THE HAIRY BIKERS IN MY PART OF FRANCE! I love all types of cooking programmes and have my own personal favourites and the Hairy Bikers top my list! I love watching Dave and Si cook but it’s their superb humour and friendliness that I really like. For the past 5 weeks they have been travelling around Europe going from the northern countries of Europe to the eastern countries and now they have hit my country - France! Many people regard France as the home of gastronomy and the first stop for the bikers was Lyon the culinary capital of France. Dave and Si explore the 'bouchon' - a restaurant traditionally run by a female chef or 'mere Lyonnaise' where the food was not only good but the portions enormous! Wanting to get into the swing of cooking in France they start with a tarte aux pralines and create a saucisson-stuffed brioche. From Lyon they travel to Montelimar to learn the secrets of teeth-pulling nougat, followed by truffle-hunting for the famous white summer truffle. This famous truffle is used to make truffle-infused butter and brie. From here they ride along the Canal du Midi and onto Carcassonne (Languedoc) and one of the regions that I work in. With the backdrop of the medieval cite behind them (an awesome sight) they bake a perfect Flan de Saint Jean de Minervois; it like a crème caramel but made with lavender honey and dessert wine. Onwards to Castelnaudary to the home of Cassoulet where they are inducted into the Ancient Order of the Cassoulet (after eating it of course!) when they reach their journey's end. This beautiful part of the Languedoc with its Cathar history, Corbiere Valley and the Mediterranean coast is perfect for a wonderful family holiday. Flights to Carcassonne are regular and inexpensive and for me it’s definitely an area I love visiting time and time again. Gill Manager France & Morocco

A different Mediterranean with a Venice appeal

Mention Mediterranean France and everyone think’s of the Cote d’Azur and Provence. Beautiful areas to visit but why not venture further west and sample the delights of quaint fishing villages, lively cities and at affordable prices.

Every month I select my Villa of the Month and this month I have chosen a superb property on the beach yet right next door to the wonderful seaside town of Sete. Here you can sample the best oysters and seafood caught the same day – you can’t get fresher than that!

Once a small fishing village on the island of Mont St Clair it’s become the definitive Languedoc fishing port for France on the Mediterranean. This warm and colourful town is known as the Venice of Languedoc with its canals and small bridges. The charm of Sete is in the canals, the sea, the streets and the restaurants. You can walk and discover fishing boats, busy with their catch, or find a restaurant to eat and watch the fishing boats go out to sea. Walk down the Saint Louis Pier and look for yachts vie for space or sunbathe on the miles of sandy beaches that stretch from Sete to Cap d’Agde. There is so much to do in and around Sete from sailing trips, water sports, micro light flights, tennis, golf, horse riding, museums, theatres and a casino if you fancy a try at the tables!!

Of course you must have a comfortable and stylish villa to stay in for your holiday and Quality Villas is proud to have a superb Art Deco style villa facing the sea as part of its portfolio. Villa Mont St Clair is situated in Setes La Corniche’s district yet a 5 minute stroll brings you to the fishing towhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifn of Sete. Villa Mont St Clair is directly facing the sea and this well appointed house stands out amongst the others around it with a particularly unusual green tiled tower which houses part of the principal bathroom. The property has been lovingly restored with marble floors, Italian style ceiling, and grand staircase with Art Deco cast iron and cherry wood finish and stained glass windows. The doors on the first floor have been restored to their former glory depicting the Art Deco style of the period. The furnishing and fittings are all of a particularly high standard yet oozes comfort in this spacious house. This popular villa is classy, spacious and comfortable. http://www.qualityvillas.com/languedoc/sete/villa-mont-st-clair

This popular villa still has summer availability so hurry and book this little piece of luxury at affordable prices. I thoroughly recommend it !!

Gill Woolsgrove
Manager
France & Morocco

VILLA OF THE MONTH – Maison St Gervais

Each month I am going to nominate a Villa of the Month in various regions of France. This not only gives the particular villa a little bit of publicity but it may also help the reader of this blog to know about the regions in France, where I live.

