Archive for 'Parks & Gardens in France'

Nice is a stunning seaside gem of a city on the French Riviera that boasts endless things to see and do. It is steeped in history and culture, has picture-perfect strands for days at the beach, offers a vibrant foodie scene, has a charming old town where there is an excellent daily market, boasts plenty of museums and attractions, has hot and sunny summers, and much more besides. A villa in Provence-alpes-côte D'azur or a vacation rental in Nice, in particular, is certain to ensure an excellent holiday full of relaxation, gorgeous surroundings, and joyous memories.

The many famous charms and the relaxing allure of the slow pace of life in Nice are such, however, that it can be easy to miss out on the many attractions that one can discover in the city. If you're the type to keep active, you like to pencil lots of things into your itinerary while travelling, or you're looking for a few nice outings to enjoy during your stay in the city, then we suggest a visit to the Parc Phoenix while you are in town. This wonderful garden is packed with beautiful blooms, vibrant exotic birds, and stunning features and is just the thing for kids, families, those fond of gardens, anyone interested in photography and capturing pretty places, and both those looking for an active day out or a relaxing excursion. Whether you're darting around the grounds in excitement at all there is to see or just going for a relaxed stroll in an especially lovely setting, this stunning little corner of the world is just the thing.

There are already ample reasons to plan a vacation in Corsica as this stunning island in France has plenty to offer a tourist. It is a unique place with a diverse landscape that varies from craggy cliffs and swooping valleys to lush forests to picture-perfect beaches made up of powdery white sand lapped by azure water. Those looking for a perfect sun holiday will find a villa in Corsica is just the thing but those in search of something a little bit different, unique attractions, and adventures to be had will also find themselves well-accommodated. Animal-lovers, in particular, will be delighted by the clear waters full of fish, the wild pigs that can be spotted roaming about the island, and the City of Turtles.

The Marqueyssac Gardens were opened to the public in the 1990s after an extensive program of restoration and are now undeniably one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in France. Magical and perfectly manicured, these gardens surround the 17th century Château de Marqueyssac and are the epitome of the kind of incredible creation that can come about when man grooms his natural surroundings. Located at Vézac, in the Dordogne Department of France, this exceptionally beautiful garden is a must-see if you have browsed our stunning villas in Aquitaine and are looking for things to see and do in the area.

Perched on a rocky outcrop that overlooks the valley of Dordogne, the Marqueyssac Gardens, or Jardin de Marqueyssac (often known as the Overhanging Gardens of Marqueyssac), was built at the end of the 17th century by Bertrand Vernet de Marqueyssac, Counselor to Louis XIV. The original grounds were organised in the garden à la française style and their design has been attributed to a pupil of the landscape architect André Le Nôtre. This garden was made up of terraces, alleys, and a kitchen garden surrounding the chateau, though it has been altered in the centuries since it was first begun.

Annecy is an exceptionally pretty Alpine town that is famous for the utterly postcard-perfect cobbled streets, winding canals, and historic buildings in pastel hues of the Old Town and is a definite must-see for those who have found a vacation rental in the Rhône-Alpes region. However, beyond the charming town of Annecy itself, the area that surrounds is full of lots of incredibly beautiful vistas and special surprises. Among those surprises is the Parc Animalier de la Grande Jeanne, a unique zoo that is just ten minutes from the city of Annecy.

Located along the road to the ski resort of Semnoz, in La Grande Jeanne in the municipal forest, the park covers an area of 10,500 square metres, or ten hectares, and is home to two different species of non-domestic animals: deer (with around nineteen fallow deer and around nine red deer among them) and around twenty bighorn sheep of the Corsican mouflon variety. The Parc Animalier de la Grande Jeanne is not a traditional zoo with lots of different species of animals to spot and admire but one doesn’t feel as though they are missing out because of that. This special place has its own charms to appreciate in that it is both completely free of charge to visit and that the few animals that live here are free to roam all over as they please.

Beautiful Avignon is a stunning medieval city in the south-east of France, on the left bank of the Rhône river, that has a UNESCO-awarded ancient walled city centre. It is a magical and utterly picturesque place and the ideal spot to escape to for a relaxing getaway. Just browse our vacation rentals in Avignon and go get lost in its timeless grandeur and pretty charm and enjoy a taste of the relaxed and slow-paced Provençal lifestyle. While you’re in the city, be sure to visit her crowning glory, the Rocher des Doms, or Jardin des Doms, a lovely public garden that is perched high above and affords incredible views over Avignon and the surrounding area.