8 reasons you need to visit France

1. It’s the European favourite

According to official statistics, tourism from within Europe accounts for more than 80 per cent of visitors to France. German’s are the biggest visitors with over 13 million a year, followed by Belgium and Italy. The Brits love it too though with 12.5 million of us jetting over a year!

2. Easy to get to

France shares its borders with eight different nations so it’s easy to ‘country-hop’ and make the make the most of your holiday, even if you just pop over for the day! It’s quick and (fairly) simple to arrive from the UK with the Eurostar and Eurotunnel as well as a fleet of ferries and of course airlines making multiple trips daily. 

3. The Weather

One of the most famous and favourable aspects of visiting the Cote d’Azur is the incredible weather. With bright blue skies, sparkling sunshine, hot summers and even enjoying mild climates during autumn, it’s no surprise that even the head to the sunny south on holiday. “Of the 60 per cent of French people who go away on holiday, some 80 per cent stay within their own country,” points out Anthony Peregrine, author of Telegraph Travel's Le Rosbif

4. The history and heritage

The French have a fantastic reputation for looking after their heritage and proudly promoting their history. They have a talent for keeping historical sites immaculate and interesting; making them relevant and exciting in the present as they were in their heyday. With war sites, historical colourful towns, chateaux’s and castles – You will find a great piece of history everywhere visit.

5. Incredible food

French food…..Enough said! It’s not all ‘escargot’, endless smelly cheese and baguettes (although we will never turn down a warm baguette fresh from the boulangerie) there are plenty of incredible foods to indulge in and dishes to try. Whether you prefer a family ran restaurant tucked away down a side street in a busy town or a Michelin star soiree with finest food imaginable, you will never go hungry – France is famous for its incredible culinary delights!

6. Fine wine 

Ever heard of a wonderful little thing called champagne? How about Claret or burgundy wine? These are all regions and marvelous types of wine that originate from France. There are 27,000 wineries in France and around 110,000 wine growers so there are plenty of famous wines and local ‘bring your own bottle to fill’ vineyards to try. Want to know the best wine bars on the French Riviera? Here is a local’s guide to their favourite wine bars in the region.

7. Perfect pit stop on a European road trip

If you are not one of the millions of people flying over to France then join the other many millions of visitors who pass through the country for a mini holiday on their way to another destination. It is well worth extending your holiday to spend a few nights on the fabulous Cote d’Azur, Paris or wine regions before heading to one of the country’s neighbours such as Spain or Italy. 

8. The mountains are calling

With its varied and incredible mountain ranges, France is one of the World’s biggest destinations for skiing. We love French skiing so much we set up a company that specialises in luxury chalets in the Alps! Whether you are looking for incredible Winter skiing or fantastic summer hiking and activities; there are plenty of stunning, popular resorts to explore and enjoy!

Top 5 things to see in Villefranche

Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of the most charming and authentic french fishing villages on the French Riviera and is nestled between Monaco and Nice. The bay of Villefranche has been named one of the Top 5 most beautiful bays in the world and rightly so; this area is a visual delight for any visitor looking to explore the Cote d'Azur. 

Whether you are looking to relax on the beach, people watch at a cafe, go sightseeing or immerse yourself in authentic French lifestyle and cuisine - This delightful old fishing town is a must see. Below, see our top 5 recommendations to see in Villefranche during your trip.

1. Old Harbour

Lined with bright pastel coloured buildings and an array of traditional boats; the old harbour is the heart of Villefranche and oozes Mediterranean character and charm.This is popular place to take a stroll and stop for lunch or an aperitif with many bars and restaurants along the waterfront - Perfect for people watching!  There is also a beautiful small square (the Place Amelie Polonnais) just behind the harbour.

2. La Citadelle / Fort St Elme

Villefranche's imposing citadel is a great place to visit with its impressive architecture. This magnificent stone fortress was built by the duke of Savoy in 1557 to defend  to defend the city and harbour. Now, it's grand walls shelter the town hall, well-combed public gardens and several museum collections including the Fondation Musée Volti and the Musée Goetz-Boumeester.

3. Chapelle de Saint Pierre des Pecheurs 

This stunning, petite, roman-style Chapel is dedicated to St Peter, Patron Saint of fishermen. The ceiling and walls are filled with modern and mystic art  representing the lifestyle of the village and fishermen who used it when the artist Jean Cocteau was young. A charming local icon and pleasant pit stop whilst walking around and exploring the Villefranche.  

4. Plage de l'Ange

The longest stretch of beach is the southwest facing Plage des Marinières which curves around the bay. At the far end you will find a small, sheltered bay called the Plage de l'Ange Gardien. This is a less crowded, more peaceful pebble beach compared to the main Marinere beach and is hemmed by rocks making it easy to keep an eye on children whilst they have a paddle! 