This month it’s Maison St Gervais which is a former Presbytery built of Quercy Blanc stone and was once the home of the local parish priest. Since the priest left the Presbytery it has been renovated over the years and now provides a comfortable holiday home.
The house sleeps eight comfortably, has a large garden, a sparkling pool and situated in a particularly lovely part of the Tarn et Garonne with rural views yet close to a small village. Among the many places local to the property are markets, night markets, a leisure lake, a tennis court, horse riding centre, golf courses and a parachute school.
Click here for this Moissac farmhouse with pool
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The Quercy Blanc takes its name from the white limestone which colours the soil. Many villages are built of Quercy Blanc, the beautiful local white stone.

This green and fertile corner of France is well known for its hilltop medieval bastides and fortified villages. There are incredibly beautiful and unspoilt places with tumbling flowers, painted shutters and carved stonework dotted across the rolling landscape, intermingling with stone built farms, gaggles of foie gras producing geese, the occasional chateau, vineyards, sunflowers and fruit orchards.

Famous for its sunflowers, peaches, kiwi, asparagus, cherries, nectarines, melons, vines and prunes, the local countryside changes weekly from the lush greens and delicate blossoms of early spring through to the fields of ripening wheat and barley edged with poppies, to the vivid yellow of the summer sunflowers.

Can you not think of anything more lovely to have your France villa holiday in Maison St Gervais?

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about your holiday in France contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Area Manager

France & Morocco

France – voted 2nd most popular holiday destination in 2011

Second to Spain, France was the second most popular destination this year for holidays. Hopefully, next year it will be voted No. 1 and judging by the enquiries we are receiving for villas in France then 2012 might be top of the list! 2011 has been an excellent year for Quality Villas and coupled with our 25th anniversary in the luxury villa holiday market we are really pleased!

I have lived in France for 17 years and while food has almost doubled in price, eating out is still very cheap and public transport is efficient and cheap too!! Not only this but it is a relaxed and beautiful country whereby the French have a philosophy – you work to live and not live to work. The sheer fact of the lifestyle, beauty and most of all an unhurried way of life is exactly why it’s the number one place for those who have moved here permanently.

The choice is diverse and a place and villa for everyone. Choose to stay in one of our family villas or farmhouses in France from Brittany to the Cote d’ Azur.

The classic image of Brittany's coastline is that of massive Atlantic breakers bursting over defiant granite rocks, Brittany's coastline actually offers a wide range of seashores, from small sandy or pebbly coves to sand dunes and broad sandy beaches; it also offers a wealth of inlets and harbours, making this region the most popular in France with sailing enthusiasts. The south-facing coast of the Morbihan benefits from a particularly mild climate.

The Dordogne with its 101 chateaux steeped in history to the lush green countryside and famous Dordogne River. Hire a kayak and pack a picnic for a glorious day out before having dinner in one of many fine restaurants or Auberges that are plentiful in this area. We have many superb villas in this area plus new villas that will surely please. View our family farmhouses in the Dordogne and South West to sample other delights in this region.

Provence is a region of contrasts and colours. This delightful region of the French Midi (the South) is associated with warm breezes, a mild climate, and rolling hillsides covered in the gray washes of olive trees and lavender. The lavender fields are truly amazing to see with not only their beauty but the heady perfume that is in the air. View our villa rentals in Provence for your next holiday.

People in the hundreds of thousands flock to the Côte d'Azur or French Riviera for its sun and dazzling blue waters. This coastline is a constant hub of activity and excitement. The Riviera attracts an international group and jet-setters here to see and to be seen. If you want glamour and maybe spot a famous face or two then this is the place to be. So, to be one of the “in set” visit our website www.qualityvillas.com for your Cote d’Azur family villa rental now.

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about your luxury villa in France contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Area Manager
France & Morocco

The giant holiday rush to France has begun!!

Last weekend saw the biggest exodus from UK to France – the start of the UK summer holidays!! As parents pack the suitcases and children are getting their swim suits out of storage we at Quality Villas are getting ready for a busy time! Our luxury villas in France all have private pools so you can be assured not only of a super house but a sparkling blue pool all to yourself!!

Before you leave its always worthwhile having a couple of essentials packed with your holiday documents and those are guide books and a simple translation booklet. Whilst we know that all you want to do is lay by the pool in your family villa in France there are some amazing sights to be seen in France and are worth a look so take your guide book and language book and explore!!

