Music Festivals – the right note for your holiday in the Gers with Quality Villas !!

For many years Music in South West France has been big business in music terms with Jazz Nights, Brass Bands and Blues Nights. During the summer months many villages and towns hold their own music festivals with dancing, food and all great fun for young and old alike. Notably the most famous of Music Festivals are explained below and are an absolute must to visit if you are holidaying during July & August.

For a few days in July, Mirande, a small village in the Gers transforms itself into an American town. Apart from the Country Music (more later) there are also hot-air balloon flights, American cars, Harley-Davidsons, and endless other attractions and activities for all the family. The Country Music festival is legendry and recognized as the first Country Music festival in Europe and has attracted many American Country & Western starts plus the cast of Dallas who regularly attend. Music starts in the evening at 5 pm until dawn the following day. Mixed with the fun loving people of Mirande, the gorgeous countryside and gastronomic pleasures of South West France this festival should be first on everyones list to visit.

The sleepy town of Marciac a small town in the Gers is transformed by the Festival, with the main square hosting several stages. Almost every building turns into a restaurant or bar, many with their own live jazz. The quality of jazz is outstanding and several concerts each year are simply world class. The music winds down around 3am and the atmosphere is laid back and informal. The Jazz Festival runs for around 10 days and starts at the beginning of August. This enormous event, with the main concert hall getting bigger each year, now seats around 5,000 people.

The small town of Vic Fezenac in the Gers is where the Tempo Latino Music Festival is held at the end of July with the best concerts normally held on Friday and Saturday nights. The town is turned into one great Latin & Afro-Cuban atmosphere where the bars and music run throughout the nights of the festival. As with Latin & Afro-Cuban music you can expect a lively time and perfect for all ages. The biggest concerts are in the Bull Ring and are fantastic! The main street becomes a huge market and the atmosphere is truly non-stop!!!

Other small festivals in the Gers can be found at Condom and Fleurance. Both festivals are held in July with the Festival Africain in Condom. Apart from music there is an African market, Moroccan tea rooms and many other African specialities. Nearby Fleurance holds its annual Cuivo Foliz festival which is all about brass bands. This year there are 12 brass bands performing in over 50 concerts.

If this has inspired the music lovers amongst you and venues that are fine for all the family then why not rent one of favourite south west France villas 'Maison du Hameau'. Situated at the edge of a small quiet hamlet this house is well situated the Gers has a wonderful large secure garden, perfect for children to play on and a safe and secure swimming pool. Furnished comfortably throughout, spacious and well equipped this house is one I can thoroughly recommend.

There is still availability in July and August so ideal to visit the above festivals!!!

Why not call us now and ask about Maison du Hameau or view the property on our French villas website or contact our office to talk to one of our specialist sales team.

Gill Woolsgrove
Area Manager
France & Morocco

Food and wine of South West France

Think of South West France for food and drink and what do you conjure up? Our South West France area manager Gill Woolsgrove gives her thoughts on this...

Well, living here for 15 years taught me the delights of regional food that is available here. As the area is largely agricultural with restaurants and cafes used by many locals then the produce is locally grown and plentiful. Duck is the mainstay of this region served either as breast with a rich sauce or confit. Other delights are sanglier (wild boar), geese, game, Landes chickens, foie gras, lamb roasts and casseroles.

There is also a wide range of fish, cured hams and sausages as well as a wide variety of cheeses such as Cantal, soft goat cheeses (cabécous) as well as a wide choice of all the famous French varieties. Followed of course by good fruit tarts made with the famous Agen prunes and local fruit such as plum and apple.

Nothing would be complete however in this wonderful region where I live is the abundance of local wines. From Buzet (my favourite) to Bordeaux, Cahors Duras, Bergerac and Madrian these are the most popular wines. Visit the local vineyards for wine tasting before you buy a case or even cheaper a cubi container which holds 5 litres. Not forgetting the Armagnac brandies produced between Auch & Condom wines which are made in small quantities and the Armagnac brandies are produced in the area between Auch and Condom.

If this has whetted your appetite and tingled your taste buds then why not think about your South West France villa holiday now. We still have availability and special offers on some of beautiful properties here in the region where I live.

A different Mediterranean at affordable prices and with a Venice appeal !!

Mention Mediterranean France and everyone thinks of the Cote d’Azur and Provence. Beautiful areas to visit but why not venture further west and sample the delights of quaint fishing villages, lively cities and at affordable prices.

As part of my portfolio of houses across various regions of France the one area that I have always felt that I am on holiday in, even though I am working, is Sete and the surrounding coastal towns and small villages.

I have visited Sete many times plus the coastal town of Marseillan where I have had the best moules frites ever to the pretty town of Meze north of Sete and famous for wonderful oysters from the Bassin de Thau – again the best oysters I have ever eaten!!

However, Sete is special and my favourite!! Once a small fishing village on the island of Mont St Clair it’s become the definitive Languedoc fishing port for France on the Mediterranean. This warm and colourful town is known as the Venice of Languedoc with its canals and small bridges. The charm of Sète is in the canals, the sea, the streets and the restaurants. You can walk and discover fishing boats, busy with their catch, or find a restaurant to eat and watch the fishing boats go out to sea. Walk down the Saint Louis Pier and look for yachts vie for space. Here you will see some of the fastest sailboats in the world, as it is here that the French train for the America's Cup. For families there are 12 kms of sandy beaches that stretch from Sete to Cap d’Agde. There is so much to do in and around Sete from sailing trips, water sports, micro light flights, tennis, golf, horse riding, museums, theatres and a casino if you fancy a try at the tables!!

