Bonnes Pacques or Happy Easter to you!

France celebrates Easter with great fanfare and vigour. The entire country revels in the Eastertide festivities and shops are beautifully decorated with white and dark chocolate rabbits, chickens, bells and fish. For those families who have taken an early holiday in a French family rental farmhouse children can wake up on the Easter Sunday morning hoping to find beautifully decorated Easter eggs for them.

Whilst England has the traditional Easter bunnies, these are not found in France. Easter celebrations in France incorporate the Easter symbols of bells and fish. The French Easter fish are called 'Poisson d'Avril', which means 'April Fish'. The Poisson d'Avril makes his appearance on the 1st of April, as French children delight in playing a kind of 'April Fool's' trick. They stick a paper fish onto the back of as many adults as possible.

Cloche volant or Flying Bells are another important part of the Easter traditions of France. French Catholics believe that on Good Friday, all the church bells in France fly to the Vatican in Rome, carrying with them the misery and grief of those who mourn Jesus' crucifixion on that day. These flying bells return on Easter Sunday morning and bring with them lots of chocolate and eggs. In keeping with the tradition, French church bells do not ring from Good Friday to Easter morning.

On Easter Sunday lamb is traditionally cooked in France. 'Gigot D'agneau' (leg of lamb) is prepared in many Christian household in France, especially for the ceremonious occasion. The typical French recipe is prepared by making use of spring vegetables. If you are holidaying in one of our many luxury villas in France then I wish you Bonne Pacques!!

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about our extensive range of luxury villas in France please contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

If you would like a copy of our 2011 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove

Manager

France & Morocco

The sun shone in Arcachon

Last week my colleague Sally (from our UK office) and I visited Arcachon and the day was glorious! The sun shone and I was slowly kicking myself as to why I had never been before in all the years I have lived and worked in south west France.

This posh resort town is a hotspot for family holidaymakers and content retirees. With more than a dozen beaches, is what makes Arcachon a superb place to take your beach villa holiday in France. Visit the Dune du Pyla, Europe's highest sand dune and a slice of the Sahara in France. It's an absolute must-see. The Bassin d'Arcachon (bay of Arcachon) is also known for the Banc d'Arguin, a 1000-acre sand bar in the form of a crescent across the waters from the Dune. Pack a picnic lunch and prepare to play in white sand and swim in the azure water. This is paradise!

Quality Villas will shortly be introducing its first villa in Arcachon and I hope to procure many more in the future. This new addition is a large Basque style house right on the beach with spacious and luxuriously decorated rooms, stunning sea views, private gate to the beach and your own private boat! What more could you ask for with a luxury villa in France.

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about our extensive range of luxury villas in France please contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

If you would like a copy of our 2011 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove

Manager

France & Morocco