South of France

Head inland from the Languedoc coast, and north into the Lozere department, and you will find one of France’s scenic highlights at the Gorges du Tarn. The gorges run for some 40 kilometres along the course of the Tarn River, starting west of Florac finishing near Les Vignes. There is a road that follows along the bottom of the gorge offering some very impressive scenery and a sprinkling of villages to discover en route. You might not realise as you [...]

If you are planning your visit it is very likely that you will be looking for somewhere to stay! We’ve looked at various options before but I thought I’d list a few hotel options to make your life easier. Some regions have more hotels than others  – Gascony has far fewer than the French Riviera for example. But unless you are staying somewhere very rural most places have a wide choice available. Likewise, the larger airports have several hotels next [...]

One of the more unusual building types that you will come across in southern France – especially in the medieval and bastide towns of the south-west of the country – is the traditional market hall. These typically date back up to 700 years, and have long served as permanent ‘covered markets’. Because of this role they are usually found in the centre of towns (eg Villereal, Monpazier, Domme and many others), usually in a large open square. There are various [...]

Mont Lozere is in the Lozere department, northern languedoc-Roussillon. To the north is the valley of the Lot River, and to the south the valley of the Tarn. The road across the mountain runs from the village of le Bleymard, heading south for about 30 kilometres to eventually reach the town of le Pont-de-Montvert. Leaving le Bleymard you at first enter a verdant tree lined valley. The road climbs rapidly and the landscape changes, and within a few kilometres you [...]

The most attractive Ardeche villages receive the award ‘village of character’ from the local tourist authority. Much like the national ‘most beautiful village’ award it is a recognition of the village itself and its attention to preserving the fabric of the village, and also a tribute to the setting of the village – typically running down a hillside below a ruined castle…but not always. In tribute to these selected Ardeche villages, a selection of photos… Alba-la-Romaine

The Gorges of the Ardeche are located towards the southern edge of the Ardeche department (Rhone-Alps region) of France, north-west of Avignon. Running for approximately 40 kilometres, they are one of the most impressive scenic highlights in France. A visit usually starts from Vallon Pont d’Arc, an active town a few kilometres to the west. Heading east, the first highlight, and the entrance to the gorges, is at Pont d’Arc. This is a natural stone arch over the Ardeche River [...]