Archive for 'Activities in France'

France boasts a landscape that is varied, lovely, and often rather dramatic and, for those who like to walk and hike, it is a perfect holiday destination. A vacation rental in Brittany, in particular, among all of the regions of France, is ideal if you want to blow away the cobwebs, stretch your legs, breathe in some fresh sea air, take in some incredible coastal views, and really enjoy the curative and therapeutic effects of stunning surroundings while on holiday. With a long and wild coastline dotted by dramatic cliffs and pretty beaches and impressive rock formations, it is a place that has no shortage of excellent hiking destinations but it is without a doubt that one of the most beautiful among them has to be the Cap de la Chèvre.

The Cap de la Chèvre is located in the west of Brittany, in the southernmost point of the Crozon peninsula. Facing the north side of Cap Sizun and closing off the Baie de Douarnenez, it is a picturesque part of the world with rocky cliff sides covered in heath, heather, and maritime pines, long beaches, and a wild and majestic appearance. This is further heightened by the charming little old fishing villages of stone-built houses that are clustered in the area and the wonderful panoramas out across the Baie de Douarnenez, the Pointe du Raz, and the various other capes and islands that are dotted along this part of the coast. The contrast between the Mediterranean-like eastern side of the peninsula and the wilder Atlantic nature of the western shore, is also extremely appealing and further heightens the interest and aesthetic value of a ramble through this especially striking and memorable part of the coast of Brittany. If you have found a villa in Brittany and are looking for the most scenic places to hike and explore, this gem of a destination surely tops any lists that you might find!

Flea markets are a great place to get your hands on a bargain and find things that you might never discover elsewhere. If you're on holidays somewhere, visiting a flea market is an ideal way to get a taste of the unique culture of a region and to find some very special souvenirs and gifts. However, if you were planning a vacation in France and are booking a holiday rental in Paris, you may be unsurprised to discover that the cosmopolitan French capital is home to one of the most exclusive and high-end flea markets in the world. Located in the heart of the Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen, the market of Paul Bert Serpette is surrounded by ten or so different markets, which offer a selection of antiques from a wide variety of periods. Each of these markets has its own identity that is linked to its dealers and its architecture. Spread across a massive 12,000 square meters, Paul Bert Serpette is the world's largest antique market and is a prestigious gem that is a must for all serious antiques enthusiasts and bargain hunters.

France is not necessarily the first place one might think of if interested in surfing. However, if you've been dreaming of a vacation in France but also want to catch some waves during your holiday downtime then there are some great coastal destinations and beautiful seaside towns that are ideal for days in the surf while also enjoying the natural beauty, rich culture, delicious food, great wine, and more that France has on offer...

This incredibly striking beauty is Verdon Gorge, one of the finest natural attractions in all of France and part of the hilly, or Alpine, portion of the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Beyond the perfect beaches and glamorous seaside towns of the Riviera and the lavender fields, olive groves, and vineyards of Provence you will find a landscape that is a little wilder, more rugged, less pastoral but no less stunning. Head north of Nice or East from Avignon and you're going to quickly move from fields to hilly landscapes to the limestone massifs of the Alpine foothills, where rivers flowing down from the peaks of the Alps have carved deep and impressive valleys into the land over millions of years.

Cue the Verdon Gorge, created by the Verdon running from its source near the Italian border south to Castellane and then west to meet with the Durance, near Manosque. Between these two towns of Castellane and Manosque, we find the most exceptionally picturesque creation of the Verdon, a deep canyon that is considered the second largest in the world after America's iconic Grand Canyon and which attracts thousands of visitors annually who come to enjoy various leisure pursuits and to simply enjoy the view. If you have found a vacation rental in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and are a nature-lover enjoying the wonderful scenery of the region, be sure to pull yourself away from the softer, picture-perfect landscapes of lavender fields and beaches and come discover the more dramatic and breath-taking panoramas of this part of France.

Montmartre is, without a doubt, the most famous Parisian district. This completely picturesque neighbourhood is now a household name and was famously home to many of the world's most beloved and best-known artists throughout the past couple of hundred years. While it has, undeniably, suffered from its own fame and mass-tourism, making the area less authentic in some ways and making it so expensive that the culture of young artists occupying the area that propelled its reputation is no longer financially viable for said young artists, there is still much to love about the area. You might just have to ignore the gaudier tat on sale in some shop windows and try and avoid times and places that attract the most oppressive tourist crowds. However, if you have found a vacation rental in Paris and you are looking for somewhere to wander around pretty streets and lush green spaces, to grab a bite, to go and take in some of the city's most famous sights, to soak up the unique atmosphere of Paris, and more, then Montmartre is not to be missed!

Located on the Butte (hill) Montmartre, the district of Montmartre was once marked by the dozen or so windmills that were visible atop the hill. Today, only a few remain; that of the Moulin Radet, the Moulin de la Galette, and the incredibly famous Moulin Rouge. An area that excavations have shown has been occupied since at least Roman-Gallo times, it was once known as “Mont de Mars,” or Mount Mars, and then became “Mont des Martyrs”, after Saint Denis, a Christian bishop, was decapitated on the hilltop in 250AD for preaching the Christian faith to the Gallo-Roman inhabitants the city. All of which eventually led to the current name of Montmartre. Until 1860, the neighbourhood was actually located just outside the city limits of Paris but it was annexed to the city that year along with other surrounding communities and became part of the 18th arrondissement of Paris, as it is today.