As far as history is concerned, there’s no city in the world quite like Paris. Boasting a colourful past and equally flamboyant present, there’s no corner of the city which is not an embodiment of ancient tales. Montmartre, the epicentre of the 18th arrondissement, is possibly the most historic area of Paris, and one of the most visited. If you’re looking for a holiday apartment rental in Paris for your next holiday, we urge you to look closely at Montmartre. Thanks to the exceptional Parisienne Metro it is ever so easy to get around town, but your evening walks will be much more authentic and enjoyable, considering you’ll be far from the touristy crowds and the bright lights of the city centre. Montmartre is best known as the home of the Sacre-Coeur Basilica, a spectacular white-domed church sitting atop the most infamous hill in Paris. Climbing endless stairs to reach it is well rewarding as the church grounds gift fantastic views of greater Paris. But the church is considered a recent addition to the city’s skyline as it was built merely a century ago. The hill on which it is built however, boasts a much more impressive history than that! The Romans thought ...

Chamonix, one of France’s most famous winter retreats, is almost too pretty for words. Picturesque, quaint and utterly charming, it is an ideal nature-lover’s holiday destination anytime of year. Cradled in a valley and surrounded by some of Europe’s highest peaks, including famous Mont Blanc, Chamonix is an absolutely divine resort town and gifts tourists innumerable chances to ski (even in summer), hike ( for days on end), rock climb, paraglide and much more. While you’d need to be quasi-professional to be tackling these mountains, there are plenty of ways to enjoy them, and the scenery their peaks provide, without ever breaking into a sweat. Book your luxurious holiday rental apartment in Chamonix Centre and follow our guide to the easiest and most enjoyable ways to take in the very best of the surrounding beauty, without needing months of physical preparations. So keep your make-up intact, hair-do coiffed and ease your way into mountaineering heaven. Montenvers Train This stunning half-hour train ride will take you to La Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier. Take the train from the Montenvers Station in Chamonix Centre and enjoy magnificent views of the Chamonix valley and surrounding vertiginous peaks. Once there, you can take a leisurely ...

There’s no other area of Paris which does self-indulgent luxury quite like St. Germain. The once intellectual hub of the French capital is now its trendiest suburb, filled to the brim with opulent palaces, awe-inspiring churches, monuments, art museums and an almost indecent amount of hip bars, cafés, restaurants and designer boutiques. The best part of modern-day St. Germain is that while it has not lost its bourgeois feel, it is now also the prime hang-out of arty types, keen to graduate from the many art academies on the Left Bank. This makes St. Germain the ideal holiday destination for anyone who appreciates the good things in life...minus the conceited snobbiness usually associated with rich suburbs. When visiting Paris, book your holiday rental apartment in St. Germain and enjoy the ultimate Parisian walking tour.  Soak up the atmosphere and culture of this most unique quarter and discover the true magic of Paris. Start your day’s exploration where it all began (for St Germain anyway), at one of Paris’ oldest churches: the Église de Saint-German-des-Prés. The original construction started in 200 AD, yet the church which stands there today was not built until the early 12th century, after raging fired levelled the church ...

No matter where you travel to in France, you’re guaranteed to be near a world-class wine making region; the proximity of a superlative drop of vin anywhere in the country would have to be one of its most venerated attributes. Cheers to that! Combining a little wine tasting with your cultural and historical discovery of Lyon, in central France, is a brilliant way to experience the very best the country has to offer. Book your holiday rental apartment in Old Lyon, the historical centre of this immensely enticing city and, when you want a break from sightseeing, rent a car and head to the two most famous wine regions around: Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône. Not only will you have the chance to visit some of the most celebrated wine houses in France, but you’ll also be able to immerse yourself in the stunning countryside which has continues to make this, the most visited country on earth. Beaujolais The Beaujolais Wine Road (Route du Vin) is easily reached from Old Lyon by taking the A6 north of town for just under 50km. This most stunning region enjoys a much milder climate than its northerly neighbour (Burgundy) and produces over a dozen blends ...

The splendid town of Fréjus, considered by many to be the historic heart of the French Riviera, is a superb holiday destination for anyone who wants a little more out of their Cote d’Azur vacation. Conveniently located just a stone throw away from popular hubs like Cannes and Nice, Fréjus is an ideal base to explore Provence, while still maintaining a subtle and utterly authentic feel. Nestled between the Estérel Mountains and miles of pristine fine sandy beaches, you’ll discover a town worth its weight in gold. Medieval and Roman ruins frame its borders, a colossal Episcopal City hides in its centre and the surrounding dense forests complete the postcard perfect scenery. Book your holiday rental apartment in Fréjus this year and take home more than just a suntan! Humble beginnings The first recorded mention of Fréjus dates back to the 1st century, although pre-historic ruins, dating back to the Iron Age, have been found scattered throughout the entire region. While it’s hard to speculate on shattered pieces of pottery, we do know that it was Julius Caesar who cemented Fréjus’ importance by creating a strategic stop-over along the Aurelian Way in around 49 BC. Swiftly becoming one of the most strategic ...

