Day 3138 (Saturday) 10th January 2026

This is the view from Eze Village

and this is Nice.

 

It was yet another sunny day and Huw had to work on the villa and he took these lovely photos of the house and the views.

This is our view

I found this article about amazing places to visit in France, it’s a bit long so I’ll post it over two days.

19 Truly Enchanting Places to Visit in France written by Becky Moore

The gorgeously diverse country, which has inspired centuries of influential writers, artists, and poets, includes huge mountain ranges, miles of unspoilt countryside, and long stretches of glittering coastline. From my many trips to France—and putting Paris aside—these are some of the jaw-dropping places I completely fell in love with…

1. The French Riviera (Côte d’Azur) 

Nice Beach – it was such a glitzy place!

St Tropez 

I could see why the glitzy French Riviera had enchanted royalty and artists like Picasso and Matisse — it enchanted me too. I thought it was one of the most beautiful coastlines I’d ever seen, with glittering azure seas, Belle Époque villas, and palm-lined promenades that glowed in the Mediterranean light. I loved how it struck the perfect balance between relaxed and glamorous, effortlessly blending elegance with ease.

I flew into Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, wandered the iconic Promenade des Anglais, drove the dazzling coastal road to Monaco, lazed on Saint-Tropez’s sandy beaches, and dined by the sea in Cannes as the sky turned rose-gold at dusk.

2. Champagne-Ardenne

Troyes in Champagne – the half timbered houses were so well preserved here.

Champagne’s birthplace completely bubbled over with magic — its history, sophistication, and charm captivated me. I adored the endless slopes of golden vineyards, the graceful little towns, and the storybook half-timbered houses glowing in the sunlight. The atmosphere felt serene and subtly romantic, the kind of place where time seemed to slow down.

I drove 3.5 hours from Calais and spent a heavenly week exploring at an unhurried pace. I sipped on world-famous bubbly in the cellars of Moët & Chandon in picturesque Épernay and sampled glasses of prestigious Taittinger in historic Reims, admired the glowing stained glass of gothic Reims Cathedral, and wandered the medieval lanes of romantic Troyes, where pastel façades and cobbled streets captured the region’s quiet honey-hued magic.

3. Provence

 

Provence completely stole my heart! I thought it was cinematic — endless violet lavender fields, silvery olive groves, and rolling vineyards dotted with cliffside stone villages glowing in the Mediterranean light. The whole atmosphere felt dreamy, laid-back, and artistic — I could see why Van Gogh and Cézanne were so inspired here.

I took the TGV from Paris to elegant Aix-en-Provence and based myself at the charming 4-star Hostellerie du Château des Fines Roches. From browsing Aix’s lavender- scented markets and walking medieval Avignon’s storied walls to exploring hilltop Gordes, fortified Baux-de-Provence, and artistic St. Rémy, exploring the dramatic Calanques National Park, and inhaling the lavender-scented air of idyllic Valensole (they’re in bloom from late June to mid-July).

4. Loire Valley

 

It was easy to see why the enchanting Loire Valley had earned its UNESCO status — it was extraordinary. Known as the Garden of France, I thought it was beautifully romantic, with fairy-tale châteaux (over 300), rolling vineyards, Renaissance architecture, and elegant towns lining the meandering Loire River. The atmosphere felt serene yet regal and I could see why French royalty once called this region home.

Just two hours from Paris, I found my dream escape at the 4-star Abbaye De Villeneuve — my days filled with exploring grand châteaux such as grandiose Chambord, graceful Chenonceau, and ornamental Villandry, toasting with Saumur’s sparkling wines, sampling Vouvray’s crisp whites, and gliding down the dreamy Loire through landscapes that looked like they came straight out of a painting.

5. Rhône-Alpes

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this lesser-known corner of eastern France, but I was quietly in awe of the Rhône-Alpes. I found a tapestry of postcard-perfect villages, sunlit vineyards, and graceful towns mirrored in glistening lakes, all set against the grandeur of the Alps. It captured that rare balance of wild beauty and effortless French elegance.

A quick two-hour TGV ride from Paris brought me to this peaceful haven, where I spent a unique week at the 4-star Château de Candie. I explored the canal-laced streets of lakeside Annecy, wandered the tranquil vineyards of rustic Beaujolais, swam in the turquoise waters of mirror-like Lac d’Aiguebelette, and fell for the storybook hilltop village of Pérouges. I just have to mention that I found the weather to be unpredictable — I was glad I packed layers as the summer evenings were often cool.

