What to Do in Languedoc Over the Summer? Allow us to introduce ourselves!

As of the 1st of July 2013, Rebecca Wilson and myself Maya Knight, have been welcomed to the South France Villas team. 

We have been (and will continue to throughout the summer) working on the blog to ensure you are informed of all the wonderful events, restaurants, wine domaines and bars in the South of France! 

We will be concentrating on the LanguedocRoussillon region, as this is where we are based. We will also be creating short videos so that you can grasp a sense of what exactly you are missing out on over here. (Unless of course you are already staying in one of the company's beautiful villas on offer!)

We have both just recently come back from travelling in South and Central America and like to think we’ve become very good at sussing out the gems and jewels of an area.

We really hope our efforts do justice to this fantastic region!

We are looking forward to getting some comments and feedback from you readers.


Enjoy!

What to do in Languedoc in August ? - La Féria

You may ask yourself what the most 'happening' event is in Languedoc, South of France in August?

Definitely the FERIA!

Among the many places in the South of France that celebrate the Féria; Béziers, Bayonne and Nîmes are the three most popular towns in which people choose to attend the Féria.

Our pick:        La Féria de Béziers  

(it is a five day-long festival, dates usually ranging between the 10th and 17th of August)

The Féria is one of the region’s most anticipated events of the summer. It originates from traditional Spanish festivities where bullfighting takes place in the city’s beautiful “Arènes”.

 By evening, families and friends meet in the improvised outdoor restaurants serving home made paella and a variety of rustic tapas. As more and more people start to pour into the city, a vibrant ambiance fills the streets.

Hundreds of stands sell delicious wines and sangrias from Domains based all over the region.  (Our pick: look out for the litchi sangria! It is to die for)

Music flows everywhere throughout the city, guiding the wine connoisseurs and the party-goers to the next bodega where there are usually live bands and DJ’s as entertainment. 

The fiesta is everywhere you go, indoors or out.

There are also smaller daytime events to attend to other than the obvious choice; bullfighting. There are horse-shows, parades, flamenco dancing and bands to see. (If you think the bullfighting may offend members of your party, but you still wish to really get into the spirit of the festival, there are Portuguese bullfights on as well.

There is no killing only “games” involving the bulls and the men themselves are in very little danger. Many more families attend these “Corridas”, they are a great way to indulge into the atmosphere of the arena full of chanting people, which is quite a unique experience that we recommend to everyone- at least once in a lifetime)

Programmes will be ready available everywhere in the city in restaurants and cafes as well as on the Internet. These will provide you with all the information on “what’s happening, where and when?”, they will also tell you where you can buy tickets for both Spanish and Portuguese bullfights.

One last piece of important advice; the traditional colours are sacred, so make you sure you dress in red and white! 

Saumane - Provence - taste of real France

Last minute deals - Provencal Holiday Home Rental.

'Saumane' - 25% off remaining July and August weeks

A perfectly located Provençal house which sleeps up to 12 with spectacular views, and a private heated pool, set within 2.5 acres of land with an orchard of olive trees.

The house is set in a breath-taking location with a fantastic infinity heated swimming pool built into the rock face and has an overflow which cascades into a lower pool area. The area around the pool is beautifully landscaped with stone patio areas along with wooden decking. 

Floodlit at night, swimming under the stars is one of the true highlights of the summer holiday!

The garden and olive groves are set on stone built terraces, and the property 'domaine' is so large it even has it's own mini-forest of green oak trees.

         

         

Just a few minutes walk takes you to a small hill-top village which one can see from the house terrace and has only 200 inhabitants. It has a small friendly bar/restaurant. 'Isle-sur-Sorgue', famous for its antique shops and with a huge choice of restaurants, many on the waterfront, is only about 10 minutes away and Fontaine de Vaucluse is only 5 minutes away

The property is decorated and furnished to a very high standard and has a total of six bedrooms, five of which are ensuite. 

August rental in Aix-en-Provence

Villa du Jardin ref BR001A - Last Minute special offer for August - Provence Villa Rental

Aix-en-Provence, is only approximately 7 kms from this lovely old Provencal 'Mas'. Aix, famous for its summer festivals, fountains and cultural events, was the Capital of Gaul in the Roman times, and is best known as the city of Cezanne's canvasses, amazing shops, restaurants and museums. (Cours Mirabeau is one of Europe's finest streets). 

Have an aperitif and do some relaxing people-watching at Les Deux Garcons (known locally as Les Deux Gas),one of France's most famous and historic bars.

This charming, traditional light-filled Provençal villa with 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a wonderful rambling garden and generous living space, with 9m x 5m pool has 2 weeks in August still available on last minute special offer. 

The centre of beautiful and lively Aix-en-Provence is only 5 minutes drive - Villa du Jardin is the perfect place from where to explore one of France's oldest and most attractive Roman cities.and this property is only half a kilometre from a village; so one can indulge in simple pleasures like going to get your baguette in the morning from the boulangerie on foot.

 Forest walks a minute away.

Rural Provence, with its beautiful traditional villages, scenery and light that has attracted generation after generation of artists is also on your doorstep and the Mediterranean is less than 30km away. 

But you could just as happily lie by the pool smelling the lavender in the garden and nearby Mediterranean forest pines!


In 2013 Marseille is the European Capital of Culture - this property is approximately 29km from the city

                                               

Cote D'Azure Chateau Chic gets Featured in 'France Today'!

