France is another traditional favorite for a villa holiday. The country has a wide variety of “pleasure châteaux,” comfortable country manors, farmhouses and seaside resorts from which to choose, in locations ranging from quiet rural districts to the glamorous Côte d’Azur.
France also offers villa guests the pleasures of its world-famous table. In even the smallest villages, food and wine are taken very seriously, and you have many opportunities to sample local specialties that rarely travel far from their home districts. How satisfying it is to drink a glass of the robust village red while looking out over the vineyards from whence it came!
A richly varied country, France has many charming regions, each offering its own cuisine, culture and ambience.
In the Côte d’Azur, stretching from Monaco to Marseille, medieval villages drop down to the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. With a mild and forgiving climate, small cobbled lanes are filled with galleries, boutiques and cafés. Sophisticated restaurants, clubs and facilities to match, it has become famous over the decades as a playground for the rich and famous, including artists Matisse, Picasso, Chagall and Renoir.
Further to the east, the stunning French Alps region has among the world’s largest skiing areas, set above discreet little villages nestling in the valleys. The quality and profusion of its waters have long made the Alps the premier spa region in France. The Romans built the first thermal baths here some 2,000 years ago. Flower-filled Annecy, dominated by a 12th-century chˆateau, is called the “Venice of the Alps” with its narrow streets and quiet canals. While chic Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc (the highest peak in Europe), is home to a variety of restaurants serving sophisticated cuisine in a uniquely French atmosphere.
France has always been a favorite European holiday destination. Every year its cosmopolitan cities and scenic provinces draw thousands of visitors for a taste of culture, glamour and world-class cuisine. And nowhere in France are these qualities better displayed than in the southeast regions of Côte d’Azur, Provence and Rhône-Alps.
With Italy hugging its eastern border, Côte d’Azur is a Mediterranean paradise. Delightful medieval villages perch high above the French Riviera and the azure sea. The colors and light of Provence inspired Cezanne, Van Gogh and Chagall. Further to the east, the stunning Rhône-Alps region boasts some of the world’s finest skiing areas, set above discreet little villages nestled in the valleys. A visit to these slower-paced, sunny regions should be unrushed and schedule-free. And there’s no better way to achieve that state of mind than from your own private villa.
A European villa rental lets you savor life as a local on your terms. You write your own itinerary, spending each day exactly as you wish. It won’t take long before your family settles in to their home away from home, creating their own rituals and routines during their villa stay. And because families come in all shapes and sizes, so do the French villas in A&K’s collection of European villa rentals.
If you have visions of rural villages and hamlets, sunflowers, olive orchards and vineyards under clear blue skies, consider the landscapes that inspired the painters of light. Between 1875 and 1920, impassioned artists made their way to the Provence for its brilliant color and light. Set out from your private villa and explore the treasures of this idyllic region. Marseille, France’s second largest city, is a fabulous mix of old-world antiquity and contemporary French chic. Explore both while you’re there and taste some of the freshest seafood in the region from one of the restaurants along the Quai de Rive Neuve. Immerse yourself in Cezanne’s world with a visit to his birthplace, Aix-en-Provence, a short excursion from your holiday home. Here you can see Sainte-Victoire Mountain — the artist’s favorite subject and the object of his passion. The town’s rich past is evident in the architecture of its private mansions and monuments, surrounded by beautiful and well-preserved countryside. Imagine the photo opportunities — the old Mazarin quarter, the fountain of the Four Dolphins, the flower market, the architecture. You may even feel inspired to paint your own masterpiece from the grounds of your luxury villa. Go for a bike ride or take a short drive to one of the nearby villages. While your holiday villa is secluded, local sites are never far.
Food and wine is an art here and no European holiday would be complete without shopping at the cafes and markets for local specialties. Discover the nearby town of Apt — well reputed for its local produce, known worldwide for its candied fruit. After breakfast on your villa terrace, take the family to Apt for the famous Saturday morning market at the Place Des Martyrs de la Résistance. There you can pick up some of the freshest fruit on earth, along with delicious goat cheeses made with love by the local producers. Return home to your private villa and create a masterpiece of your own in your French country kitchen — your family won’t believe their eyes.
In the 19th century the English aristocracy discovered the delightful warm climate of the Côte d’Azur and, returning year after year began, building grand hotels, villas and casinos. The French Riviera, the Côte d’Azur, became the most desirable winter destination in the world and continues to draw those seeking a European holiday with no trace of deadlines and responsibilities. The select villas available from A&K in this prestigious region put you within walking distance of this glamorous area’s villages, beaches and restaurants. Stroll down small cobbled lanes filled with galleries, boutiques and cafés. Rub elbows with the rich and famous — or just take in the views of Belle Epoque architecture, museums and elegant hotels from the Promenade des Anglais, a Mediterranean beachfront walkway. A European villa rental in Côte d’Azur is the perfect way to balance painting-the-town with downtime on your European holiday.
Rhône-Alps is France’s mountainous region ranging from flowery meadows and pastures to jagged snow-capped peaks. This alpine paradise offers year-round activities for outdoor enthusiasts or those who simply appreciate the beauty of mountain scenery. And there’s no better way to appreciate the scenery than from the privacy of your own luxury villa.
Summers here are very warm and with such a wealth of natural resources, there’s never a shortage of activities to choose from. Three of France’s largest lakes are located within 40 minutes of your private villa, as well as the famous Aix les Bains spa town. Indulge in the passion and appetite for good food in Lyon — the capital of French cuisine, only an hour away. Choose from scores of exceptional bistros and brasseries as well as the legendary bouchons. If you’re on the hunt for a one of a kind treasure during your European holiday, Lyon fits the bill. Explore a myriad of shops you won’t find anywhere else. Hatters, upscale boutiques, rare and collectable books, even a shop that houses one of the last marionette makers in France. After a day well spent, the only choice in front of you this evening is Bandol or Bellet?
If skiing is your passion, you’re in the right place. Three-time host to the Winter Olympics, Rhône-Alps has more than 200 ski resorts. Meribel ski resort is less than an hour’s drive from your villa. Whether you’re a beginner, expert or maybe in need of some brushing up, Meribel accommodates all levels. Everything you need for a day in the powder is here. For intermediate and advanced skiers, powder skiing and steep skiing with qualified mountain guides are available. When you’ve had your fill of the slopes for the day, choose from one of the many restaurants or pubs available within the resort grounds. Sit in front of a roaring fire before heading back home to your luxury villa.
Or, simply stay cocooned in your European villa paradise. The exquisite property offered by A&K is surrounded by a very private 25 acres with 360 degree uninterrupted views of the mountains. It’s formal, family-friendly and definitely unforgettable.
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