With the River Seine gently meandering through this incredible city in northern central France, the captivating, romantic city of Paris has been described in just about every possible way and is a dream destination for people the world over, boasting many famous landmarks, a rich history and idyllic Parisian scenes at every turn. The city features monument-lined boulevards, fascinating museums, classical bistros, bohemian art nouveau cafes, creative wine bars, stylish boutiques, and art galleries. Must-see attractions include: the impressive Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, the world-renowned Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe standing guard over the glamourous Champs Elysees Avenue. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample infamous French cuisine at an array of enticing ‘boulangeries’, ‘patisseries’, and ‘fromageries’.
With all the style, culture and sophistication of Paris but with none of the crowds and tourist traps, Aix-en-Provence is the perfect holiday destination for travellers seeking a relaxed and authentic French experience. This stately town is idyllically situated in a picturesque landscape surrounded by quaint, sleepy villages at the foot of the Sainte-Victoire Mountain. One can’t help but be seduced by the splendour of the baroque architecture, the avenues of leafy plane trees, and the quietly gurgling moss-covered fountains which adorn meticulously manicured gardens. The city’s maze of tiny medieval streets forms an ideal setting for groups of immaculately dressed locals posing in the numerous chic cafes and stylish boutiques. With all its decadent elegance, it is easy to see why Aix-en-Provence has become synonymous with l'art de vivre (the art of living).
Set on a turquoise Mediterranean bay fringed with pebble beaches and watched over by an ancient castle, Cassis is the traveller’s equivalent of a fairytale - combining beguiling scenic beauty and huge doses of old-world charm. The town is also known for its distinctive calanques - slender slices of cove filled with azure ocean and embraced by sheer stony cliffs - and its liberal swathes of vineyard surrounds, producers of the region’s trademark white wine. Don’t miss a visit to the characterful port area, dotted with quaint cafes, fragrant bistros and pastel-hued shopfronts. For phenomenal views of the local coast, head to the rocky promontory of Cap Canille.
The capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department on the French Riviera, Nice enjoys an idyllic location, sitting on the pebbly shores of the Baie des Anges with spectacular Alps-to-Mediterranean surroundings. It is well known for its breathtaking views along the Promenade des Anglais, its famous waterfront, lined with deck chairs for lazing in the sun alongside the azure water. Art lovers can marvel at the impressive collections housed in the city's numerous world-class museums, including the Matisse Museum, Musée Chagall, the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, and the Musée et Site Archeologiques de Cimiez, which includes the ruins of the Gallo-Roman settlement in Cimiez. Architecture enthusiasts will find plenty to peak their interest in the ocher-tinted streets of the city's charming Old Town. These narrow, traffic-free alleyways are lined with romantic cafes, picturesque houses and boutiques, as well as the famous flower and fruit market of Cours Saleya. With its perfect balance of modern sophistication and old-world charm, as well as attractions suited to all ages, it's no wonder Nice is such a renowned vacation destination.
