There are miles and miles of beaches in this part of France but there is plenty more on offer as well. For those who enjoy natural beauty and historical attractions the area is rich in these and you will enjoy exploring the history of the region.

Forests are plentiful in the region and there are numerous hilltop villages for exploring, from these villages you will enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding area. If you are visiting this part of France it would be well recommended that you visit a vineyard in the region because it is famous for its wine.

In the 1950s St Tropez became famous as a retreat for the rich. There are miles of beautiful beaches that are all open to the public and the service on these beaches for visitors is unmatched. There are luxurious sunbeds for lying on as well as a drinks service, of course all of this comes with a price that is, as you might expect, quite high.

In October every year yacht owners from many countries come to St Tropez to take part in the regatta that is held in the town. This is an excuse for the rich to show off their impressive vessels and if you are in St Tropez at this time of year you are going to see some incredibly opulent yachts.

Less luxurious than these, but still worth using, are the pleasure boats which transport tourists to smaller towns nearby. The network of canals that these boats sail down has been nicknamed the Venice of France because of its similarity to the famous canal city.

One of the biggest attractions of the French Riviera is certainly the sea and whether you are on the ocean or just on the beach you are sure to enjoy your time. Windsurfing is a popular activity on some peninsulas in the area and paragliding is something that can be enjoyed in many places. If you’re looking for something a bit more relaxed then you can rent a pedalo.

Bandol is a town nearby that is particularly known for its wine production and many tours run to the area where visitors can take part in tastings. The soils in this region are particular well suited to special types of grapes and there are 14 vineyards nearby which have been rated as producing some of the highest quality wine in the South of France.

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The abbey was restored by Paul Abadie in the nineteenth century, when a belfry, symmetrical to the original, was added to the left of the facade. The monk Dom Bedos de Celles built its organ in 1750, which is currently regarded as a masterpiece. The organ was restored by factor Pascal Quoirin in 1995.

Founded in Merovingian times, the abbey is south of Bordeaux, on elevated ground.  It is surrounded by a swamp that is traversed by a small stream called l’Eau Bourde (Foolish Water).  The stream flows into the Garonne a few hundred meters from the present church.  The exact date of its foundation is not known. According to an inscription dating from the seventh century, Saint-Mommolin, abbot of Fleury sur Loire (now Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire), died there around the year 679. The monks followed the Benedictine rule.

The original abbey was destroyed by the Saracens around 730, and then probably rebuilt at the end of the century. It was again completely destroyed by the terrible Norman raids during the ninth century; the raids left the country devastated.
The rebuilding of the abbey is attributed to William the Good, Count of Bordeaux, on the site of the oratory dedicated to Saint-Mommolin, perhaps in 970.  The abbey acquired the towns of Saint-Hilaire du Taillan and Soulac. Later, it expanded its holdings to include St. Macarius and Macau. Therefore, due to donations for acquisitions, the parish gradually spread. The Dukes of Aquitaine confirmed successive privileges.

The abbey church was built in the late eleventh century or early twelfth century, along with the church of Soulac and that of Macau.  The kitchens, dormitories, dining halls, etc., gradually deteriorated as the abbots left. In 1664, the monks of the Congregation of St. Maur obtained permission to build a new monastery.  It was completed in 1672.

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Here are a few happenings taking place in Bordeaux between April and June 2009:

April

Photography Festival (1st-30th April 2009)

Travel photographers exhibit at various venues open to the public around Bordeaux city, from galleries to bars. Ten photographers have travelled across the world to create these ‘works of art’. The festival exhibitions are free.

(t) 00 33 5 56 92 65 30 (w) www.itiphoto.com

May

La Nuit des Musées (16th May 2009)

All Bordeaux’s museums will be open until 1am for one night only and entrance is free. La Nuit des Musées offers a chance to whizz round the city’s finest temporary and permanent collections, as part of a European-wide cultural initiative. Many museums also mark the night with concerts.
(a) Tourist Office, 12 cours XXX Juillet (t) 00 33 5 56 00 66 00 (w) www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr/

Union des Grands Crus Wine Weekend (16th-17th May 2009)

This is the fourth annual ‘Weekend des Grands Amateurs’ with over 100 Grand Cru châteaux owners getting together to offer wine lovers from all over the world the opportunity to sample an outstanding range of Grands Crus wines. It is a great way of unlocking the secrets of the great wines of Bordeaux, meeting the people who make them, and spending a weekend tasting Grands Crus wines like a professional, in the world capital of wine.

(t) 00 33 5 56 51 91 91 (e) ugc@ugcb.net (w) www.ugcb.net (h) 9.00-12.30, 14.00-18.00

VTV (Velo Tout Vigne) Le Médocain (30th May 2009)

This bicycle race is held around Margaux and competitors cycle through châteaux properties that lay on tastings and festivities. This event is the southern Médoc’s version of Pauillac’s Marathon, which is run through the vines. The race has three circuits between 25km and 75km, all departing from the town of Arsac.
(w) www.Médocainevtt.com/

June

Bordeaux Danse Musique (20th-21st June 2009)

A new event for 2009 baptised ‘Bordeaux Danse Musique’ – will take place just before the world’s largest wine fair Vinexpo at the Salon International. On the first day there will be dancing on the quays of Bordeaux and on the second day music will be celebrated with the ‘Fête de la Musique’.

