An amazing Chalet in a little forest, close to the Flegere lift. We went in summertime when chamonix is buzzing and lively - full of french alpine character and tradition.

The Chalet sleeps 10, and is incredibly spacious, with a huge balcony to sit out on and enjoy the stunning alpine views. There's even a fully appointed 'Mazot' (enchanting mini- chalet) in the garden, which is unbelievably romantic! The enormous garden was covered in wildflowers, nestled in the woods, with a hammock to laze in, a hot-tub with views of the surrounding mountains, and woodburning barrel sauna to pamper yourself in - and we spent happy nights having BBQ's arond the firepit, under the stars.

The chalet itself has a really traditional feel, with wood beams and granite, with a proper wetroom, spacious kitchen and lounge - and a wonderful atmosphere.

It's truly a magical destination for all seasons!

Les Praz, Chamonix
www.chaletlaforet.com/

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Pézenas is a small town about 50 kilometres from Montpellier and is well worth a visit for its old town centre that encompasses Medieval, Rennaissance and 18th century architecture. The Medieval section includes a Jewish quarter and an old sign still indicates this above the slightly menacing and dark entrance archway. There are plenty of delightful little houses and tiny courtyards to explore here.

One of Pézenas’ most famous former residents was the playwright Molière who lived, wrote and performed here for a while in the mid 17th century. He is remembered now by a monument and a hotel named after him.

Car - take the RN113 towards Béziers. Trains and buses are also available following the same principle.

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Restaurant on the seafront serving quality local dishes with oriental twists.

Boulevard de la Croisette

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I've not stayed with Riviera Pebbles but have found the area pages very useful as well as the restaurant pages.

www.rivierapebbles.com
rivierapebbles.com/location_cannes.php
rivierapebbles.com/cuisine.php

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One of the best sleek hotels on the Croisette. The room with balcony was immaculate. The service was great. The only slight disappointment was the food, which I found overpriced for the offerings.

www.hotel-martinez
04 92 98 73 00

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Great restaurant for grilled fish. Ate here twice. Found the service a little lacking at times for the calibre of restaurant, but food made up for it.

58 La Croisette
tel: 04.93.06.40.21

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Elegant seafood restaurant serving great paella. Service was some of the best I've found in Cannes

43 Rue Felix Faure

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No doubt that many will know that Nîmes is home to a very well preserved Roman amphitheatre and whether or not this is the sort of thing that they may or may not want to see. It does have hidden charms however, even if you’re not into the Roman stuff.

If you climb to the top perimeter wall of the arena (some waist-high steps have to be negotiated) it provides some impressive views across the city which you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else - and for me was worth the entrance fee.

Rue des Arènes

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Labelled as one of France’s prettiest villages, it’s hard to disagree if you visit its tiny medieval streets and Benedictine Abbey. The village lies on the edge of a gorge that runs down to the Hérault river, its main street climbing up a steadily steepening hillside. There are numerous picturesque houses and it seems that a good number of the 250 or so residents are artists, judging by the amount of paintings and ceramics on sale. Towards the end of the main street you’ll encounter the Abbey, founded in 804 by Guilhem of Orange who later achieved sainthood.

Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert lies in the Gellon valley just North of Gignac, east of the new A75 motorway, about 30 kilometres Northwest of Montpellier

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I few hours hike up the stunning Gorges de Tavignano from Corte will bring you to this remote refuge at 1166m altitude, where there are dorms or shady camping spots by the river.

The refuge has basic catering facilities, and most importantly, a stock of cold Corsica Cola or Pietra beer after a hot morning's hike. A very peaceful site with little to disturb you except the occasional clanging of a cowbell or the yapping of the refuge's resident puppies.

It's a perfect spot to chill out for the day, lazing on riverside rocks and taking a dip in the mountain stream, before continuing towards the Lac de Nino and onto the GR20, or back towards Corte down a parallel valley.
Gorgeous.

Trains stop at the railway station in Corte. Pick up the trail behind the citadel, at the bottom of rue col-Feracci. Follow the orange paint flashes marking the long distance Mare a Mare Nord footpath.

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This website features all Courchevel webcams on one easy to navigate website. It shows webcams for Courchevel 1850, Courchevel 1650, Courchevel 1550, Courchevel 1300 (Le Praz) and La Tania.

The site also has a quite accurate snow forecast.

It simply adds to your pre-holiday fun to be able to see the snow conditions from home. Go one give it a look!

www.courchevel-webcams.com

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Lovely, luxury, self-catering Courchevel 1850 apartment in the tree lined Jardin Alpin area. It is literally located next to the ski lift and is ski-in ski-out to two gentle green pistes. There also is a drag lift which brings children and beginners directly to the nursery slopes (which makes your holiday so much more easy).

