Co-founder of Pure France. 20 years of visiting and photographing fabulous properties, meeting fascinating people and driving every main and back road in France.
On the east side of the Cap d'Antibes peninsula lies a small cove with a lovely beach and two waterside restaurants with panoramic views over the bay towards Nice and Italy. It's a great spot for breakfast, sunbathing and swimming and a great lunch !
In 1925, F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda headed south to the French Riviera and took up residence in Villa Saint Louis on the Cap d'Antibes. His stay influenced his famous novel 'The Great Gatsby' with its extravagent and decadent characters. The lifestyle contunues on the Cap d'Antibes...
Villefranche-sur-Mer is undoubtedly the prettiest and most charming of the smaller towns on the Cote dAzur. Falling from the hills to the seafront and its beautiful bay, Villefranche sits comfortably between Monaco and the Italian border.
Like Cannes in the late 19th century and early 20th century, Villefranche was a poular winter destination for royalty and wealthy visitors. And then, in April 1971, the wealthy rock and roll royalty arrived - The Rolling Stones.
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...
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.
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.
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.
This lovely property is brand new to our portfolio today. Situated close to Brantome, just outsidethe charming riverside town of Bourdeilles, take advantage of a empty summer calendar. Choose your dates for this fabulous Dordogne holiday home, but be quick, weeks will be quickly booked !
Everyone loves a good art history mystery. From the back streets of Nice to the international art auction houses of Paris, here’s a story concerning a small painting, puchased for almost nothing that sold for a huge amount. But was it real ? And who stole it ?
France first hosted The World Cup in 1938. The prestigious tournament returned to France in 1998 and the host nation triumphed in the final, winning 3-0 against Brazil.
The games in the tournament were played at selected stadiums in 9 major cities.
Can you name them ? Here they are, together with the unique posters made for each city. And don't forget 'Footix', the World Cup mascot...
Cannes is known for its beaches, glitzy shopping and of the course the annual film festival. But behind all the glamour lies the tiny town of Le Suquet, where it all started.
Le Suquet, situated on the hilltop overlooking Cannes and the bay, is a warren of tiny streets and alleyways with the lovely, colourful old fishermen's houses.
Notre Dame cathedral, Mont Saint Michel, the Taj Mahal in India - all world famous UNESCO Heritage sites. Now, France has nominated La Baguette for inclusion on the UN Intangible Cultural Heritage Register.
The status aims to protect traditions, knowledge and skills so they are not lost oner time.
The city of Cannes offers tourists, bistros, seafood restaurants and up-market establishments. There are hundreds of restaurants in Cannes. Where to start? It's a good idea to head to an area where there are lots to choose from so you can make your own mind up.
Villa holidays are not just about villas... There was a time when a villa holiday in France meant exactly that; self-catering accommodation in a modern villa. Now, the term 'Villa Holiday' encompasses a vast and diverse range of styles of fabulous holiday properties throughout all regions of France...
Driving around the French countryside, you'll often see these charming quirks of architecture; pigeonnier towers. Different shapes, different sizes, different designs - each one unique. What are they ? Where did they originate from ? And two beautifully restored pigeonnier towers that you can stay in.
"Everything we see or seem is just a dream within a dream." Taken from a poem by Edgar Allan Poe, Jacques Monory, a pioneer painter of Narrative Figuration, reveals a painful moment in his private life through this painting. The blue filter is present.
Paul Éluard, Picasso, Poésie, Poésy et Paris.
A story of the most gifted French surrealist poets, his continued infatuation with his Russian girlfriend and wife, Gala. Their association with Pablo Picasso and Salavador Dali, and an emotional recital of of a love letter by Clémence Poésy from the Isle de France in Paris.
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.
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.
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.
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.