5. Fort du Mont Alban

Built by order of Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, between 1557 and 1560, Fort du Mont Alban is one of the most exemplary French military architectural structures dating back to the 16th century. This fort is in fantastic condition, despite the fact it was considerably affected in World War Two.

Fort du Mont Alban has one of the best views on the French Riviera. As it is located in a high hilly region, visitors can see virtually the entire Nice at west and Baie des Anges at east.

Cannes Film Festival 2016

The Festival de Cannes or ‘Cannes Film Festival’ is a highlight of the French Riviera calendar and major event attended by some of the World’s most famous and influential faces. This prestigious annual film festival is hosted each May at the Palais des Festivals on the sunny Croisette next to the Vieux Port.

The International Film Festival was first created by the Minister for Education and Fine Arts, Jean Zay, who wanted to establish an international culture event in France to rival the Venice Film Festival. The first ever festival was held on 20th September 1946 after the war ended. Now, after rapidly gaining an international reputation, this year marks the 69th Cannes Film Festival which starts on 11 May and runs until 22 May 2016.

With luxury villas in Cannes and hotels in walking distance to the Palais being booked up well in advance and fashion designers creating couture pieces for the celebrities on the red carpet; every luxury brand from bespoke diamonds to luxe sports cars and superyachts, want to be a part of this prestigious event. 
This is the place to be seen and remembered!

Cannes Film Festival 2016

The Cannes Festival is opening with Woody Allen’s ‘Café Society’ which stars big names Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg, Blake Lively, Steve Carrell and Parker Posey – This is the third time the director has fired up the film festival.

The president of this year’s jury is Australian producer, screenwriter and director of ‘Mad Max’; George Miller. Other members of the 2016 film jury include Vanessa Paraid, Kirsten Dunst, Mads Mikkelsen and Donald Sutherland. They have the incredible task of choosing the award winners of the 21 films competiting, including the Winner of the acclaimed Palme d’Or. 

The Palme d’Or is the highest accolade at the Cannes Film Festival, awarded to the best film in the official selection.  Since 1998, the trophy has been crafted annually at the Chopard workshops in Meyrin near Geneva, it takes 7 craftsmen around 40 hours for the process including injecting fair mined certified gold into the mould and mounting it to the rock crystal pedestal.

We will be keeping you up to date with the latest Cannes Film Festival news, fashion and awards on our Facebook and Twitter so stay tuned!

See the list of films being shown: http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/selection/competition-1

View the 2106 screening guide here: http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/article/61347.html

Top 5 French Riviera Dishes

There are so many delightful dishes to try on the Cote d’Azur with each town having its own twist and specialities on French classics. Seaside cities such as Cannes, St Tropez and Cap Ferrat have a seafront influence, with some of the best restaurants by their harbours with a fabulous selection of fresh fish on their menus.

We have created a list of our favourite dishes to try on your visit to the French Riviera and that you can attempt to make at home. Bon Apetit!

Salad Nicoise

An all time favourite and french crowd pleaser; a trip to the Cote d’Azur would not be complete without a salad Nicoise. This delicious, filling salad includes mixed salad leaves, tomatoes, red onion, olives, tuna, green beans, hard boiled eggs as well as occasionally new potatoes and anchovies. Best served with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Salad Nicoise Recipe

Ratatouille

Did you know ratatoille originated from Nice? Created in the Old Town of Nice, the ingredients can vary depending on tastes but essentially it is a mix of fresh herbs such as thyme and garlic with vegetables incudling onion, carrot, aubergine, courgette and tomatoes. This dish is often served as a side to either chicken or veal in France.

Classic Ratatouille Recipe

Soupe Au pistou

A delicious, indulgent soup made from a blend of fresh garlic, basil, olive oil and beans. This is a popular Provencal dish that can be enjoyed as a starter or a light lunch on the go.

Soupe Au Pistou Recipe

Moules et Frites

What better place to enjoy fresh mussels than sat in the French Riviera sunshine, looking out to the beautiful meditteranean sea? Hot crispy fries, a bucket of intensely fresh mussels marinated in garlic and white wine, served with a piece of crusty french baguette to mop up all of the flavour!

Classic French Mussels Recipe

Pissaladière

This is a gorgeous savoury tart made in the style of a pizza. This dish also originated from Nice, with traditional toppings inclusing caramelised onies, olives, garlic and anchovies. It’s a great choice for a starter or a lunch and you can grab it from most boulangeries for just a few euros.  

Delicious Pissaladiere Recipe

What are your favourite French dishes? Have you experienced a local delicacy whilst in the South of France? Let us know in the comments below! 

Top Things To Do In Nice

Promenade des Anglais

Take a stroll along in the sunshine or sit on the iconic blue chairs and people watch on the promenade full of life. Lined with palm trees on one side and pebble beaches leading to the bright blue Mediterranean sea; the Promenade des Anglais is a stunning 4km stretch of the Bais des Anges with a cycling and skating lane along the coastline of Nice. For an extra fun family visit you can hire some inline skates, skateboards, scooters, Segway’s and bikes at the ‘Roller Station’.  

