Welcome to France

You have to love a country that values, above almost all else, a good meal! In France, men are told not to come home for lunch without crusty baguettes, and the making of wines is raised to an art form. From the art-rich capital of Paris to the gourmet city of Lyon; from the beaches of Biarritz to the hills of Provence, France offers centuries of culture, art and beautiful countryside. To enjoy the French joie de vivre (joy of life) you need to slow down and spend time in the small towns, going to local markets, sitting in cafes and watching the world go by.

Provence

The borders of Provence have been determined by nature herself: the Rhone River to the West, the Mediterranean to the south and in the north the line where the olive trees end. Provence is a pastiche of picturesque villages, major cities (Aix en Provence, Avignon, Arles, and Nimes) and tree laden hillsides, where artists have come for decades for the incredible light. Whether you are an art lover, foodie or shopper extraordinaire, you will find plenty to enjoy in Provence. The local markets offer up olive oil, lavender and crusty loaves of bread while history dating from the Roman times abound.

Luberon

Luberon

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Les Alpilles

Les Alpilles

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Aix

Aix

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Paris

The twinkle of lights on the Eiffel tower, some of the best art museums in the world, casual street-side cafes, incomparable shopping . . . who doesn’t want to spend some time in romantic Paris? How about your own pied-a-terre apartment? Which Arrondissment in the City of Lights is right for you: one full of couture clothing stores, one with museums close to the Seine or someplace near the Sorbonne on the Left Bank? Paris is one of the top cities of the world for a reason. You owe it to yourself to kick back and live in Paris like a native for a few weeks . . . or a few months!

Paris

Paris

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Basque Country

The principal cities of the Basque region include Biarritz, Bayonne, and St. Jean de Luz along the Atlantic coast in France and San Sebastian, Bilbao and Pamplona in northern Spain.

The Basque country is a wonderful combination of sunny coastal beaches with a laid-back atmosphere (leading it to be called the Southern California of France) and the rugged hills of the Pyrenees Mountains, with its hearty and independent people.

During your stay you’ll want to wander in the food markets and dine in local restaurants to experience the hearty Basque cuisine, especially its seafood, due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Tapas (the Spanish version of appetizers on steroids), and hard cider from the hills are other specialties of the area.

Biarritz

Biarritz

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Burgundy

Just mention the word Burgundy and red wine probably springs to mind. You are not far off. Burgundy (Bourgogne) is a peaceful rural region at the heart of France, which has a rich and unique history. The Dijon based duchy ran Burgundy for 600 years until 1477. Today much of Burgundy's prosperity is centered about the prestigious wine growing areas in the south and around Dijon. These small pockets have helped to uphold the region's reputation as land of great art and good living. Today, people visit the area, especially beautiful Beaune, to try some of France's finest wines such as Nuits-Saint-Georges, Meursault and Beaune. Most of the vineyards are found in the attractive Côte d'Or area.

Beaune

Beaune

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French Riviera

Despite the hype of St. Tropez being about glitter, all-night parties, endless days on the beach (which is true!), once you scratch beneath the surface, you’ll find a laid back lifestyle, wonderful art, from galleries to live performances, and some truly great food, especially its seafood. To appreciate St. Tropez, follow along the colorful alleys, through the Provençal market  where you will find local products, in and out of galleries looking for art and, perhaps, along the Coastal Path for sun, beauty and a bit of exercise.

St. Tropez

St. Tropez

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