The fortified Monastery dates from the period from the 11th to the 14th century. It is hidden on a small tranquil island away from the hectic lifestyle of Cannes city. The island can be accessed easily and regularly from Cannes by boat.

As an order of Monks are still currently living in the monastery, parts of it are closed to the general public. This very order of Monks have been cultivating the vines on the island since the 16th century.

The abbey church is open daily for prayer and Mass services for the general public, admission is free.

Numerous companies offering guided cycle tours and trips are available throughout Provence.

For an “on the go” tour of Provence, guided cycling tours of Provence allows cyclists to sample the local produce and observe local life. You can steer away from the traffic through sleepy towns and picturesque villages that inspired Van Gough whilst allowing you the peace of mind that you’re not going to get lost by following an experience travel guide

If you’re feeling more confident, the other option of a self-contained trip is where you are in charge. You can personally plan most things on your trip, from the roads you cycle on to carrying your gear with you every step of the way.

Group cycle tours are also a popular choice with active holidaymakers.

The variety of gites available is vast. Gites like Carcassonne in The Domain La Bauzeille Haute, provides an ideal all year round base for family holidays, groups of friends who want an adventurous get-away or for romantics looking for a short break. Other gites are available near a beach, in rural hilltop locations or in the midst of traditional vineyards; the choice is endless.

Most gites are rented out directly and owners usually provide a comprehensive range of local information, kitchen accessories and baby equipment. Some owners will also allow you to bring your pets. La Maison Caveirac is a 17th century stone house that has been completely renovated to the very highest standards.

Have you stayed in a traditional French gite? We want to hear your stories.

When money isn’t an issue and appearance is everything, head to the smaller, stylish boutique shops.

Located in rue Georges-Clémenceau, a popular purchase is a pair of legendary Rondini sandals. These sandals have been made for over 80 years in St Tropez and have been spotted on the feet of stars including Mary-Kate Olson.

Jacqueline Thieno specialises in antique furniture dating back to the 17^th century.  It is located in rue Georges-Clémenceau and is extremely popular with interior designers and artists.

If you’re looking for a taste of Hollywood, visit Les Carre des Arts in the rue Citadelle. Here you can find Hollywood jewellery dating back to the 1800s and 1900s alongside all the information you want; who wore it, where it was worn and how much it is worth.

During the summer season, most shops stay open until late, be prepared to try on trendy clothes and shoes until well into the evening.

For market lovers, visit the Place des Lices every Saturday and Tuesday morning for over 100 stalls to browse. On Sundays and Tuesdays in the Place aux Herbes, the colourful flower market can be found.

What to do

Away for the modernised hotels, restaurants and beaches lies a historic, cultural and religious Cannes. Cannes is home to many interesting museums, which cover a range of subjects, from Mediterranean antiques and musical instruments. Many of these museums offer free admission and are popular with tourists throughout the year.

Cannes hosts major city events that take place throughout the year. These include the Villa Rothschild, the Tour du Masque and Palais des Festivals, all will offer plenty to keep you entertained during your visit to Cannes on a tight budget. If you go at the right time of year, celeb spotting during the Cannes Film Festival is a free sport many tourists love to partake in.

Cannes’ main attraction is the long, 7.5 miles of beach. There are several expensive private beaches here but to the west, there are free beaches where locals and holiday-makers alike gather to soak up the sun.

Where to eat

Pricy restaurants are located on the sea front. Being on a budget, it is best to avoid these and head away from the beach, into town. Most unpretentious restaurants in Cannes offer reasonably priced lunch time menus ranging from about €10 to €20. The cheapest option however, especially in the evening is to buy your own food in the Forville covered market, two blocks from the Mairie.

Where to stay

If you’re not prepared to accept the hotel prices in Cannes, staying a hostel may be the next best idea. Hostel prices in this area start at €20 per night and most offer breakfast, internet access and air conditioning. Like the Modern Waikiki Hotel, some even have sea views and are based near the centre of the city.

There are four essential elements to the secret success of Bordeaux wine; unique soil, favourable climate, quality grapes and a distinctive know-how. In Garonne, very high-quality grapes are grown mainly due to the soil. This soil benefits from a mixture of gravels, clay and sand that have been carried for millions of years by the rivers who gain their sources in the mountains of the Pyrenees and the volcanoes of the Massif Central. Bordeaux is surrounded in nearly all directions by vineyards. To the North there is the Medoc and the communes of Margaux, Pauillac, St Julien and St Estephe, to the South is the Graves and Sauternes, and to the East St Emilion, Pomerol and Fronsac.

Personalized Bordeaux wine tours & day wine tasting tours are a popular trip and take place in St Emilion, Margaux, Pauillac, Medoc and most of Bordeaux’ commercial vineyards.

Garibaldi was born in Nice on July 4th, 1807 and since he was young, he proved to be full of courage. For example, when Garibaldi was eight he saved a woman who had fallen into a ditch and later on avoided the shipwreck of some companions. Garibaldi’s first battles were in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

The most memorable movement of Garibaldi was creating “The Thousand” out of his volunteer fighters who were determined to bring down the unpopular Bourbon King of the two Sicily islands, Francis II. By 1860, Garibaldi’s forces, along with local support, had taken Sicily and Naples and had toppled the kingdom of Francis II. After all of his successes, Garibaldi was stopped from conquering Rome, where French troops guarded the pope.

Today, the Place Garibaldi has recently been renovated to highlight the elegant townhouses and arcades surround the statue of Garibaldi.

Giuseppe Garibaldi is nicknamed the “Hero of the Two Worlds” in tribute to his military expeditions in both South America and Europe.

Named famously after this political figure is the garibaldi biscuit which is eaten worldwide! On the street walls of Vieux Nice, you can view several plaques commemorating other French citizens who fought in previous wars.

The resort is inclusive of a bank, post office, restaurants, a launderette and a beach and guests can enjoy all of these facilities as nature intended. The resort can accommodate for a population of 40,000 residents and is considered one of the best naturism destinations in the world. With the freedom to roam naked or the clothing-optional lifestyle, few places in Europe offer this type of living.

There is debate about when the arch was built, but research accepts the inscription as evidence favouring a date during the reign of Augustus. Historians believe it was built in 49BC by Julius Caesar and was later redecorated by Tiberius in 25 AD. There is an inscription dedicated to Tiberius in 27 AD which implies this fact is true.

The entire structure measures 19.57 meters long by 8.40 meters wide, standing to a height of 19.21 metres and is made entirely out of rock. Mortar was not needed for construction as the rocks were so perfectly cut. Orange was one of the bloodiest battles during the conquest of Gaul and scenes from this battle are carved onto the Triumphal Arch.

Today, UNESCO classifies Triumphal Arch of Orange as a world heritage site.