Provence is a beautiful region, rich in history, gastronomy and wine, It’s also a playground for families. The limestone landscape is ideal for both big and small explorers with walking, cycling, mountain-biking, climbing and canoeing – and even caving experiences to enjoy. Daniel Wrightson of www.invitationto.com holiday villas in Europe shares some of his top […]
Discover the history and background of the historic and beautiful Abbey of Senanque Provence. Famous for its lavender fields and tranquillity, it has become a top visit in Provence… Where is the Abbaye de Senanque Located near Gordes in Provence, the abbey is occupied by a community of Cistercian monks. The Roman Catholic Cistercian Order […]
Provence is one of the most beautiful places on earth. With its long history, a legacy of art and architecture, the most beautiful landscape of lavender, sunflowers and poppies, of vines and seaside towns, perched villages and ancient cities – there’s much here to fall in love with. Travelling in Provence Getting about on public […]
The gastronomy of Nice is part of its heritage. It’s one of only two cities in France to do so. Lyon, often called the gastronomic capital of France, is the other one. Lyon had better look out though because Nice is catching up. And, if you ask a Nicois, they will of course assure you […]
Provence has it all. Beautiful beaches, secret coastal bays, spectacular countryside peppered with lavender fields, fruit and olive orchards, magnificent towns and perched villages. The locals wines are delicious, especially sipped under the stars. Provencal gastronomy is superb. The history and culture of Provence is famous the whole world over. And, it makes for the […]
If you’re looking for a ski experience with lots of different runs, plenty of snow, fabulous view and a lot of fun, Montgenevre might be just perfect. In the French Cottian Alps, Haute-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, it’s not well known and that gives is extra charm. Maybe you’ve skied the ‘Big’Uns’: The Three Valleys, Tignes/Val d’Isère, […]
Provence by bike One of the best things about Provence is that you can choose the way you want to discover it. By on foot, in a classic 2CV, by scooter and by bike… Monts du Vaucluse One of the best routes for a casual bike ride is from Goult to Roussillon passing through Joucas […]
Provence has many villages, valleys, vineyards and orchards. The slow life in the breath-taking countryside is what attracts many to the area, but sometimes you might feel like a little urban action. Aix-en-Provence, or Aix (pronounced X, like the letter) as the locals call it, is the perfect city for a hit of European cosmopolitan […]
Provence is one of the most popular destinations for holiday makers in France, once visited and you’ll always yearn to return. There are more than 800 villages and towns in this area of France and everyone will have their own preference but here are 5 of our favourites in lovely Provence… Avignon With its historic […]
Provence is famous for clear blue skies. Its brilliant sunlight has attracted painters such as Cezanne and Matisse as well as scads of tourists. There are plenty of things to see outdoors in Provence, like the colorful ochre mines of Roussillon and the lavender fields of Sault. But what if you happen to visit when […]
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of the most famous characters in French literature. But how did he get the unusual name of Quasimodo? For centuries, French law strictly limited the names that families could give their babies. They had to come from an approved list made up mostly of Catholic saints. The laws […]
We talk to Suzanne Sutton who left the UK for Languedoc Roussillon, southern France. She’s an agent for the award-winning Leggett Immobillier French Estate Agents and says this sunny area is great for expats to live. Where do you live in France? I live in a little village of around 90 residents, called Granès, in […]
Mike Collins from the UK went to France as a young man to study languages. He got a job with a large company and in his job he travelled a lot around France. He loved discovering new places and new tastes and developed a penchant for snails, the very French foodie favourite. On a whim, […]
Sometimes I get France. And sometimes I don’t. Take the law for instance. In my local café in which the locals gather to gossip, a recent topic of debate was about the misfortunes of a baker who owns a boulangerie near Troyes in the Champagne region. He decided to open his boulangerie 7 days a […]
I first visited the Aude department in 2006 and found a rural area rich in history with great food, fabulous markets and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. My hosts brought me to the river at Rennes Les Bains where hot water from deep under the ground pours out through a pipe in the wall. In the […]
We talk to American expat and tour guide Sue Aran who tells how her heart was won by a house in Gascony despite many trials and tribulations… My husband and I first travelled from Seattle, Washington to Gascony in May 2006 with a couple of friends, looking for a house to purchase together. All of […]
With its medieval towns and villages, wild impressive coastline and abundant forests, picturesque Brittany offers its visitors so much more than just homemade cider and galettes dripping in ham and cheese. Whole days can be devoted to meandering the narrow cobblestone streets and charming squares lined with crooked half-timbered houses. But, as night falls be […]
Saint Omer cathedral in northern France has grace and beauty. It doesn’t have the conventional architectural detail of sculpture encrusted entrance doors. But, it does contain priceless art works so typical of the great cathedrals of France. Here those artworks hang in dark, dusty corners without pomp and formality. Saint Omer cathedral has it’s own […]