6. Burgundy 

I completely fell under the spell of beautiful Burgundy — a region of golden hillsides, rolling vineyards, and quaint villages that felt almost otherworldly in their beauty. I loved its almost otherworldly tranquility and charm, from half-timbered houses and Romanesque churches to elegant châteaux glowing in the afternoon light.

A two-hour drive from Paris led me to two wonderful weeks here — from following the famed Route des Grands Crus and admiring the gothic Hospices de Beaune to exploring elegant Dijon, the monastic Abbey of Fontenay, and the opulent Château de Cormatin. Between tranquil canal cruises, sipping on Kir wine aperitifs, hikes through the unspoiled region of Morvan’s misty forests, and tastings of rich Pinot Noir and crisp Chardonnay in timeworn cellars, it was all wine-country bliss.

7. The Dordogne

This ultra-scenic region completely stole my heart — it felt like stepping into a living fairytale of misty valleys, golden-stoned villages, grand châteaux, and prehistoric cave art. I thought it was utterly peaceful, with a rustic elegance and stuck-in-time charm.

I flew into wine-rich Bergerac, drove just 90 minutes, and checked into the charmingly quirky 4-star La Rebière d’Or, B&B et Gîte. My week was filled with wandering medieval Sarlat-la-Canéda’s honey-colored streets, climbing to fairytale castles such as the majestic Beynac and imposing Castelnaud, kayaking along the tranquil Dordogne River, marveling at ancient Lascaux’s (a network of caves) prehistoric art, and meandering through the lively markets of panoramic Domme and regal Beynac-et-Cazenac.

8. Auvergne 

This dramatic, one-of-a-kind region was a true hidden gem. I thought the landscapes were breathtaking — rolling green hills, dormant volcanoes, and wide open plateaus dotted with Romanesque churches, medieval villages, and ancient thermal springs. It felt raw, timeless, and wonderfully authentic — a peaceful corner of France far from the crowds.

After only 2.5 hours from the Rhône-Alpes I kicked back for a while and hiked the spectacular slopes of volcanic Puy de Dôme, bathed in elegant Vichy’s healing thermal springs, explored imposing Château de Murol perched high above the valleys, strolled stone-built Salers’ storybook streets, and admired historic Notre-Dame du Port’s serene Romanesque beauty in black-stoned Clermont-Ferrand. It felt wild, suspended-in-time, and quietly profound.

 It’s beautifully remote, but public transport is limited, so I’d recommend renting a car to really experience the region’s wild beauty.

9. Annecy 

It didn’t take long for me to fall for Annecy, the dreamy alpine town, often called the Venice of the Alps. I thought it was one of the most photogenic places I’d ever seen — a fairytale scene of turquoise lakes framed by fir-covered mountains, cobbled streets lined with pastel houses, flower-draped canals, and elegant historic landmarks.

I loved how the atmosphere felt so naturally romantic — alpine elegance met tranquil lakeside living. After a five-hour drive from Paris, I found myself in a real-life fairytale, wandering the pastel-hued Vieille Ville, gazing at the fascinating island prison Palais de l’Isle, touring the medieval Château d’Annecy, paddleboarding over clear, turquoise waters, and biking the lake’s view-worthy loop trail.

I discovered it was a favourite weekend spot for locals, so I found early mornings were the best time to enjoy the canals before the crowds arrived.

10. Lyon 

I thought Lyon was an elegant, cultured city with a creative edge. Its golden Renaissance buildings, cobbled lanes, and riverside promenades glowed beautifully at sunset, giving it a warm, artistic charm – no wonder UNESCO recognised it as a World Heritage city.

Just two hours from Paris by TGV, I spent three days exploring from my base at the 4-star Fourvière Hôtel. I wandered the cobblestoned Vieux Lyon and its secret traboules, admired views from the hilltop Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière, took leisurely walks along the mighty Rhône and the graceful Saône explored La Sucrière’s fascinatin contemporary art, and tucked into Soupe à l’Oignon in a cozy bouchon — it was a fine mix of history, beauty, and creativity.