Anna Richards
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annahrichards.bsky.social
Anna Richards
@annahrichards.bsky.social
1.4K followers 860 following 100 posts
Travel writer based in Lyon, France. Author of Paddling France for Bradt Guides, Travel Media Awards' Guide of the Year 2024. By-lines for the BBC, National Geographic, The Telegraph & many more.
annahrichards(at)gmail(dot)com
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annahrichards.bsky.social
Toulouse was voted Lonely Planet's top destination to visit in 2025, and when better than autumn, for its Indian summer? Here's my latest piece for the i paper.
inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
The affordable French foodie city break to escape autumn's chill
I've eaten my way around France – Toulouse's covered markets and chocolate pastries live up to the hype
inews.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Reposted by Anna Richards
shebsthewanderer.bsky.social
Super chuffed to be up for @travwriters.bsky.social “Celebrating Diverse Storytelling” award. Thanks to the judges shortlisting me. Looking forward to celebrating with my fellow nominees @annahrichards.bsky.social & @shafikmeghji.bsky.social #travelawards
October 15, 2025 at 2:16 PM
annahrichards.bsky.social
The Nîmes Urban Trail was designed to break down social barriers & combat the epidemic of loneliness, & it's the first time a run has made me cry (not through pain!). For @theguardian.com

www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
‘We burst into the arena feeling like warriors’: urban trail racing in Nîmes
Running tourism is booming and nowhere more so than in France where a 24km race around Nîmes doubles as a surreal, whistlestop sightseeing tour
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:45 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
Writing for Craftsmanship Magazine is always a delight, particularly when it's a subject on home soil. For this piece, I interviewed one of the last families in Lyon still weaving silk using Jacquard looms. Photographed by the very talented Michelle Tucci.
craftsmanship.substack.com/p/the-last-j...
The Last Jacquard Silk Weavers
In Lyon, the silk-weaving capital of Europe for centuries, the rhythmic clatter of Jacquard Looms once emanated from about 30,000 workshops. Today, only three workshops still uphold this tradition.
craftsmanship.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:24 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
I'm working on a new book! The Mini Rough Guide to Lyon is due out in 2026. PRs, if you represent anywhere in Lyon please get in touch. #journorequest @dotstar.media @journoresources.org.uk @travmedia.bsky.social @editorielle.bsky.social
October 8, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Reposted by Anna Richards
shafikmeghji.bsky.social
Also delighted to be up for the @travwriters.bsky.social Celebrating Diversity Through Storytelling award for my @runnymedetrust.bsky.social feature on London’s South Asian history.

Congratulations to my fellow finalists, the brilliant @annahrichards.bsky.social and @shebsthewanderer.bsky.social 🎉
A graphic with the shortlist for the Celebrating Diversity Through Storytelling award.
October 4, 2025 at 3:52 PM
annahrichards.bsky.social
That's a wrap on 6 months of Lonely Planet projects! I worked on 3 titles this year, writing the Lyon & Auvergne chapter for the France guide, editing & updating a Provence guide, & curating France content for the Europe guide. If you're looking for a writer/editor/curator get in touch.
September 3, 2025 at 8:26 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
I spent the last few months regretting being a 'yes girl' after signing up for France's toughest trail run, L'Échappée Belle. The shortest distance, 20km, had 2000m +/-, & some seriously technical terrain. Surprise, I LOVED it, & the story is coming soon for Outside.
August 25, 2025 at 8:04 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
My slow guide to Corsica was published in the June/July edition of Wanderlust Magazine, & now it's online. Editors, I'm heading back to Corsica in exactly 3 weeks, exploring lesser-known places in the east & centre, & I'm open for commissions!
www.wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/...
Exploring Corsica on a slow eco-escape - Wanderlust
With the island’s popularity soaring during the summer months, Anna Richards looks at how visitors can lessen their impact while still savouring Corsica’s culture, trails and history
www.wanderlustmagazine.com
August 18, 2025 at 8:06 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
In my latest piece for @telegraphnews.bsky.social, I explored the great things you can do to while away the time around Gare du Nord if you're hit with Eurostar delays on the way home.

www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
Eurostar delayed? Here’s how to spend your wait around the Gare du Nord
Make the most of your extra time in the French capital, without straying too far from the station
www.telegraph.co.uk
August 12, 2025 at 2:09 PM
annahrichards.bsky.social
Temperatures are soaring again in Lyon, so perhaps it's time for Mimolette and me to head back to the mountains. Here's the story of our last trip, beating the heatwave in Les Gets, for @theipaper.com

inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...
How I beat France’s 40°C heatwaves
This Alpine town is cool and crowd-free in summer, and luxury comes at a fraction of winter prices
inews.co.uk
August 7, 2025 at 7:31 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
Hot out of the oven, here's my 2025 guide to Lyon's best restaurants. The top five in particular are an absolute tummy party. All tried and tested in mystery client mode for The Infatuation. www.theinfatuation.com/lyon/guides/...
The 24 Best Restaurants In Lyon - Lyon - The Infatuation
Bouchons, boulangeries, and bright and beautiful fine-dining—these are the 24 standout spots in France’s queen of cuisine.
www.theinfatuation.com
June 24, 2025 at 9:53 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
I came home to find three beautiful guidebooks waiting for me! I wrote the full Brittany & Normandy Rough Guides update, and for Top 10 Corsica and Corsica for DK I was part of a team of two and three writers respectively.
June 23, 2025 at 9:52 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
Looking for a food historian/food critic who can comment on why French sandwiches are so bad.
For The Telegraph, EOD today please. #journorequest
June 12, 2025 at 9:37 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
If you only read one of these pieces, make it this one. Here's how to plan the perfect Corsican trip. For @telegraphnews.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
The perfect holiday in Corsica, the Mediterranean’s natural playground
Our expert guide to exploring France’s ‘Island of Beauty’, its dramatic mountainous spine, plunging canyons and turquoise coves
www.telegraph.co.uk
June 11, 2025 at 8:43 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
Kayaking, canyoning and Corsican history, here are the best things to do. For @telegraphnews.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
The 10 best things to do in Corsica
There’s so much more to this island than beaches – be it epic hiking, niche museums or off-the-scale natural wonders
www.telegraph.co.uk
June 11, 2025 at 8:42 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
Next, the best restaurants. For @telegraphnews.bsky.social
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
The 10 best restaurants in Corsica
From stacks of charcuterie and pungent cheese to fresh octopus, here’s where to eat on this island paradise
www.telegraph.co.uk
June 11, 2025 at 8:42 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
Bienvenue to an onslaught of Corsica content for @telegraphnews.bsky.social. First up, the best beaches.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
The 10 best beaches in Corsica
Azure lagoons, beach mosaics, hidden coves frequented by cows – there’s plenty of to discover on the island’s rugged coastline
www.telegraph.co.uk
June 11, 2025 at 8:41 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
For @weather2travel.bsky.social I wrote about my favourite subject: LONG WALKS. Here are seven fantastic hiking trails in France, ranging from a few hours to multi-day trips. I could have included so many more.
www.weather2travel.com/blog/best-hi...
7 of the best hiking routes in France
Discover some of the very best hiking routes in France, from long trails to short loops along coastal paths & high in the mountains for a range of abilities
www.weather2travel.com
June 4, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Reposted by Anna Richards
craftsmanshipmag.bsky.social
In a former silk weaver’s workshop in Lyon, a carpenter and trained musician is breathing new life into an instrument that was on the brink of extinction in France.

We hope you’ll enjoy reading: “A Man on an Unusual Mission: Bringing the Alphorn Back to France”: bit.ly/4kGcVDX
A Man on an Unusual Mission: Bringing the Alphorn Back to France
In a former silk weaver’s workshop in Lyon, a carpenter and trained musician is breathing new life into an instrument that was on the brink of extinction in France.
bit.ly
May 30, 2025 at 5:37 PM
annahrichards.bsky.social
What a joy to work on this piece on Lyon's last alphorn maker for @craftsmanshipmag.bsky.social, with the very talented Michelle Tucci behind the lens. For paid subscribers. open.substack.com/pub/craftsma...
A Man on an Unusual Mission: Bringing the Alphorn Back to France
In a former silk weaver’s workshop in Lyon, a carpenter and trained musician is breathing new life into an instrument that was on the brink of extinction in France.
open.substack.com
June 2, 2025 at 9:10 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
Every Cornish fibre of my body loves writing a beach piece, so I was delighted to contribute the France section in @telegraphnews.bsky.social's best beaches in Europe.
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
Europe’s 40 greatest beaches
Unspoilt sands, turquoise waters and coves surrounded by pine trees – these are the most glorious European beaches to visit this summer
www.telegraph.co.uk
May 27, 2025 at 8:58 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
It's not every day you mention Marine Le Pen's nether regions in an article. My latest piece for @telegraphnews.bsky.social on whether Parisians have become *shock* friendly is that day.

www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
Has Paris finally become friendly? I posed as a clueless tourist to find out
The French capital’s residents have long had a reputation for coldness, but they may finally be warming up
www.telegraph.co.uk
May 23, 2025 at 4:48 PM
annahrichards.bsky.social
More Parisian hotels for @the-independent.com! This time, I've put together a list of the best hotels in Paris for families.

www.independent.co.uk/travel/europ...
10 best family-friendy hotels in Paris that little ones (and adults) will love
Paris’s magic and appeal for families extends far beyond Disneyland – particularly at these hotels
www.independent.co.uk
May 15, 2025 at 10:08 AM
annahrichards.bsky.social
For @weather2travel.bsky.social I wrote about France's secret lavender fields, & my puppy made his first editorial appearance in the photos.
www.weather2travel.com/blog/where-l...
Where to see lavender bloom in France without the crowds
Alternative places to see France's lavender fields in bloom: skip Luberon & Aix-en-Provence & head to these little-known lavender fields in instead
www.weather2travel.com
May 8, 2025 at 9:47 AM