La Grande Roue (The Big Wheel) of Paris was unveiled at the Exposition Universelle in 1900. It was the tallest wheel in the world at its opening. The passenger pods were so large that they were removed from the wheel and used as homes for French families during The First World War. Since 1900, the Grand Roue has become a spectacular site at Fetes Foraines throughout the summer in France.
Yes, the tower. But Gustave Eiffel also designed many other structures, not only in France, but around the world. He contributed to the construction of the Statue of Liberty in New York and designed several bridges for the French Railways. Discover more about Gustave Eiffel...
Take just 12 minutes from your day of confinement to watch this short film and bring a smile to your face. Set in Paris, with Pauline Chalamet et Délia Espinat Dief, directed by Tristan Tilloloy. Come and discover the short and charming story of Agnès and Milane...
Monaco's royal family - the famous Grimaldi clan used to have a little-known coastal area in the South of France named after them. Up until the end of the 19th century, the Gulf of Grimaldi lay between a small fishing town and a hilltop village with an 11th century church.
The Formula One Grand Prix circus arrives in Monaco this week for the three day festival May 21st to the 23rd. Visiting Monte Carlo the day before the weekend starts is a spectacle in itself. Walk on some of the race-track, stand on pole position and take in the scenery.
Current owners rebuild the ruins of this lovely 'ferme fortifie' in the original style using old materials. Antique fireplaces, floor tiles and wooden beams, combined with modern technology in kitchen, linen room and bathrooms. The oldest part the builders found is a wall in the wine cellar from the 13th century.
Here's a spectacular home with even more spectacular views. A 270 degree panorama with views across the bay of Cannes and beyond Nice into Italy. The villa will be available to rent in July and August and will bookings will be on a first-come, first served basis. Discover more about this unique villa...
It shouldn't be possible to see Corsica from Nice. But sometimes the beautiful island in the Mediterranean appears to loom spookily on the horizon from the Cote d'Azur. Or is just a mirage ? Find out more and discover some lovely summer rental properties in Corsica.
The holidays are fast approaching, and we are receiving more and more requests for rentals in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Do you own an exceptional property in this area ? A contemporary villa, a chateau, a farmhouse, a country house ? Earn some earn extra income by making your property available for holiday rentals. Pure France is here to guide you smoothly through the whole process...
It is quite a while since I last had a foreign holiday, five years to be exact. Not that it has been a case of not wanting to, more an adopted state of inertia focused by a need to live within my means. Since giving up work, I have been living a modest, but pretty busy, life here in Norwich, volunteering at the local Arts Centre and writing music and theatre reviews for our local listing magazine.
Here's a stunningly beautiful artists' home, new to the rental market today with full summer availability in July and August. Come and discover the secrets that lie behind the plain green gate on one of the small medieval streets in the fabulous town of Pezenas.
Secluded on a hilltop giving unparalleled views over the beautiful medieval village of Najac, with its own heated pool in a secret garden, the attractions of the 19th century Château du Pic are obvious. Built in 1886 by the Najac born Rouquet brothers returning to the village having made their fortune in Paris, Château du Pic boasts the elegant proportions of the era combined with all the comforts of modern living. This truly elegant but comfortable home has been renovated to an extremely high standard whilst retaining its period features and is beautifully furnished; combining the luxury of the new with the stylishness of the past.
We could see it clearly; it would be a stone cottage in an idyllic rural setting. With the benefit of the experience of renting vacation houses over many years in different parts of France, we found we were gradually tweaking our requirements for the French house.
This rural house dating back to the 17th century is entirely part of the Frais Vallon property. The farmer working on the domaine and his family used to live in the house until recent times. The last renovations in the house were undertaken to install modern day comforts while preserving authentic features of the building: its large stone fireplace, its oak beams as well as its cobblestone flooring (with river pebbles). These features are typical of rural buildings in Périgord but this quality and these dimensions are rare for a house of that size. The cobblestone floor, usually used to cover one-level buildings floors (the church of Lamonzie-Montastruc), it is very unusual for first floors except for some castles (château de Montastruc) because of its weight.
'It is so peaceful and what fabulous views!' is normally one of the first statements made by visitors to Le Mas Gaugeac. Standing proud of the surrounding countryside, this ancient 'domaine' is surrounded by 40 hectares of fields and woodland. Once connected to the fabulous Château de Biron the carefully renovated manor has an interesting history.
Well in the Corrèze department of France, the letters 'ac' signify that the property had habitation in Roman times. So there was probably a mill there many centuries ago. There was certainly one there in the 14th century, when the bishop of Toulouse acquired it. At that time the mill pond extended to some 14ha!
Our family home is available to rent all year round, it has the most stunning sea views from both behind and in front of the house and many people say it's one of the best on the Côte d’Azur. The saline infinity pool is very special, it looks onto the bay of Cannes, the islands and all the way up the Cap d'Antibes.
After several years holidaying in France we looked for a home in several regions, finally settling on the Côte d’Azur where we saw over 40 houses. None of which met our demanding requirements until, in 1999, flying back to London after another fruitless trip, Sarah, my wife, flicked through an inflight magazine and said, 'That's it'.
The Cherry farmhouse started life as a barn and animal sheds in the early 18th century, together with a small Fermette (cottage) and prune drier. When bought by its present owner in 1992, the Fermette was half tumbled down, but the barn and sheds were restorable.
"We are all born with a form of bud in oneself, which hatches or not". Hugo Marchand, principal dancer at the Paris Opera, released at the age of 27, an autobiographical book Danser, written in collaboration with Caroline de Bodinat. Find his journey, his experiences and feelings.
The principal reason for buying La Fontaine was the view of the Pyrenees from our south-facing terrace and after some 15 years of ownership we never tire of it. A bonus is that on the other side of the village there is another splendid view - of the Black Mountains.
After we had owned La Fontaine in Cailhavel for a few years, we discovered that a significant French Neo-Impressionist* artist once lived nearby. In a house called l'Alouette which is five minutes down the road D221 out of Cailhavel towards the main road D623 to Limoux. The house is still family owned.
Set on the hill above Callian, the house benefits from a particularly quiet and private location ideal for families looking for summer vacations away from, but within easy reach of, the hustle and bustle of the coast itself. Callian is a medieval village in the South of France and one of the string of nine perched villages found in the Var around Fayence, and is situated just 25 minutes from Cannes and 45 minutes from Nice International Airport.
The Abbey of Fontenay is located in the north of Burgundy, founded in 1118 by Saint Bernard de Clairvaux, one of the greatest French saints, it is today the oldest preserved Cistercian abbey in the world. It is listed among the 45 UNESCO World Heritage sites in France.
Let me take you to a south facing hillside where generations have sat enjoying the spectacle of a medieval village with an incredibly beautiful castle. Illuminated at night, perched on its resplendent peak with the tiny circles of medieval houses nestling below resembling a huge ochre petticoat tumbling down to the valley.
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