it could. To enter, you move by way of a heavy picket door with an iron deal with, then descend down a flight of stone steps. The bar has wooden paneling and a fire. I chatted with bar director, Thomas, who confirmed me the labyrinthine area, which incorporates out of doors seating and a number of ranges for smaller events. After I requested him if the bar was really a “secret,” he politely disagreed.
Piece of art work or exhibit you loved?
You’d anticipate a metropolis constructed round educational pursuits to have a great artwork museum, and New Haven’s providing is the luxurious Yale University Art Gallery. From antiquities to trendy and modern artwork, the museum’s choices are broad, however the reveals are manageable in measurement and scope. You possibly can see the highlights after which some in a centered hour or two. In case you love encountering new artwork and artists, go to NXTHVN in New Haven’s Dixwell neighborhood to see what’s on view. This gallery and schooling middle is devoted to creating new generations of artists by way of its programming and fellowships.
Any books you learn to organize for the journey?
Not {that a} fantasy novel can put together you for journey, precisely, however I cherished Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth Home, which re-imagines Yale’s infamous secret societies as gateways to different worlds. Learn it for the gothic ambiance, and, as a buddy mentioned, for “the Yale of all of it.”
Trustees of the British MuseumThe primary go to of Hawaiian royals to London two centuries in the past will characteristic in a brand new exhibit on the British Museum.
Hawai’i: A Kingdom Crossing Oceans is a “dazzling celebration of the wealthy artistry of Hawaiian makers, previous current and future”, based on the museum.
The exhibition, which opens in January, will commemorate greater than 200 years for the reason that go to of Hawaiian King Liholiho and Queen Kamāmalu to London in 1824 when the royal delegation have been searching for an alliance and safety from the Crown.
This journey to the capital included a go to to the British Museum – the primary file of Native Hawaiian royals on the museum.
Royal Assortment Enterprises LtdThe exhibition will characteristic round 150 objects and artworks together with many by no means seen within the UK.
Among the many highlights is an ahu ʻula, a feathered cloak despatched in 1810 by the primary king of unified Hawaiʻi, Kamehameha I, to King George III.
Lent by King Charles III from the Royal Assortment, the cloak will probably be on show for the primary time in over 100 years, alongside the Hawaiian king’s authentic letter requesting assist and safety from the British Crown.
Trustees of the British MuseumGuests to the museum will probably be greeted on the steps of the Nice Courtroom by a nine-foot (2.7m) picture of the god Kū, the god of warfare and governance, dressed with a recent loincloth and standing atop a pole rediscovered inside a historic plinth.
A finely carved drum accompanied by an historic chant recounting early Polynesian migrations to Hawaii will characteristic alongside a bowl with determine, not too long ago returned from mortgage to Hawaii’s Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, that represents actions of individuals and objects between the Pacific and the UK.
The Anglo-Franco proclamation of 1843, on mortgage from The Nationwide Archives, highlights the UK and France’s formal recognition of Hawaii’s independence and emphasises diplomatic bonds between the nations.
Trustees of the British MuseumThe creation of the exhibition concerned “the meticulous conservation of ancestral treasures and the inclusion of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language) all through the area”, the British Museum mentioned.
Dr Alice Christophe, head of Oceania on the museum, mentioned the exhibit is a tribute to Native Hawaiian makers, previous and current.
She added: “It tells the story of the deep and layered relationship between Hawaii and the UK, reflecting on care, sovereignty and the complexity of allyship.
“We hope this present will spark conversations and uplift folks within the archipelago and past.”
The exhibition will run from 15 January to 25 May 2026.
France is a rustic steeped in historical past, and nowhere is that this extra evident than its fantastically preserved medieval cities.
From Alsace’s timber-framed homes to Provence’s dramatic hilltop villages.
These cities permit guests to step again in time, wander cobblestone streets, marvel at historical structure, and expertise the appeal of bygone eras.
On this listing, we’ve gathered 20 of the best-preserved medieval cities in France that you simply completely should see.
20 Greatest Medieval Cities in France To Go to
Scroll down to find the 20 finest medieval cities in France that needs to be on each historical past buff and tradition fanatic’s bucket listing!
