The French Lifestyle And Luxury Living Blog From Pure France.
2026... and France remains the world's most visited country, attracting around 100 million international visitors each year. We all love France ! Each region has its own individual identity; its culture, geography and gastronomy. And above it all, it's the French lifestyle that we all wish to embrace. In the pages within this Blog, you'll find everything that is indeed "Pure France". We hope you will find our features entertaining, enlightening and informative. And when you're tempted to become a part if it all, head to our property pages and find your ideal holiday rental home. We look forward to hearing from you.
In France, food is a matter of national heritage, protected with much the same seriousness as its art and architecture. Champagne can only come from Champagne, Roquefort must be matured in the caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, and hundreds of regional specialities are protected by strict appellation laws governing where and how they are produced. The French call this relationship between food and place terroir. It is an idea that encompasses the land, climate and generations of knowledge behind what ends up on the table.
Nowhere does grandeur quite like a French château. Beyond wrought-iron gates and long gravel drives, you may find formal gardens with clipped topiary, acres of woodland, vineyards, towers and salons that have seen several centuries pass through them. Some are grand and impeccably restored, others softer around the edges, with weathered stone and rooms that carry the character of the house.
From the limestone slopes of Burgundy to the grand estates of Bordeaux and the sun-baked vines of Provence, for anyone who really loves wine, a trip through France’s vineyards can feel like a spiritual homecoming.
Centuries of cultivation, trade and an almost obsessive attention to what grows best where have turned its wine regions into places of pilgrimage. Bordeaux and Burgundy long ago transcended the vineyards that produced them, their wines carried along rivers, shipped through ports and traded by merchants who carried those names far beyond France.
The Dordogne’s cooking is dark with walnuts, glossy with duck fat, regularly perfumed by the musky, woody scent of black truffle. Even the salads can arrive with enough confit, foie gras and toasted gésiers to make 'salad' seem gratuitous.
Some holidays start when you arrive; others are dampened when your dog spots the suitcases and realises their family may be leaving without them.
France proposes a simple solution – bring them along. It is close enough to reach without a flight, varied enough to feel like a proper change of scene, and full of places that four legs love: forest paths, riverbanks, gardens with more interesting smells than the one at home.
On 14 July, France observes la Fête nationale – the national festival – or more simply, le quatorze Juillet – the 14th of July. In English, we tend to call it Bastille Day, fixing our attention on the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris in 1789, when the medieval fortress and royal prison – and symbol of absolute power – was seized by revolutionaries. But the day also looks towards the Fête de la Fédération of 1790, a great civic gathering held one year later on the Champ de Mars, when France briefly imagined itself remade around unity and the promise of a new political age.
The Tour de France began, as many great French institutions seem to, with ambition. In 1903, the newspaper L’Auto sent 60 riders out from the edge of Paris and around France in a race designed, at least partly, to sell more papers. It was a ferocious thing from the start. The first edition ran for six stages and more than 2,400 kilometres, with riders travelling through day and night on roads that were little more than dust and stone. Maurice Garin, a former chimney sweep, won that first Tour, arriving in Paris to the kind of reception that made it clear the race had already become bigger than its origins.
By the time June has rolled around, France has already begun its turn towards summer. It happens, at first, in domestic ways – shutters close against the white-hot sun, cherries are packed into lunch boxes, chairs spread across pavements, bottles of white wine and rosé bead in the heat, ready to be sipped long into still-light evenings. Everywhere, there are bare arms and sun tans. The new, bright smell of citrus. Barbecues. Grilled fish.
Provence is one of those destinations that comes pre-lit in the imagination, with its pale stone and plane trees, lavender roads and olive groves, shutters faded by hot, languid summers. For travellers, its appeal is enduring, it is in the village squares where chilled rosé beads in heat, in châteaux with pale turrets and storybook proportions, in the Provençal light that softens the edges of a day. For those who have not yet been, this corner of France can feel like a memory they have not got around to living.