Les Epicuriales (late June – July 2009)

This annual food fair provides something for the ears and the eyes as well as the palate. Approximately 30 restaurants offer dishes from around the world from stalls along the Allées de Tourny to the sounds of free concerts and street entertainment.
(t) 05 56 00 66 00

Guided Day Vineyard Excursions with the Bordeaux Office de Tourisme

These are just two tours (there are many more). They leave at 9.30am from the Office de Tourisme and returning at 6.30pm. Prices include guide, transport, visits, lunch and wine tastings.

Bordeaux, revealing the secrets of its great wines (Every Wednesday and Saturday 1st April to 15th November)

A day discovering Bordeaux’s vineyards starting with a visit to the historic ‘Les Chartrons’ area from where wines were originally sold and then on to see two châteaux in the prestigious wine growing areas of Saint-Emilion (Wednesdays) or the Médoc (Saturdays). 55 Euros.

Art & wine for enthusiasts in Médoc (Every Friday 15th May to 30th October)

A visit of three châteaux in the Médoc (Arsac, Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Lynch-Bages), with lunch at Café Lavinal in Pauillac and a tour around an art gallery. 75 Euros.

Portes Ouvertes (Open Door Weekends)

On these weekends the châteaux of different Bordeaux appellations literally open their doors and welcome visitors wishing to tour their properties and taste their wines.
• (4th-5th April) Printemps des Vins de Blaye: Each year, more than 10,000 visitors discover the Citadelle of Blaye and taste the wines of some 80 winemakers.
• (4th-5th April) Portes Ouvertes en Médoc: Along the road from Bordeaux to the Pointe de Grave, the traditional Médoc area opens to visitors and presents its wines and cuisine.
• (19th April) Portes Ouvertes à Pomerol: Pomerol produces plummy, generous, long lived red wines considered the equal of the classified first growths of the Médoc and Saint-Emilion.
• (25th-26th April) Portes Ouvertes à Lalande-de-Pomerol: Over 20 participating châteaux organise entertainment to encourage visitors.
• (1st-3rd May) Saint-Emilion – Les Châteaux ouvrent leurs portes: Over 50 properties open and offer winery tours, free tastings, amusements and exhibitions.
• (9th May) Marathon des 1ères Côtes de Blaye: This will be the sixth annual marathon where participants run through the châteaux grounds and taste wines with traditional macaroons.
• (9th-10th May) Portes Ouvertes en Côtes de Bourg: There is a programme of vineyard visits (on foot, on horseback, by car.) and wine tastings with exhibitions and picnics.
• (16th-17th May) Vayres la Vie! Vayres le Vin!: This region is situated on the left bank of the Dordogne, between Bordeaux and Libourne.
• (16th-17th May) Portes Ouvertes en Côtes de St Macaire: St-Macaire is a town across the River Garonne from Langon (in Graves). The appellation is known for sweet white wines.
• (13th-14th June) Sainte-Croix-du-Mont en 4 saisons: A fun tasting of food and wine matching at which the winemakers are divided into four groups, each representing a season.
• (19th-21st June) Fêtons Saint-Emilion!: Saint-Emilion is a World Heritage site, with fascinating Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets.

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The France Show 2009 continues to sign up the best Chefs, wine experts, travel writers, tour operators, property developers, estate agents and financial experts to accompany the array of features including live cooking demonstrations by Jean-Christophe Novelli, Can Can dancers, live musicians and caricaturists.

Other attractions on show will be a single storey green Oak timber frame construction by S.Harlow Period Oak, a ‘free-to-play’ Petanque court which has been sponsored by legendary French drinks brand Ricard, and a luxurious mobile home from Siblu Exclusif which proved very popular all weekend last year.

As you would expect, food at the show will be nothing but the finest, prepared and served on site by London’s oldest French eatery, Mon Plaisir and modern cuisine specialists Café des Amis.

There are some great competitions to be won at the show including a boating holiday on France’s rivers including ferry crossing from Le Boat and Brittany Ferries; with lots more exciting promotions detailed on the website at: www.thefranceshow.com/visitor-promotions.asp.

The official show website is www.thefranceshow.com.

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With over 1000 properties, most of which have been viewed personally by one of The Villa Book team, the company was aware that the less expensive villas were not immediately apparent to the web browser, particularly for their larger destinations, such as Provence and Tuscany. Anticipating an increase in demand for those properties, and wanting to show that, in spite of having a wide selection of villas at the luxury end, they do also feature a large number of beautiful properties which are much more affordable, The Villa Book has just launched The Credit Crunch Villa Book. This part of the website encompasses all their European villas which rent for under €80 per person per night during high season. The selection has been made on the basis of full occupancy of the villa, and these villas can also still be found under their various country destinations on the website.

