|
The phrase itself conjures up images of beauty, style, celebrity and glamour. The South of France has long attracted visitors, from the Impressionist painters of the 19th century who found inspiration in the luminous quality and rich colour of the landscape to the rich and famous attracted by the ritz of the Côte d'Azur and the Riviera.
The Luberon region typifies Provence, with charming villages encircled by fields of olive groves, sunflowers and lavender. The ancient hill-top town of Gordes enchants visitors with its cobblestone streets and historic buildings clinging to the rocky spur on which the town is built. The artist Picasso frequented the beautiful town of Ménerbes, with its medieval citadel towering over the surrounding vineyards.
Lourmarin sits in the heart of the Luberon with its 17th century homes, gurgling fountains and picturesque streets. To the south-east lies Avignon, with its majestic Palais des Papes, home to the Papal court until 1377 and nearby is the charming town of Arles, gateway to the Camargue. Van Gogh spent time here with Gaugin, both inspired by the ochre walled villages and herb-scented hills.
On the coast lie the prestigious Riviera towns of Nice, Cannes and St Tropez, home of the jet set and a by-word for style and glamour. Gucci rubs shoulders with Yves St Laurent just as the yachts jostle for position in the cosmopolitan, café-lined harbours. Whilst the promenades bustle with haute couture shops and smart casinos, inland, the arrière-pays is a paradise for ramblers and nature lovers, with dramatic gorges meeting precariously perched villages.
Further west lays the tranquil Dordogne river valley where life runs in the slow lane around sleepy villages such as Rocamadour and Issigeac. Almost every village has a weekly market, offering a profusion of fine, locally produced food such as cheese, black truffles, paté and wild mushrooms.
Paris needs little introduction: a cosmopolitan capital synonymous with romance and fashion and home of iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and Note Dame. With two international airports and the hub of an excellent national rail service, Paris is well connected for visitors who seek both the city and it’s delightful countryside retreats.
|
