| Pretty renovated longere nearby the coast | |
| Location: Near Morlaix Finistere, Brittany In a peaceful and lovely environment this pretty renovated longere comes with 1600m2 garden and spacious living accommod ... Click: Near Morlaix property details | Price: € 225,700 Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Land: 1600(m²) Ref: FFP1334 |
| Pretty renovated longere nearby the coast | |
| Location: Near Morlaix Finistere, Brittany In a peaceful and lovely environment this pretty renovated longere comes with 1600m2 garden and spacious living accommod ... Click: Near Morlaix property details | Price: € 225,700 Beds: 3 Baths: 2 Land: 1600(m²) Ref: FFP1334 |
| Big farmhouse to renovate, with original features | |
| Location: Fayl Billot Area Haute-Marne, Champagne - Ardenne Farmhouse from the second part of 19th Century. Massive stone building in good condition. Timber, frame and roof also in ... Click: Fayl Billot Area property details | |
Regionally certain areas, such as the south west, have seen rainfall at its lowest in close on 50 years.
And the exceptionally cold February, with an anticyclone installed over France, saw rainfall at only a quarter of the expected levels for the month.
The Météo France report covers the period September 2011 to the end of February 2012 (click thumbnail above to enlarge), and highlights the delicate balance that will have to be found for water use.
Full Report: Winter rainfall levels in France plummet
Now, a handful of producers in Bourgueil and its next-door neighbor, Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, are making wines that belong on any short list of great reds, at least when value is taken into account. Plenty of delicious bottles are available for €10 or so, and few of these wines cost more than €20.
Quality has been driven forward by young vignerons who have opened up to the outside world of wine, learning from their peers in more famous regions while continuing to make wines that are true to their place of origin.
“There is a handful of us who are trying to go as far as possible to show that this can be a noble terroir, to let the terroir express itself,” said Frédéric Mabileau, one of the new stars of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil.
Traveling in wine country, one often hears that ambition expressed. But the rise of Bourgueil and other nearby appellations is timely, because it coincides neatly with a change in consumer tastes.
The big, blustery reds that dominated wine lists a few years ago, winning high scores from critics and favor from consumers, are falling out of fashion. Now the search is on for lighter, more drinkable, less tiring wines, with modest levels of alcohol. The terroirs of the Loire are well-positioned to provide them.
Read More about these wines: Loire Valley Reds Come Into Their Own
As the NY Times observes it is another red that begins with "B" - along side Bordeaux, Burgundy, Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello, and Bierzo!
References:
Loire Valley Tourism
Loire Valley Properties
Photo by M^3Yes, Provence is quite magical - and this article extract captures the allure of Provence. The full article on EuroTravelogue also contains some superb photos! Perhaps the most sublime in all of France, Provence evokes images of medieval towns, hills of lavender fields swaying in the breeze and the sweet romance of the sea. Stretching from the Alpine mountains through the meandering Rhône River valley before surrendering to the Mediterranean, the lands of Provence promise the most delightful and dramatic landscapes around every bend in the winding roadways throughout the region. Stop by one of the hilltop towns alive with bustling marketplaces and festivals throughout the year celebrating both the spiritual and secular. In the countryside, you’ll find rolling hills of lavender bursting with life and filling the air with the most intoxicating perfume imaginable. Later in the summer, fields of sunflowers bathed in golden light seem to disappear into the horizon. Perhaps it’s the romance of the sea that beckons? Head to the south of this region to Saint Tropez and Nice and let’s not forget the glitz and glamour of Cannes! It’s all here in Provence, France. Ah, but the undeniable allure of Provence is its light. Imbued with a unique quality of light that has lured many a brush and pen to this region, Provence was and is home to not only visual artists but writers as well. From Van Gogh, Cézanne and Picasso to Marcel Pagnol, Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, they were all here whether a fleeting visit or extended stay—Provence proved to be the promised land because of its uncanny ability to stir creativity that demands expression. Read full article and admire the photos: In Pursuit of Provence, France—Hilltop Towns and Fields of Lavender Recommended: Provence Properties 
