New York Habitat Blog

Did you know that one of France’s top five tourist attractions is located in the South of France? It’s called the Pont du Gard, and it’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Both the Pont du Gard and the surrounding countryside are absolutely stunning - and New York Habitat highly recommends putting the area on your “must see” list for your next vacation in the South of France.

South of France Vacation Rental Villa in Gard, Avignon Region (PR-688) photo

If you’ve never heard of it before, the Pont du Gard is the masterpiece of the ancient Roman aqueducts that wound its way through the region. A recent redevelopment project has made the Pont du Gard site easily accessible from the highway while appearing to be a hidden oasis now that it has been closed to vehicle traffic. Spend the day touring the museum and the Pont itself, either on your own or with a guide; pack a picnic and dine on the banks or the Gard river; or, bring your swim trunks and cool off with an afternoon dip!

You might see many names and other markings etched into the massive stones of the structure. That’s not vandalism; instead, it’s a tradition that has been a part of the Compagnons du Tour de France, a yearly tour given by and for masons from around the world who come to marvel at the construction, which was performed without the use of any mortar. If you look closely, you can even see etchings from the original builders, who labeled each stone so they were put in their correct positions! This unique structure has survived two millennia and countless natural disasters, including a major flood in 1998.

Uzes, France photo

There is a 4-bedroom vacation rental villa in Rochefort du Gard (PR-688) with a swimming pool and garden that’s perfect for large groups - up to 10 people can fit comfortably. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the village of Rochefort du Gard, 10 minutes from both Avignon and the famous Pont du Gard. Avignon is home to the Palais du Papes, or Palace of Popes, and is definitely worth seeing while you’re in the area.

This 2-bedroom vacation rental in Uzès (PR-859) is ideally located in the heart of the historic village of Uzès, just minutes from the Pont du Gard. Everything is within an easy 5-minute walk including quaint bars, delicious restaurants and shops selling everything from antiques to lavender honey! For horseshow buffs, the National Stud Farm is located in Uzès and features many national championship horseshows. And Uzès also has a golf course.

Stunning Roman architecture abounds in the South of France, a fact not well known by many tourists. Have you ever come upon a surprising bit of history while on vacation? Tell us your story in the comments.

Watching grass grow has never been as breathtaking as in the South of France in late summer.  From mid July through August, for as far as the eye can see, fields of lavender are in full bloom.  It’s a feast for the senses, and New York Habitat can put you right in the middle of it all.

South of France Lavander Fields photo

Mentioned in the ancient Song of Solomon as nard, lavender got its current name from the Romans, who used it in the bath and thus called it after a form of the verb lavare, to wash. Today we are still familiar with bath products, potpourri and essential oils infused with the heavenly scent of lavender; European homeopaths are no stranger to its healing properties as well, particularly for burns and inflammation.

But leave it to the French to create a wide range of uses for the hardy flower, mostly culinary in nature. While in Provence don’t be surprised if you find lavender popping up in tea, sugar, honey, candy, pastries, cheese and even chocolate!

While there are organized lavender tours throughout the South of France, nothing quite beats the experience of driving along a dusty country road and happening upon an explosion of color that seems like it was placed there just for you.  And while we might be partial, renting a car also affords you the opportunity to really get away from it all to a true French country retreat.

A 2-bedroom vacation rental in Lauris, Provence Luberon (PR-380) has been recently renovated and redecorated by its owner. It’s light, airy and perfect for summer, with its pool and extensive outdoor facilities. And its acres of surrounding countryside ensure privacy and blissful quiet! You can practically smell the lavender from here.

South of France Villa: 5-bedroom rental in Gordes - Luberon - Provence (PR-766) Photo

A 4-bedroom vacation rental accommodaiton in Lacoste, Provence Luberon (PR-564) puts you in the heart of the Parc Régional du Luberon, a prime lavender area and a hiker’s dream. And with all that room, it’s the ideal setting for a multi-family getaway with outdoor barbecues, all-day pool parties - and, yes, a wifi Internet connection!

If a more modern flair is your style, round up the gang and head to this 5-bedroom villa rental in Gordes, Provence Luberon (PR-766).  It has all the amenities, a sleek elegance and plenty of room to chill out and admire the art inside - or the miles of beautiful views outside.

You may have seen photos, but pictures simply do not do justice to the natural phenomenon of lavender fields in full bloom. Do you have a favorite lavender product you’d love to find at its source? Tell us about it in the comments!