1. Riquewihr, Alsace
Riquewihr is a picturesque village in Alsace typically described as some of the lovely in France.
Its well-preserved Sixteenth-century structure, with colourful half-timbered homes lining slender cobblestone streets, makes it really feel like stepping right into a fairy story.
Guests ought to come right here to expertise the distinctive Alsatian tradition, discover the encircling vineyards, and style the area’s well-known wines.
Don’t miss the Dolder Tower, a Thirteenth-century defensive gate, or wine cellars providing tastings. The Alsace villages are among the most picturesque places in France.
2. Eguisheim, Alsace
Eguisheim, a cute fairytale town in France, is thought for its concentric round format and vibrant floral shows.
The city’s magnificence lies in its colourful medieval homes, charming central sq., and surrounding vineyards.
Guests will take pleasure in strolling by the slender streets, visiting the Chapel of St. Leo IX, and mountain climbing the close by Three Castles path.
The city can also be well-known for its storks, which nest on rooftops throughout summer time.
3. Rocamadour, Occitanie
One in all France’s most unique towns is Rocamadour, a vertical village dramatically constructed into the face of a cliff. Its beautiful location and spiritual significance make it a must-visit place that needs to be in your France bucket list.
The city is dwelling to a number of vital spiritual websites, together with the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Guests can climb the Grand Escalier (Nice Staircase) to the château on the prime, which gives breathtaking views of the Alzou Canyon.
4. Sarlat-la-Canéda, Dordogne
Sarlat is without doubt one of the best-preserved medieval cities in France, well-known for its golden stone buildings and gastronomic delights.
Guests ought to come right here to wander the labyrinthine streets, discover the bustling market, and take pleasure in native specialties like foie gras and truffles.
Don’t miss the panoramic view from the highest of the Sainte-Marie church tower or a go to to the Manoir de Gisson.
5. Dinan, Brittany
Dinan is a walled city recognized for its spectacular ramparts, half-timbered homes, and picturesque port.
Guests will love strolling alongside the previous metropolis partitions, exploring the quaint Rue du Jerzual, and having fun with a meal at one of many cafes alongside the previous port.
The city’s magnificence is enhanced by its location overlooking the Rance River. Go to the Château de Dinan and climb the Tour de l’Horloge for panoramic views.
6. Honfleur, Normandy
Honfleur, with its picturesque previous harbor and slate-covered home facades, has lengthy been a favourite topic for artists.
Guests come for the charming ambiance, maritime historical past, and glorious seafood eating places.
Key points of interest embody the wood Church of Saint Catherine, the Eugene Boudin Museum, and the gorgeous Jardin des Personnalités.
7. Perouges, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Perouges is a superbly preserved medieval walled city that appears frozen in time. Its cobbled streets and stone homes make it a preferred movie location.
Guests ought to expertise life in a Fifteenth-century city, style the native specialty “galette de Pérouges,” and benefit from the peaceable ambiance. Don’t miss the central Place du Tilleul or the Eglise-Forteresse.
8. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Occitanie
Perched excessive above the Lot River, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is a shocking medieval village that has impressed many artists. Its magnificence lies in its dramatic setting, Gothic facades, and slender alleyways.
Guests can discover quite a few artisan outlets, hike within the surrounding space, or take a ship journey on the Lot River. The village is especially magical within the night when the day-trippers have left.
9. Gordes, Provence
Gordes is a placing hilltop village within the Luberon area, well-known for its stone buildings cascading down the hillside.
Guests come for the breathtaking views, particularly at sundown, and to discover the encircling lavender fields and olive groves.
Key points of interest embody the Sixteenth-century château, the close by Sénanque Abbey, and the standard Tuesday market.
10. Locronan, Brittany
Locronan is a small city that has maintained its Renaissance appeal, with granite homes and an exquisite central sq..
Guests will admire the dearth of seen trendy infrastructure, making it really feel actually timeless. The city is thought for its spiritual heritage, conventional Breton festivals, and as a filming location.
Don’t miss the Church of Saint Ronan or the native artisan workshops.
