European Division | FRANCE
The South of France: Our regions, your destination.
The French Riviera or Cote d’Azur is one of the most famous and glamorous destinations in the world. It stretches along the Mediterranean Sea from Menton, near the Italian border and stretches west towards Toulon. It includes a number of famous cities and towns such as Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, Antibes, and Cannes. With a seemingly protective background of the Alps, this stunning and sultry coastline has an enviable, almost tropical climate. The dream of azure waters touching a deep blue cloudless sky become reality as the heady perfumed air of jasmine, mimosa and pine fill your senses.
As the coastal road curves west it arrives in St Tropez. Situated in the Var this iconic town needs no introduction. Think St Tropez and justified images of the iconic Brigitte Bardot and luxurious yachts in the Port spring to mind. The narrow streets are full of beautiful boutiques and the local cafés and restaurants on the port are a haven for spotting the international jet-set and famous celebrities. Tropezien beaches are found along the coast in the Baie de Pampelonne, known by the residents as Grania (pronounced Granny-ay). The five kilometre shore of Pampelonne has a collection of individual beaches, each with its’ own private or public area.
Still heading west until you reach Marseille, this vibrant city is a major French centre for trade and industry and the University of Aix-Marseille has three campuses across the two cities. In 2005 Marseille was named by the French finance magazine L’Expansion, as the most dynamic of France’s cities. It is a very proud city and a regional centre for culture and entertainment. Located about 30kms north of Marseille is the Roman city of Aix-en-Provence. Cézanne once wrote “When I was in Aix, I wanted to be somewhere else but now I’m here, I miss it…” This is an easy quotation to understand as the beautiful town of Aix-en-Provence is a loved for its history, architecture, and culture and has an enticing atmosphere.
Set back from the coastline inland The Var is a department in Provence in the south east of France. Provencal honey, black truffles and figs are just some of the local produce grown in the Var that enjoys about 300 days of sunshine every year. There are also some of the best European beaches along the Corniche des Maures with over 420 kilometres of coastline - not forgetting the outstanding natural beauty of the Iles de Porquerolles. These groups of three islands are only 26 square kilometers in total and can be reached by boat from either Toulon or Hyeres. Further inland you'll find traditional hilltop villages, the forestland of Maures, lakes and the Verdon Gorges. It is a region full of diversity and fabulous mountainous landscapes with just over 50 per cent of its 6000 square kilometers covered with forests. Toulon, the capital of the Var, is an extremely vibrant and important city and the region is dedicated to agriculture and is France’s largest grower of cut flowers, livestock farming, and a quarter of all French olive groves are nestled within the countryside. The wines of Bandol are particularly well-known from the region as is the more recent AOC Coteaux Varois en Provence.
For many people, the department of Vaucluse is the “true” Provence and ever since Peter Mayle first published “A year in Provence” in 1989 the region of lavender and sunflowers has been catapulted into the limelight. The Vaucluse, diverse and beautiful, is the earthy counterpart to the razzle dazzle glitz of the Riviera and the Côte d’Azur. The breathtaking views over the Luberon valley remain largely unspoilt and the magnificent mountains in the north of the region, such as the Mont Ventoux, dominate much of the beautiful region. Bonnieux, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, Gordes, Ménerbes, Oppède-le-Vieux and Roussillon are just some of the charming villages in the region.
With its long, sandy beaches, rugged mountain peaks and medieval hilltop villages, the Languedoc- Roussillon boasts one of France's most diverse landscapes. Profoundly influenced by the Mediterranean, Languedoc-Roussillon shares a border with Spain as far as the Rhône delta, the lavender fields of Provence and the rocky Massif Central to the north. The area lingers and savours its’ eclectic mix of a relaxed pace of life and beautiful architecture and culture all stretched out under almost permanent sunshine. There are a number of impressive and notable towns such as Perpignan, Montpellier, Nîmes, Carcassonne, Uzès and the Pont du Gard.
Covering the whole of the south west corner of France, Aquitaine is the country's third largest region and as well as Dordogne, takes in such well-known places as Gascony (dubbed France's answer to Tuscany), Béarn, Basque Country and the western side of the Pyrénées. The Dordogne is a region of South West France between the Loire valley and the High Pyrénées named after the great river that runs through it, locally it is known as the Périgord. With masses of vineyards, Bordeaux is the largest fine wine producing area in the world and is also a Mecca for true wine connoisseurs with over 3000 wine chateaux. Because of its natural irrigation system, much of the land is lush and green with pine forests, agricultural land and hundreds of miles of rolling countryside. The Lot-et-Garonne, an up-and-coming destination with property investors and second home buyers, is renowned for its temperate climate and fertile valleys.
Also covering Monaco which may be small and perfectly formed but its reputation is huge. As the smallest French-speaking principality, Monaco has more millionaires squeezed in per metre than probably anywhere else in the world. Ever since Grace Kelly arrived in the 1950’s to film “To Catch a Thief”, Monaco has been luring the rich, international jet-set into its modest two-square kilometers of luxury. Situated between the Italian and French Rivieras it has a population of just over 30,000 and it split into ten districts, Monte Carlo being the most famous. Monaco Ville, the old city perched on a rock which extends into the Mediterranean, is also where the palace is.