As the apartment is located in the same building as the five-star Byblos Hotel you can use the pool, sauna and spa facilities for a charge. There is a ski hire shop in the building too. The apartment was extremely well furnished to a high standard. Highly recommended.

www.courchevelapartment.com

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Le Nid d'Aigle (aptly named - it's position is indeed an Eagles Nest) is a restaurant in Gourdon; the most beautiful clifftop village in the maritimes Alps, overlooking the Mediterranean.

The quality of food eaten in this restaurant is incredible. Superb. The supremely talented chef - who you spy on occasion through the glass partition to the kitchen, with his tall white *toque* and his oh so French moustache - knows exactly how to tantalize those tastebuds and have you clamouring for more.

Perfect portion sizes, value for money, gastronomic without being pretentious at all, and the yummiest desserts ever. I went with some friends one of whom is vegetarian - at last - proper vegetarian food.

This restaurant puts France very firmly back on the culinary circuit. Too good to pass by without recommending it (we got back home this morning!). We'll be going again and again every time we hit the cote d'Azur. The waiting staff were very helpful and charming - a discreet, efficient, excellent team of waiting staff! Bravo. Felicitations. A restaurant that combines brasserie style eating with gastronomic quality.

Place Victoria
06620 GOURDON
Tél. : 0493775128
nid-daigle@orange.fr

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A roast meat restaurant in Vieux Nice: if you're looking for an alternative to pasta, pizza or nicoise cuisine this place will sort you out in no time.

It's a tiny new (opened May 2009) good-looking restaurant/take-away by Place Rossetti offering simply five types of roasted meats, with a choice of either mash, roast potatoes or ratatouille on the side - eat in and you get a mesclun salad included in the price.

We've tried the beef, which is served French-style rare, and lamb so far and they were both delicious: seriously good value at 11euro each. After sharing one generous take-out serving of lamb between two at our apartment rental we were so impressed we went back to dine in the next day.

It's a brilliant concept and a very welcome addition (for carnivores at least) to the Vieille Ville's restaurant scene. Go early if you want the half chicken - or the window seat!

Rossetti - Serie
8 rue Mascoinat (just off Place Rossetti)
Vieux Nice 06300

open Tuesday to Saturday, 12-2pm & 8-10pm

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One of those squares that probably seems quite everyday to the locals, but which typifies the small French square lined with cafes where you can take time out and watch the world go by over a drink.

Place Jean Jaures

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I know it’s not generally done to visit ‘Irish’ bars when abroad, but this one really is a bit of a gem. There are only a few such places in Montpellier as yet, and this one is tucked away in a small square about five minutes walk from Place de la Comèdie, so you have to search a bit to find it – meaning it’s unlikely to get mobbed by passing stag parties.

It has tables outside in the little shady square (adjacent to a promising looking restaurant) and very friendly staff inside who are more than happy to chat if you’re travelling solo and fancy a bit of evening company. There’s pool available in a separate room (a separate building in fact), various newspapers to read, TV for those who want to follow sports and some nice nooks and crannies if you want to tuck yourself away a bit.

The building sports the legend ‘Maison Justin Boch’ in large letters on the outside (a former business I assume), so you can’t mistake it.

5 Place Saint Côme

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With new management, this has become a lovely, cheery apres ski bar with live acoustic music, good vin chaud and a crackling fire, filling a much needed gap for a nice bar in Les Praz. It's perfect for coming down from Flegere in winter and has a relaxing terrace and of course the Boulodrome for summer nights. The rooms are very good value too.

www.lesrhododendrons.com/

100 route des tines 74400 Chamonix Mont Blanc
Tél: (33) 450-530-639

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Further to the "Best Beach Campsites" article this week, check out the Pavillon Royal site at Bidart, south of Biarritz. It is right on a stunning sandy beach, with it's own private gate to give access. Pitches on the cliffs looking out over the beach to the sea or back in the pine forest, perfect for hanging your hammock. This coast is a mecca for surfers and body boarders, but equally the countryside is rich with local character, foods and Basque customs and traditions. Biarritz is a mix of bling designer shops and surfers. I'd highly recommend going in June as it's a lot quieter.

Site pitches are generous, excellent facilities and friendly staff. And the sunsets... wow.

www.pavillon-royal.com/pavillon-royal/bienvenue_gb.htm
Site is south of Biarritz on road out to Bidart. Biarritz station is 10 mins away in a taxi.

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Here you can stroll or sit in some typical shady boulevards, take in panoramas of Montpellier and the surrounding area and marvel at the old 18th century aquaduct which ends with a flourish in the form of a pool under a celebratory Neo classical pavillion.

Place du Peyrou, near the Arc du Triomphe

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Worth a visit even if only to see what first appears to be two large rockets attached to the huge entrance portal of this quite unusual construction. Its origins are in the 14th century and the other end of the cathedral is rather more conventional, though more picturesque with a small surrounding garden. The streets leading away up the hill provide some quite pleasing views of this old part of the city.

Place St Pierre

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