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The Gorges of Ardèche in France in the Rhône Alpes region.   The Department of Ardèche is part of the Rhône Alpes region, the prefecture is at Privas. This highly touristic department has numerous natural sites throughout various regions. Here we will look at the National Natural reserve of the Ardèche Gorges. These are situated to the west of the department, close to the Rhône Valley. To complete this circuit of around thirty kilometres start from the town of Orange and take the main road north towards the town of Pont Saint Esprit. These gorges carved into the landscape best display their magnificence between the towns of Vallon Pont d’Arc and Saint Martin d’Ardèche. Follow this linkto find some holiday accommodation in the Ardèche. Various privately owned holiday rental properties in the Gard department can be found here.       Sites and activities in the Ardèche Gorges The easiest way to discover this ...

Sites to visit in Burgundy during your holiday Rich in heritage, Burgundy boasts numerous incomparable sites to discover during your holidays. In this article we present sites that we recommend you visit during your stay in Burgundy. Sites to discover in Yonne The Château of d’Ancy le Franc: One of the most beautiful in Burgundy Located less than one hour from Auxerre in the Yonne department, the Renaissance style Château of Ancy le Franc is one of the most beautiful chateaux in Burgundy. This palace composed of four square pavilions with sumptuous interior decoration is open for visits.   Vézelay listed as a world heritage site To the south of Auxerre and west of Dijon, Vézelay dominates the Cure valley from its hill. Since the end of the 70´s it has been listed as a Unesco world heritage site and possesses some lovely old houses as well as the Sainte Marie Madelaine Abbey. Sites to discover on the Côte d’Or Dijonand its Duke’s ...

The Côte des fleurs in Italy - San Remo, Bordighera and Bussana Vecchia. Situated on the French border (due to the flower growing cultures), Italy's Côte des fleurs (or Riviera dei Fiori), or flower coast, is on the coastline and is the continuation of the Côte d'Azur. It goes from Ventimiglia to Imperia, where you will find several seaside spots with huge beaches, just before the 'coast of palm trees'. Sanremo is one of the city of flower's most explored beaches. You will find an Italian holiday home on site where you can stay, or a seasonal home in Sanremo. Sanremo: one of the most explored coastlines on the 'Flower Coast'. Just one hour away from Nice, Sanremo has earned its reputation largely as a result of its Italian Song Festival which takes place every February. But that aside, Sanremo is an Italian seaside town, full of charm, beautiful aristocrat villas and its old town (la Pigna) which winds itself around a hill. The seafront is incredibly pleasant, ...

Discover the Black Forest in Germany for your holiday The Black Forest (or Schwarzwald in German) in the area of Bade-Wurtemberg is one of the major nature zones of this country and has the largest natural park in Germany. Close to the French and Swiss borders, the Black Forest is a very touristic area. You will find various places offering holiday accommodation around the Black Forest on our website. The towns to discover around the Black Forest Baden-Baden: A spa town Baden-Baden is a spa town in the Black Forest area. Situated close to France (only 65 km from Strasbourg, great to explore during a stay in Alsace), Baden-Baden has kept the atmosphere of one of the ‘Belle Epoque’ towns with beautiful villas and palaces.  As with all French spa towns you will find a casino there (Das Kurhaus) known as one of the most beautiful in Germany. During your stay in Baden-Baden, take a stroll down the Lichtentaler Allee, one of the loveliest promenades along the ...

Allow yourself to be charmed by the Lot Region For your next holiday come and discover the beautiful countryside of Lot in the Midi Pyrenees area. Enjoy the wine tasting offered by various producers and visit the major sites such as Rocamadour, Figeac, Cahors and the Regional Natural Park of Causses at Quercy. Other villages are counted as among the most beautiful of France including Saint Cirq Lapopie, Carennac and Autoire. Reserve holiday accommodation in Lot or privately owned rental accommodation available throughout the Lot department. The major sites and countryside of Lot We recommend you visit the various valleys during your stay in this area. Causses has many paths and walking circuits for hikers of all levels. The Valley of Quercy Blanc is a region of hills and white chalk valleys. Choose Quercy Blanc for your holiday rental accommodation at Castelnau-Montratier. The Dordogne Valley The Dordogne valley has many internationally ...

