Paris Correspondent Vincent De Monicault On Pros And Cons Of Visit To Lebanon

Travel Writers Radio

PALAT Member Vincent de Monicault is our Paris correspondent but he has been on the road himself, making his third visit over many years to Lebanon. He reports on the pros and cons of visiting this country whicvh retains a quite diverse culture. Main places to visit: the old center of Beyrouth, between the Etoile Square, the new «souks» and Hamra Street; the Museum of Beyrouth and the Sursock Museum; Baalbeck temple and wineyards (Ksara, Kefraya et Château ) in the Bekaa Valley; Byblos old phenician harbor in the north of Beyrout; Tyr and Saïda in the south of Lebanon, with antique sites and old castles; the Kadisha Valley in the north with old monasteries; Beiteddine, the druze palace of Béchir II, in the druze mountain called the Chouf. Recommended hotels: the boutique-hotels (contempory style) The Gray in front of the Martyrs Square, Smallville near the Museum of Beyrouth, Albergo in the Achrafieh district; Phoenicia, the most famous and elegant hotel of the city, located in front of the marina of Beyrouth; Moevenpick, a real resort in the centre of Beyrouth. RestaurantS: Le Chef, a small and authentic lebanese restaurant in rue Gouraud, in the most lively area of Beyrouth by night (especially with the bars and restaurants of Mar Michaël street); Mayrig (armenian food) and Loris (lebanese food) in Pasteur steet; Onno (armenian food) close from the Museum of Beyrouth; outside the coty - restaurant Babel, close to from Byblos, for the great view on the coast.