From the glittering sandy beaches of St Tropez on the southerly coast, to the ramshackled 16th-century Châteaux of the Loire Valley, France is a country where effortless sophistication and shabby-chic glamour walk hand in hand. With a culture of fantastic food and heavenly wines, visitors arrive with mouth's watering and leave pleasantly indulged. Champagne lovers flock to the prosperous Épernay, the self-proclaimed Capitale du Champagne, to explore hidden cellars and quaff exclusive samples, whilst over in Auvergne foodies congregate to savour the region’s fine variety of outstanding locally produced cheeses including Saint-Nectaire, Cantal and Blue d’Auvergne.
MOMENTS
Moor up in a calanque on the French Riviera and enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch aboard your private yacht | Hug the curves of the Corniche in an Aston Martin | Explore world-famous vineyards in Bordeaux and Burgundy with the estate owner | Visit the best local markets with a top French chef followed by a private culinary masterclass and lunch | Hire a private château and host the most extravagant birthday party imaginable | Discuss philosophy with a celebrated French author in a café on the Rive Gauche | Climb the mythical Alpe d’Huez with a Tour de France legend | Soak up the world’s oldest art in the caves of the Dordogne’s Vézère Valley | Gain access to the almost impregnable perfumeries of Grasse | Hang out, dance or just do your thing in Paris’ coolest boîtes | Hike across the roof of France in the magnificently wild Queyras National Park | Delve into Languedoc’s Cathar history with a renowned historian | Enjoy a private tour of the Louvre given personally by the museum’s curator | Muster wild cattle with the gardians on a white Camargue stallion | Kayak through the Pont d’Arc in the Ardèche | Explore ravishing French gardens from Versaille to Giverny with a renowned garden designer | Race land yachts on the endless beaches of Arcachon | Learn how to master cassoulet in Gascony, bouillabaisse in Marseille, oysters in Brittany and truffles in Périgord.
WHERE TO STAY
Flawless country hotels in Provence | Historic châteaux on the Loire | Decadent Parisian boutique hotels | Remote farmhouses in the Dordogne | magnificent log chalets in the Alps | Effortlessly chic boltholes on the beach
WHEN TO GO
Spend winter in the Alps, spring in Paris, summer in the south of France and autumn in wine country.
