Truffle time

Attention – the truffle season is starting in the south of France, and continues until March. Truffles are underground mushrooms that grow around the roots of various plants, including oak trees, and sometimes lavender and thyme, and it is very big business, especially in the Provence / Cote d’Azur region, where most of France’s truffle production occurs. (I have to admit that I have never yet sampled a truffle, but am fascinated by the idea – apparently in 2006 £165,000 was paid for a white truffle weighing 1.5kg, presumably they must taste wonderful!)

Some truffles grow wild, and are hunted out by specially trained pigs or dogs, and some are cultivated – the cultivation of truffles is expanding greatly, and large numbers of truffle-friendly trees have been planted in south east France since the 1990s.

The famous truffle market at Le Rouret near Grasse is held on January 10th 2010, and it is rumoured that it may be possible to visit the experimental Black Truffle Farm (Champ d’Essai Trufficole) during the local truffle festival in January, although the whole operation is shrouded in secrecy.

Of course Provence and the Cote d’Azur have lots to offer besides truffles, sea, sun, superb countryside and an abundance of gastronomic delights which won’t break the bank! Visit our website to browse through some fabulous holiday homes in the Provence / Cote d’Azur region of France….

Winter sunshine on the Côte d'Azur

Régine, Pat and Titou lunched outdoors on the terrace in Pégomas (near Grasse on the Côte d’Azur) today, because they have glorious sunshine – it’s 23°c even in the shade!
Browse through a selection of our holiday properties in and around Grasse, and make your sunshine dreams come true!

Sunshine over Sidmouth

The sun is beaming down on us this morning from a bright blue sky. We are lucky to work in such a beautiful place in the heart of the Devon countryside. The office is the converted barn you can see covered in climbing plants in the picture.

Outside there is no sound apart from the wild birds. There is usually some sort of activity going on around the bird feeders; our regular visitors include blue tits, long tailed tits, nuthatches, greenfinches, goldfinches and woodpeckers (both green and greater spotted). Pied wagtails are often to be seen strutting around outside the French windows (they like to nest in the wisteria) and the robin sits on the bench outside where he can keep an eye on us. Less welcome is the sparrowhawk, but I suppose it plays its part in the scheme of things just like all the others. There are often two or three buzzards circling over the valley as well. Now that it’s dark when I’m leaving the office after work, I’m accompanied by the calls of tawny owls echoing around the hillside. It’s a haven for wildlife with all the different habitats – woodland, hedges and fields, and there is an abundance of deer, rabbits, squirrels and badgers. One day we even saw a stoat carrying its prey past the office window. Nature always provides us with something to watch here.

However much we love this rural idyll, we know that such solitude isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time – all tastes vary, which is why we like to talk in person to our clients looking for a holiday in Brittany or the Cote d’Azur / Provence, find out exactly what they are looking for and do our best to find their ideal holiday property. For example, if you’re looking for a holiday in the tranquillity of a countryside retreat in Provence (but still an easy drive to restaurants and the market) click on P108B at St Michel l’Observatoire. See also our section on rural French holiday properties.

If, however, a break to take in the bright lights and vibrant nightlife of the French Riviera is more your scene, take a look at C385A in Cannes centre, just 150m from La Croisette.

Susan's visit to the World Travel Market

Last week Susan went to the World Travel Market at Docklands. This is a vast international travel trade fair and the place was buzzing with agents from all over the world. Who says the travel industry is in demise!! The main reason for her visit was to meet with our colleagues from France-Favourites; we are a group of 7 small agencies specialising in self catering holidays in different regions of France. We know the resorts in our regions and the many activities you can enjoy. Plus we've developed our own networks of contacts in the area to help you plan and enjoy your holiday, whether it's booking a surf lesson or finding a good beach for the kids. We believe in ‘service as it used to be’ - we're all ‘small & friendly’ independent companies who've got to know their clients over the years. We're the antithesis of today's corporate call centre culture! No need to spend hours trawling the internet - France Favourites is your research shortcut. http://www.france-favourites.co.uk/

Christmas market in Provence

We like to keep Christmas in its proper place, in December – having said that, some forward planning allows for a more relaxing celebration, so to get you in a mellow and festive mood, we recommend a visit to the Christmas market on the Place de l’Horloge in Avignon – from November 26th through until January 2nd. The streets are decorated with Christmas lights, Santa has his own little house, and there are about 60 chalets selling all manner of Christmas goodies and food. Why not make a real winter break of it with a stay in Saint Rémy de Provence (only about 30 minutes’ drive from Avignon) – look at our choice of garden apartments, P339A, P339B, P339C and P339D - all a short and pleasant walk from the centre of this attractive little town. Don’t miss this opportunity to shop in style – (maybe even under a blue sky!) and pick up some original and delightful Christmas presents .

Titou has a friend to stay

Titou has been entertaining un petit ami - Pretty the dog. Here you see them making plans for the day, Titou teaching Pretty how to climb a tree, and both relaxing on the chaise longue after a exciting time.

Art exhibition at Valbonne

After choosing the palm tree, a cycad which will have pride of place next to the swimming pool at La Maison Bleue, Régine and Cris went to Valbonne to look round an art exhibition at the Chapelle Saint Esprit, just next to the church. The abstract landscape paintings are by Genevieve Deroudilhe and the sculptures (strange animals) are by Jean Luc Mespoulet; Régine and Cris enjoyed it very much, and you can see their favourite pieces above. The exhibition continues until November 8th. France is excellent for all sorts of cultural events - see the events pages on our website for more ideas for things to see and do and places to go when you’re on holiday in Provence, the Cote d’Azur and Brittany.

Palm tree shopping on the Côte d'Azur

Over on the Côte d’Azur, Régine has been shopping for a palm tree to grace the poolside area at C59A. She and her friend Cris went to the Pépinière Sainte Marguerite in Grasse, it is one of the best garden centres in the region and there is plenty of choice. The garden centres at the moment are full of huge colourful Chrysanthemums which the French like to use to decorate their houses, gardens, churches etc for the Toussaints (All Saints) festival on November 1st.