Guide Book
Do your self a favour and purchase at least two and pay attention to buy the most current editions. Rough Guides or Lonely Planet Guides are well known for their independent view and they are a great choice. These are in-depth guides printed in small letters on a thin paper to pack as much information as possible and still keep the volume small enough to fit into your luggage. Do study your guides before you leave, so that you can better plan your trip. You will know exactly where to go and what can be seen there during your French villa holiday.
Language

You may have heard of the French being proud of their language and although they learn English at school, they hesitate to use it. However, you would be surprised by the change in their attitude if you just try a few words or simple phrases. You are a guest in their country so it makes more sense to make the first step. You’ll be amazed to see how far a little French will go. It will literally open doors to their culture. If they see that you try with some help of mimics and hand signs you will get your message across, that’s for sure. Try simple words and then go onto small phrases. A good idea is to learn restaurant menus and foods – most important if you think you are ordering beef and you get horse instead!!

For the past few weeks at Quality Villas our phones have not stopped ringing as we have some amazing last minute reductions for your holiday villa in France. There is something for everyone from a family farmhouse in South West France to a coastal villa in Cote d’Azur.

If you are still interested in a late escape to the sun, our staff are on hand to discuss with you any requirements you may have.

New arrival for Quality Villas!

Our latest addition in Provence is the aptly named 'La Petite Amelie'. Sleeping 5, this is a cute cottage near Caromb, with a private plunge pool, village location, wifi connection and lovely walled garden. Terracotta and stone floors, beamed ceilings and pale neutral colours add to a charming Provencal ambience.
Outdoor eating facilities and a bbq mean long summer evenings soaking up classic Provencal atmosphere in abundance!
To see more, visit this page for more details of this cottage in Provence.

Quality Villas - 2011 is our 25th year of business, still independent, still family owned. Call us to discuss your villa requirements: 0044 (0) 1442 870055.

New villa in Italy

Quality Villas continues to acquire new villas!

Latest addition is in Italy - please take a look at: http://www.qualityvillas.com/tuscany/molin-nuovo/villa-anfora

Villa Anfora sleeps 12 near Arezzo.

Prices range from £3405 per week in low season to £4245 per week in high season. There is a private pool, beautiful countryside views and maid service included.

A Jewel in Oualidia – the St Tropez of Morocco

Villa Yasmina is a delightful small house covered in flowers and exotic climbing plants and perfect for 4 people plus superb value! Built in typical Moroccan style and painted with bright colours and furnishings according to the traditional Berber taste. The large covered terrace facing the charming walled courtyard is a perfect spot for your evening aperitif or lazy breakfast. Stunning views of the sea and the lagoon both during the day and at sunset are truly memorable.
This villa is part of a domain comprising other similar properties, 3 large swimming pools, a poolside bar and a restaurant. Unlike other houses on the same development, Villa Yasmina lies at the bottom of a hill at very short walking distance from the sandy beach of Oualidia, renowned for its fabulous seafood and lively Monday market. This is an old Atlantic fishing village which has retained its original charm and benefits from a mild temperate climate all year round.
http://www.qualityvillas.com/oualidia/oualidia/villa-yasmina

Travel Guides with Quality Villas

We are frequently asked for additional information on the regions and countries of the villas that we feature. Obviously on each villa page, a certain amount of text can be included before it becomes unreadable, or unmanageable at least!
For this reason, we have created some specific regional information pages, currently in their infancy, but which will be added to over time. On it we will include links to sites of interest, attractions, arrival airports and the like.
If you would like to know more, please click through here : regional France information. Of course we welcome feedback, if you would like to make any comments, please email us or leave feedback on the blog, to this post.

Thank you for reading!

Client feedback...

We recently had one of our favourite return clients drop us a note as they made their latest villa request. Its always good to hear positive feedback, even better to welcome back clients each year - surely we must be doing something right!


"...it seems hard to believe that this will be our 8th year of summer holidays in France with Quality Villas....We've loved every villa we have stayed in and yet we have never returned to one we've already been to! This summer will be our 20th and 21st villas!" CM, 29.3.11


The lovely CM (quoted above) will be enjoying more Quality Villa luxury this summer, 20 and 21 coming up...

