South Of France | A French Collection

Villefranche-sur-Mer on the French Riviera

Villefranche-sur-Mer on the French Riviera is located between the bustling city of Nice and the uber-opulent Monaco and this 16th century working village is a paradise that our guest writer, Susan McDonald regularly visits and loves. In this post she shares why this commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, located south-west of the Principality of Monaco and just west of the French-Italian border is her favourite holiday escape and why you'll love it too!

The Most Beautiful Villages in Provence

The Most Beautiful Villages in Provence

Choosing the most beautiful villages in Provence is not easy because Provence is filled with divine flower-filled, stone and terracotta-tiled villages, many of them perched high with stunning views or with attractive rivers running through them.

Many visitors to Provence see the Big 3 “A” cities—Avignon, Arles, and Aix-en-Provence. But what about the smaller towns and villages of Provence? My wife and I live part of the year in St-Rémy-de-Provence and love to wander around the region. Let me tell you about some of our favourite and most beautiful villages in Provence.

French Walking Tours in Aix-en-Provence, France

Aix en Provence, France town square with market

Aix-en-Provence, also know as La Ville des Fontaines (The City of Fountains)

Walking tours of France are becoming an increasingly more popular way of exploring France and Aix-en-Provence is a popular inclusion in tours around the Provence region.

Aix-en-Provence is also known as the City of Fountains or, in French, la Ville des Fontaines, and Nicole Ress from Walk the French Talk Tours has recently returned from one of her tours of Aix-en-Provence and she shares with us her highlights of this town and why it's a popular town for exploring on foot.

Château Gudanes – Australian Couple Restore A French Château

“A Château in the south of France, under restoration…

Once upon a time a thirteenth century fortress, a fifteenth century castle, an eighteenth century palatial château, and, after decades of neglect, an abandoned ruin upon a forgotten hilltop…” – Château Gudane

Looking for a true love story that never ends? Then the tale of Karina and Craig Waters, the Australian couple who purchased Château Gudanes in southern France will enthral you. From the moment this Perth couple gingerly walked the collapsed floors of Château Gudanes and spied her damp crumbling walls they were in love with her.

Annette Charlton

Annette lives with her family between their homes in France and Australia. She’s been featured in International magazines including French Property News, on numerous blogs and travel websites and appeared on ABC National Radio. You can connect on Instagram or Facebook.

www.afrenchcollection.com

Lavender In Provence and Why Everyone Is Talking About It

Lavender in Provence and Why Everyone Is Talking About It

The lavender in Provence is on everyone’s lips and wherever I turn there is another stunning photo or article that has me sniffing my computer screen (that doesn’t work by the way) and committing to another trip down south of France at lavender time. If you, like me, love both lavender and Provence then keep reading.

For the very best information on the lavender fields in Provence I searched the internet and visited some of my favourite French websites to draw together this collection of articles. Each featured article is filled with essential information and dreamy photos on lavender in Provence.

After reading these articles you’ll understand why everyone is talking about it and probably want to visit Provence and tour the lavender fields yourself!

Annette Charlton

www.afrenchcollection.com

The Five Sons of Carcassonne

The Five Sons of Carcassonne Are Worth Exploring

Carcassonne, the impressive medieval walled city in the South of France is a popular tourist destination with an amazing history. The lesser known Five Sons of Carcassonne are also steeped in history and worth exploring.

To find out more about the Five Sons of Carcassonne, guest writer Keith Van Sickle, part time resident of Provence, France and author of ‘One Sip At A Time‘, will tell us more.

Carcassonne will imprint itself on your memory whether you first cast your eyes over it in the soft morning light, harsh summer sun or gentle moonlight. And once you know about the Five Sons of Carcassonne you’ll want to explore more than just the walled la Cité, so please read on and enjoy Keith’s post…

Annette Charlton

www.afrenchcollection.com

Savon de Marseille – Marseille Traditional Soap

Savon de Marseille Traditional Soap

Savon de Marseille is the traditional soap manufactured in Marseille, a city in the Provence Alpes Cote d’ Azur region of France. Marseille is the second largest city in France and has the country’s largest port.

Nothing is quite the same as Savon de Marseille. They are heavy soaps, smell delicious and have a special texture. In the Middle Ages big blocks of this gentle soap were first crafted in Marseille with the olive oil from local groves, marine ash and sea salted water.

Annette Charlton

www.afrenchcollection.com

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Villefranche-sur-Mer on the French Riviera

Villefranche-sur-Mer on the French Riviera

The Most Beautiful Villages in Provence

The Most Beautiful Villages in Provence

French Walking Tours in Aix-en-Provence, France

Aix-en-Provence, also know as La Ville des Fontaines (The City of Fountains)

Château Gudanes – Australian Couple Restore A French Château

Château Gudanes – Australian Couple Restore A French Château

Lavender In Provence and Why Everyone Is Talking About It

Lavender in Provence and Why Everyone Is Talking About It

The Five Sons of Carcassonne

The Five Sons of Carcassonne Are Worth Exploring

Savon de Marseille – Marseille Traditional Soap

Savon de Marseille Traditional Soap

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