Of course you must have a comfortable and stylish villa to stay in for your holiday and Quality Villas http://www.qualityvillas.com/ is proud to have a superb Art Deco style villa facing the sea as part of its portfolio. Villa Mont St Clair is situated in Setes La Corniche’s district yet a 10 minute stroll brings you to the fishing town of Sete. Villa Mont St Clair is directly facing the sea and this well appointed house stands out amongst the others around it with a particularly unusual green tiled tower which houses part of the principal bathroom. The property has been lovingly restored with marble floors, Italian style ceiling, and grand staircase with Art Deco cast iron and cherry wood finish and stained glass windows. The doors on the first floor have been restored to their former glory depicting the Art Deco style of the period. The furnishing and fittings are all of a particularly high standard yet oozes comfort in this spacious house. This popular villa is classy, spacious and comfortable.

This popular villa still has availability so hurry and book this little piece of luxury at affordable prices. I personally recommend it !!!

Gill Woolsgrove
Area Manager
France & Morocco

If you would like to speak to a specialist on a French villa holiday or where best to visit, do visit this site on line: http://www.qualityvillas.com/ and contact our office or email us.

Summer in the South West of France - not to be missed!!!

The South West of France conjures up lush countryside, rolling hills, gastronomy and fine wine!! This region abounds with departments that are so different, yet all exciting and memorable. Perfect areas for walking, cycling, rambling and canoeing. The Averyon River and Gorges are spectacular where kayaks can be hired to zig-zag through these amazing waters. Visit Millau, the Averyon’s main town with its new suspension bridge that is an amazing feat of 21st century engineering. Albi the birthplace of Toulouse Lautrec and famous museum that’s houses his famous collection of paintings and posters. Venture further south to the market town of Cahors famous for wine and go wine tasting at the numerous vineyards across the Cahors valley. Moissac with its cathedral and cloisters. Numerous bastide villages perched on the hilltops that date back to medieval times. Montauban with its shops and quaint alleys. The Gers with its lush countryside and forests are a delight and be sure to sample the famous Armagnac of this region. Visit Condom with its quaint streets and shops; Marciac with its Jazz Festival and Mirande for its annual Country & Western festival. To the east is Toulouse, the Rose City, with its fine shops, opera house, theatres and markets. Visit Pau the cathedral city of the Gers and gateway to the Pyrenees. To the west is Bordeaux with historic building and fine shops. Wine lovers must visit the St Emilion vineyards and pretty local villages that surround it. Casteljaloux is famous for its spa baths and visited by people far and wide. Gastronomy in all these areas is superb – foie gras, magret and excellent wine. The South West is a delight and makes France what it is – memorable!!
We still have availability for quite a number of our houses in the South West and if I should say which is one of my favourites - it has to be Maison Pastorale. Beautifully furnished and equipped with comfort in mind this is a delightful property. Lovingly restored this property is always a favourite with our clients. Situated near Marmande and a short distance from numerous vineyards offering superb Buzet wine or travel a short distance to the Duras vineyards or to the famous Bordeaux vineyards.

Why not call us now and ask about Maison Pastorale and other luxury properties waiting to be discovered. If you would like to speak to a specialist on a French villa holiday or where best to visit, do visit this site on line : http://www.qualityvillas.com and contact our office or email us.

Gill Woolsgrove
Area Manager
France & Morocco

Fancy a flutter at the Casino or a spot of surfing followed by a round of golf !!!!!

There are so many fascinating places to explore and discover in the Pay Basques region with long sandy beaches, memorable sunsets, rugged countryside and dramatic scenery.
The fashionable seaside town of Biarritz famed for its Belle Époque architecture, smart shops, chic street-side cafés and not forgetting the famous Casino for those who might like flutter!! Stroll along the long promenade and then take have a cup of hot chocolate in one of many Salon du The and watch the world go by!! The birthplace of French surfing, the Biarritz Surf Festival attracts boarders from a far a field as Australia and Hawaii. This area offers many other water sports too, such as Kite-surfing, Delta-planing and windsurfing.
Visit Bidart a small hill top town located near by the sea and has charm and tranquillity in abundance and where the Pay Basque countryside and coast meet. Most of the beaches are found at the base of a cliff (which, even in the height of the summer are not crowded), with the exception of two, the Plage d'Ilbarritz and Plage de l'Uhabia which are large open beaches.The principle architecture here is Typically Basque with white facades, Basque red shutters & colombage timbers and red pan-tiled roofs. Bidart and Anglet are a golfer’s paradise. There are no less than 12 golf courses along this coastline, the most famous being in Bidart and Anglet. Most of them are on the coastline and overlooking the ocean.
St Jean de Luz is a lovely seaside resort with an active fishing port and close to the Spanish border. A lively and cosmopolitan town which has a distinctive Spanish & Moorish feel about the place!! With a mixture of Basque, Moorish & Andalusia architecture, old world charm, fishing port and narrow lanes there is an atmosphere & ambience especially when the Jazz Fete is on in the streets!!
We, at Quality Villas have an exciting selection of houses ranging from a full hotel style service in a former stately home; a fabulous apartment right on the beach to a stunning property with amazing views.

I love this area and always look forward to my visits here – why don’t you try it too, you won’t be disappointed !!!

Gill Woolsgrove

Area Manager
France & Morocco
http://www.qualityvillas.com/

If you would like to speak to a specialist on a French villa holiday or where best to visit, do visit this site on line : http://www.qualityvillas.com/ and contact our office or email us.