Quality Villas in France

There are certain parts of the world which are well known for being relaxing and having an amazing atmosphere at certain times of the year – which is why those places seem to fill up at those times, when other places, like the busy cities of the world, empty out.

And one of those places which seems to fill up when places like Paris and Barcelona empty in August is the south of France.

 

There’s no denying it’s a fantastic place to get away to, whether you’re looking to stay in a rustic retreat, a luxurious villa or simply a hostel in one of the region’s towns as a base to explore the countryside.

 

So with that time of year approaching I thought I’d pick out some of my favourite things about holidays in the South of France.

Nice

Nice is an incredible city, which sits on the east of the Cote d’Azur. It has a unique charm which means it’s Nice by name, but much more than just nice by nature.

It’s filled with boutique restaurants, every day cafes and a wealth of little backstreet bars, which means it’s a great place to go and just wander the streets. It also has beaches which add to the city’s exciting atmosphere. You can enjoy a day on a picturesque private stony beach, head to the sandy stretches of public beach or simply sit on the seafront with a glass of cold beer or chilled white wine.

There’s no doubting Nice is a great place to unwind.

Menton

While most people will know about Nice, Menton is often described as one of The French Riviera’s best kept secrets.

Not only does it have beaches to compare to Nice’s, it also offers numerous gardens to wander such as the Serre de la Madone Gardens. The sub-tropical climate means the gardens are home to an array of rare plants and flowers, and offer a great place to visit as a family, or a lone traveler looking for some peace.

Le Bois des Lutins

Les Bois is a magical adventure playground which is certain to provide a fun-filled day out for children – but also for adults.

There are fairies, elves, trolls and gnomes hidden around the woodland setting to delight children, and the more childish adults, but there’s also much more on offer.

With treehouses linked by high wire courses, and adventure obstacles littering the pathways through the woods, there’s plenty to get the adrenaline pumping.

Musee Oceanographique de Monaco

Monaco isn’t seen as a destination for a traveler without deep pockets, but as regular readers will know there’s always a way to visit luxurious spots on a budget, if you know where to look for cheaper accommodation, food and activities.

In luxurious Monaco, which has the highest density of millionaires anywhere in the world, the Oceanography Museum offers a great experience for travelers on any budget.

 

Sat on top of a cliff, it has a spectacular view out to sea and you can take in amazing panoramic views of Monaco.

The exhibits offer just as incredible scenes, with a touch pool letting you get very close to nature and you can even feed the fish yourself, getting even closer.

Places to stay

One of the reasons the South of France is such a draw is the range of places you can stay.

There are fantastic countryside chateaux and villas available for hire, seaside guesthouses and some of the best hostels you’re ever likely to come across.

Whether you want to stay in trendy seaside resorts, inland in the countryside or in the foothills of the alps as a base for hiking and cycling, the South of France has it all.