6 things I’m looking forward to in Provence!
Last year we had an unforgettable holiday in the glorious sunshine of Mar Menor, Murcia with James Villas, staying in one of their fabulous family-oriented villas. And tomorrow we set off again for another villa adventure, this time in romantic Provence in the South of France. I can’t wait!
Here’s 6 things that I’m really looking forward to…
#1. Our villa
We’ll be staying with James Villas again, this time at the Chateau de Camiole Resort & Spa, near the tiny hilltop village of Callian in the VAR region of the South East of France. It’s about 87km from Toulon, the department Capital and 673kn from Paris.
Villa Camiole has three bedrooms, so thankfully the kids can have a room each, and boasts all the amenities a family needs in a home away from home. As well as a private pool we also get to use the fantastic resort pool and spa! (If you’re planning a villa holiday do check out my top tips for Villa Holidays by the way.)
#2. Visiting pretty local villages
Callian, our nearest village, spirals up to a feudal castle which has been restored to it’s former glory by a private owner. The tiny, winding streets look like lots of fun to explore and on hot days it’s said you can cool your feet in the fountain on Place Bourgingnon. Other local villages that sound lovely to visit include Callian’s neighbour Montauroux, set high on the hillside; St Paul en Foret, which is surrounded by forests of pine and oak; Le Muy, a typical Provencal village with colourful markets and respected vineyards and La Motte, a cheerful village with a bright pastel town hall.
#3. Great day trips
As a frequent visitor to Provence, the husband has already staked a claim for visiting Nice and Frejus (Phoebe at Lou Messugo has written a lovely post about this medieval town) and alongside the must-see glitz and glamour of St. Tropez and Cannes, on Monday we’ll be driving to Monaco to see the aftermath of the Grand prix, visit the famous Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium founded by Prince Albert I and take an open-top bus or the mini tourist train which tours the principality – I know the kids will love this!
#4. Family fun on the beach
The wonderful coastline of the Cote d’Azur boasts so many beaches that we won’t be short of sand-time. We could take a ferry from Cannes to Ill Ste Marguerite, a pretty island with swimming coves and there’s also lovely long sandy beaches at Frejus ant St Maxime. Or we can take the advice of Riviera Rental Guides and head for one of the child-friendly beaches like Villefranche with it’s ‘picnic-on-the-beach’ atmostphere, sheltered bay and calm waters or the tiny bebbles of Monaco Beach for a sand-free day and a beach playground for running off Little Man’s endless toddler energy!
#5. The stunning natural landscape
Provence is renouned for it’s beautiful scenery and The Gorges du Verdon and Gorges du Loup offer breathtaking landscapes for hiking, or in our case, some gentle walking interspersed with piggy-back rides for the little people! But if we’re not feeling energetic we can always kick-back with a glass of something sparkly in St. Tropez and watch the beautiful people walking along the Vieux Port.
#6. Smelling the sweet smells of success
A little further away but still within driving distance is Grasse – an ancient town which is best known as the perfume capital of France. I’d love to visit and tour a perfumerie while we’re there and according to the Time Out South of France guide the town’s Romanesque Cathedral and crooked streets are also lovely to explore. My good friend Vicki from Honest Mum has visited Grasse many times and I can’t wait to try out her restaurant suggestions too!
Provence offers such a mix of holidays in one – from the glitz and glamour of St. Tropez and Cannes to lush countryside and pretty hillside villages – we can’t wait to get there!
Photos courtesy of James Villas except the Monaco Grand Prix photo from Monaco Press Centre Photos and my little ones on the beach, which is courtesy of yours truly!