The holiday season is the perfect time of year to visit France. A country steeped in tradition, there are many types celebrations that take place throughout the month of December, all leading up to Christmas.  The Christmas markets are a perennial favorite, and while the largest one may be in Strasbourg, the South of France has some great markets as well, in Menton and Avignon.  Thanks to New York Habitat’s wide range of accommodations in the region, markets in both towns are easily accessible this December!

Avignon accommodation: 2-bedroom apartment in the South of France

Christmas markets date back to the Middle Ages and began in the Germanic parts of Europe, but quickly spread throughout the continent. You will usually find a nativity scene among the many stalls selling food (roasted chestnuts), drink (hot mulled wine), and handmade toys and ornaments among other things. However, every market is different and manages to include some local flavor with the traditional.

In Menton, a town along the Riviera near Nice, the theme of this year’s Christmas market is “Les Comptines” or nursery rhymes. Running from December 12th to January 4th, these festivities will delight children and the child within.  Animatronic figures act out some classic French nursery rhymes and there’s even a small train to guide you through them all.  Also for the kids, there are daily shows featuring clowns or puppets and short classes to make Christmas decorations.  For the kid in all of us, there is an ice skating rink, a Ferris wheel and other carnival rides.  And don’t forget to stop by the market itself to enjoy warm crepes or hot chocolate and to pick up some unique souvenirs!

The Provincial town of Avignon takes a more traditional approach to its annual Christmas market festivities. Throughout the month of December, you will find shop and food stalls set up around the Place de l’Horloge in the center of town.  Folk dancers, dressed in traditional costumes, will perform, but Santa will also be around to greet the children.  Walk down the “Chemin des crèches”, an alley of large, animated and lighted nativity scenes.  Avignon truly uses its history to its advantage since all of this takes place right by the Palais des Papes, the seat of Catholicism for much of the 14th century!

Menton apartment: 1 bedroom apartment in the South of France

New York Habitat offers numerous accommodations in the area of both Menton and Avignon so that you can enjoy both Christmas markets.  Maybe one of these will suit your needs:

•    This 1 bedroom rental in Roquebrune Cap Martin, French Riviera (PR-699) is not far from Menton or the beach!  The charming apartment is brightly decorated to match the fantastic Mediterranean sunlight!

•    This 2 bedroom maison de village rental in Avignon (PR-137) is perfect the spot to take the whole family on vacation.  The apartment may be newly renovated but the classic touches, such as exposed wooden ceiling beams, remain and so does the provincial charm!

A trip to a Christmas market is a wonderful tradition to add to your holiday vacation.  The wonderful markets put on by the towns of Menton and Avignon are great reasons to visit these areas of the South of France, whether you’ve never been or even if you’re a frequent flyer.  Let New York Habitat provide you with a luxurious vacation apartment and really make this holiday season a memorable one!

What’s your favorite part of the holiday season?  Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.

There’s always plenty to do in the South of France in the fall.  Grapes are beginning to be harvested and the first drops of the year’s Beaujolais nouveau are being tasted, both events celebrated with festivals across the region.  But did you know there are also two bullfighting festivals in the South of France in September?  Held in the cities of Arles and Nimes, which are not far from each other, these festivals are sure to add a bit of the exciting and the extraordinary to your next vacation.

Arles, South of France: Ampitheater

The first such festival is the Feria du Riz, held in Arles, from September 12th to the 14th. Each day begins with a running of the bulls followed by the main events in the majestic Roman amphitheater.  Special parades, called abrivados and bandidos, are held to usher the bulls in and out of the arena.  Matadors do battle with the bulls one-on-one and on horseback.  Live musicians play traditional Spanish music throughout the festival as well.  The combination of Spanish traditions, taking place in Roman ruins, surrounded by the beauty of Southern France is indeed a one in a lifetime experience!

After the Feria du Riz, spend some time exploring other sites in the Provincial countryside before making your way to Nimes, a city that dates back to the Bronze Age, for the Feria des Vendanges.  Beginning on Thursday September 18th with a nighttime bullfight, or corrida, this festival will host two fights, one during the day and one at night, throughout the rest of the weekend. The events of Friday and Saturday night will feature one matador against six bulls, a spectacle that has to be seen live to be believed!

New York Habitat has some wonderful accommodations to offer near Arles and Nimes.  This 2 bedroom apartment in Arles (PR-815) offers everything one could want while staying in the South of France.  There are many charming decorative touches, such as wooden wainscoting around the living area, fireplaces in the living room and one bedroom, and tiled floors, combined with modern amenities in the kitchen and bath.  Best of all, this apartment is right in the center of town; walk to the Roman amphitheater to catch a fight or watch the running of the bulls from your bedroom window!