Photo by Wolfgang StaudtWhat does Croydon have in common with Montpellier? Not a lot but ..... the Guardian reports: MontpellierFull article: What's new in France's big cities in 2012
More: Montpellier Property
Photo: by Guillaume PaumierIf you read this blog, you will know my favourite area of France is the Languedoc-Roussillon. So naturally this post about Quillan at TravelBite caught my eye. Here is an extract: Skiing in the winter, whitewater rafting in the summer or exploring the nearby Cathar Castles – there’s a host of activities to keep you occupied in the French town of Quillan all year round.Situated at the foothills of the Pyrenees, not far from the Spanish border and about 70 miles to duty-free Andorra (the sixth smallest nation in Europe), Quillan is a picturesque, rustic town with a population of a few thousand or so. According to local tradition, the town got its name from the three craggy hills, the Trois Quilles (the Three Skittles) which surround it.As it is located in the of region Languedoc-Roussillon , the town is within short driving distance to many majestic Cathar Castles, which were erected nearly a thousand years ago to protect the Cathars from invasions from the north. Some of the castles are rundown, but others like Carcassonne have been well kept and still serve as popular tourist attractions. Carcassonne city, which is a 45-minute drive from Quillan, is the only fortified town in Europe still inhabited. It is also home to the closest airport, followed by Perpignan, a large town near the Mediterranean coast, which is an hour’s drive away. You can get the train or bus from Carcassonne to Quillan, but you may prefer to hire a car at the airport. The nearest castles to Quillan are about 10 miles away (including Carcassonne Castle pictured below), including one in Puivert, a tiny town with a lake and man-made beach, which is great for a cool down in the high summer heat. In the summer a week-long Folklore Festival is held, where dancers, musicians and singers from around the globe perform during the day and evening on the town square of Quillan.Other cultural and sporting events such as music concerts, cycling races, motor racing and canoeing competitions take place in the town all year round; however, the busiest time for this is March to September. Read the full article: Quillan: delights of a small French townReferences:
Photo by laurent.breillatThe Guardian posts an interesting article; My France – the French reveal their holiday getaways, where they ask: Which bits of France do the French love to visit for the perfect holiday?France is a country of balance," says Starck. For him, the Bassin d'Arcachon is the perfect example of this. "The climate is not too hot and not too cold, with four distinct seasons. The food is of a great quality, including amazing oysters and wonderful Bordeaux wines, a real and simple life, great forests, sand dunes, big waves, and the Bassin d'Arcachon itself is a kind of Venetian lagoon, which I deeply adore. There are no rocks around so it is a place where you cannot hurt yourself, a place mostly kindly and protective. Locals are happy to live there and their happiness is contagious." The little village he stays in, Les Jacquets, exists far from the dictates of fashion, he adds. "It is a little village of oystermen and fishermen, a perfect example of successful communism. Everybody lives in similar, small cabanas, far from richness, very close to each other. For some it would be a nightmare. For me it is a real dream." Other areas covered:For the complete article: Wine Regions of France
To learn more about the wine regions of France - this long video explores all the regions:
Photo by Nouhailler
Limousin is at the heart of central France and is a very traditional and tranquil area of France. Limousin is one of the 27 regions of France. It is composed of three départements: Corrèze, Creuse and the Haute-Vienne.
My France à mo has an interesting article about the Limousin - here is an extract: Often dubbed the French Lake District, located to the west of the Massif Central, Limousin can really be best described as the heart of France. Its way of life and its traditions have remained unchanged over the centuries; it really is the ‘land where time stood still’.
It has also inspired many painters and writers over the centuries and is really perfect for those looking for tranquillity and remote, unspoiled landscapes. The verdant countryside, filled with valleys, ravines and forests, provides everything for the nature enthusiast and the lakes and rivers are not only beautiful, but also mean there is lots to do for those who enjoy walking, riding and water sports. Golf is also very popular here. The afflux of UK buyers in recent years is only a testimony to this region’s stunning natural beauty, rich history and tradition, charming chateaux and ancient churches.