Magic sounds fill up the Valleys near Lucca!

If during your Tuscan summer holiday you happen to drive through the Garfagnana region, north of Lucca, and decide to take a stroll in Barga, you might find yourself caught up in the middle of a multitude of colourful musicians joyfully flooding the narrow streets of this peaceful hilltop town with their jazz and soul sound. In fact, it is during the Jazz festival week that Barga comes alive: its many piazzas and surrounding valleys fill up with the notes of internationally acclaimed artists who come here from all over the world to compete against each other. An entire week of entertainment free of charge: what a treat!
Quality Villas offer a wide range of holiday villas with pool in the province of Lucca, so why not visit our website for ideas: www.qualityvillas.com or call: 0044 1442 87 00 55.

Take a dive in the Tuscan crystal clear sea!

Quality Villas is proud to announce the recent addition of Torre del Principe to their rich portfolio of villas in Tuscany. Here the discerning traveller will have the pleasure to discover a different Tuscany: as well as a vast unspoilt landscape of rolling hills cloaked in aromatic Mediterranean shrubs, populated by a rich wildlife, and hot water therapeutic springs, this southernmost part of Tuscany, known as Maremma, offers a spectacular coastline. Dotted with palm trees and marine pines, old fishing villages and protected areas of outstanding natural beauty, miles of sandy beaches, cliffs and rocky coves stretch from Punta Ala to Castiglione della Pescaia, down to Talamone and Mount Argentario, a peninsula thrust in a crystal clear sea just opposite the Isola del Giglio and the small privately owned Giannutri island. A paradise for scuba divers and wealthy yacht owners, Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano offer a wide choice of fish restaurants, fashion shops and nightlife entertainments.

Well, if you have never thought of Tuscany as a seaside holiday destination………..now you will! Click to find out more about this unique property in Maremma.

Contact Quality Villas for your next holiday: tel 01442 870055 or email us: info@qualityvillas.com

New addition in Villefranche

Quality Villas have a new addition in the much coveted area of Villefranche on the Cote d'Azur, Villa Coral - click here for this Cote d'Azur villa rental

Sleeping 10, this property boasts a private heated pool, sea views, is partially air conditioned and is just 300 metres from shops and places to eat.

Built in a classical style, the property also has lovely gardens spread over some 2800 metres square.

Prices are from £8180-£8680 per week for the complete property.

The Sarkozy challenge

Today we are famous in the Tarn et Garonne, especially the commune where I live.

President Sarkozy is visiting! You might well ask “why does he want to come to this sleepy rural backwater”. Well, he is here at the invitation from one of my local farmers and you can image the buzz of excitement, gendarmes and security guards everywhere – we will be the talk of the commune for years to come! We haven’t had this much excitement since my village put the Christmas decorations up!!
Talking of excitement we have a wonderful new chateau near to my commune which is rather special, if I say so myself. This 18th century holiday chateau sits in an elevated position with wonderful views of the rolling Quercy Blanc countryside. The chateau is built of traditional local white stone and retains all the original features superbly combined with the warmth and homely comfort of the interior, a rare quality for this type of properties.
The beautiful grounds have lavender walks, forest trails, climbing roses, mature trees, topiary and surrounded by magnificent 360 degrees views. Swim in the large salt water pool or visit the stables where the resident horse lives, play boules or dine al fresco on the open terrace enjoying the peaceful and relaxing surrounding countryside.
To enhance the quality of your holiday you can reserve the chateau staff to provide you with all meals and residential services at a very reasonable cost.
Such a shame President Sarkozy cannot book a French villa holiday here....
Gill Woolsgrove
Area Manager
SW France & Morocco

A new arrival on the Cote D'Azur

Quality Villas can unveil our latest addition on the Cote d'Azur, villa Les Palmes du Cap. With stunning sea views, why not click and see this villa on the French Riviera

The property sleeps 10, is a ten minute walk from the beach at Plage de la Garoupe, has air conditioned bedrooms and a heated infinity swimming pool. 100 square metres of lush Mediterranean gardens surround this elegant property, which we are sure will prove popular with our clients. If you would like to speak to someone who has visited the villa or make an enquiry for availability, please do call us on 0044 (0) 1442 870055.