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A writer who has visited France for a staggering five decades has revealed one thing that would make things "just about perfect" if it were scrapped. In a recent first-person piece, Anthony Peregrine, a journalist who has spent the last 50 years exploring the country, reflected upon the ways our nearest continental neighbour has changed over the years.

In his assessment, Anthony reminisced about his early trips into France, a period when he existed in a "haze of cheap wine, easy friendships and simmering dishes", but things have apparently "moved on" since then. Indeed, among the areas he highlighted were drains, trains, hotels, motoring and cafés. But once he touched on the subject of French restaurants, he identified what seems to be a modern pet peeve of his. In his article for The Telegraph, Anthony wrote: "Traditional French restaurants, whether Parisian brasseries, family-run operations or village bistros, are still around. Fast food, chain restaurants, sushi bars and the rest are complementary, not replacements."

Anthony said the choice on offer is now "greater than ever", with waiters being "mainly professional" and world-class wine and cheese. He also noted the scallops and how they would be "his chosen meal the night before my execution."

He added: "If only someone would get rid of QR codes masquerading as menus, things would be just about perfect."

It comes on the back of a separate report in which writer Sydney Evans opened up about an uncrowded beach they had discovered on the French Riviera that is just a 15-minute train journey from Nice.

In another first-person piece, this time for the Express, Sydney hailed the resort town of Villefranche-sur-Mer, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, a locale that has a beach "even more serene" than the one in the Riviera's capital.

Sydney wrote: "Stretching on for 10km, finding a spot to sunbathe was never a problem. But the beach at Villefranche-sur-Mer was even more serene, and it's no surprise it's known as one of the region's most beautiful towns.

"Protected by plunging cliffs, complete with pastel-coloured houses overlooking the turquoise sea, walking out of the train station and taking in the beach felt like the very definition of a picture-perfect moment."

Sydney went on to describe the location's "laid-back feel" and "incredibly calm" waters. Looking to the promenade, Sydney noted the area's "pretty" cafés and restaurants.

Meanwhile, with the recent implementation of the EU entry-exit system in October, reports emerged that the French government was set to make UK tourists adhere to certain rules.

In September, The Independent reported that Eurostar passengers at London St Pancras International would be asked if they had somewhere to stay, enough money, medical insurance, and a ticket home.

The report added that passengers without these might be refused entry. It noted that this still applies to those travelling non-stop to Belgium via France.