The Loire Valley offers a slower sort of persuasion, with its pale stone villages, wide river light, and vines combed neatly over the hills. For centuries, this part of France has drawn kings, writers, winemakers and travellers. Leonardo Da Vinci – the great Renaissance man himself – decided to spend the last of his days here, coming to Amboise with his notebooks and inventions. He died at Clos Lucé in 1519, having crossed the
Cannes has always understood the glamour of a little theatre. Long before the black cars and the ceremonial ascent of the Palais steps, this small fishing town had already begun rehearsing its role as a place of refuge. In the 1830s, Lord Brougham, waylaid on his way to Italy, found himself on this bend of the Riviera and did what generations of travellers have done since: he looked at the light, the sea, the olive trees, and decided not to leave quite yet.
Let's discover the small villages of Provence where the holidays rhyme with warmth and happiness!
In the heart of Provence, between olive trees, cypresses and villages bathed in beautiful summer lights, an exceptional territory is emerging: that of the Alpilles and its surroundings. From Maillane to Avignon, via Les Baux-de-Provence, this region alone embodies the Provencal art of living, between heritage, nature and sweetness of life.
France offers two very different but equally appealing holiday experiences: coastal holidays by the sea and countryside holidays surrounded by nature. Choosing between the coast and the countryside depends on how you want to spend your time, who you are travelling with and the pace of holiday you prefer.
Luxury holiday homes in France offer a high level of comfort, privacy and space, set in some of the country’s most desirable locations. They are designed for travellers who want more than just accommodation, providing an elevated holiday experience that combines independence with refined living.
Spring and autumn are often overlooked when planning a holiday in France, yet they offer some of the most enjoyable and well-balanced travel experiences of the year. With fewer crowds, milder temperatures and often better value, these shoulder seasons are ideal for travellers who want to experience France at a slower, more relaxed pace.
Knowing the best time to book holiday properties in France can make a significant difference to availability, choice, and value. While France offers holiday properties year-round, demand varies greatly by region, property type, and season — especially for villas with private pools and family-friendly homes.
The Dordogne is one of France’s most popular regions for holiday properties, particularly for families and travellers seeking space, value, and a relaxed countryside setting. With its rivers, castles, historic villages, and wide selection of villas with private pools, the Dordogne consistently ranks as one of the best regions in France for self-catering holidays.
Holiday properties with private pools are among the most sought-after types of accommodation in France. Offering privacy, comfort, and flexibility, they are ideal for families, groups, and travellers seeking a relaxed holiday experience. From countryside villas to coastal homes, France offers an exceptional choice of properties with private pools across many regions.
The Côte d’Azur, also known as the French Riviera, is one of France’s most iconic destinations for holiday properties. With its Mediterranean coastline, glamorous towns, clear blue waters, and wide selection of luxury villas and coastal homes, the region offers a unique blend of elegance, scenery, and relaxed coastal living.
France is one of Europe’s most popular destinations for family-friendly holiday properties, offering space, safety, and a relaxed culture that works exceptionally well for travelling with children. From countryside villas with private pools to coastal homes near sandy beaches, France provides a wide choice of properties suited to families of all ages.
Yes — holiday villas in France are one of the best accommodation choices for families, particularly for those looking for space, flexibility, and a relaxed holiday environment. French villas typically offer private pools, large gardens, multiple bedrooms, and the freedom to holiday at your own pace, making them ideal for families with children of all ages.
Christmas and winter are a quieter but highly rewarding time to rent a holiday home in France. Festive markets, seasonal traditions and a slower pace of life make winter holidays especially appealing for travellers looking for atmosphere, comfort and a more relaxed alternative to peak summer travel.
Languedoc & Occitanie offer one of the most diverse and relaxed settings for holiday properties in France. Combining long Mediterranean beaches, rolling vineyards, historic towns, and spacious countryside, the region provides excellent value and variety for families, couples, and groups seeking a villa or holiday home rental.
Holiday villas in France remain one of the most popular choices for travellers seeking space, privacy, and a relaxed pace of life. From countryside retreats and coastal villas to luxury estates with private pools, France offers an exceptional range of villas suited to families, couples, and groups.
Renting a holiday home in France is a popular and rewarding way to travel, offering space, flexibility and independence that hotels often can’t match. Knowing what to expect before you arrive helps ensure a smooth, relaxed stay and allows you to enjoy your holiday with confidence.
