Sunflowers & Summer Night Markets in South West France

Right now in SW France the sunflowers are beginning to come out and the fields are ablaze with yellow. This year must "Sunflower Year" as almost every field is sunflowers – it’s an amazing sight! Some of them are still quite small and others are the size of dinner plates! If you are on holiday at one of our French farmhouses in south west France then you will enjoy the beauty of these flowers.

They are planted as seeds and when fully grown all face the same way – south east to the sun; hence Tournesol (turn to the sun). In this hilly yet fertile region the sunflowers are a part of South West France as is the Eiffel Tower to Paris.

Now turn your minds to the fabulous night markets that have just started a couple of weeks ago in the South West and the area where I live. So, if you are staying at any of our luxury villas in south west France then make sure you visit one of the many in the region. The one that I go is at St Maurin the Lot et Garonne which is on a Wednesday. The centre of the village is taken over by stalls selling bread, pancakes, salads, pizza, barbequed meats and of course the local wine!! Long lines of trestle tables are laid out in the centre with the stalls dotted around the outside. There is always a band which gets things going and it really is like a street party. I live in Bourg de Visa, in the Tarn et Garonne, which has started the night market trend on Friday evenings and its as good as St Maurin, if not a little smaller. We have family villas around both of these area and some still have August availability.

Why not call us now and ask about our south west France villas 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

Fireworks and fun for "Le Quatorze Juilliet"

Just like America has Independence Day on 4th July, France has the fourteenth. On July 14th every year, the French celebrate their independence day called Bastille Day. This day is an important national holiday to them because it marks the day when the French celebrate the start of the Revolution and the birth of their nation. For those on holiday at one our luxury French villa or French farmhouses the celebrations are the same.

For the citizens of France, July 14, 1789, has come to symbolize liberty, democracy, and the struggle against all forms of oppression. It marked the end of the monarchy and the beginning of the Republic. The storming of the Bastille proved that power was no longer in the hands of the King, but instead in the hands of the people. The storming of the Bastille also marked the beginning of the French Revolution.

“Le quatorze juillet” is a great day of national celebrations throughout France. It is a national holiday where joyous cries of “Viva la France” can be heard at the fabulous firework displays littered right across the country with some even singing the national anthem “La Marseillaise”.

Where I live in the Tarn et Garonne we always have a riverside picnic with champagne waiting for the fireworks to start in one of the many villages that celebrates this important day in French history.

We still have some late availability in some of our French villas and new to our portfolio is Les Pruniers, a delightful romantic cottage set amongst plum orchards which is close to one of these many villages that have fireworks and celebrations. http://www.qualityvillas.com/refPR1091.php

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

Gill Woolsgrove
Manager
France & Morocco

The hills are alive with muscles and lycra….

They say there is a fine line between sanity and madness and the Tour de France is no exception and literally the biggest bike race in the world.

This years Tour de France is the 97th and starts on Saturday 3rd July at Rotterdam, the first time it has started outside of France. It is made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,596 kilometres and finish on Saturday 25th July in Paris.

Many of the families who book a Quality Villas holiday ask about hiring bikes with some even bringing their own either to amble along country lanes or to tackle steep hills and mountainous terrain. All of them may want to be a “Bernard Hinault” who has won most of the races and nicknamed the Badger but what better than enjoy this sport decked out in bright lycra to match the army of cyclists that I encounter each weekend in the region where I live. Cycling is big in my region due to the terrain and open countryside and after an energetic cycle what better that to have a swim at your French country villa and a long cool beer.

The race can be watched anywhere along the route: near the start of the day's leg, riders tend to be very bunched and the actual race passes in about a minute. Towards the end of a leg, riders are more spaced out, so the thrill of the race lasts longer. However most of the spectacle comes not from the riders themselves, but from the "caravan", an hour-long procession of cars, floats and motorcycles from the Tour's sponsors and the teams. It's all very commercial, with freebies being thrown out to the spectators; cheap baseball caps, little packs of sweets, mini-pretzels, key rings and other gimmicks. It's interesting to watch, and the kids love it.

To all those families who will be in France whether in a French rural farmhouse or a French seaside villa this wonderful race is worth watching.

Contact us now to discuss your French on 01442 870055 or visit our website http://www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Manager
France & Morocco

Summer Night Market in St Maurin and a new property for Quality Villas….

Activity is going on already in the village of St Maurin which is situated between Agen and Bourg de Visa in the shape of the night market preparations. This village has a 12th century abbey set amongst half timbered houses and every Wednesday evening throughout July & August is the superb night market held in the square. Food is eaten on long trestle tables after being bought from one of the many food stalls. Drinking, eating and dancing go on until midnight and its great fun. Many people who visit the market are holidaymakers who love this part of south west France.
Quality Villas has just procured a delightful stone cottage that is walking distance to the night market and the village itself. This rural French cottage is perfect for 2 couples or a small family who are looking to relax and enjoy the surrounding countryside and region.

