A little night music amongst the greenery!!

It is said that the history of France is written in her gardens and this is reflected in the many different styles to be found, from grand palace estates to delightful private gardens such as Monet’s at Giverny in central France. In one of the regions that I manage are the amazing Gardens of Eyrignac which are located 13 km north east of Sarlat in the Dordogne at Salignac.

This garden is filled with greenery and displays every shade of green: yews, box trees, hornbeams and cypress trees are the main species in the garden.
It is the sheer volume of topiaries which creates the essence of Eyrignac from plant sculptures, rooms of greenery, box embroideries and borders in the French style. All of these displays are in perfect harmony with the architectural lines of the Manoir and visitors, young and old marvel at this jewel in the Dordogne.


Every Monday evening from mid July to end of August from 7 pm to nightfall is a musical white picnic in the White Garden. The White Garden is filled with white roses enjoy the cooling fountains at twilight. From sunset to nightfall, visitors eat their picnic treats or enjoy a delicious slice of foie gras and a glass of wine in the restaurant. Adults tariff is just 9€.50 and free for children under 14 years old.

This civilised evening is popular and enjoyed by many and what perfect way to spend a summers evening not far from your Dordogne villa or Dordogne farmhouse.

We still have some summer availability for our Family Villas in Dordogne so why not call our office now and check out the availability.

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

If you would like a copy of our new 2010 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

Winter weather makes you dream of your sunny summer holiday!!!

Last weekend saw South West France and other regions covered in a blanket of snow. Whereas the UK had its fair share of snow in the past month, in my part of the world it is relatively unheard of. Waking up to 20cm of snow, freezing temperatures during the day and minus 10°C at night was enough to make me think of last summer when it was so hot here I was dreaming of cold weather!!

Last years weather was glorious – the sun shone literally every day for nearly four months. Our French villas and French farmhouses were booked up very quickly last year and its looks like the same is happening again.

One of my favourite properties is Maison Pastorale – a beautiful house set in a rural location not far from Marmande and Bordeaux. With its large rooms, delightful bedrooms and private pool this house is always popular.

There is much to see and do in this area from vineyards to cycling and historic Bordeaux which is a must to visit. Venture further north to the Dordogne (easily accessible by car) and take the children kayaking on the River Dordogne or visit one of the many pretty villages.

We have been taking bookings for this summer for a few weeks now and some of most popular houses are getting booked up so hurry and book your French villa holiday now and look forward to long sunny days by your luxury villa or family farmhouse with exclusive pools.

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

If you would like a copy of our new 2010 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

Riding the French Railways

In all the years I have lived in South West France, which total 16 in all, I am ashamed to say that I have only been on the train once!!

I have to say they are the most efficient and comfortable that I have ever experienced. Train travel in France is relatively cheap and if tickets are booked well in advance then they are extremely reasonable in cost.

Whilst most people drive to their French Villa destination or fly, the train is becoming more and more popular and so easy! Even though you see a fair amount of countryside when you drive, it is only from the Autoroute and that can be limiting.

I took the train from Toulouse last week end to go to Antibes on the Cote d’ Azur. I was apprehensive at first but found the whole experience so well organised. Ticketing is so simple and you can choose your seat whether to sit on your own, as a couple of a family of four. Once on the platform you can view where your carriage is so no panicky about where to get on. I chose first class which is only a quarter more in price than second class and glad that I did. It was very comfortable, quiet and the hours literally flew by.

My journey took me through all the areas that I cover in the South West managing a wide selection of Languedoc villas from Castelnaudary to Carcassonne and onto Sete where the train travels along the coast. From there onto Marseille and onto the areas that my colleagues in the South cover – from Toulon to Cannes to Nice. This was a perfect opportunity for me to see the areas that they work in and the different architecture and terrain.

I thoroughly enjoyed my train journey going through all the areas where we have rural Farmhouses in South West France or Luxury Villas in Provence and Cote d’Azur.
Therefore, when you are thinking of booking your summer holiday spare a thought for your journey by train – a different experience entirely.

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about your luxury villa holiday in France contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

If you would like a copy of our new 2010 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

The Christmas Festivities Approach !!!!

As Christmas approaches we forget all about our summer villa holiday and focus on the festivities. Whereas UK has one long holiday that stretches from Christmas Eve to New Year, in France it is quite different!! When I first moved here 16 years ago there was nothing – no Christmas trees, no decorations, no Christmas lights in the towns or villages and no turkeys! Now, it is quite different with all these things but France still retains its own traditions.

Most French homes decorate their homes at Christmas time with a Nativity scene or crèche with little clay figures called 'santons' or 'little saints' that are still made from moulds that have passed down since the 17th century. Christmas markets have now begun and this year marks the first of these in my area of South West France. Generally, the Christmas markets, with their little wooden huts selling gifts were traditionally in the North of France around the Alsace region. Night markets have started this year too in my region and if they are good as the summer night markets then another tradition has been born.

Food in France at Christmas time is quite different from UK. However, there is a traditional Yule log-shaped cake called the Buche de Noel, meaning 'Christmas Log.' The main Christmas feast is quite grand and is known as 'Le Reveillon', served as a very late supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Different regions have different traditional menus and in the South West it is oysters, turkey and foie gras. French families also bake a Three Kings Cake with a bean hidden in it on the Twelfth Day after Christmas. The lucky person to find the bean in their slice is crowned the King or Queen, for the day.

