Contributor blog post by Caroline Longstaffe: Imagine falling asleep in a luxurious room, once part of grand Renaissance French mansion or under soft linens in the bedroom a now historical, listed building.  Or staying in an exquisitely, charming bedroom filled with fresh flowers where the warmth and charm of your …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: Right here in Aix as it turns out! Le Parisien has just awarded that honour to La Maison d’Aix, a mansion built in 1789, in the Quartier Mazarin. Architect Laure Juhen has renovated the building in the spirit of a previous owner Madame Henriette Reboul, a …

Contributor blog post by Aixcentric: Last autumn, it was announced that two mansions in centre ville were for sale. The town authorities wished to divest themselves of buildings which weren’t functional and cost too much to maintain. Now there is some progress to report on one. The Hotel de Valbelle, currently …

Contributor blog post by Jill Cowdry: All aboard…. time to jump on the TGV ..my favourite way to travel.   Aix to Nice close to the dreamiest of coastline.  Via Toulon then a brief diversion inland to vineyards near Draguignan, it meanders snake-like with great ease close to the coast. …

Contributor blog post by David Taylor: Domaine des Andeols is a boutique hotel less than two kilometres from the village with six stylish rooms and two restaurants. There are beautiful grounds including a large Olive orchard and lavender bushes plus a superb ‘Plane’ tree which houses one of the restaurants. …

The village of St-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume is located 30 minutes South of Aix en Provence. There is fabulous history in this village, including the tombs of Mary Magdalene and St Maximinus (who the village was named after). There are also beautiful spots to stay and visit including the Hotel Le Couvent Royal (Hotel …

Local enough to hear the latest gossip makes you a local in Provence Sharon de Rham (tour guide and expat) says she gets the heads up from her friend at the tourist office when there are movie stars staying in the “neighbourhood.” After nearly ten years in Vaison la Romaine, …

Nice airport has recently been voted the most beautiful aerial approach in the world, by Private Fly. For people living in the Alpes-Maritimes it remains a thrill, as you approach from the West along the Var or East past Monaco, before landing on the sea (well that is how it …

By aixcentric Lots of sales going on at the moment across France, but the most unusual must be the massive auction of items from the famous, glittering Hotel de Paris in Monaco. As part of its renovation project, they will be selling off all manner of items Explore this Post …

They never appreciated a luxury holiday but now my girls (the whirls as I call them – because they are always whirling around) have really started to enjoy a touch of 5 star……..  Ooooh!  they exclaimed as we were shown to our room at the stunning Villa Gallici Hotel in Aix …