Travelling to Paris for a week of blissful relaxation and sightseeing is bound to be one of the best ways to put a spring back in your step. Nowadays, finding fantastic deals on flights and Eurostar train rides is the norm, so your little getaway need not break the bank either. But what about when you get there? Are you likely to part with all your hard earned savings? Of course you are! Between expensive hotels, meals, transport and entry tickets into museums, you will soon realize that even a short week-end away can cost you big time. But there are many ways to reduce the cost of a visit to Paris, without reducing the quality of your vacation. Follow our best ever guide to ‘doing’ Paris on a budget and you could easily be planning several weeks away in the City of Lights & Love. Keep it Close Some people choose to stay well away from the city centre, in the hope that they’ll be saving on accommodation costs. While this may be true some of some cities, in Paris it actually pays to stay nice and close to the attractions. Your best bet is to book an apartment near ...

You may be surprised to learn that, up until the early 1900s, the Cote d’Azur was a simple and undistinguished collection of fishing villages. It wasn’t until European aristocracy descended upon the pristine shores of Southern France, in search of warmth and relaxation close to home, that the uninspiring coastal towns quite literally boomed into existence. Within a few short years, the cultural and social gems we enjoy now, like Cannes, Nice and St. Tropez became the favoured holiday destination for the élite the world over. The picturesque town of Cannes, flanked on one side by miles of splendid coast, and the other by luscious green hills, was always bound for stardom. The start of a very humble film festival, which has grown to be the most famous in the world, served to catapult it into the international limelight. Cannes is indeed extremely central, and from here day trips to nearby jewels like Nice, Monaco and St Tropez and extremely easy to organize, either by rental-car or public transport. Yet while most tourists confine their visits to famous villages, there are a few quaint towns worthy of an in-depth look. Book an apartment in Cannes and, while you’re out exploring ...

Renowned the world over as one of the most romantic icons in existence, the Eiffel Tower in Paris has a way of inspiring awe, admiration and quite a few sighs, in all who visit. No matter how many times you see it, or from which angle you first view it, this most grandiose feat of engineering is one mighty impressive site. Whether you happen to hop off the bus and stumble across it, or walk for miles around Paris trying to find its perfect viewing spot, the Eiffel Tower remains the most celebrated attraction in the whole city and quite possibly the entire country. While most people simply buy a ticket online, join the queues, climb it and then go on their merry way, we’d highly recommend dedicating some serious time to appreciating this illustrious structure. When next in Paris, book a holiday apartment near the Eiffel Tower area (Champs de Mars) and give it the respect it deserves! Follow our very intimate guide to the tower, the ideal spots from where to photograph it, and take home some truly unforgettable memories. Close or far? Some people argue that tall structures like the Eiffel Tower are best viewed from afar, when all of ...

Old Lyon, one of France’s enviable historic gems, is a whirlwind maze of UNESO listed architectural treasures, and is the ideal destination for history buffs and anyone interested in the cultural aspect of this most enthralling European country. Part of Lyon, a now sprawling metropolis marginally smaller than Paris, Old Lyon is superbly maintained and gifts the visitor a chance to almost step back in time, not merely admire it. When booking an apartment in Old Lyon, be assured that history, art and architecture are not all that this picturesque town has to offer. Nearby is where you’ll find Parc de la Tête d'Or, the most beloved of all Lyon’s natural escapes. This isn’t just because Lyon doesn’t actually boast many parks, but it’s due to the fact that this glorious 290 acre property is home to a pristine lake, a zoo, a mini-golf course, several rose gardens, a velodrome and even a chance for some gentle poney riding. The park has been flourishing here since 1812, when the local council decided it was about time the bustling commercial hub had an urban park. Back then, this was the only site where buildings had not sprouted, and the swampy grounds were ...

Chamonix is preceded by a superlative reputation for being one of the best skiing destinations in Europe. The host town of the very first Winter Olympics continues to wow its visitors with a fantastic choice of slopes of varying difficulties and an almost endless choice of both winter and summer time activities. When holidaying here, keep in mind that fun and excitement is not only reserved for the slopes! The town’s brilliant bars and nightclubs provide adventurers with relaxing and invigorating night time fun activities, and have proven to be one of the major tourist attractions in the whole area. Book an apartment in Chamonix Centre and get ready to move, groove and slalom all day AND all night in one of the following oh-so-trendy clubs and bars. L'Amnesia Discotheque, 213 avenue de l'Aguille du midi It’s really a pity that L’Amnesia has a bit of a trendy dress code; its close proximity to the cable car in Chamonix Sud makes one want to hop from the slopes to the dance floor without even getting changed. But alas one must! The largest nightclub in town is one of the most talked about, and attracts an eclectic mix of local and visiting partygoers alike. ...