We at Quality villas enjoy our Christmas and New Year but we are still on hand to discuss your 2010 summer holiday. So, when the holiday programmes come on the TV on Boxing Day it will be your reminder to call us to discuss your French villa holiday!!

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

If you would like a copy of our new 2010 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

Black Diamonds in South West France !!!

In South West France there are many markets which vary from Night markets in the summer to Farmers Markets or just plain Bric & Brac markets so it’s a perfect area for your South West villa holiday whether in summer or off season.

The most famous truffle market starting on the first Tuesday of December until mid-March is in Lalbenque which is close to Cahors in South West France. It takes place in the main street, called " La rue du Marché aux Truffes” and is well worth a visit. The market opens on the dot of two o’clock and generally lasts just a few minutes with everyone hiding their “black diamond” treasure under red checked napkins, in paper bags or small wicker baskets. If you are to make a day of it then arrive before midday and have a truffle omelette in one of the restaurants that line the main street. We even have rural farmhouses to rent within easy reach of this village and many others.

Truffles are strange looking fungi found just below the ground in open woodland, usually under oak or hazel trees, and their pungent aroma attracts many animals, particularly female pigs. The sow is said to be crazy about truffles because the truffle has the same musky smell as the sexual odour of the wild boar. Unlike mushrooms, truffle spores are not spread by the wind so they need animals to disperse them. Pigs need no encouragement to look for truffles. In fact, it requires constant vigilance and firmness on the part of the truffle hunter to prevent them from swallowing the lot. Nowadays, dogs are replacing pigs; they have no natural interest in truffles and can be trained to indicate with a paw the place where they have smelt them. They are also smaller, more manageable, don't tire as easily, and they don't go into a sexual frenzy when approaching a truffle.

I love the South West France area with its rural landscape and rolling hills which is so popular with our clients for their family villa holiday.

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

If you would like a copy of our new 2010 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

Gastronomy & Wine – perfectly coupled with your French Villa Holiday!!

I have just come back from a week in UK whereby I had to have my obligatory fish and chips, curry and take away Chinese. I really enjoy these foods when I visit “the old country” and often visit the country pubs which I really miss. However, after a week I am hankering to be home and to return to my French food diet which is regional food and wine!!

If there is something clear in the world, it is the gastronomy language is defiantly French!! Its kitchen is the national pride of the French people and the fame of the French is good eating and drinking. As you read on think about your french family villa rental for your 2010 holiday.

From the Northwest coast as well as Mediterranean, there is quality fish, as well as seafood in the form of oysters, mussels and clams, especially in the zone of Aquitaine and the Charente.

In the area that I live duck, goose, and foie gras are elements of the kitchen of the region of Dordogne and Midi-Pyrénées. Mainly accompanied by plums, raisins or truffles.

While in the Languedoc the typical Mediterranean kitchen is based on olives, garlic, fish soups mussels, fresh fish and salads.

Not forgetting the wonderful cheeses where there are more than 400 varieties. The most famous are Brie, Roquefort, Camembert and those of goat. My favourite are the ripe, runny Camembert’s and St. Felician and the stronger the better! I like my cheese to take the roof of my mouth off and leave the milder cheeses to the less adventurous.

What about the wine you say!! The glasses are always full in France, in spite of the recognized spiritual drinks like Armagnac, cointreau, the cider or the calvados, the king is the wine!! The French are authentic lovers of good wines and its country is seeded from corner to corner of vineyards. The great producing regions are Bordeaux and Champagne, although good wines can be found in the valley of the Loire and of the Rhone.

If this has wetted your appetite and tingled your taste buds then why not think about your South West France holiday now by booking one of our family villas or rural French farmhouse today. We still have good availabilities in the summer months – but hurry this area is popular!

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

If you would like a copy of our new 2010 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

Escape to the country!!!!

The Lot Valley is one of the most beautiful regions in France, a perfect holiday destination for your rural French farmhouse holiday. The area has remained fairly untouched by 20th century development and tourism and the rural way of life continues very much as it has for centuries. Local farmers seem happy to live a fairly subsistence lifestyle, and village markets continue to flourish. This is due, no doubt, to the local taste for fresh ingredients and traditional methods of regional cooking. Although medieval villages and towns are starting to be discovered by tourists looking for a more authentic France, they have managed to retain their old-world charm. Visitors are drawn to the stunning countryside, pâté, truffles, foie gras and fine wine.

This area boasts many beautiful villages and the scenery is without a doubt truly stunning. It’s a perfect area to enjoy a wonderful family holiday in a countryside villa with your very own swimming pool. This region is vast but its worth mentioning just a couple of areas of interest.

The ancient city of Cahors sits on the River Lot and steeped in history. It is now a fashionable town with some superb restaurants, nice shops and an excellent Saturday market, bursting with local produce. Across the river is the town's signature piece, the Pont Valentré. This magnificent fortified bridge was built between 1308 and 1500 and features a trio of towers, battlements and seven pointed arches. The Cathédrale St-Etienne dominates the old town and features a sculptured Romanesque north portal, which was carved around 1135. Today the town is best known for its excellent cuisine and the fine deep red wine that is made in the surrounding vineyards. A good excursion from Cahors is the stunning cliff-edge village of St-Cirq-Lapopie, (31km) to the east. Perched high above the south bank of the Lot, the village, with its cobbled lanes, half-timbered houses and gardens, it is most visited village in the region!

Why not book your South West France villa today so you can enjoy the beauty of the Lot Valley. We have a few rural French farmhouses still with high season availability.

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about your luxury villa in France contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com
If you would like a copy of our new 2010 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com
Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco