The Famous 5 Day Feria in Beziers & Much Much More

Once the Languedocien stronghold of Catharism, the modern day Beziers offers you festivals, history, the Canal du Midi and Mediterranean beaches just 6kms from the town, what more could you want!  

Peyrepertuse Cathar Castle

(Our property La Garenne ( HE029A) is ideally placed to explore all of this and more).

The Cathedal in the centre of Beziers - Sainte-Nazaire rises above the cobbled streets the panoramic view over the Orb River is stunning and the town boasts boutiques galore and a plethora of restaurants including the L’Ambassade, which recently got a good review in the local Anglo/French Magazine – the Herault Times.

Cathedral at Beziers

This region is also a prolific wine producing area offering a vast array of wonderful wines for you to enjoy - Check out: www.languedoc-wines.com 

People come from far afield for the famous 5 day Feria of Beziers held around 15th August every year – bull fighting may not be to everyone’s taste, but the spectacle is amazing and the street party atmosphere with open air bodegas and live music is enthralling and definitely worth a visit - www.ville-beziers.fr

Beziers Feria

Collioure - A Hidden Gem: Picasso, Matisse, Modern Art & Anchovies

Nestling in a most attractive cove, between Perpignan and the Spanish Border, Collioure is a real treasure to explore and is only a few minutes walk from one of South France Villas properties Villa La Voile.

                                  

With it’s history of attracting Writers, Poets (Antonio Manchado) and Artists such as Picasso, Matisse, Derain (the Master of Fauvism) and Chagall, the Museum of 
Modern Art  -  it’s cobbled streets, summer festivals, beaches, plethora of restaurants - La Voile de Neptune -  , markets and the local speciality of Anchovies  - Collioure is a must visit!

AOC wine

                 

Plus the wine is excellent too – AOC Banyuls and Collioure -  www.abberous.com and don’t forget to try the local Croquant Almond biscuits! available from the shop that sells Regional Specialities at 8 rue Berthelot, Collioure

Collioure, “the village of light” has everything for a magical stay.

Pezenas - Famous for Moliere, Bite Sized Tower Shaped Pies & Saturday Markets

The lovely town of Pezenas , only 20 minutes from the Mediterranean beaches and Beziers, offers history, lovely architecture, culture (Moliere lived there for a time),  restaurants and bars galore, cafes and boutiques plus a fantastic Saturday market.

The town is with walking distance of  Les 3 Pins (HE042A) which has  it’s own tennis court
and is also only 6kms from the fabulous luxury property,  Chateau du BeauParc  and just 8kms from the lovely Maison de Maitre (HE030A).

Chateau du Beau Parc
(HE068A)

HE030A Le Manoir

Don’t forget to try the “Petit Pate de Pezenas”  (bite size savoury tower shaped pies) originally brought to the area by Clive of India!          

 To top up your tan, the family resorts of Grau d’Agde and 
Rochelongue  and Valras Plage are easily accessible -

Eze-sur-Mer

EZE-SUR-MER AND EZE VILLAGE - IDYLLIC RIVIERA ESCAPE

The village of Eze (www.eze-riviera.com) is a stone’s throw from the magical Monte Carlo and South France Villas property AM006A Villa Eze 

AM006A Villa Eze

Villa Eze is the perfect location to explore this traditional village, (also known as the “eagles nest” due to its amazing views) and the world famous Riviera.

Follow the village cobbled street (which the donkeys use to transport goods and luggage!) and take coffee on the balcony of the Chateau Eza Restaurant - www.chateauezarestaurant.com which will afford you a unsurpassed vista of the Cote d’Azur coastline 

or meander through the Exotic Gardens at the very peak of the village and enjoy the stunning views and get some “Zen time”.

Or if the mood takes you head off to the Casino at Monte Carlo www.monte-carlo.mc

Villefranche Sur Mer

VILLEFRANCHE-SUR-MER  - Chic living on the Cote d'Azur.

AM029A Villa Sur Mer

This lovely chic “fishing port” between Nice and Monte Carlo is the ideal location to enjoy all  that this wonderful part of the Cote d’Azur has to offer and if you are staying at South France Villas property AM029A Villa Sur Mer all of this and more is on your doorstep. 

www.villefranche-sur-mer.com

Why not meander down to the waterfront, take an aperitif, people watch and enjoy the  hustle and bustle harbour side as the private yachts anchor in the bay, before visiting one it’s most famous restaurants La Mere Germaine  established in 1938 it’s tradition of fine tables, hospitality, comfort and gastronomy - specialities of fish and seafood particularly the famous bouillabaisse, one of the best in the Region…

Don’t forget too an hommage to Jean Cocteau (writer, poet, artist) is in Villefranche-sur-Mer – so you can get some culture! www.jeancocteau.com

MARSEILLAN

The Rive Gauche in Marseillan - www.marseillan.com is a lovely spot to while away those long holiday lunches, sit on the port and enjoy tapas or oysters in the array of restaurants lining the port.  Noilly Prat is opposite so why not take the tour – it is fascinating!