Linking up with All About You at Mama and More, Share with Me at Let’s Talk Mommy, Brilliant Blog Posts at Honest Mum
Oh it sounds and looks amazing hun. Makes me want to jump in your suitcase. Enjoy. Thanks for linking up to Share With Me. #sharewithme
jenny recently posted…Advice to my children
I’ll save you a space next time
Thanks for hosting Jenny x
I love Provence! Like to say, it has so much variety! And don’t forget the wine too. Divine. Have a great time. The villa looks awesome and great you have two pools to use! That’s where my daughter would want to be for most of the holiday! #brilliantblogposts
Wander Mum recently posted…TravelSnug Review- A New Way To Fly With Kids
wow this looks stunning! I love france anyway, but looks like it has so much to offer! hope you had an amazing time!xxx
It all look’s amazing , i hope that you have a wonderful time x #sharewithme
Lindsay @ Newcastle Family Life recently posted…Signs You’re A Parent To A Toddler
Thanks Lindsay it was fabulous
What brilliant plans, I am excited for you. We really want to do a James Villa break next year. They have some amazing deals outside of term time. I’m looking forward to reading all about it when you’re back xxx #sharewithme
Alexandra ummy recently posted…7 Steps to Simplify Your Life
Thanks Alexandra we’re back now and it was amazing! Just writing a post about it now actually so I’ll let you when it’s up
That pool looks amazing! Great news the kids get separate rooms, more chance of them actually sleeping
I hope you got to do all the things you listed. Thanks for hosting #sharethejoy
Random Musings recently posted…
Absolutely! I’ve hever tried our two sleeping together although they are starting to ask about it. We did relax the routine a lot while we were away though and it was such fun seeing them running around together x
Great that the kids can have their own bedroom and space – we much prefer to have a cottage/villa when we go away if we can as you can have that down time and eat in occasionally, which after eating out for many nights is a great luxury!
#sharethjoy
Stephanie Robinson recently posted…Black & white photo: Plot 26
Yup I’m with you Stephanie – eating out is fun but sometimes with two little ones like we have it’s just easier to eat in. And in Provence the produce is SO delicious it’s easy to bash out a tasty meal without much effort! x
Provence is such a beautiful part of the world. I studied in Aix, and really loved the smells, the nice people, the tasty fruit and veg, the cicadas. That villa looks stunning. X
Mel recently posted…Wangle Buzzing Cake (& a ‘Free From’ one at that!)
We didn’t make it to Aix en Provence but I totally fell in love with the pretty coastal towns and hillside villages. It’s a magical place x
That pool is gigantic! I’ve never made it to Europe, but seeing old castles would be a highlight of the trip. Have fun!
jeremy recently posted…Getting Older
Thanks Jeremy! I’m a big, big fan of travelling and the husband and I are lucky enough to travel through the US, Australia and Asia but Europe does have a special place in our hearts.
What a stunning pool – how wonderful #sharethejoy
Mummy Fever recently posted…Healthcare once you’re a parent
Thanks lovely, it was a very special holiday x
I’ve heard great things about Provence, sounds amazing and that villa is stunning! Hope you had a brilliant time xxx
Mummy Tries recently posted…Monthly Melfie: June 2015
It looks like you’ve planned some great days out and thanks for mentioning my post about Fréjus. There’s plenty more like that in my blog if you need any more ideas and feel free to call me too if you need any advice/help. My numbers are in the contact section of my website. Have a fab holiday!
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo recently posted…Réunion Island, France in the Indian Ocean?
That looks amazing! I always wonder about holidays in Europe, and where to stay is one of my biggest concerns. I have to say we like our luxury and often choose to stay in a 5* hotel. But these villas look lovely. It sounds like you’re going to have a fabulous time in Provence.
Morgan Prince recently posted…Why I Love Having the Hardest Job in the World (And You Should Too)
It looks absolutely heavenly darling, what a villa and resort. We adore the South of France, it’s so relaxed and just so beautiful. I can’t wait to read your adventures. Thanks again for recommending us to James Villas, we adored our villa with them-luxurious holidays for all the family x
HonestMum recently posted…Going to Jamaica with Beaches Resorts
Lush, you’re going to have an amazing time. Look forward to reading about it afterwards. I love holidaying in France. Bon voyage!
Juliet McGrattan recently posted…Nurturing a love of exercise in our children.