If you have 30 min, during this confinement, the Pure France team strongly advises you to watch Le Ballon Rouge. The Ballon Rouge is filmed in Paris in the 1950s, in a popular district, in Ménilmontant. A little boy finds a big red balloon hanging from a street light.
La Grande Roue (The Big Wheel) of Paris was unveiled at the Exposition Universelle in 1900. It was the tallest wheel in the world at its opening. The passenger pods were so large that they were removed from the wheel and used as homes for French families during The First World War. Since 1900, the Grand Roue has become a spectacular site at Fetes Foraines throughout the summer in France.
Take just 12 minutes from your day of confinement to watch this short film and bring a smile to your face. Set in Paris, with Pauline Chalamet et Délia Espinat Dief, directed by Tristan Tilloloy. Come and discover the short and charming story of Agnès and Milane...
Monaco's royal family - the famous Grimaldi clan used to have a little-known coastal area in the South of France named after them. Up until the end of the 19th century, the Gulf of Grimaldi lay between a small fishing town and a hilltop village with an 11th century church.
Yes, the tower. But Gustave Eiffel also designed many other structures, not only in France, but around the world. He contributed to the construction of the Statue of Liberty in New York and designed several bridges for the French Railways. Discover more about Gustave Eiffel...
The Formula One Grand Prix circus arrives in Monaco this week for the three day festival May 21st to the 23rd. Visiting Monte Carlo the day before the weekend starts is a spectacle in itself. Walk on some of the race-track, stand on pole position and take in the scenery.
It shouldn't be possible to see Corsica from Nice. But sometimes the beautiful island in the Mediterranean appears to loom spookily on the horizon from the Cote d'Azur. Or is just a mirage ? Find out more and discover some lovely summer rental properties in Corsica.
It is quite a while since I last had a foreign holiday, five years to be exact. Not that it has been a case of not wanting to, more an adopted state of inertia focused by a need to live within my means. Since giving up work, I have been living a modest, but pretty busy, life here in Norwich, volunteering at the local Arts Centre and writing music and theatre reviews for our local listing magazine.
We could see it clearly; it would be a stone cottage in an idyllic rural setting. With the benefit of the experience of renting vacation houses over many years in different parts of France, we found we were gradually tweaking our requirements for the French house.
This rural house dating back to the 17th century is entirely part of the Frais Vallon property. The farmer working on the domaine and his family used to live in the house until recent times. The last renovations in the house were undertaken to install modern day comforts while preserving authentic features of the building: its large stone fireplace, its oak beams as well as its cobblestone flooring (with river pebbles). These features are typical of rural buildings in Périgord but this quality and these dimensions are rare for a house of that size. The cobblestone floor, usually used to cover one-level buildings floors (the church of Lamonzie-Montastruc), it is very unusual for first floors except for some castles (château de Montastruc) because of its weight.
Secluded on a hilltop giving unparalleled views over the beautiful medieval village of Najac, with its own heated pool in a secret garden, the attractions of the 19th century Château du Pic are obvious. Built in 1886 by the Najac born Rouquet brothers returning to the village having made their fortune in Paris, Château du Pic boasts the elegant proportions of the era combined with all the comforts of modern living. This truly elegant but comfortable home has been renovated to an extremely high standard whilst retaining its period features and is beautifully furnished; combining the luxury of the new with the stylishness of the past.
After several years holidaying in France we looked for a home in several regions, finally settling on the Côte d’Azur where we saw over 40 houses. None of which met our demanding requirements until, in 1999, flying back to London after another fruitless trip, Sarah, my wife, flicked through an inflight magazine and said, 'That's it'.
Our family home is available to rent all year round, it has the most stunning sea views from both behind and in front of the house and many people say it's one of the best on the Côte d’Azur. The saline infinity pool is very special, it looks onto the bay of Cannes, the islands and all the way up the Cap d'Antibes.
Well in the Corrèze department of France, the letters 'ac' signify that the property had habitation in Roman times. So there was probably a mill there many centuries ago. There was certainly one there in the 14th century, when the bishop of Toulouse acquired it. At that time the mill pond extended to some 14ha!
"We are all born with a form of bud in oneself, which hatches or not". Hugo Marchand, principal dancer at the Paris Opera, released at the age of 27, an autobiographical book Danser, written in collaboration with Caroline de Bodinat. Find his journey, his experiences and feelings.
The Cherry farmhouse started life as a barn and animal sheds in the early 18th century, together with a small Fermette (cottage) and prune drier. When bought by its present owner in 1992, the Fermette was half tumbled down, but the barn and sheds were restorable.
The principal reason for buying La Fontaine was the view of the Pyrenees from our south-facing terrace and after some 15 years of ownership we never tire of it. A bonus is that on the other side of the village there is another splendid view - of the Black Mountains.
After we had owned La Fontaine in Cailhavel for a few years, we discovered that a significant French Neo-Impressionist* artist once lived nearby. In a house called l'Alouette which is five minutes down the road D221 out of Cailhavel towards the main road D623 to Limoux. The house is still family owned.
The Abbey of Fontenay is located in the north of Burgundy, founded in 1118 by Saint Bernard de Clairvaux, one of the greatest French saints, it is today the oldest preserved Cistercian abbey in the world. It is listed among the 45 UNESCO World Heritage sites in France.
Everyone loves a good art history mystery. From the back streets of Nice to the international art auction houses of Paris, here’s a story concerning a small painting, puchased for almost nothing that sold for a huge amount. But was it real ? And who stole it ?
This lovely property is brand new to our portfolio today. Situated close to Brantome, just outsidethe charming riverside town of Bourdeilles, take advantage of a empty summer calendar. Choose your dates for this fabulous Dordogne holiday home, but be quick, weeks will be quickly booked !
Settled at the apex of an orchard and surrounded by the many fruit trees of Le Grand Verger la maison blends seamlessly into the rural ambiance of the Gascon countryside. Many have assumed this is the conversion of an original barn complex like those seen all around the beautiful verdant countryside of the Gers but it’s surprisingly a new build!
Richard cycled by and checked the pool at first light as he does most mornings. Without waking a soul this ex-adman living in the sun is the best of hosts, never seen or heard but available if needed. By 7.30, the sun is well up and the house begins to rise. Adults for a quick pre-breakfast dip, teenagers sleep off a long late night. This morning we lay the table on the terrace outside the drawing room overlooking a distant valley populated by miniature cows and tiny farmhouses. They look as it they have been sleeping in the sun for hundreds of years, as indeed they have.
France first hosted The World Cup in 1938. The prestigious tournament returned to France in 1998 and the host nation triumphed in the final, winning 3-0 against Brazil. The games in the tournament were played at selected stadiums in 9 major cities. Can you name them ? Here they are, together with the unique posters made for each city. And don't forget 'Footix', the World Cup mascot...
Having travelled all over the World for work, there was something about Provence and the South of France which remained with the owner of Villa Coste Rousse. Since visiting the area several times on holiday as a child and which inspired her and her family to buy a second home in the unspoiled village of Callas deep in rural Provence. Callas with its narrow, cobbled streets, fountains (16 in total!) and charming shady square is perched high above the Gorges du Pennafort and the vineyards of Provence. Despite remaining almost unchanged for centuries, the village has a small grocery, an amazing boulangerie, a traditional tabac and four excellent restaurants. There's also a market every Saturday. All of which are within walking distance of Villa Coste Rousse. What better way to start the day than absorbing the wonderful views from the balcony, whilst tucking into freshly baked croissants?
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