Pure France Magazine | Holiday Rentals

Château Picol, love at first sight, full of charm, beauty and history

Laurence and Marian originally from Ireland, have 3 children and moved to France in 2013 for a change of lifestyle. We looked at properties in various regions of France to set up our new venture and eventually across this gem, a château in the Vienne Loire region. It was love at first sight, full of charm, beauty and history (given to believe it was built by Queen Victoria for her Parisian dress designer in 1882). Read more...

Le Bike Butler on the Côte d’Azur

Here’s a great new idea for anyone staying on the Côte d’Azur near Cannes, Valbonne or Grasse. ‘Le Bike Butler’ is a fantastic new company renting premium road bikes. With free delivery to your door! Read more...

Carcassonne International Festival

Enjoy music, theatre and dance in the South of France at the Carcassonne International Festival, a festival of performing arts with international acts performing in venues all over the city. The people of Carcassonne love a good party and the city is host to many cultural and musical events creating a real buzz in the summer season. Read more...

Château Garonne, is a residence set apart from others, peaceful and quiet

The elegant château is nestled on the banks of the River Garonne and enjoys calm and peaceful surroundings. Close to the pink city of Toulouse, rich in architecture, it's a dynamic and friendly city. At Château Garonne, good taste is the key word. As soon as you cross the threshold of this 500 year old historical monument, you escape from the humdrum of everyday life. Read more...

Welcome, a gardener's delight

Le Manoir de Fouilloux lies in soft rolling countryside in the North Easterly corner of the Dordogne, close to the small town of Saint-Aulaye; in the beautiful Dronne Valley. She sits within a 40 minute drive to the world famous vineyards of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. The house dates from the 15th century, the family were originally walnut farmers; a crop synonymous within the Périgord. The house had fallen into disrepair before the current owners fell in love with her and bought her in 2013. Slowly but surely, over a five year restoration, life has been breathed back into this fine old lady. The house now resplendent in traditional luxurious decoration, befitting her country status. The garden when purchased was a simple set of rolling lawns with few trees, but lacked any privacy or impact. Today the Manoir's gardens benefit from a formal terrace where a beautiful pool has been created, surrounded by an English country herbaceous border, filled with the scent of heady roses, lilies and much more. The terrace is completely private and sheltered with a due South elevation. Read more...

Welcome to the Moulin de Souquet

The "Moulin de Souquet" is an original mill close to the small rivier called "La Barguelonne", dates back to the 18th century and fully refurbished in 2016. This sunny house is 4km from the centre of Castelnau-Montratier, historical village famous for his small streets and the Sunday Market on the beautiful market place. Read more...

Mas Barielle is ideally set right in the heart of Vincent van Gogh's Provence

Geographically situated just outside the historical village of Noves, Mas Barielle is ideally set right in the heart of Vincent van Gogh's Provence. Serenely nestled and uniquely situated between Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Avignon, the walled city of the Popes, lays this unique and enchanting domain. The history of this authentic Provençal Mas dates back to the late 18th century when it was a welcome resting place for travellers. Today the fully walled domain is nestled in the middle of fruit vineyards and has a 5.000 m² magnificent park with palm trees, 100+ year old olive and sycamore trees, oleander and lavender filled walkways. Read more...

16th century restored country home in Lot-et-Garonne

This half timbered house, dating from the 16th century, appears on the French Cassini map, the first general map of the Kingdom of France. After the décimation of the population during the 100 years war between the French and English in the 16th century, migration from the West of France and the Haute Auvergne / Quercy was encouraged, bringing this unique style of house building to the Agen region. A mysterious priest hole and a long since disappeared cellar... Read more...

Sunbathing in the South of France!

Occitanie (Languedoc-Roussillon) Languedoc-Roussillon is a region located in the South of France - Rich in diversity, it attracts every year many holidaymakers for its Mediterranean climate, typical landscapes, historical villages and French culture. Without forgetting, its Languedoc gastronomy with its dishes and wines that are essential in the region. Read more...

Hot-air ballooning in the Périgord

Fly over the Dordogne by hot-air balloon with Montgolfiere du Périgord and discover the beautiful and historical castles of the Périgord. Choose your hot-air balloon flight. Read more...

Visit ancient Avignon

An absolute gem of a city on the Rhône river in Provence. A charming city with a small-town feel and well worth visiting not only for its famous bridge, the Pont d'Avignon. Read more...

Spacious Provençal holiday villa in idyllic countryside setting in Haut-Vars, Provence

Spacious Provençal villa in idyllic countryside setting, in the heart of the Haut-Vars area of Provence. La Maison Bernadine is a detached family home situated in its own enclosed garden and grounds, on a small country lane surrounded by beautiful countryside, and sitting a short distance below the picturesque medieval hill top village of Tourtour. Read more...

Albi in the Tarn

Albi a hidden gem in the Midi-Pyrénées. Tucked away in the Midi-Pyrénées region, the city of Albi may not be first on your list of cities to visit in France but it has much to offer the visitor, not least the stunning UNESCO listed brick cathedral. Read more...

Saint-Marcel caves

Visit the gorges of the Ardèche this summer and decent into the Saint-Marcel caves situated near Bidon. Walk the 600m long circuit, in 14°c temperature, admiring the illuminated galleries, its eccentric formations, its fauna, flora, the caves huge cavens, basins and water pools. The location of the Saint-Marcel caves was discovered in 1836 by a hunter whose ferret fell into one of the cave's cavities. Today, 657 km of caves have been discovered. Read more...

