France can confidently claim to offer it all, from chic city living and haute couture to the glamorous beaches of the Côte d’Azur and the celebrated vineyards of beautiful Burgundy.
Climb the Eiffel Tower, stroll the sculpture-filled gardens of the Musée Rodin, then take in the view down the Champs-Élysées from the top of the Arc de Triomphe
Soak up the glamour of the Côte d’Azur in St Tropez or Cannes, then escape to the unspoiled Îles d'Hyères or shop for goodies in the markets of Antibes
Pick a path to Provence for endlessly romantic hilltop villages, great cities like Arles, Aix and Avignon, as well as Europe’s greatest canyon, the Gorge du Verdon
Enjoy elegant pinot noirs and classic, complex chardonnays among the vineyards and villages of Burgundy’s Côte d’Or
Get close to the action at the Monaco Grand Prix, then dress to impress among the famous tables of the Casino de Monte-Carlo
A hundred different authors have piled praise on Paris, where the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe are merely hors d’oeuvres in a moveable feast. Just 90 minutes by train from the capital and you’ll find yourself in Burgundy, where wine connoisseurs can link vineyards and villages along the 50-mile Route des Grands Crus.
In the south, the lavender fields of Provence burst into bloom from late June to early August, yet the region holds an irresistible appeal at almost any time of year. Romantic villages perch precariously on hilltops. Historic cities like Arles, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence provide windows to the past. And landscapes range from the snow-covered peaks of the southern Alps to the lagoons of the Camargue and the vast Verdon Gorge, Europe’s answer to the Grand Canyon.
Like a piece of French tailoring, it all ends with a flourish on the shimmering Côte d’Azur. From St Tropez to Monaco, the French Riviera remains the place for the jet-set to see and be seen, its hotels and beach clubs a rival to any on the Mediterranean.
Overall, France enjoys a pleasant year-round climate. For beachfront bronzing, summer in the south is by far your best bet, which ties in nicely with Bastille Day celebrations on 14 July. Le Vendange (grape harvest) takes place across wine-producing regions in the autumn and can be a great time to visit a vineyard or two. Winters can be cold, though the capital’s Christmas markets are worth wrapping up for. For more of a party vibe, head to the spectacular Nice Carnival, held annually in February or early March on the French Riviera.
Sprawling across 750 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, Terre Blanche may look like just another picturesque Provençale village, but this standout hotel is anything but rustic, offering stylish suites and magnificent villas, an excellent spa, two championship golf courses and a scene-stealing infinity pool.
A member of the Leading Hotels of the World and open year-round, Lily of the Valley is a seriously soothing place – a Philippe Starck-designed wellness retreat on the French Riviera just 30 minutes from glittering St Tropez.
Inspired by the natural world, La Fantaisie is a verdant, stylish boutique retreat in Paris’s village-like ninth arrondissement. At its centre is a stunning courtyard garden, visible from both the greenhouse-style windows of the showstopper restaurant and the urbane haven of the terraced rooftop bar.
A place where old-world glamour meets modern Monte Carlo, this fabulous 5-star property epitomises the high life. It’s the perfect marriage of grand and elegant, while still relaxed and welcoming, and of course, effortlessly stylish. Occupying an iconic address, only steps from the Casino, the hotel boasts Michelin-star dining, a Karl Lagerfeld-designed Odyssey pool and a spa by Givenchy.
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