News & Features

Gone to make God laugh Little did Michel Serrault know that a modest cabaret act, played to tiny but appreciative audiences on the Paris night club circuit sixty years ago, would lead to his starring role in one of France’s most famous films, La Cage aux Folles (The Birdcage), released in 1978. Find out more >>

Safe enough on paper Twenty-four French architectural students, supervised by three from Japan, have built a bridge out of cardboard tubes, the latest brainchild of eco-enthusiast Shigeru Ban. It took a month to assemble 280 4in diameter tubes, on foundations made from wooden fruit boxes filled with sand, and with steps at each end consisting of recycled paper.   Find out more >>

Roll out the barrel The tiny Rhône village of Oingt, in the heart of Beaujolais country, plays host each September to one of the noisiest festivals in France. The barrel organs and their proud owners from all around the world vie with one another to see who has the sweetest and the loudest. Find out more >>

Killer cars Driving cars has always been seen as a stressful activity in France, especially because French motorists rarely seem to learn from their experience. For example, they seem prepared to endure a traffic jam on holiday weekends year after year, never changing their date or time of departure. Find out more >>

Fêtes de Versailles The gardens of the Château of Versailles take on a fascinating new dimension after dark, with terraces and fountains bathed in light, much as they were in the days of spectacular royal celebrations staged by Louis XIV. Find out more >>

Life in the hereafter After two thousand years in the shadows, some exceptional archaeological discoveries were made amongst the Roman ruins at Orange eight years ago. They included two huge mausoleums guarded by a great sphinx, plus a public display this autumn for the first time. Find out more >>

Washing your dirty linen in public Paris awaits the launch of a washing machine that needs no detergent. Heralded by the environmental lobbyists, it eliminates the need for harsh phosphates and other chemicals. Instead, the machine changes the water molecules and reduces them to specific elements that can clean and sterilize dirty clothes. Find out more >>

You could save up to 12.5% in 2007

If you* have travelled with us since 2004 you are entitled to the following financial benefits:

• A reduction of 5% on your 2007 booking
• Plus another 2.5% if your first 2007 booking does not include
  the period between 30 June and 1 September 2007
• A 5% reduction will apply as well to a second booking taken in any one season 
  
      * You qualify if you were a member of a party, not necessarily the person who booked
  
  Reductions apply to the villa portion only of the holiday 
  Reductions do not apply to bookings made via Travel Agents
  
  Similar reductions will apply to 2008 bookings