South of France Accommodation Beaucaire 4-bedroom rental (PR-107)

oh good so its moving fast

You can also stay in the town of Beaucaire, conveniently located between Arles and Nimes.  This 4 bedroom villa in Beaucaire (PR-107) will make you feel right at home.  The large property includes an outdoor terrace and in-ground pool.  The luxuriously-decorated home, featuring tiled floors and French doors throughout, is far better than any hotel room.  The large kitchen is perfect for preparing your own French meals at home with food bought from the local market.  The master bathroom feels like a spa with its marble and separate large tub and shower.  This property is the perfect place to relax after all the day’s action.

If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary for your next vacation to the South of France, these bullfighting festivals in Arles and Nimes might be just what you’re looking for. Mixing Spanish traditions with the sights, sounds, and foods of Southern France is sure to be a memorable experience….especially with a fabulous vacation rental from New York Habitat!

Have you ever been to a bullfight? Share your experiences with us in our comments section.

Gap South of France alps

We here at New York Habitat have previously told you about some of the great UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the South of France and now we have two more to add to the list.  Earlier this month, UNESCO named about two dozen new entries to their list, including the Fortifications of Vauban, a group of twelve fortified sites along France’s borders, two of which are located in the South of France and near some great New York Habitat accommodations.

Vauban was a famed engineer and architect who worked for Louis XIV, known for both building and improving fortresses and other fortifications on France’s border, as well as developing new way of attacking such buildings.  In total, he worked on over 300 different sites in France, but only 12 have made it onto UNESCO’s list.  The two in the South of France are located in the Alps, along the border between France and Italy.  The larger fortification site can be found in Briançon (also the highest city in Europe!) and includes city walls and numerous smaller forts within them, all available for exploration by the public.  The second site is in Mont-Dauphin, about thirty minutes south of Briançon.  This site has recently undergone restoration and there has been limited residential expansion in the region so the area within the city walls closely resembles life in the seventeenth century. 

New York Habitat has some great offerings near these newly-minted historic landmarks.  You can stay right in Briançon in this two bedroom ski chalet (PR-10) located in the famed Serre Chevalier ski resort.  This rustic cabin, with wood paneling and beamed ceilings, is a great place to stay in summer or winter (and ski season is just a few months away!).  The well-equipped kitchen and bath offer everything one could want.  Enjoy your morning coffee and some spectacular views of the Alps from the large deck.

Ski Chalet South of France accommodation (pr-10)

If you’d prefer to stay in the larger city, the major town of Gap is not far from either Briançon or Mont-Dauphin.  This studio apartment (PR-306) is located right in the center of Gap.  It may be small but it is not lacking in amenities with its modern kitchen and bathroom, and even includes a laundry machine.  This bright and sunny space, thanks to its southern exposure, offers some amazing views, thanks to its sixth floor location (don’t worry, there’s an elevator!) and balcony.

Whether you’re looking for new places to explore in the South of France, or are interested in historical tourism, a trip to see Vauban’s seventeenth century fortifications (with some great accommodations from New York Habitat) is well worth it. 

Read about other UNESCO World Heritage sites featured on our blog: Roam among the Ancient Romans in the South of France!

What do you think about UNESCO’s decision add Vauban’s architecture to their World Heritage list?  What landmarks in the South of France would you like to see added to the list?  Please share your opinions with us in our comments section.

Les-Baux-de-Provence photo

Recently we told you about some of the great Roman sites in the South of France. This week, we move forward about a thousand years to explore some vestiges of the medieval era, when France was just beginning to come into its own as a sovereign nation. These sites offer a historical backdrop for your vacation and after a full day of exploring the past, nothing could be better than coming back to a furnished apartment rental from New York Habitat.

You may want to begin your journey back through time in the medieval village of Les-Baux-de-Provence. This small town, nestled in among the Alpilles mountains, is known as one of the most picturesque in France. The main feature of this town is the huge medieval fortress, complete with castle and small village, perched atop the cliffs. Take a tour of this amazing relic of a past era where you can see real working trebuchets, jousts and other recreations of medieval life.

For more on visit the office website of Les Baux and its fortress castle.

In Les-Baux, you can even feel like you’re living in medieval times by staying in this bed-and-breakfast establishment, a hosted 3 bedroom maison de village rental (PR-248). Each room has medieval touches, such as tapestries on the walls or beamed ceilings. However, the kitchen and bathrooms have been updated to include modern conveniences. Some rooms include private terraces and all of them offer exquisite views of the town.

