On Saturday, we were surprised at how few tourists there were in Avignon. The Place de l’Horloge and the space in front of the Papal Palace are usually bustling with visitors, but all was quiet. Our waiter told us that it was ‘une catastrophe’. Hopefully, the forthcoming Avignon Festival will …

Check out the Luberon views high up on the hill in the village of Banon. It is a great place for a hike or lunch, and home to the fastest dog in France, Dabir a Saluki. If you are lucky enough to be there in lavender season enjoy the brilliant shades of …

The tranquil village of Saignon perched high on a hill above the town of Apt is a quintessential French village. From the cobblestone streets winding their way past colourful shutters, intricate doorways, gorgeous fountains, and an ancient lavoir (washhouse) to the rock of Saignon high above, this beautiful village is …

Traveling by train from Uzes to Nice for a weekend at the beach is a piece of cake. The low cost train fare makes the trip a “must.” Now that I’m planning to travel a lot by train in Europe, I’m glad to have the “senior” rail pass …Continue reading here for …

Contributor blog post by Jill Cowdry: As days become warmer, it’s impossible to resist the urge to get out – attention turns to more exercise and a spring swim in the med.  A short drive from Aix en Provence or Marseilles the magical Calanques are a special place to walk, breath …

Minutes away from the Cote d’Azur shoreline, this tiny outcropping is a world away from the glitz and glamour of Saint-Tropez. Porquerolles is one of three islands that form the Îles d’Hyères Archipelago. Only a 10-minute ferry ride from terra firma this spit of land is only 7 km (4.3 miles) …

Contributor blog post by Access Riviera: If I had a euro for every time someone asked me ‘Is Monaco cheap to visit?’ I’d probably be able to buy a penthouse apartment there myself. There’s no doubt about it that Monaco is a destination of legend – luxury everything from hotels …

The tourist office in Aix has come up with a very good 32-page digital magazine ‘Le Mag’ to help visitors this coming summer: there are details of events, music, markets, lavender fields tours, where to play golf, the Cézanne map, where to picnic and key products to try.

Bilingual guide Chiara Orlandi grew up in the heart of Italy, in Umbertide, a place that she still holds dear in her heart even after several years away in the United Kingdom and Edinburgh, Scotland. Orlandi studied event management at Edinburgh’s Napier University, her second Masters (her previous degrees are …

France has so many amazing places to visit it’s hard to decide where to start. If you’re a Roman history buff, you must visit Nimes. It’s a city where you can see, touch and experience life in France during the days of the Roman Empire. …Continue reading here for the Barefoot …