Mas Sant Jordi – the food and wine partnership!

For guests who are seeking relaxing evenings where no-one need drive or if you want to celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary, we offer an informal and personal dining option. Meals can be for an entire family / group or later in the evening for the adults alone. This is normally provided by Alistair who is the chef for our Maison d'hôte guests and the groups that stay on a full board basis. His love of cooking over many years whilst in 'corporate life' included private dinners and special celebration events. He also attended all 3 levels of the cookery school at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons (Raymond Blanc, Oxford, UK) from 1998 to 2001. More recently, he has been at the Waterside Inn cookery school with 3-star Michelin chef Alain Roux and the Anantara Thai cookery school. Read more...

An elegant villa, located on the edge of the picturesque village of Montauroux

The villa has an incredible panoramic view of the Esterel hills and the valley. 20 mins walk from the centre of the village which has all amenities: grocery store, bakeries and restaurants (gastronomic, traditional). 5 minutes drive to the large supermarkets, local produce outlets and other restaurants. 30 minutes inland from the Mediterranean coast of Cannes and Grasse. 45 minutes from Nice Airport via the A8 autoroute. Read more...

A rental in the Périgord Noir that has it all

It's not just the rental, although it is a gorgeous, restored cottage in the Périgord Noir set within the peaceful grounds of a small 17th century manor house that was formerly the courthouse for a nearby château. Both cottage and manor are constructed in the local golden limestone with traditional stoned-tiled 'lauze' roofs and stone window surrounds, typical of the old local architecture. It is set in spacious, leafy grounds with areas for outdoor dining, a very large, private swimming pool and lovely views of the surrounding tree-lined hillside. Light and airy, with oak floors and beams... Read more...

Provence holiday homes walking distance to restaurants

Treat the whole family to fantastic Provençal food and wine, conveniently just a walking distance from your holiday home. Enjoy traditional Provençal dishes, combining fresh ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, saffron, peppers, anchovies, olives, olive oil and wild herbs all in a Mediterranean holiday atmosphere. Read more...

Green, green grass of my French holiday home

Enjoy the summer sunshine to the max when on holiday in France this summer. Walk amongst the flowers and the trees. Enjoy the great outdoors and enjoy the blue sky and hot French sunshine. Read more...

A 200 year-old Provencal Bastide nestled in a private 15-acre mountain vale

This 200-year-old Provencal Bastide is nestled in a private 15-acre mountain vale just outside one of the most 'beautiful villages in France' and includes a private pool, kid-friendly bedrooms and a setting to fall in love with. Bordered on one side by a gentle mountain stream, with small cascades and rock-pools, and on the other by gradually sloping rock terraces covered in aromatic herbs and olive trees, this rare property has been stylishly renovated and is exceptional both inside and out. This house is uniquely situated to discover incredible landscapes and enjoy hikes, bike trails, sailing, paddle, canoe, rafting and canyoning, as well as the culinary delights of the region, for a holiday that you will always remember. Relax in the sun with a good book by the pool, enjoy numerous outdoor activities and end your day dining at Alain Ducasse's Michelin-starred 'la Bastide de Moustiers' or in any of the many lovely restaurants in Moustiers. Read more...

F1 Monaco Grand Prix

Visit Monaco this summer between 23rd May - 26th May 2019 and experience the adrenaline, the sights and the sounds of the 77th Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco. The Monaco Grand Prix is an exceptional location of glamour and prestige with its circuit of 3.337 km and a total distance raced of 260.286 km over 78 laps. Read more...

The Cannes Film Festival

Visit the world famous Cannes Film Festival for the 71st Cannes Film festival : 14th - 25th May 2019 The most famous and prestigious film festival in the world, the Cannes Film Festival is held every May in the glitzy Côte d'Azur resort of Cannes. Read more...

This house is an absolute gem

Built by Count Fragonard and said to be his favourite place on earth, it is easy to see why. It is located only 30 minutes from Nice airport and 25 minutes from Cannes. And although only minutes from the more well known, populated spots in the South of France, it is off the beaten track and only frequented by those in the know. Read more...

Voted by The Guardian as one of the Top 20 Most Beautiful Villages in France

On a hill an hour's drive from Nice, Seillans is a maze of sloping cobbled alleys and tiny squares with fountaines. Above it stands the medieval castle and 11th-century church of Saint-Léger. On the square at the entrance to the villas is Génie de la Bastille, a statue by surrealist artist Max Ernst, who fell in love with Seillans, moved here with his wife, Dorothea Tanning, and played pêtanque with locals onto is spot. Artworks by the couple, and Stanislas Appenzeller, are in the 13th-century Maison Walberg. In the village below, pines, olive groves and vineyards surround the chapel of Nôtre Dame de L'Ormeau, with its 16th-century carved altarpiece, Village events include the international Musique-Cordiale festival (9 - 19 August) and an olive festival at the end of November. Read more...

When in France, holiday like the Romans!

The Languedoc region in the South of France is renowned not only for its Cathar castles, but also for its Roman history and antiquities left behind from an occupation stretching over 500 years. Today's visitor can still enjoy the sights of magnificent amphitheatres in Nîmes and Arles, the Pont-du-Gard aqueduct and remnants of the Via Domita, a Roman super highway connecting Rome right through to Spain. The region was administered from the ancient capital of Narbonne, a safe harbour whose entrance was protected by the beautiful wooded island of La Clape. Read more...