Country Article / Postcards

Deep in Kiwi Country

Date: 04/26/2007

International Living Postcards-- your daily escape

Friday, Feb. 3, 2006
Nelson, New Zealand

Dear International Living Reader,

Smack bang in the middle of Nelson, in New Zealand’s scenic South Island, is a little slice of Paris. As soon as you enter, Marie (a French expat) greets you with a hearty " Bonsoir," warm enough to take the edge off the crisp New Zealand winter nights.

You’ll find Café de Paris (run by Marie and her Kiwi husband, Garry) just outside town, ringed by vineyards and distant mountains, and overlooking the water.

Inside is a kind of crazy pave of polished floorboards, eclectic mirrors set at errant angles, and beautiful black and white photographs of Paris.

The food is pure Provençal (and delicious): snails with fennel and lemon, artichoke hearts with warm foie gras, caramelized tarte tatin.

Nelson has several good restaurants, but we enjoyed Café de Paris so much, we returned the following night. It was Marie’s birthday, and Garry, Marie, and Marie’s brother, Stephan, were serenading diners with a few French classics.

What is a Frenchwoman doing deep in Kiwi country? Marie waves a hand, and explains in her appealing accent, "la nature--it is so beautiful ‘ere."

I know what she means--Nelson is spectacular in every season. Wedged between snow-capped mountains and the straits which separate North Island and South Island, Nelson is a photographer’s paradise. The town itself is relaxed and attractive, full of 19th-century wooden houses painted in pale yellows and blues.

Julie Ihle
For International Living

Editor's note: As you can see, the photo Julie took when she was exploring South Island really brings this Postcard to life. If this is something that interests you, don't forget that the offer we told you about Tuesday, to try the American Writers & Artists Inc.'stravel photography course for a dollar, expires tomorrow (same deal for their travel writing course).