Archive for 'Must See Attractions in France'

Corsica is a place of truly incredible natural beauty. With beaches in technicolour hues that look as though they aren’t even real, craggy cliff sides plummeting into those azure waters, rocky peaks hiding picturesque lakes, impressive gorges waiting to be explored, endless hiking routes, lush forests, and much more besides, there is a whole wealth of natural bounty to discover and enjoy if you have found a villa in Corsica. However, if you are interested in the occupants of this landscape and not just enjoying the surroundings, then we highly recommend a visit to A Cupulatta while you are on vacation in Corsica. This 2-hectare sanctuary and nature park is home to a wide selection of turtles and tortoises from all over the world and makes for a brilliant day out for any animal-lovers, kids, or people who are young at heart among your travel party!

Located on the main T20 road that goes through the commune of Vero, on the west coast of the island, 17km north-east of Ajaccio, the park is nestled into the side of a wooded hill with a river flowing through the area, affording shade and refreshing cool to the park’s occupants even during the hottest summer days. Spread over two hectares, the park is unique in Europe and is devoted to the breeding, studying, and protecting of land tortoises and turtles from all around the globe. There are around 130 different species in total and over 2,000 animals. 

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!

One of the major benefits of finding a vacation rental in Nice or planning a trip to Nice while staying in a villa in Provence is that the city basically has everything in one place. Looking for a pretty Old Town with great daily markets? Nice has that. Looking for charming little boutiques, elegant bars, cute cafes, and excellent restaurants? Nice has those too. Are you interested in being able to readily explore the Côte d'Azur? Nice makes for an ideal base that is readily connected to other key destinations in the area by bus and scenic train routes along the coast. Do you want to see brilliant art, visit stunning architectural gems, wander beautiful gardens, or attend vibrant performances? Well, the city is a cultural hub that can offer all of those things and more. And, last but not least, Nice is also fronted by a beach that is only a short walk from the city centre. Boasting excellent weather and elegant Mediterranean vibes, this city beach is ideal for those who want to spend days wandering about and enjoying all of the cosmopolitan delights that the city has to offer and then stroll down to the strand to cool off with a dip in the water or spend some time lying around and working on their tan. The best of both worlds, this incredible seafront in Nice allows holidayers in the area to enjoy a city break and seaside getaway in one – sounds pretty good to us!

While there is no shortage of incredible fairytale castles in and around France, if you have found a vacation rental in Aquitaine then there is one particular example that is well worth seeking out; a magical gem that is so pretty it made the famous Josephine Baker fall in love with it...

Looking like a dollhouse or a drawing from a storybook, the Château des Milandes was built in 1489 and is a masterpiece of domestic Renaissance architecture in France with exquisite Gothic features, plush interiors, picture-perfect gardens to be explored, and a range of activities to enjoy from bird shows to simulated archaeological digs for kids to sipping a coffee or enjoying lunch on the sunny patio behind the castle. For those who want to soak up the atmosphere and beauty of pre-Revolutionary French life for the impossibly wealthy and titled folk of the land, to temporarily be transported back in time, then this is a definite must-see while on vacation in Aquitaine!

For the serious fashion-lovers of the world, a vacation rental in Paris and time spent in the city is a must and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tick off one’s bucket list. The street style is truly inspirational, the galleries and museums are stuffed full of images featuring figures in sumptuous and diverse dress, some of the chicest little boutiques in the globe, an endless treasure trove of vintage shops, and elegant flagship stores for major fashion brands are all dotted throughout the city, and there is a selection of some of the most astounding fashion museums the world over to visit.

Among them, one of the most intriguing has to be the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris. Located in the stunning building that used to house the offices and premises of Saint Laurent’s former couture house, the building has been preserved beautifully and showcases some spaces that have been redecorated to appear as they were during their former life and other rooms that are used for exhibitions. With some 450m2 of space open to the public that is always filled with the most dynamic and interesting array of items and information and has been created in collaboration with set designer Nathalie Crinière and decorator Jacques Grange, both long-time collaborators of the Fondation, this is a gorgeous museum that is sure to delight those interested in fashion and culture vultures who are enjoying a vacation in Paris.