Le Vivier is a quaint little sleepy village nestled in the Langeudoc-Rousillon region of France. Perched on the foothills of the Pyrenees, the village is enveloped by the rich influences of its Catalan neighbours and the history that sweeps down from the Pyrenees, creating a whirlwind of flavour, beauty and heritage.

Le Vivier is set amongst miles and miles of vineyards and offers walks and hikes along the bulbous Pyrenees hillsides which are littered with many more charming villages just like Le Vivier and offer majestic views of this panoramic scenery. Le Vivier is a great base to explore the rest of the Languedoc-Rousillon region of France, which at the foot of the country is skirted by the Mediterranean and Catalonia, providing an eclectic variety of cultures, diverse landscape and heritage by the bucket load.

In the nearby Perpignan, the Iberian blood of the ancestors who fled the peninsula gives the city a Catalan ambience as much as French making it a riveting and captivating city. Don’t let the scintillating Mediterranean beaches and exquisite seafood deceive you, you’re still in France however popping over to Spain is a great way to spend a day.

Also nearby is Carcassone, a medieval city exceptionally popular for its fairytale-like walled city (La Cite) that is perched on a hill, and marvelously well preserved. Carcassone is also the home to some of the finest restaurants in the Languedoc-Rousillon area, as well as sophisticated wine bars and cracking bric-a-brac shopping in its traditional markets.

Whilst in Le Vivier a visit to some of the historical Cathar Castles that are scattered all over the foothills of the Pyrenees is a necessity. Drenched in history and brutally beautiful, Chateau de Montseguir was the last Cathar Stronghold and is reputed to be the site where over 200 Cathars were tragically burned alive after refusing to renounce their faith.

Renting a holiday villa in Le Vivier is a perfect way to explore the gorgeous and historic Languedoc-Rousillon region of France, as you can set yourself free of any hotel worries and enjoy your stay in complete comfort and relaxation.

Click here to view this luxury property that would be a perfect base to discover Languedoc-Rousillon.

With the Tour De France already in its fourth stage, there’s a hurry to get down to France and follow the trail for many cycling enthusiasts. Here at Perfect Getaways, we have a great way to enjoy this prestigious and historic race  by renting a holiday home directly from the owner. This way you can return to a lovely comfortable and peaceful holiday villa, in the beautiful surroundings of many of beautiful stage towns such as Le Mans, Lourdes, Montpellier, Grenoble, and of course the finish line at Paris’ magnificent Champs-Elysees.

Perfect Getaways have thousands of properties all over France that would be a perfect base to enjoy the Tour De France from, as well as allow you to explore the surrounding region and immerse yourself in French culture away from the tourist trail. Don’t delay and book today to grab yourself the perfect holiday villa.

Click here to see our brilliant assortment of holiday homes in France perfect for the many different stages and locations of the Tour De France.

Are you thinking of booking a ski holiday this winter? Are you a first timer or consider yourself a seasoned pro? Well Perfect Getaways has great news for all of you as we are proud to present to our fantastic range of luxury ski lodges and chalet’s in France’s world famous Courchevel Ski resort in the 3 Valleys.

Courchevel is one of the most glamorous ski resorts in the world and has been drawing in the jet set since the 50’s. Made up of four villages named after their respective altitudes, Courchevel has something to offer everyone from young families to large groups of experienced skiers.

Courchevel is part of the largest skiing area in the world – the 3 Valleys of the French Alps, which amasses a whopping 600 km of prepared and maintained piste. Also renowned as the gateway to France’s first national park Vanoise Park, the area is a vast expanse of sheer natural beauty all year round.

The highest village in Courchevel, 1850, is world-renowned for its vibrant nightlife and Michelin star restaurants, it has long been a winter wonderland for the rich and famous. 1650 meanwhile, is a trendy village with a steadily increasing number of bars and restaurants, even though not considered as popular as 1850, 3 of the 5 best bars in the resort can be found here and is increasingly gaining popularity. 1550 and 1300 are two of the quieter and more relaxed villages in Courchevel and are more suited for families and those wanting to rest after a long day of skiing.

If you’re thinking of visiting this awe-inspiringly beautiful area but aren’t keen on skiing, try visiting in the summer when the area is a lush expanse of panoramic alpine landscape. There are a number of activities and events that take place including, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing, and golf.