If you are staying at at one of South France Villas properties in the Herault, Languedoc Roussillon, such as HE011A Villa Ramistan, the village and port of Marseillan are just a stone’s throw away.

GRASSE - The International Capital of Perfume

Travellers have long been attracted to the pleasures of Grasse. Queen Victoria herself returned for several winters to sojourn in a luxury vacation home in this medieval town. While there are many things to do and see in the area, it is the clean crisp air scented with flowers that seduces those who visit. The altitude and the looming hills behind the town create the freshness in the atmosphere - a contrast to the beach towns of Provence, which often swelter in the Summer.

Perfume

Grasse began making Perfume way back in the 16th century as almost an afterthought. Making perfume was simply a side-project to a solid industry in manufacturing gloves - when perfumed gloves were briefly in fashion, Grasse decided to manufacture their own perfume. Yet today the gloves have been all but discarded, with the Perfume industry having been gradually built up to become a dominating figure in the Perfume World. Today, Grasse produces around two-thirds of France's perfumes. Part of the reason that Grasse has been so successful is because the particular climate of the region is perfect for nurturing delicate flowers which struggle in other regions.

There are three historic perfume manufacturers in Grasse which provide free guided tours. You will learn about perfume and how it is made and later will have the opportunity (without obligation) to browse and buy their products.

• Galimard 73 rte Cannes tel: 04 93 09 20 00

• Fragonard 20 bd Fragonard tel:04 93 36 44 65 fax: 04 93 36 03 50

• Molinard 60 bd Victor Hugo tel: 04 93 36 01 62

Interesting Perfume Facts:
Other Recommended Attractions
Olive Oil is also produced in Grasse:
41 Chemin des Paroirs,Tel: 0493 701 674, or 0618 188 415
Caving
Caving


- A perfume contains between 10 to more than 250 ingredients.
- A scent that smells good on one person will not necessarily smell good on another. This is because the interaction between the fragrance and the body may produce a different scent perception in different people due to their body hormonal balance.
- Diets, way of life and medication will affect or influence your sense of smell
- The sense of smell is sharper in the afternoons
- Fragrance lasts longer on oily skin than on dry skin
- Some researches have shown that people without a sense of smell lead a less happy life than people who can smell. There are different types of fragrances that trigger emotions and affect the mood of people who smell it.


Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence - Located in an 18th-century mansion, this museum features archeology and ethnology as well as Provencal painting, pottery and history.

Notre Dame du Puy cathedral - Dating from the 11th Century, (rebuilt in the 17th c.) this cathedral boasts a huge 18th century clock tower and an art collection featuring Rubens.

Festivals - The Fête du Jasmin or La Jasminade has been celebrated every year at the beginning of August since 1946. These days, it is a big event; decorated floats drive through the town, with young women throwing flowers onto the crowds which line the streets -- everyone gets soaked by the natural perfume of the flowers. There are also fireworks, free parties, folk music groups and street performers. Also popular is the annual 5-day international exhibition of roses ("Expo Rose"), which occurs in May.

Rossignol Oil Mill - Moulin à Huile du Rossignol

Royrie Domaine - Domaine de la Royrie Royrie88 Chemin des Haute Ribes,Tel: 0609 866 327

Sainte-Anne Oil Mill - Moulin à Huile Sainte Anne
138 Route de Draguignan,Tel: 0493 702 142


For those feeling adventurous, this is a fantastic area for caving. If you are a member of a 'spelunking' organisation, there are many caves available to explore. However even those who are inexperienced in caving can get involved. Cavers can descend into the Trou du Curé (60 metres underground) or explore the cave at the Saint Sauveur waterfall. For those who don't fancy journeying underground, there are also many hiking trails in the area.

As you can see, a holiday in a beautiful villa in the Grasse region allows you to experience a large variety of acitivites, a unique culture and history - all within a picturesque setting.

Nearby Villas
We have a selection of gorgeous luxury villas nearby to Grasse. We are expanding our villa rental program in this region all the time, always looking out with a sharp eye for the best quality villas in Cote d'Azur.

We have two luxurious holiday villas in this region which we recommend in particular:

AM003A Villa Ferrage
AM019 Tourettes-sur-Loup


Thanks for reading, and we hope that you have learnt something about this wonderful region in France - whether solely for interest or whether you are researching a holiday in the South of France. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.


Contributions by Katarina Byrne