The side of France most tourists don’t see

PARIS — Women in flowered robes and matching head coverings stroll past stalls stocked with Algerian spices, Moroccan olives and Tunisian pastries.

The glass cases at Au Royaume De L’ Oriental display coloured sweets made with nuts and honey. A woman fills crepes with a spicy vegetable combo while we settle in over glasses of mint tea.

Thirty minutes from central Paris on Metro Line 13, France meets Africa in the northeastern suburb of Saint-Denis.

Tourists are few, not unusual given that many Parisians associate this area with riots and car burnings that made headlines in 2005.

Most of the rioting, in fact, happened elsewhere in Seine-Saint-Denis, a larger area that includes several towns, or communes as they’re called, including Saint-Denis. By day at least, Saint-Denis itself has the feel of a French village, albeit one with a population of immigrants struggling with poverty and high unemployment.

France roundup-Bordeaux target title at fortress home

PARIS, May 22 (Reuters) - Brief news from Ligue 1 before this weekend's matches:

* Playing at home against AS Monaco should help Girondins Bordeaux clinch their first title since 1999 on Saturday as they are unbeaten in the 32 games they have played at their Chaban-Delmas stadium since Oct. 7 2007.

This season they have recorded 13 wins and five draws and won 44 points from their 18 home games, while second-placed Olympique Marseille have taken 32 and Olympique Lyon 35.

The Aquitaine side will be crowned champions if they win and Marseille lose or draw at Nancy. If Bordeaux get a draw, a Marseille defeat would hand them the title.

Travel Guide -- Paris, France

Direct travel from London to the south of France

Eurostar will be introducing a direct service between London and the south of France for the first time this summer.

Starting on 11 July 2009 and running until 12 September 2009, passengers will be able to travel direct from London St Pancras International to Avignon Centre.