France

Domaine de Canaille, Provence

Perched high on a hill above Cassis and under the shadow of the mighty Cap Canaille – the towering sea cliff that burns orange at sunset – you’ll find an impressive estate that was firmly at the centre of glamour in the roaring ’20s on the Côte d’Azur, welcoming esteemed guests such as Virginia WoolfContinue reading “Domaine de Canaille, Provence”

Domaine de Métifiot, Provence

Nestled among the rolling hills of St-Rémy-de-Provence, through a valley so winding that it’s earned the name ‘Val de l’Enfer’ (the valley of death) lies an estate that has been owned by the same family for four generations. Domaine de Métifiot, located near the town of Baux de Provence, has the terroir credentials to competeContinue reading “Domaine de Métifiot, Provence”

Signature, Marseille

It’s not a bad issue to have, but, if anything, Provence has just too much choice of great quality food. You’d need months or even years to scratch the surface of the list of fine dining, Michelin-recommended, and starred restaurants. This is to be expected in a region with the perfect mélange of conditions –Continue reading “Signature, Marseille”

Casa Youm, Marseille

Marseille’s reputation precedes it, for better and for worse. As the popular song goes: it’s not the capital – it’s Marseille, baby – and you’re unlikely to find a place that epitomises contrast quite like the capital of Provence. The newspapers would have you believe that it’s a scene of violence with riots breaking outContinue reading “Casa Youm, Marseille”

Hameau des Baux, Provence

Nestled among the cypress trees of the Alpilles, a recently-renovated luxury hamlet of Provençal charm is laying low, just waiting to be discovered. When you arrive at Hameau des Baux, just outside the towns of Baux de Provence and Paradou, it appears to be a medieval village, complete with stone façade chapel and quintessential townContinue reading “Hameau des Baux, Provence”

Le Grand Mazarin

Last autumn, the Le Marais district of Paris was illuminated in shades of purple and circus performers roamed the cobbled streets – unusual even in a part of the city that has always been synonymous with coexisting bourgeois and bohème. The celebrations were to mark the opening of Le Grand Mazarin, the most eagerly-awaited newContinue reading “Le Grand Mazarin”

Château de la Resle, Burgundy

Just fifteen minutes outside the town of Auxerre, and surrounded by vineyards and chocolate box towns of Burgundy, sits Château de la Resle – an intoxicating blend of bold modernity and old world charm. On arrival, it has all the hallmarks of a classic French mansion: wooden shutters, turreted roofs, oeils-de-boeuf windows, and façades drapedContinue reading “Château de la Resle, Burgundy”