Treat yourself to Provence seen from the sky in a hot air balloon. More than a trip, feel the soul of an adventurer during the time of Jules Vernes. The base is near the pretty village of Forcalquier, in the Alpes-de-Hautes-Provence department. Allow 3 hours which includes the preparations, take-off, flight, landing and toast of the balloonists.
From the scent of its shrubland, from afar, with my eyes closed, I would recognise Corsica - Napoleon Bonaparte. Corsica has the most varied and richest coastline in France. Heavenly beaches, mountainous landscapes, typical fishing villages and its heritage make it an exceptional destination.
'French Fried Vacation 2' ('Les Bronzés Font Du Ski') is a 1979 film directed by Patrice Leconte written reuniting the cast of a previous film with eight friends who met on holiday in the Ivory Coast. The film has become a classic in France with a huge cult following. A great film to watch while the ski resorts remain closed !
A chance conversation led to a rare discovery last month of a classic Citroen H van - found abandoned after 15 years in a old barn in a small wine-producing town among the vineyards north of Béziers in Occitanie. Here's the story of an eye-witness account of what happened.
Learn about the wines, gastronomy, culture and history from the comfort of your holiday home. Experience a Tutored Tapas Tasting with Emma Kershaw of La Maison du Rire, the wine and food school in the Corbières, and learn about the wines, gastronomy, culture and history of this fantastically diverse region in the comfort of your holiday home.
It’s one of the most extraordinary pieces of architecture in the world. Situated on a hilltop on the Cote d’Azur with far-reaching views over the Mediterranean, Pierre Cardin’s famous ‘Bubble Palace’ could be yours. It’s up for sale. Find out more about this unique property and how much you will need if you may be interested in buying...
For the most famous chefs in the world and for amateur cooks at home, Le Creuset cookware has become a classic brand of quality. A style icon, Le Creuset is known for its coloufully enamelled cast iron and has become a staple for all kitchens in France and throughout the world.
Manoir de Saux has been around for a long time, Just how long is difficult to know. It stands directly on the area's white limestone bedrock, while a superficial survey of its structure suggests that in its time, it has been at least three dwellings.
As tourism to the south of France gained popularity towards the end of the 19th century, a train service was introduced for the wealthy and famous travellers taking them from Calais to Paris and onwards to the final town on the Cote d'Azur before the Italian border, Menton. Here's the story of Le Train Beu.
Take a trip to Brantôme and visit the Benedictine Abbey complete with troglodyte caves. Brantôme Abbey has history back to the 8th century, it has been rebuilt and restored over the centuries with the latest incarnation being built in the late 19th century.
Beautiful days are fast approaching so why not discover Collioure, a pretty Mediterranean town on the Côte Vermeille in the Pyrénées-Orientales. The first thing to do is to stroll through the heart of the town to discover its pretty colourful streets. A sun-drenched city, full of flowers and colours, where you will find original houses, craft shops and art workshops.
La Maison de la Pâtisserie, Coralie Coms is a high quality and friendly pastry shop located in Cabestany in the Pyrénees-Orientales in the south of France. Coralie works only with local produce. Previously, she worked with Christophe Adam, the famous chef and founder of L'Eclair de Génie.
The story of the short animated TV series which became famous both in France and the UK. Created by Serge Danot, Le Manège Enchanté first appeared on French TV screens in 1965. At the same time, across the channel, it became a children's favourite known as The Magic Roundabout.
It seems a long time ago. 20 years ago, Pure France started its journey into quality holiday rentals. Previously a series of separate regional sites, founders and dedicated francophiles, Dan Jones and Hugh Atkins brought everything together under one roof in 2002 and launched Pure France - now the leading independent rental agency for high-end holiday homes throughout France.
A love story, a travelogue, a collection of stories and snapshots, both visual and verbal, irreverent and brilliant. "Anyone who doesn’t read Cortázar is doomed." - Pablo Neruda In May 1982, Julio Cortázar, literary explorer of the highest order, set out with Carol Dunlop aboard their VW camper van to explore the uncharted territory of the Paris to Marseille autoroute.
Leading Hollywood actor, Johnny Depp is looking once again to sell his small French village. Located just outside Le Plan de la Tour, 25 kms from Saint Tropez, Depp bought the village in the early 2000s and spent millions renovating the buildings. The village includes a main house, six guest homes, a private restaurant, and an art studio. There are also two swimming pools, a square, a skate park, a full gym, and a wine cave. Find out here how much you need to buy it...
The Bathers by Paul Cezanne was painted at the turn of the 20th century. Cezanne was one of the leading impressionist artists. This paintings links man to nature - the bodies are depicted together to blend in with nature and become one. The picture also represents the transition to modern art, heralding Cubism.
A spectacular 5 km walk round the southern-most tip of the extraordinarily beautiful peninsula of Cap d'Antibes. Take a break from the chic boutiques, the busy cafés and the luxury properties and superyachts - discover the wonders of natural beauty on this unspoiled coastal path.
Bergerac and the surrounding region is an ideal holiday destination set in the heart of Périgord countryside. Bergerac is a fabulous town itself to discover with a medieval heart with a beautiful river-front and winding streets with excellent restaurants. Venture out to two examples of the best preserved bastide towns in the region, Monpazier and Monflanquin.
"Anyone can take a picture, the art is to capture a moment and to see what no one else sees." Daniel Killoran is one of the best wedding photographers in the business. Fluent in three languages, he spends his work and leisure time between France, Italy and the UK. With access to some of the most spectacular wedding venues in France, here's an insight into his work.
On every desk in every school, university or workplace. In your coat pocket, somewhere in the car or in a kitchen drawer there is a familiar pen, made by Bic. Its one of France’s most uncelebrated design classics. Manufactured in Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France, the world's favourite pen reached a landmark in 2006 when sales reached 1 billion. Find out here why there is a hole in the cap...and more.
‘Aimless people who are involved in tangled, often amoral relationships.’ These are the international best selling stories of one of France’s most celebrated authors. Discover here the life and works of Françoise Sagan. Are they a true reflection of real French life ?
The prestigious Château de la Ronde is situated in a UNESCO World Heritage region, 5 km from Saumur in the Loire Valley. Current owner, Madame Douillard has carefully curated the history and serenity of the château to offer a fabulous and unique property that is available for holiday rentals.
Come and discover the beautiful and intriguing 'calanques' of the Provençal Mediterranean coastline. The calanques are a series of natural, steep-walled coastal inlets that can be enjoyed by hikers or from their fine sandy beaches or from spectacular boat rides.
Maison Pierre Frey is famous throughout France for its high quality interior-design products such as wallpaper, upholstery, rugs, carpets and high-end furniture. Created in 1935, Maison Pierre Frey continues today running as a family business. Find out more in this article...
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