Hugh Atkins

Co-founder of Pure France. 20 years of visiting and photographing fabulous properties, meeting fascinating people and driving every main and back road in France.

My favourite photos on Pinterest


© Espelette

17 October 2022  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Gastronomy

Fête du Piment

In the Basque Country, there is always a good reason to party. On the last weekend of October, the charming little village of Espelette celebrates the end of the harvest of its famous chilli pepper! The opportunity for the locals and for several thousand visitors to share a traditional party and savor local Basque products.

09 January 2022  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Culture

New film - Permis de Construire

Here's a new French comedy film, to be released in cinemas on January 12th, 2022. Directed by and starring Eric Fraticelli. Also starring Didier Bourdon and Anne Consigny. A funny and beautifully shot film with fantstic scenery of Corsica.

26 December 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Events

Christmas Village in Nice

This year, Christmas 2021 in Nice offers you a magical family Christmas with the return of the Christmas Village! Free entertainment, games for children, rides and more than 15 free shows for young and old, decorations throughout the city ... you are not dreaming, it's the Magic of Christmas in Nice.

13 December 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Culture, Tourism

Prehistoric Museum of The Gorges du Verdon

The Museum of Prehistory Gorges du Verdon is located at Quinson, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, 38 km south-east of Manosque, on the edge of the Var. Museum of Prehistory presents the results of archaeological digs carried out in the Verdon for over 50 years. A trip back in time for all with its circuit of alternating scenes from everyday life in prehistoric times

03 December 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Fashion

Grasse, perfume capital of the world

Grasse is a town on the French Riviera, in the hills north of Cannes. It's known for its long-established perfume industry, and this heritage is celebrated at the Musée International de la Parfumerie, in the town center. Large perfumeries such as Fragonard, Molinard and Galimard offer tours and the possibility of creating your own perfume.

24 November 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Tourism

Strasbourg - the biggest and best Christmas market

Strasbourg’s Christmas market is one of the best loved in the country. It has a vintage feel, with many traditional craft stalls that will make your think of Christmas celebrations from yesteryear. The city’s historic quarter, known as ‘Petite France’ is a dream to stroll through on a winter’s night, too.

22 November 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Tourism

The smallest municipality in France

The smallest municipality in France, with an area of 3.54 hectares, Castelmoron-d'Albret can also claim to be a charming fortified village perched on a rocky outcrop. Discover its pleasant flowery streets and admire its old houses, remains of ramparts, washhouses and fortified doorways.

21 November 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Culture, Tourism, Architecture

Paris by Sasek

With the same wit and perception that distinguished his charming books on London, New York, and San Francisco, here this famous Czech painter presents his impressions of Paris in This Is Paris, first published in 1959. Discover some the beautiful illustrations...

26 October 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Holidays

Surfing In France

The first recorded surfers in Europe were documented off the coast of Portugal in the 1920s. It would be another 30 years before surfing took hold in a big way in France, beyond the odd visitor from down the Basque coast in Portugal. Today, Biarritz, Hossegor, Cap Feret and the like are globally known surfing destinations that bring in billions in tourist revenue every year.

© Hélène

21 October 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Culture

Hélène Et Les Garçons

Hélène et les Garçons is a French television series in 280 episodes of 26 minutes, created by Jean-François Porry, produced by AB Productions and broadcast from May 11, 1992 to November 22, 1994 on TF1. Since the end of its shooting, the series is available in full on the Generation Sitcoms YouTube channel.

© Cassis

21 October 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Tourism

Visit Cassis

Cassis is a beautiful harbour town on the south coat of France in Provence. Cars are not allowed in the main part of the town and there are fabulous waterside restaurants and shops looking out of the harbour. Daily boat trips to the famous Calanques.

© Allez Les Bleus

20 October 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Sports and leisure

History Of The French Football Shirt

Since their first official match against Belgium in 1904, the shirt of the France team has undergone many changes. However, the famous blue jersey was not established as main strip until 1919 with the creation of the French Football Federation. Here's the history of the France jersey.

© Station Péage

19 October 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Transport

The first French motorway

The first section of the first French motorway, the A 13 was completed in 1941. The free motorway network grew until it became chargeable on July 9, 1960. On July 1, 1961, the first toll motorway was inaugurated in France, this is the Estérel-Côte d'Azur motorway.

© Sarlat

18 October 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Culture

Sarlat Film Festival 2021

The 30th edition of the Sarlat Film Festival runs from November 9 to 13, 2021. The Sarlat Film Festival is one of the major festivals of the French cinematographic calendar. It is a festival well known to film personalities who come each year to present their films; the streets of Sarlat have hosted some of the greatest French directors and actors of the past twenty years.

© Eiffel

14 October 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Culture, Architecture

Coming soon - new film, 'Eiffel'

Coming soon - a new fim by director Martin Bourboulon; 'Eiffel'. What if Gustave Eiffel had built his A-shaped tower as a declaration to Adrienne, the impossible love of his life? It is on the basis of this romantic hypothesis that Martin Bourboulon took in hand the crazy project of the French film of the year. Mark your calendars: Eiffel will be launched in theatres on October 13

© Air France

04 October 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Culture

Made in France; Air France; a history of uniforms

The first commercial air hostess uniforms in the 1930s resembled nurses' uniforms. They were designed to reassure customers embarking on voyages on the then still relatively new mode of transport. Later, the uniforms borrowed motifs from the military and cruise liners. Over the years, the uniforms of Air France have been a constant symbol of French elegance.

© Renault Alpine Dieppe

03 October 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Culture, Transport

Made in France; Renault Alpine

Alpine is a French automobile manufacturer, owned by the Renault group. The company was created in Dieppe, in Normandy, in 1955 by Jean Rédélé, at the time Renault dealer. He made a remarkable breakthrough in the sports automobile sector. Seventeen years after the end of production of the last Alpine model, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault, announced on November 5, 2012 the rebirth of Alpine2.

© Nathan Paulin

01 October 2021  |  Hugh Atkins  |  Events

Highwire Walk From The Eiffel Tower

Nathan Paulin from the Haute Savoie is a daredevil, highwire walker. He currently holds ten world records and has just completed an amazing slackwire walk 600 metres above ground from The Eiffel Tower to a Trocadero Square skyscraper.


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