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.
Our guide to Charente's capital. Perched on a rocky spur overlooking the river Charente and urban sprawl, here are the highlights of Angoulême. The Charente’s capital is Angoulême which is perched on a rocky spur overlooking its wide domain of the River Charente and urban sprawl.
Take a trip to the lovely Charente countryside. Inside information on what to see in rural Charente in South-West France. From the river to pretty villages and historical Roman sites. People who adore the Charente, love its honey coloured stone, its terracotta roof tiles, its warm micro-climate but also it's laid back sleepy vibe, reminiscent of the languid river that gives its name.
Take an afternoon stroll across Narbonne's saltwater lagoons. A change from the beach, this offers a completely different landscape and is great for wildlife lovers and those wanting to get away from the crowds of the beaches. Just 7km outside the city of Narbonne in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, the village of Bages offers an interesting alternative to a visit to the local beach.
Get up-close to 3,800 animals, set over 300 hectares at Sigean Zoo (Réserve Africaine de Sigean) in Languedoc-Roussillon, Occitaine. Located in the south of France, between Narbonne and Perpignan, on the Mediterranean coast and along salt-lakes lining the Languedoc coast, the Zoo hosts was created by Paul de La Panouse and Daniel de Monfreid and opened to the public on the 8th April 1974.
Come and be part of the 89th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans which takes place between the 21st and 22nd August 2021, at the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France. The 24 Hours of Le Mans race is one of the oldest in the world, with the first annual race beginning in 1923. Its famously titled as the 'Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency'.
The Gorges du Verdon is a famous canyon with translucent waters in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region of France. The Verdon river has dug itself into the limestone mass and in places to a depth of more than 700 meters. Rent a canoe, drift on the Verdon and discover its past.
Visit the Ardèche Gorges this summer and descend into the caves of Saint-Marcel located near Bidon. Walk the 600m circuit, at a temperature of 14°C, admiring the illuminated galleries, its fauna, its flora and its water basins. The location of the caves of Saint-Marcel was discovered in 1836 by a hunter whose ferret fell into one of the cavities of the cave.
Visit Monaco this summer between 20th May - 23rd May 2021 and experience the adrenaline, the sights and the sounds of the 79th Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco. The Monaco Grand Prix is an exceptional location of glamour and prestige with its circuit of 3.337 km and a total distance raced of 260.286 km over 78 laps.
Following in the footsteps of hermits who had converted the Fontaine du Roche to Christianity, monks occupied the Brantôme Abbey caves in the cliff, setting them up for use as store rooms or refuges when the abbey's buildings were destroyed. Visit the heating room, washhouse, dovecot, the mysterious Cave of the Last Judgement and its low reliefs, as well as the Miraculous Fountain of the Rock known by many for its miraculous properties.
The Albera Massif is a mountain range that forms the eastern part of the Pyrenees between France and Spain. Its highest peak is the Puig Neulós, with an elevation of 1,256 metres. Discover here some of the best and most beautiful walks during your stay in this part of southern France.
Enjoy a sunny afternoon, drifting down the Dordogne River in a canoe this summer. Discover the tranquility and watch the historical beauty of the Dordogne countryside pass you by from the comfort of your canoe or kayak. Choose from various points of departure along the Dordogne River. Park your vehicle and then depart from the river shore, upon either a canoe, a kayak or a stand-up paddle. At the end of your day travelling down the river, get a bus back to your vehicle.
Don't know yet where to go on vacation this summer? Want to escape, have freedom and discover? It all takes place in the Aude. In this article, you will find the essential places to visit in the Aude as well as a selection of our holiday properties to stay in.
The UNESCO listed Canal du Midi runs through Carcassonne. Don't miss this historic site if you are on holiday in the area. Take a boat trip, a bike ride or walk along its historic banks. A popular attraction for holidaymakers in the Languedoc-Roussillon, Occitanie region of France and another UNESCO world heritage site, the historical Canal du Midi was built to link the Atlantic to the Mediterranean as a trade route in the 17th century.
Here's what to see in the 'Ville Basse' of Carcassonne. The new town of Carcassonne offers, shops, bars, restaurants and markets and the lower town (Ville Basse) or 'new town' is where you head, to return to the modern world, although there are still buildings dating back to medieval times.
Step back in time in the old city of Carcassonne. Visit La Cité, the world famous walled medieval city, a UNESCO world heritage site. 'La Cité' is truly a sight to behold, with fairy-tale turrets and winding streets to explore. As well as the many restaurants and shops on offer, you can walk around the perimeter of the walls, take a horse and cart ride (great for kids!), soak up the history and enjoy the far-reaching views.
Visit Carcassonne in the South of France this summer and discover the Australian world of Kangaroos and wallabies in Le Parc Australian. Leave France for an afternoon and experience Aborigine culture, throw a boomerang or play a tune on a didgeridoo! Learn all about the many native birds and animals that live in Australia.
Step back in time at the Arènes de Nîmes and you will be transported back to Roman times when you step into its preserved amphitheatre, built around AD 70. Nîmes amphitheatre is a wonderful place to visit and recommended is the audio tour to get the most out of the visit and to learn more about the arena's gory and fascinating past.
Come and explore the world famous Toulouse-Lautrec museum in Albi this summer. Discover the art of the famous painter, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Take a visual trip back in time to 19th century Paris, Montmartre and the world of French theatre. Walk through the exhibitions held in the Palatiale room with its terracotta floor tiles, The De la Croix room and the Amboise gallery with its eye-catching excavated 15th century ceiling in the shape of a upside-down boat hull.
Visit the tallest road bridge in the world, with the bridge's road towering 890 feet over the Tarn river, this is a true feat of engineering and an impressive sight. The Millau viaduct, or Millau bridge, spans 2.46 kilometres across the Tarn river and valley. Constructed between 2001 and 2004 with one of its masts 343 metres (1,125 feet) high, makes it 19 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower. It is a major tourist attraction in the Northern Occitanie (formerly Languedoc-Roussillon) region.
Discover Château d'Ussé, a fairytale castle in the Loire Valley with its gardens, stables and Sainte-Anne D’Ussé’s chapel. Château d'Ussé has been a home for more than two centuries for the Vauban's, Perrault's, Chateaubriand's and the current owner, the 7th Duc of Blacas.
Discover the Fort de Salses its rich history, living quarters, battlements and keep, set between Etangs de Salses and the Corbières. A red-brick fortress of masterpiece of military architecture, constructed to guard the French / Spanish border, open for guided or unaccompanied tours.
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.
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.
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