From Les-Baux, it is just a short drive into Avignon, where you’ll find the Palais des Papes (the Palace of the Popes), home to the head of Catholicism for much of the 14th century. A wonderful example of medieval Gothic architecture, this palace was commissioned by Pope Clement V in 1309 and was home to 6 other popes and 2 anti-popes. After the Catholic leaders returned to Rome, the palace fell into disrepair until the beginning of the 20th century when it was declared a national monument and museum. After extensive restoration, most of the castle is now open to the public. Avignon is a large city in the South of France and has much more to offer so you may want to spend several days here.

South of France Avignon Vacation Rental (PR-615)

You’ll want to stay in this 2 bedroom duplex penthouse vacation rental apartment in Avignon (PR-615) during your visit there. Able to accommodate up to four people, this luxurious apartment is sunny and spacious. The open kitchen is modern and the perfect place to cook a meal with ingredients bought from the local market. The large bedrooms and modern bathrooms will make you feel right at home. Located just steps from the palace and the center of town, this apartment offers views from each room, and from the large open terrace, making it a truly wonderful place to stay.

If you’d like to visit more than one place in the South of France on your next vacation, planning your trip around a theme is a great way to do so. Visiting these medieval sites will allow you to experience small town life in Les-Baux-de-Provence, and the larger city of Avignon. Luckily, New York Habitat has accommodations all around the region for your convenience.

For more on Avignon, read Top towns in the South of France: #2 Avignon, Provence.

Have you visited these sites? Did you enjoy them? Do you have other recommendation about the area? Please share with us in the comments section.

During its heyday, the Roman Empire’s influence extended through much of Western Europe. Even after its fall, it left behind huge amounts of infrastructure, some of which still exists today. The South of France has many such relics, which have also been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites. You could even plan a whole vacation around these culturally and historically rich areas and stay at nearby bed and breakfasts, courtesy of New York Habitat.

Roman Theatre Orange, France Pict

You’ll want to begin your tour in the town of Orange. Here you can see the large Arc de Triomphe, thought to be built by Caesar Augustus himself. There is also a large Roman theatre, said to be one of the most well-preserved in the world, for you to explore. Stop in to the excellent museum that places these relics in their historical context and learn more about what life was like in Orange during Roman times. Later, you can take the short trip to Châteauneuf-du-Pape and sample some of this town’s famous wine. Spend the day exploring the many vineyards in the area, and remember to bring a couple of bottles back for your friends!

From here, you can travel on to see the large Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard. Stretching 49 meters (more than 15 stories) into the air, and built entirely without the use of mortar, this three-tiered structure is simply breath-taking to see in person. Surrounded by open fields, it is also the perfect site for picnics and hikes. Following extensive redevelopment in 2000, there is now a small museum which offers guided tours across the aqueduct itself.

Finally, spend a few days in the lovely Provincial city of Arles. This city was very important during Roman times and thus has many sites for you to visit. There is both a theatre and amphitheatre, and even a Roman necropolis, the Alyscamps. There is also an excellent ancient history museum with a collection of Roman sarcophagi that rivals the one in Rome itself! Arles has much more to offer than just Roman relics, so be sure to spend a couple of days there exploring the open-air markets and sitting at the café that inspired Van Gogh’s painting Café Terrace at Night.

Bed and breakfasts are the perfect accommodations for your trek through Southern France. Here is just a small sample of the places from which you can choose:

• When you’re in Orange, you might want to stay at this recently renovated 17th century 2 bedroom bed and breakfast accommodation in a stone farmhouse in nearby Jonquières (PR-585) . Located on an idyllic large property, complete with a pool, this house is sunny, warm and inviting. It’s the quintessential Southern France retreat!

• Avignon, France Bed and Breakfast Accommodation PR585 photo

  This 3 bedroom villa in Arpaillargues, near Uzès and the Pont du Gard (PR-504) would be another great place to rest for a night or two on your trip. Each bedroom is beautifully decorated and the bathrooms have all been recently updated. There is also plenty of outdoor space, a pool in which to relax and access to an amazing library!

• Stay at this 2 bedroom vacation rental in Arles, Camargue - Blue Coast (PR-815), while in Arles. The modern kitchen and bathroom mix well with the Provincial décor. Best of all, this apartment is located in heart of the historic center, you’ll be a stone’s throw away from the Roman relics and other great sites!

Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites is a great way to incorporate some history into your next vacation. Visit the Unesco French Properties page to see of the great places to visit. The designated Roman relics in the South of France are some of the best in the world and with bed and breakfast accommodations from New York Habitat, it couldn’t be easier to travel around to see them all!

For more information on the city of Arles, see Accommodations in Arles, Camargue - Blue Coast, France.

Have you been previously visited these sites or towns? Do you have any recommendations or tips to share with us on the Roman relics in the South of France? Please share in the comments section.