Archive for 'Curiosities in France'

Located on an island, in the middle of a river, in the north of France, a beautiful Japanese garden emerges like a vision. This special wonder is a must-see for garden-lovers and those fond of a unique attraction who book one of our vacation rentals in Brittany. 

Called the Jardin Japonais de l'Île de Versailles (Île de Versailles Japanese Garden), this lovely lush space in the city of Nantes was built on the artificially formed island of Île de Versailles, which was created in 1831 using soil excavated during the construction of the Nantes–Brest canal and which originally housed workshops for carpenters, boat builders, engineers, and others working on the canal. These remained there for over 100 years until the island eventually fell into disrepair as they began to be closed.

Every now and then, if one spends really any amount of time on the internet, then one might happen to lay eyes upon an impossibly cute animal that one had never previously heard of before but immediately falls in love with. The Poitou donkey, from France, is just such a creature! One of the largest breeds of donkey in the world, these big and fluffy animals have very sweet faces and are characterised by their long, shaggy hair. Thought to have once been status symbols among French nobility and originally bred to be used in agricultural settings, they can now largely be found in petting zoos and on estates, charming all those who pass by or who decide to come to visit them especially. 

The increasing use of machinery in the 20th century saw the need for once essential work animals such as the Poitou donkey drop rather dramatically so that, by 1977, it is thought that just 44 of the breed remained throughout the entire globe. Subsequent conservation efforts brought this number up to 450 purebred examples by 2005 and one place where you can now see these adorable animals is the Asinerie du Baudet du Poitou in Dampierre-sur-Boutonne. Just book a vacation rental in Aquitaine and while you’re exploring this varied and beautiful landscape, drop by to meet some of the adorable Poitou donkeys!

Lavender fields stretching out to the horizon, sun-kissed skin after days at salty beaches, perfectly ripened citrus fruits bursting with flavour – Provence is innately a region of delicious smells and, then, within the region we have the commune of Grasse, considered the perfume capital of the globe. For those who love delicious scents, from handmade soaps by local artisans to perfumes crafted by some of the top perfumers in the world, a visit to the town would certainly be one of the highlights of a vacation in Provence. So, browse our villas in Provence today and then pencil in a visit as you discover all of the wonderful aromas that are offered while exploring the region…

Do you love beer? Or wine? Or perhaps you are, instead, a big fan of both wine and beer? And have you also been dreaming of a holiday in France? Well, then why not combine all of the above by booking a vacation rental in Alsace?

A region over which both France and Germany have fought for centuries, this land blends the two cultures beautifully. It is an area of unparalleled beauty, located between the Vosges and the Rhine, with impossibly pretty towns that look like something from the tale of Hansel and Gretel, rolling hills, lush greenery, and a gorgeous wine area filled with vineyards.

Art and design lovers will likely already have France down as one of the destinations that can best serve their interests. The unimaginable wealth of museums, design stores, vintage shops, galleries, and more across the country means that there will always be something incredible to see or even buy and bring home with you. And if you have a particular interest in pottery, you’re in luck as many different regions and towns of France have famous pottery traditions. Say, for example, if you were to book a villa in Brittany, then you could head to the captivating town of Quimper...