Menton holidays: discovering the French Riviera Completing the easternmost side of Southern-France, at the gates of Italy, we find the city of Menton. The last enclave before the frontier, Menton's Lemon Festival, typical lively-coloured houses and pristine beaches make it famous. We propose you a visit to Menton and its equally wonderful environ, encompassing both countries! From Menton to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin Stroked by Mediterranean waves, how lovely Menton's pebbled coves are! As much as the town's Belle Époque mansions and Provençal-style pedestrian streets, crossed by old narrow alleys. Menton is not only a touristic destination: it was the first one to be officially classified as a 'Village of Art and History'! Here, you should visit the Jean Cocteau Museum and the scented gardens of a thousand flowers. Afterwards, stroll by the seaside, through the aged docks and the city walls, the majestic divide and view of the man-made and the sea. Steps away from

Holiday in the Var: Bandol, Hyères, Saint-Tropez, Saint- Raphaël and Fréjus The reputation of Var for possessing the most beautiful beaches along the Côte d’Azur no longer needs proving. Let us therefore present some of the highpoints of the towns alongside them and the village around them. Holidays in and around Bandol: Include two days Bandol – Famous for its bathing Although famous for its bathing and its wine, AOC Bandol, Bandol does have other attractions for visitors such as the île de Bendor and the Calanques de Cassis, both of which can be accessed by ferry from the port of Bandol. If you prefer walking then follow the paths for the Bec de l’Aigle at Ciotat or the Calanque de Port d’Alon. Close to Bandol: Villages to explore Castellet: Small medieval village, lovely view over Saint-Baume, surrounded by vineyards. Saint-Cyr-Les-Lecques: Large fine sand beach, Tauroentum Museum (ruins, mosaics and pottery). Sanary-Sur-Mer: ...

Auch and Gers in France The Midi Pyrenees region holds many lovely surprises starting with the Auch and Gers areas. The town of Auch is the administrative capital of the department and is actually the home of the famous Mousquetaires, notably d’Artagnan. Gers actually borders lands, Lot and Garonne, Tarn and Garonne and the Hautes Pyrenees. Follow this link for holiday accommodation in Gers. Consider a holiday rental property in Auch to be at the centre of the Gascon area.   Auch for relaxation and its heritage The old town of Auch encourages meditation and relaxation. Visit the monumental staircase, ‘La Place de la Liberation’ and wander around the small winding streets called ‘Les Pousteries’. The Sainte Marie cathedral dating from the 15th century is definitely worth a visit, especially worth a look are the windows and stalls that took 50 years to complete. If you visit Auch during the summer you will have the opportunity to visit the ‘Maison de Gascogne’ ...

Visit Marseille for the weekend or on holiday  Atop its hill, the Basilique Notre dame de la Garde watches over Marseille offering a superb panoramic view over the ‘Grand Bleue’. Marseille has a treasure trove of cultural, historical and geographical delights for the visitor. Here we will offer you a glimpse of just a few that you can discover for yourselves when you visit your holiday rental in Marseille.  Allow yourself to be swept away by the typical southern France accent and take a trip on the metro or rent a car to explore the 14 kilometres of beaches and calanques.  The Old Port For a glimpse of the traditional Marseille life, visit the fresh fish auction that takes place every morning on the Quai des Belges before embarking on the ferry that will take you free of charge from one side to the other of the Old Port of Marseille.  The Baroque Provencal architecture of the North Banks is a surprising contrast to the Cafe terraces and the ‘Place aux ...

Circuit in Périgord Noir: From Sarlat to prehistoric sites  Périgord Noir holds an important place in the French tourism sector. There are numerous chateaux, grottoes and archaeological sites as well as some lovely villages. Stay in privately owned holiday accommodation in Périgord Noir or a holiday rental property in the Dordogne to discover them. Sarlat : Capital of Périgord Noir  Numerous films have been filmed in the old town of Sarlat. Find holiday accommodation around Sarlat and discover its many interesting features. Make sure you visit during market days, enjoy the lively atmosphere and try some local produce such as the local truffle liqueur.  The eastern side is where you can find Old Sarlat which is quite aristocratic in style. The western side however is more popular and lively.  Montignac and the grotto of Lascaux The discovery of the Grotto at Lascaux created a certain interest in the small town of Montignac constructed along the ...