Temple de Diane, Nîmes

     
 Ménerbes in the Luberon

News & Features

A crash course in Mandarin for Carla? When in diplomatic difficulty, point to perfidious Albion. Blaming the British is a tried and tested method of the French foreign office whenever their President makes a gaffe. It seems, say reliable sources, that Prime Minister Gordon Brown triggered President Nicolas Sarkozy’s announcement... Find out more >>

Monsieur le comédien from Armentières, parlez-vous... Eat your heart out, Mademoiselle from Armentières. There is finally another reason more recent than World War I to remember this town on the Belgian border. It is the birthplace of the local stand-up comedian turned actor-director, Dany Boon, who has just broken all box office records with a film about a part of France that most French people would secretly like to hand over to the Belgians.  Find out more >>

Having the stomach for it Politically correct foie gras was never likely to appeal to the French, until, that is, it appeared to taste better than the traditional product based on the forced feeding of birds. A Spanish farmer, Eduardo Sousa, has shown that geese and ducks allowed to gorge themselves make for a far tastier liver pate.  Find out more >>

Spiritual Home - Quentin Tarantino Quentin Tarantino returns this month to what he has described as his ‘spiritual home’, the Cannes Film Festival, to give a cinema master class to a specially invited audience, based on his experiences as a director and scriptwriter. Find out more >>

Seeing Red The best-kept secret in France is how Michelin decides each year which restaurants should be awarded one or more stars. Out of 529 restaurants acknowledged in the 2008 red book, 435 have a single star. Changes at the highest level are rare: for example, only one restaurant, Le Petit Nice in Marseille, has been upgraded to three star status.  Find out more >>

The Super Jump If all goes well, 64-year-old Frenchman Michel Fournier will shortly complete what he calls Le Grand Saut, the Super Jump, and thereby break several world aeronautical records. Fournier is trying to make the highest ever parachute jump, from 40 kilometres above Canada, Find out more >>

Pigeonnier de Tivoli, Ref DL145, Lot-et-Garonne >>

Sleeps 4 - 2 bedrooms - 2 bathrooms

This charming fully-restored pigeonnier (dovecote) has just been completely refurbished and enjoys open views over countryside and  fields. It dates back to the early 19th century and stands on its own with no adjacent buildings.

Dominique says: A charming and tastefully modernised dovecote, ideal for a small family wanting a large pool and plenty of outdoor space.

2 week price range * £1660 in May to £2810 in August

Village St-Martin-de-Villereglan 3.5km Towns Limoux 13km, Carcassonne 19km  Airport Carcassonne 17km Private pool Security alarm, roman steps, size 11x5m

Sleeps 17 - 7 bedrooms - 7 bathrooms

Close to the fortified medieval town of Carcassonne this extensive property enjoys a dramatic position and panoramic views. The interior has been tastefully and imaginatively decorated.

Dominique says: You can take fantastic walks from the house and there's horse riding a short walk away. The setting is stunning and peaceful.

2 week price range * £5170  in May to £7290  in August

Enjoy 5% off any future villa holiday
if you (or any member of your party)
have travelled with us since 2004

Reductions apply to the villa portion only of the holiday 
If you are booking via a Travel Agent the reduction may not automatically apply

Reductions are also available on many books and holiday items >>