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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As an ancient royal residence, the Louvre is inextricably linked to eight centuries of French history. Designed in 1793 as a universal museum, its collection, among the best in the world, spans many millennia and miles, from the Americas to Asia. Over 38,000 artworks are grouped into eight curatorial departments, including universally-admired works such as The Mona Lisa, The Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Venus de Milo.
What are the must-sees in and around Biarritz, on the Atlantic Coast of France ? Here you will find all the best activities and sites in this beautiful part of France. Rich in its architectural heritage and its history, there is plenty to discover for your family holiday in and around Biarritz.
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