Paris, as the capital of France it is recognized as one of the world’s major global cities for education, business, fashion, entertainment and politics. The Eiffel Tower leads the way in the long line of world-famous landmarks, institutions, parks and gardens. Nicknamed as the “city of lights” the name refers to its reputation for new ideas and its early introduction of street lighting. Paris is divided into “arrondissements”, which are more like 20 separate villages, that joined to form the city of Paris as the power and influence of the capital became more important. The atmosphere, character and influence of each of the arrondissement are completely individual, making each one unique in culture and way of life.
HOMEHUNTS are dedicated to finding your luxury dream property in any of the areas above and if you would like to contact info@home-hunts.com we will be happy to assist. Let us do the hard work for you.
Nicola Christinger – Customer & PR Manager, HOMEHUNTS
Courtesy of HOMEHUNTS
Spotlight on Carcassonne
Our area, the Pays d'Oc
History, the country of the Cathars, châteaux, sun, Mediterranean, Pyrenees, good food, vines, Canal du Midi,
enjoyment of life? All of this is in the Aude. Straddling the Black Mountains, the Pyrenees, the plains of the Lauragais
and the Mediterranean Sea, the Aude - a department of the Languedoc Roussillon region - has more than 310,000
inhabitants spread over 6,200 square kilometres. With its exceptional climate, varied countryside and fascinating
history, the country of the Cathars invites you to learn more about it.
Carcassonne
Carcassonne is the only town in Europe fortified by a double enclosure which is still inhabited. The oldest parts of it
date back to the 6th century BC. This magnificent fortress has been classed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997
and is without doubt the most beautiful jewel in the south of France. 2,500 years of history to be discovered.
Today, the best way to visit Carcassonne is to wander up and down its little streets and, even better, to do so with a guide. There are, however, certain sights which shouldn't be missed: the Basilica of Saint Nazaire, begun in 925 and completed in the first half of the 12th century; the château, built in the 12+h century by the Trencavel family, Viscounts of Carcassonne; the Porte Narbonnaise, the gateway recognisable by its two huge towers in the shape of a spur; and finally the Lices (Lists), the area between the two enclosures which used to slope up the hill but was levelled in the 13th century.
The Canal du Midi
14 years to build, 15,000 workmen, 350 works of art (bridges, locks...), 240 kilometres long, this is the work of Pierre
Paul Riquet, who began in 1663 in the reign of Louis XIV. The Canal Royal du Languedoc, today called the Canal du Midi,
was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It was built to link the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and is an
exceptional architectural achievement to be enjoyed on boat cruises, cycling along the tow-path or simply strolling in
the shade of the three-hundred-year-old plane trees.
Medieval sites
There is a multitude of medieval sites to visit in the Aude. From Cathar castles to abbeys, from fortified villages to
underground caves, not to mention churches and museums - ail bear witness to the area's rich and varied history.
The Mediterranean
As soon as the sun arrives, the Mediterranean awaits you just 60 kilometres away. You can spend the weekend or even
longer on some of the most beautiful beaches in the "Golfe du Lion" either via the motorway or the very pretty road
through the Corbieres.
The Pyrenees
The ski resorts of the Pyrenees are just over an hour away. These resorts are just as beautiful in the summer as they
are in the winter. As well as skiing, they offer snow-shoe walking, sleigh rides, horse-riding, fishing, climbing and
rafting.
The Aude
The Aude is also an important wine-making area, producing a wide variety of very different appellations.
Firstly, the oldest sparkling wine in the world (dating back to 1531) is Blanquette de Limoux, using Mauzac, Chardonnay and Chenin grape varieties. It is aged in bottle and is drunk as an aperitif or at the end of a meal.
The vineyards of Limoux also produce a fabulous Chardonnay. A large festival called "Toques et Clochers" takes place each year around mid-April. Some of the greatest chefs and vintners in the world come to this to buy oak-barrels of the Chardonnay at auction. The profits from this go towards restoring local church towers (clochers).
The Corbières, with its narrow valleys cutting through the hilly landscape, is home to many well-known wine-producers. Its reputation dates back to the time of the Roman occupation and its wines are full-bodied and spicy. They improve with age.
The Minervois is one of the oldest Mediterranean wine areas. Its name comes from the ancient city of Minerve, a Roman stronghold built in honour of the Goddess of Wisdom. Its wines range from the exceptional Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois, to be drunk with "foie gras" or as an aperitif, to steely whites to accompany seafood and reds and rosés to go with barbecues and main courses, and even "cassoulet" for the more spicy wines.
Fitou is a very condensed area on the edge of the Mediterranean and produces full-bodied wines with flavours characteristic of the most famous "grands crus". Wines to be kept and to accompany richer dishes.
Cabardès, on the chalky slopes of the south face of the Black Mountains, combines Cabernet, Merlot, Cot, Syrah and Grenache grape varieties. Thèse wines are known for their aromatic complexity and balance.
And finally the Malepere, a wild area of stony terraces and gentle hillsides, produces wines which are strong, supple and generous with flavours of vanilla and red fruits. Merlot, Cabernet, Grenache and Syrah are combined to make wines to accompany red meats, cheeses and casseroles.
Courtesy of R. CHAYLA Immobilier
