Archive for 'Food and Wine in France'

If you are a wine-lover, a vacation in France is ideal and there are certainly lots of different famous wine regions and areas to choose from for lazy days of exploring lush landscapes, visiting little towns, discovering wineries, and sampling the local vintages. There is, of course, the likes of Champagne and Burgundy, which are impossibly well-known wine regions that are synonymous with famous wine varieties. And then there is the gorgeous Languedoc-Roussillon, which boasts 300,000 hectares of vineyards, making it actually the largest wine producing region in France and, though perhaps less well-known internationally, it is one of the most beloved wine regions in the country. Browse our villas in Languedoc-Roussillon now and come see it for yourself!

Located on the Mediterranean coast between Spain and Provence and stretching from the Pyrénées to the Cevennes National Park, this wine region is not only jam-packed with incredible wineries but it also boasts a varied and gorgeous landscape, pretty medieval towns with ancient monuments, and modern seaside resorts that compete with the Azure while doing so at lower prices. Those, therefore, who are interested in a French getaway filled with beauty, great wine, lots to see and do, and more competitive price points would do well to browse our range of lovely vacation rentals in Languedoc-Roussillon.

You may have heard the name Nicolas Flamel mentioned in the Harry Potter books or films but he was in fact a real figure in history (though he probably did not actually obtain a Philosopher’s Stone, as the legends about him might claim) and you can even actually come and dine in his former home! One of Paris’ many wonderful oddities, the house that Flamel built for himself all the way back in 1407 on Montmorency Street still stands to this day and boasts the claim that it is the oldest stone house in the city. So, if you find a vacation rental in France, you are planning on coming to Paris for a day, and you are looking for a perfect spot with just a touch of seasonal spookiness in which to dine, then this is a must-see and truly an excellent place to drop into for lunch!

Located at 51 rue de Montmorency, Flamel’s home is marked by strange symbols that are carved into an exterior that has been left unchanged since the supposed alchemist lived there in the 15th century. A bookseller by profession, the stories of his life suggest that he managed to stumble across some mysterious arcane text that allowed him to learn how to turn ordinary metals to gold and that this was how he amassed a great fortune. 

A few years ago, while attending London Fashion Week, this writer was lucky enough to find enough time to go see the Dior retrospective at the V&A Museum. Having just missed its stint in the brand’s home town of Paris due to the impossible queues there, it was even more thrilling. The museum was open late to accommodate the even greater number of crowds drawn by the exhibition and I milled through line of excited people leading to the entrance. Inside, it was even more than I had imagined: a sprawling, wonderful, multicoloured, powerful tribute to this iconic heritage label that followed from its very origins to where it has come and what it has become today. Many were not quite so fortunate, however, and were not able to get the chance to see the exhibition in any of the cities around the globe in which it temporarily made its home. If you happen to be among this number and you were considering finding a vacation rental in Paris or a holiday rental in France and spending a day exploring the stunning capital, then you should know that you now have a chance to make up for it! This archive of incredible design and more now has a permanent home in the reopened flagship store at the brand’s historic address at 30 Avenue Montaigne. So, no matter when you plan a vacation in France moving forwards, you can come and admire the incredible history of the brand, perhaps do some shopping if that is in your budget, and indulge in some very chic and delicious treats at the new café in the building or go for a full Dior dining experience in the Dior restaurant - all under one roof!