The portfolio includes Hermitage, a fabulous six bedroom manor house in the Dordogne (€6475 per week, €539.58 per person).

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Whilst many people will jet away from the snow and ice for a hot beach somewhere tropical there are still people who enjoy the winter but would prefer to see winter in another country.  Mainland Europe is a popular destination for many with stunning architecture being adorned with snow it can certainly make for a breathtaking sight.  One country that fits this bill perfectly is France.

France has a wide range of attractions and varied destinations from Brittany in the North to Cannes in the south but the jewel in the crown has to be the capital, Paris.  Paris is home to many well known landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Elysees.  Often referred to as the city of romance Paris can offer plenty for you to see in the winter.

You don’t need to be outside in the cold with many famous museums and galleries providing plenty of historic art and culture as well as many gothic structures such as the Cathedrale Notre Dame or the catacombes giving you a perfect impression of the history and dramatic architecture of early Paris.

Paris is also arguably one of the main shopping capitals in the world with many high end brands and stores being located within the city.

Many Hotels in Paris are housed in these gothic buildings and many have been refitted and brought up to 21^st century standards so you can get a perfect balance of old and new.  With tourism being at the heart of the city you never have to wander too far with many hotels being situated either a short walk or a metro ride away from attractions and places of interest.

For families and those looking to venture outside of the city there is also the only Disney theme park in Europe and typically will have many special parades or celebrations that mark the festive season providing some excellent entertainment for children and adults.

So this winter you don’t have to stay stuck at home in the cold, going for a short trip over the winter period could let you see different places in picturesque conditions. With it also providing many areas of interest to make sure you aren’t locked away in a hotel room for the duration of your trip.

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Why not combine the festivities with a gîte holiday in France? Stay in a charming converted stable, 40 km from Limoges, from £228. The price is for one week’s self-catering rental of the property from 25 October to 1 November and is based on two adults and two children sharing.

More information from VFB Holidays on 01242 240 310 or visit www.vfbholidays.co.uk and search for property VIE.87.

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Organised exclusively for Kirker clients, stride out on a seven-night tour that offers food, wine and walking in equal measure – combining cookery demonstrations, ‘truffleculture’ tips and fine wine tasting with gentle strolls through châteaux grounds, private garden picnics and visits on foot to the bastide town of Monpazier, the famous prehistoric caves of Lascaux, and the villages of Issigeac and Saussignac.

‘Discover the Dordogne’ costs £1,885 pp (two sharing), including return flights to Bordeaux (Gatwick), seven nights’ châteaux/manor house accommodation with most meals, wine at dinner, all entrance fees/gratuities and the services of specialist tour hosts James and Diana Tamlyn.

Departs 9 May and 17 October 2009. Call Kirker Holidays on 020 7593 2284 (www.kirkerholidays.com).

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FREE Horseriding Taster Sessions and Adventure treks for tots

Les Gites de Lavalette, in the Charente / Dordogne border offers families with children of any age entertainment on horseback! Apart from the FREE taster sessions for tots, the British owner (who is a British Horse Society trained instructor) provides horseriding lessons and a special Adventure Trek for little people which takes them on a tour across the local vineyards, through the walnut trees and down to the river for a snack. Adults can book sessions according to their level and experience.

Accommodation: Albizia (three bedrooms) and Acaia (two bedrooms) provide simple, clean and comfortable accommodation with plenty of toys and play equipment for the children.

Cost: prices start from £475.00 in September 08 with Albizia still available for half term.

Disneyland: Parents Go FREE! And free limited edition champagne and champagne house tour

Le Manoir Champagnois, which includes Le Gite Meunier (two bedrooms) and La Maison Verger (one bedroom gite), is just 90 minutes from the thrill and excitement of Disneyland Paris and just three hours from Calais ferry port. Any guests staying during September through to the end of January 2009 will have tickets waiting for them on their arrival at Le Manoir, which lets parents go free to both Disney Park and Disney Studios. This means no waiting in queues – and as under 3s are always free, it’s a great way to see the park for next to nothing.

Autumn and winter are the very best times to enjoy the park as the crowds have vanished and the cooler weather makes for an altogether more comfortable trip. The Tots to Travel team will provide Disney novices with loads of tips like where to park, where to eat and which rides are a ‘must.’

In addition, first time visitors to Le Manoir Champagnois will also receive a limited edition bottle of Compte Audoin de Dampierre Grand Vintage 2002 Champagne in a Dampierre ice bucket PLUS entry for 2 people to one of the major Champagne houses in either Epernay or Reims.

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Price includes return Eurostar train travel (London), all transportation, seven nights’ B&B and the services of a tour leader. There are available departures 13 & 20 September, 2008.

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