Marche aux fleurs cours saleya, Nice Flower Market

Your senses will be enlightened with the delightful smell of fresh flowers alongside the bright, intense colours of the huge displays of geraniums, dahlias and roses underneath the blue and white striped awnings. The flower market of Nice has been ranked by France’s National Council as being one of the country’s most special markets, which you will experiences as you walk through this popular market, being greeted by harmonious displays and fabulous fragrances that will entice you to treat yourself or loved one to a beautiful bouquet to take home to your villa.

Vieux Nice, Old Town

This one of the city’s main attractions and a must see on your visit. This hive of activity and people is full of beautiful historical sites, as well as the famous Cue cours Saleya;  the thriving market square hosts a well-known flower market and a thriving food market, a staple of local life. There are also some of the best (and busiest) restaurants and bars in Nice, with tables overflowing into the markets, you will get a real, fast paced local feel for life on the French Riviera. North of cours Saleya spills the rest of Vieux Nice, its shaded narrow lanes crammed full of delis, small food shops, boutiques and busy little bars.

The Port

The port of Nice is one of the main hubs of the French Riviera, it is less tourist driven and more of a business port but it is a real gem of the French Riviera. Here you can see an array of docked superyachts and variety of people arriving from around the World watch as you enjoy a cold bierre presson or dine at the bars and restaurants popular with locals.

Private beaches

The beaches in Nice may be made from smooth pebbles, but the private beaches are a haven of comfort and luxury. There are 15 private beaches in Nice and unsurprisingly, they are some of the best sunbathing venues in the capital of the French Riviera. At each private beach you will receive a private locker for your belongings, waiter service at your loungers, a variety of water sports and even hessian carpets leading to the sea to protect your bare feet from the hot stones as you go for a swim. There are also a great selection of beachfront dining.

To visit this beautiful city and stay on the French Riviera, let our award-winning South of France specialists find you the perfect villa and create your dream trip. 

Top 5 Cote d’Azur Markets

An integral part of French lifestyle, and one of France's most famous attributes are the traditional weekly and daily markets. With a great variety of goods on offer and beautiful surrounding towns, immersing yourself in the local culture and going to a nearby market really is a 'must-do' for any trip to the South of France.

Here are our Top 5 markets to visit on the French Riviera:

Biot – Provencal market

Every Tuesday morning the Biot market takes place in the town’s historical center. From the rue Saint Sebastian to the Place Arcades, traditional products and fresh produce including vegetables and fruits are on display alongside delicious local Provencal and French products. Here you can also pick up some fashionable French clothing, jewelry and handmade dishes of Provence.

Cannes – Marche Forville

Get a taste of local life in Cannes at the Marche Forville, or Forville Market. The outdoor market is full of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, meats, breads, cheeses and more. The perfect place to find all the ingredients you need to create your own Mediterranean dinner! You can find the farmers market Rue du Marché Forville just a few minutes’ walk from Le Vieux Port. Forville Market is open seven days a week and closes about 2pm, apart from Monday’s when it is turned into an antiques market. 

St Tropez – Places Des Lices

In the heart of St Tropez’s famous Place des Lices this is a fantastic open air market sells a huge range of foods including breads, pastries, cheeses, sausages, flowers, olives, spices, herbs, fruit and vegetables as well as clothes, beautiful antique mirrors and collectables. Locals head to the market early to secure the freshest produce and to secure the best bargains, so worth setting your alarm a little earlier for this one!

Antibes – Marche Provencal

An authentic Provençal covered market in the heart of Antibes. Situated in Cours Massena in the Old Town with over 30 producers and vendors ranging from butchers, florists, cheese experts and market gardeners to tiny stalls selling spices, olives, homemade jams and fragrant soaps. A beautiful market to walk through with a true vintage French feel. In 2014, the market was awarded a ‘Certificate of Excellence’ by TripAdvisor. Fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers every morning, apart from Mondays in winter and arts and crafts every day from 3pm.

Nice - Flower market

In the shade of pretty striped awnings, hundreds of flowers make eyes at you. It will be hard to resist the multi-coloured geraniums, intense mauve fuchsias, dahlias with their anemone-shaped flowers, and the vivid impatiens being sold by the nursery vendors. Anyone strolling by these harmonious floral displays will be able to breathe in the fragrances and enjoy the colourful bouquets, plants and exotic flowers that await them. 

Our South of France consultants are dedicated experts in the regions we work in. Get in touch today to receive unrivaled knowledge when booking your perfect villa for your trip to the Cote d'Azur. 

Call +44 (0)1244 629963

or

 enquiries@elegant-address.com