This holiday rental stone cottage is located in a rural setting and sits aside plum orchards and next to a working fruit farm. Furnished and equipped to a high standard, this great value property offers cool rooms in the summer months yet has a cosy ambience with the feature fireplace and wood burner. Furnished with a mixture of American and French styles this cottage is very attractive and I feel sure will prove very popular.

The 3/4 acre of gardens have been lovingly planted with roses, shrubs, flowering trees, a large lawn for children to play and lovely views across the valley. The old stone barn walls now surround a south facing swimming pool with spacious sunny terraces, flowering shrubs and trees. Additional shady terraces in the garden areas ideal for al fresco dining – what better than this for your French rental property holiday.

There is full availability for Les Pruniers so hurry as this new addition to our portfolio is bound to get snapped up quicklyl

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

Gill Woolsgrove
Manager
France & Morocco

Having a good clearout....

Its that time of year again – the vide grenier season which literally means “empty your attic”. Yesterday, in the village where I live had their vide grenier and I had a stall alongside my sisters. You pay so many Euros per metre of pavement to sell your wares. You have to start early as the professional bargain hunters are out and want to bag the bargains.

We were set up by 8am and ready for the onslaught. A bacon buttie later and I was selling already. I couldn’t believe the stuff I had and before long my sister and I were in stiff competition as to who sold the most and who made the most money!

Looking at the other stalls we had some good stuff to sell and we sold it cheaply, unlike our French friends who sell at much higher prices. By the end of the day we have made over 200€ each and cleared our tables!

Vide greniers are a way of life in France and the whole day is done with good humour and even stopping between 12 – 2pm for your typical French lunch of cheese, bread, pate and bread, not forgetting the old vino!

Vide greniers and brocantes (a posher version) will be in all villages now until the end of August. So, if you are coming to stay at any of out French family farmhouses or French family villa then leave some space in the car or suitcase for that special “find”. It could be Limoges plates, a gemstone or a little bit of “tat” but its all good fun and the atmosphere is great.

We still have availability in some of our South West France farmhouses and many with excellent special offers.

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

Gill Woolsgrove
Manager
France & Morocco

I’m ready for my close up now Mr Demille….

As Norma Desmond said to the famous film producer Cecil B Demille there is one place to visit when you are in your luxury villa in Marrakech and that is the famous Atlas Film Studio. Situated in Quarzazate it’s 2 hour drive to this amazing studio, but worth it. This studio is one of the best Morocco tourist attractions set in a fantastic desert like landscape and is a must see for all visitors to Morocco.

Morocco is also known as the Hollywood of Morocco. The film sets in the Atlas Film Studio have been a favourite with the directors of period movies. There are a numerous international blockbusters that have been shot in Atlas Film Studio in Morocco. These include The Jewel of the Nile, Cleopatra, Lawrence of Arabia and the Sheltering Sky. In addition to these a few scenes from the recent blockbusters Star Wars and Gladiator have also been shot there.

There are guided tours around the studio and visitors take an elaborate round of the film sets where all the film stars had once performed. If luck prevails the visitors might even chance meeting one of their favourite stars in the studio in full action !!

After an exciting day at the film studios hoping to be “discovered’ you can then drive home to your Morocco quality villa and sample some film star living.

Contact us now to discuss your Autumn and Winter sun holiday on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillasmorocco.co.uk

Gill Woolsgrove
Manager
France & Morocco

The surest way you will savour La Dolce Vita ….

Is by renting one of our wonderful villas that we have to offer! Our portfolio is bursting with rustic farmhouses, villas by the sea to a Chianti wine estate. Rent a holiday villa in Italy and you won't fail to be amazed by a country and culture so rich it will have you falling in love with its every curve and feature. There simply isn't anything about Italy that isn't beautiful, and our villas are no exception.

Find yourself a true taste of Italy; the sumptuous romance of the Tuscan Hills, the Renaissance art and even the way the locals dress oozes a chic charm. From the Chianti Vineyards to the art and beauty of Florence, to the medieval character of Siena and through to the jaw-dropping Amalfi down to the island of Sicily. There's a range of beautiful places to fall head over heels with when you are at your luxury family villa in Italy.

From our exceptional range of villas in Italy, you can indulge in the wonderful cuisine well-loved across the world, and sample local wines direct from the source. Get active on the beaches with water sport adventures, or relax by the pool with a long, cool drink. Explore the romance of Venice or the history of Rome. However you like to unwind, Italy makes the perfect get away.

Contact us now to discuss your Italian holiday on 01442 870055 or visit our website http://www.qualityvillasitaly.co.uk

Gill Woolsgrove
Manager
France & Morocco