Click here to view this fantastic property we have in Courchevel.

France is often over powered by the Parisian culture and life style as it is what France is commonly known and recognised for. But there is more to France then the Eiffel tower and Arc de Triomphe.

 The South West of France is a vision of beauty. The laid back ways of the French will have you chilled and relaxed in no time. The South West of France is home to the port city of Bordeaux and wine tasting sessions are available allowing you to truly experience the French culture as well as taking in the sights of the beautiful traditional vineyards.

If taking in the sights interests you, why not take a daring paragliding trip across the South West. As you soar through the air, France will boast its best features including the woodland areas, costal regions and its glorious beaches and deep, blue sea.

History and Heritage more your thing? The castle of Chateau de Beynac is perched precariously on a cliff looking out over the Derdogne river. This castle has been excellently preserved and was built in the middle ages. It is vaguely authentic to its original state and has stunning correlated towers that give it a sentimental feel.

 This part of France is truly one of the most calm and tranquil places to stay. To top it off we have this luxuriously large and spacious holiday home available in South West region. To view the property and contact the owner directly, click here and prepare yourself for the most relaxing break of your life.

Click here to have a look at one of our favourite properties in the region.

France

The beauty of France is its fantastic diversity. France has incredible cities, mountains, coastlines and rural areas. With the golden sands of the Cote d’Azure, the bustle of Paris, skiing in the French Alps and the underground cellars of Champagne, France certainly does have something for everyone.

All of its regions are completely distinctive attracting an amazing 70 million visitors a year – 10 million more than its own population.

We have a fantastic selection of quality apartments and villas in the beautiful French Riviera and throughout the whole of France.

Weather

France has mild winters (apart from in mountain areas). Summers are hot – aprticularly in the South. Brittany and Normandy which are seaboard areas have a high degree of rain in the autumn and winter.

Average temperatures in degrees celcius

January 12
February 13
March 15
April 18
May 20
June 23
July 27
August 28
September 25
October 20
November 15
December 13

Culture

The culture in France is rich and diverse and is known for its art, architecture, music, language and of course fashion.

The population of France has very diverse origins, contributing to the development of a cosmopolitan culture. The people are known for their sophisticated approach towards life, combined with great concern for style and fashion. Today, France contributes greatly to the fashion culture of the world.

The religion in France is predominantly Roman Catholic.

France is renowned for its artists, painters, authors and musicians, starting with the cave paintings of Altamira. In the medieval period, France emerged as an important centre of art and architecture in the world.

Famous artists include Edgar Degas, Francis Picabia, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Claude Monet. The spanish painter Pablo Picasso settled in France in 1904 contibuted to the progress of art in France. The famous museums in France are The Louvre, Osray Myseum and Picasso museum which all have amazing collections.

The well know Victor Hugo who wrote Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame were also from France.

Food and Drink

France is known for its varieties of food and wine. The cuisine is considered one of the most elegant and refined cuisines in the world. Here are some of its popular foods:

Cheese - France produces over 400 varieties of cheese

Escargot – snails which can be served with butter, garlic, parsley and spices

Foie Gras – the liver of a duck or goose.
Boeuf Bourguignon – very much like a beef stew
Tournedos Rossini – fillet of beef served with foie gras with port, brandy and madeira
France is also known for its many wines (being one of the oldest wine producers in Europe). Other well known drinks are French brandy (cognac, armagnac, calvados) and of course champagne!

Where to go and when
France is a great place to visit on holiday. There are plenty of café’s restaurants, bars, museums and other touristy places!

If you are a skier you will love to go to the mountains between November and May, the Pyrenees mountain is less crowded and expensive than other resorts in winter season. And between May and October you can go to the Mediterranean beaches of France, they are more crowded on July and August, but you will enjoy it, Cannes and Nice have France’s best beaches, they are all surrounded by cafés and restaurants that complete a beautiful sunny day, and don’t forget to visit the Corsica Island the best place to practice water sports. Sandy beaches, water sports, excellent food and reasonable prices are a good option to have the best relaxing vacations.

There are also museums like the Louvre of Paris, open all the year, and other monuments like churches, cathedrals, châteaux, France is an architectural country and you will find a lot to see across all the country, surely a good destination to visit.