The high-end international magazine France Today is being relaunched in June and this issue will feature the article "Chic Retreat" focusing on a luxury Chateau for rent near St Tropez - Chateau Cavaliere (VR007A), this is just one of many of the fabulous properties on offer from South France Villas.


The Chateau epitomizes quintessential traditional French style but it also comes with all the mod cons of the 21st century.

The privately owned chateau comes with:

•  Over a hectare of landscaped gardens
•  A stunning eco-pool 
•  Walking distance to Cavaliere beach
•  Full Chef and maid services

 The ultimate luxury venue for parties of up to 16 people:

For more details on availability and to book this property don't hesitate to contact South France Villas on 0871 711 3372 or 00 33 467 360 554 or email us at info@southfrancevillas.com

La Vie en Rosé - Wines of Southern France

THE ROSÉ WINES OF SOUTHERN FRANCE ARE SOME OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD - NOW IS THE TIME TO BOOK THAT HOLIDAY AND COME TRY THEM FOR YOURSELF.

The recent rain followed by glorious sunshine means conditions have been ideal for the vineyards to get a favourable start to the growth spurt, the countryside is gloriously green with flourishing vines as far as the eye can see - the life blood of the Languedoc and Provence begins anew.

To savour that delicious pink nectar, two lovely stone built properties in the portfolio of South France Villas, offer you the perfect base to sample the delights of regional Rosé wines.  

In the Languedoc, close to Beziers, HE086A Bastide Pinede - a fabulous traditional stone built Bastide, with a contemporary interior, private pool and large garden, sleeping 8 in 4 en suite bedrooms, is perfect for that family holiday.  In this area the Wine Domaines of  Le Rosé de Bessan, Domaine La Baume and Les Crus Faugeres are all easily accessible for tastings.

HE086A Bastide Pinede

If you want to discover more why not let the experts take the strain and contact Languedoc Wine Tours  to book your place on one of their various programmes.

In Provence, VR014A Bastide des Vignes, a lovingly restored barn, renovated by the Owners with passion, offers 5 bedrooms, amazing interiors with stirking bespoke art, pool and extensive gardens - an oasis of tranquility.

This Bastide nestles amongst vines, which are part of Domaine de Rimauresq.  Rimauresq is a 'Cru classé, which produces Cinsault, Mourvedre and Tibouren for their rosés - it is one of the most prestigious vineyards in Provence and their 'R' logo is appreciated worldwide.  The vinery is a mere 15 minutes away from this stunning property.  From here access to the Routes des Vins is easy where you can taste the delights of Cote de Provence, Bandol, Coteaux Varios and Coteaux d'Aix en Provence.

VR014A Bastide des Vignes

Provence rosés are amongst the best in the world, Their pale rose petal colour, delicate aromas and explosion of sun filled fruit on the palate make them a perfect accompaniment to all dishes or ideal for that aperitif! 

Rosé is possibly one of the oldest known types of wine in the world and there are three major ways to produce rosé wine - skin contact, saignée and blending. 
So, enough of the lecture, time for some practical, simply contact South France Villas who will be delighted to book you a property so you can enjoy your personal "voyage a vin".

Skin contact - black skinned grapes are crushed and the skins allowed to remain in contact with the juice for a short period, normally 1-3 days, the longer they are left, the more intense the colour of the final wine. 

Saignée (the French word for bleeding) - when the winemaker desires to impart more tannin and colour to a red wine, some of the pink juice from the must can be removed at an early stage in what is known as the Saignée and this can be fermented separately to produce rosé.

Blending - the simple mixing of red wine to a white wine to impart colour. This method is discouraged in most wine growing regions, especially in France, where it is forbidden by law, except for Champagne, but most producers use the Saignée method.

Why you Should Book your Holidays in the South of France

Head off to the Languedoc, Provence or Cote D'Azure for a perfect getaway. Why not combine your hobby with a holiday and have the best of both worlds?

If you are into cycling the amazing Tour de France you will will be passing close to many properties that are on offer from us - the buzz of the "Caravanne" heading through before the race leaders and the Peloton is a sight to see and sets you up for the awesome blur of riders speeding to the next destination.

For those who like to pursue their creativity and improve their culinary skills why not join a Cooking Course on offer from "Cooking in Provence" - to accommodate you the Owner has two properties Mas St Sylvestre (VU011A) and Mas St Ambroise (VU012A) on the doorstep.

Mas St Sylvestre and Mas St Ambroise

In the Languedoc a fabulous opportunity awaits you - a Gastronomic Experience with the Chef and Owner of Restaurant O Bontemps in Magalas not far from Beziers, who offers Cookery Days - create and eat what a great combination! You can stay at South France Villas property HE084A Villa Kharbashi and walk home!

Olivier Bontemps

To entice you further, the sights and smells of shopping in the traditional French Markets will whet your appetite - starting in the Spring with delicious Green Asparagus, followed by an array of soft fruits - mouthwatering Cherries, juicy Strawberries, flavoursome Apricots - for the inevitable jam making - and sweet tasting Melons, not forgetting the aromatic garlic and sweet onions.

If all this is too much like hard work a tour of a local vineyard for that wine tasting session  or a day out at the Jousting Tournament in Sete would fit the bill on the leisure front!

Fun in the sun is what holidays are all about - why wait?