11. Cordes-sur-Ciel, Occitanie
Cordes-sur-Ciel, or “Cordes within the Sky,” is aptly named for its hilltop location, typically shrouded in morning mist. This bastide city is thought for its well-preserved Gothic structure and thriving arts scene.
Guests ought to come to discover the medieval homes, go to artisan workshops, and revel in panoramic views of the countryside. The city hosts a well-known medieval competition every July.
12. Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy
Mont Saint-Michel is without doubt one of the most iconic landmarks in France, a medieval marvel that rises dramatically from the ocean.
This UNESCO World Heritage website is a small rocky island topped by a shocking abbey and surrounded by a picturesque village.
Guests are drawn by its distinctive structure, wealthy historical past, and the fascinating phenomenon of maximum tides that isolate and join it to the mainland.
Discover the winding streets, go to the magnificent abbey, and be taught concerning the website’s significance as a pilgrimage heart.
13. Minerve, Occitanie
Minerve is a small village with a dramatic historical past, perched on a rocky peninsula between two deep gorges. Guests come for its Cathar historical past, beautiful pure setting, and glorious native wines.
Discover the village’s slender streets, go to the Twelfth-century church, and be taught concerning the Cathar siege on the small museum.
14. Monpazier, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Monpazier is without doubt one of the best-preserved bastide cities in France, recognized for its excellent grid format and exquisite central sq..
Guests will admire the well-preserved medieval and Seventeenth-century structure, the lined market corridor, and the peaceable ambiance.
15. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is nestled between two rocky cliffs, with a star suspended on a series between them.
The city is known for its advantageous porcelain and proximity to the Verdon Gorge – one of many best places in the French Riviera area.
Guests ought to discover the slender streets, go to the Notre Dame de Beauvoir chapel perched above the city, and store for native ceramics.
16. Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Occitanie
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is a serene medieval village tucked right into a dramatic gorge on the pilgrim path to Santiago de Compostela.
Its UNESCO-listed Gellone Abbey, with its exceptional Romanesque structure, rises above a maze of slender streets and stone homes.
Don’t miss the abbey’s lovely cloister, the Place de la Liberté with its historical elm tree, or the satan’s bridge spanning the gorge.
17. Conques, Occitanie
Conques is a jewel of Romanesque artwork nestled in a wooded gorge in Occitanie.
Its magnificent Abbey Church of Saint Foy, with its intricate tympanum and golden reliquary, has drawn pilgrims for hundreds of years alongside the Santiago de Compostela route.
Don’t miss the treasury’s medieval goldsmith assortment, the carved capitals within the cloister, or the sundown view from the Bancarel viewpoint.
18. Najac, Occitanie
Najac is a shocking medieval fortress city perched dramatically alongside a single ridge excessive above the Aveyron River.
Its majestic Thirteenth-century royal fortress stands on the highest level, whereas the village’s stone and half-timbered homes stretch alongside the ridge in a novel linear format.
Don’t miss the Gothic church of Saint-Jean with its uncommon fortified options, the panoramic views from the fortress hold, or the traditional lined market corridor the place native farmers promote their produce.
19. Vézelay, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Vézelay is a hilltop village in Burgundy topped by its magnificent Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene.
This UNESCO World Heritage website rises majestically above the Remedy Valley, its golden stone glowing within the sundown whereas its medieval streets are lined with historic homes and ramparts.
Don’t miss the spectacular views over the Burgundian countryside, or the home the place Jules Roy lived, now a literature museum.
20. Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a remarkably preserved medieval city perched on a hilltop close to Good, remodeled into an inventive haven within the twentieth century.
Its large medieval ramparts encircle slender cobblestone streets lined with elegant stone homes, whereas up to date artwork galleries and boutiques occupy historical buildings.
Remaining Ideas on The Greatest French Medieval Cities
Exploring France’s medieval cities is like stepping right into a residing historical past e-book.
Every village gives a novel glimpse into the nation’s wealthy previous, well-preserved structure, and timeless appeal.
From the long-lasting Mont Saint-Michel to the lesser-known gems like Perouges, these cities present unforgettable experiences for historical past lovers, tradition lovers, and informal vacationers alike.
Able to plan your trip in France? Use our complete France Travel Guide to make sure you don’t miss any of the unbelievable locations.
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