Côte d'Azur - The Fabulous French Riviera

The Côte d'Azur, also known in English as the French Riviera has been as the playground of the rich and famous since the 18th century. In addition to the glitz and the glamour it is one of the most beautiful regions in France. This coastline has a wealth of culture and history that is so often overshadowed by the celebrity lifestyle and opulent society that has become synonymous with the Côte d’Azur.

 Despite not having any official borders, it is usually considered to be the coastal area that runs from the Italian border in the east to Toulon in the west and is part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region. The area was named Stéphen Liégeard in his book La Côte d’Azur, who adapted the name from the department of Côte d’Or and was making reference to the beautiful azure blue Mediterranean Sea.

The region has extraordinarily beautiful coastline with a backdrop of beautiful mountain ranges. It is an animated and lively region with glittering annual events such as the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix. The Côte d’Azur is a popular yachting and cruising area littered with impressive marinas filled with extravagant yachts.

Slightly more low-key towns that are worth a visit are Villefranche-sur-Mer and Roquebrune. These are beautiful communities with picturesque old towns that don’t have the garish wealth of Cannes and St Tropez but still maintain the beauty and luxury of the French Riviera.

Of course, the region is not all about beautiful fishing ports and glamorous seaside towns, 

the area is famous for being a meeting place for artists, such as Matisse and Picasso and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary art in Nice is well worth a visit www.mamac-nice.org

The Côte d'Azur's fascinating history stretches from Roman rulers to the fantasy and luxury of the Belle Époque architecture to the  20th century hollywoood lifestyle. The ancient forts and Chateaux that line the coast are breath-taking and popular tourist attractions, such as the grandiose Palace in Monaco or the 16^th Century Saint Elme Citadel in Villefranche. For lists of the forts and castles in the Côte d’Azur visit www.frenchriviera-tourism.com

To explore this beautiful region South France Villas offers you beautiful properties to rent.

Villa Chenet Provençal style house in Frejus, with beautiul gardens and only 10km form the sea. Sleeps 6-7

Villa Les Maures Luxury villa, with sophisticated interiors , in the hills above St Tropez. Sleeps 12.

Villa Allegra Large contemporary villla in Golfe Juan, with a beautiful view over Cannes. Sleeps 14.

Villa Eze  Villa in Eze-sur-Mer between Nice and Monaco, with infinity pool and only 3 minutes walk from beach. Sleeps 6.

For more information and to check out our other properties in the Côte d’Azur please got to our website www.southfrancevillas.com

The Magic of Morocco

THE MAGIC OF MOROCCO

Morocco is a country steeped in tradition and culture. It’s truly diverse landscape ranges from Atlantic shore line to snow-capped mountains to rolling dessert. The gate way to sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabic and Berber traditions make Morocco the perfect destination for an exotic getaway where you can discover a whole new world of sights and sounds all in absolute luxury.

The thriving city of Marrakech is an excellent holiday destination for all those who want to experience the magic and colour of Morocco.

The Place Djemaa el Fna

With its open-air markets known as Souks, the city is alive with colour and scents. Market stalls fill the bustling city centre square - Place Djemaa el Fna - where tradesmen sell a myriad of different foods and products, including leather goods, textiles and aromatic spices. The produce sold in the souks is a testament to the exceptional craftsman ship of the Moroccan artisans.

Spice Stall

Handmade carpets

Take some time out to relax in a Moroccan café and try some Moroccan mint tea. More than just your average hot drink, mint tea is a sign of hospitality, friendship and tradition. The tea is very sweet and is served in small decorated glasses. When served it is poured from a high height to allow air into the tea which cools it down and improves its flavour.

Moroccan Mint Tea

The are plenty of things to see and do Marrakech including a day trip to go trekking or walking in the stunning Atlas Mountains, or even spending a day visiting tourist attractions in the centre of Marrakech such as the Koutoubia Mosque.

There are also several beautiful golf courses on the outskirts of Marrakech.

Koutoubia Mosque

South France Villas now has a fabulous range of Moroccan villas that offer all the luxuries and amenities needed for a truly relaxing Moroccan holiday, including catering and spa facilities.

The villas range from traditional Moroccan style riads to stylish, contemporary style villas. Take a look at our website to browse these wonderful properties.

Villa Beyt Rim (MR029A) is a large contemporary style villa with an integral spa, perfect for family events or even weddings!

Villa Arfa MR014A is a stunning modern Moroccan style villa, near to Marrakech, with a fabulous roof top terrace that has stunning views of the Atlas mountains.

Villa Chamade )MR022A) is a stylish, beautifully decorated villa on the Amelkis Golf Course. Perfect for any keen golfers! 

For more information you can contact us via our website.