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Roquebrune Cap Martin

Cote d'Azure
€3,800,000

Magnificent and recent Provincal style villa on the Cote d'Azur, set in more than half an acre of ground with large terraces, a swimming pool, summer kitchen and exceptional views of the sear and Cap Martin

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Boutique Provencale, which specialises in sourcing unusual French homeware, kitchenware and gifts, sells some lovely French ceramics sourced directly from Provence and is the only UK stockist of the gorgeous Festin Coquin range. It is the perfect website to visit to buy a souvenir of sunny Mediterranean climes. More info: www.boutiqueprovencale.co.uk

Albi’s new-look Musée Toulouse-Lautrec will be opened in April after a complete facelift.
With nearly 1,000 works, paintings, lithographs, drawings and posters, the museum houses the world’s largest public collection devoted to the celebrated 19th century painter, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Since 1922, the museum has been housed in the imposing 13th century fortress of the Palais de la Berbie, the former residence of the Bishops of Albi and now one of the most important monuments in the episcopal city of Albi, a UNESCO world heritage site.

Renovations began on the museum in 2001 with two main goals – to confirm its position as a major contemporary museum and to highlight the outstanding nature of the ancient building and the site as a whole. The Toulouse-Lautrec itinerary is spread over two floors in a chronological exploration of his work. It includes early paintings of horses, landscapes of his family estate and family portraits, as well as his iconic paintings and posters depicting brothels and Parisian nightlife. More info: www.musee-toulouse-lautrec.com

DFDS Seaways and LD Lines have started a new passenger ferry service between Dover and Calais, launched by model Kelly Brook in February. The new route currently operates up to five times a day, with the first sailings aboard the Norman Spirit. A second ship and additional sailings will be added to the schedule at a future stage.

For a limited time passengers can travel from £29 each way for a car and up to four passengers. The new service was launched following the demise of SeaFrance, which
went into liquidation earlier this year after the failure of several attempts to rescue the company. More info: www.dfdsseaways.co.uk, 0871 574 72

Now is the time to book a trip to Nantes because the city on the Loire estuary – the sixth biggest in France – has a major line-up of new attractions this summer. Under a programme title of Le Voyage à Nantes, the city says it will turn ‘upside-down’ with art from June 15
to August 19.

One of the main events will be the third and final Estuaire, a contemporary art trail in and around Nantes and along the Loire estuary to Saint-Nazaire. Exhibits from international artists are on a huge scale, including for instance, a house that seems to be sinking in the river. The 2012 artworks will add to the permanent collection from Estuaire 2007 and 2009, created by artists like Daniel Buren and Patrick Bouchain. Other art events will include temporary displays throughout the city of masterpieces from the Musée des Beaux Arts (closed until next year for renovation), plus a variety of exhibits and installations in streets, hotels and restaurants.

Nantes is famous for its giant elephants and the other fantastical creatures of les Machines de l’Ile, located in the city’s restored dockyard warehouses. This year’s addition to the extraordinary machines is a Marine World Carousel, due to open on July 14. The giant mechanical merry-go-round is nearly 80ft tall and 65ft in diameter, with 35 sea creatures. Part artwork, part tourist ride, it was inspired by sci-fi author Jules Verne, who was born in Nantes and is commemorated with a museum in the city.

During the 18th century Nantes was the biggest slave port in France and a memorial museum has just been opened about slavery throughout the world, present as well as past. Called the Mémorial a l’Abolition de l’Esclavage, it features commemorative and meditative paths as well as museum galleries.

Other must-see sites in Nantes include the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, dating back to the 15th century, and the handsome cathedral which took more than 400 years to build.
LU, or Lieu Unique, is a former biscuit factory which lives up to its name as an art centre, theatre and music venue. Passage Pommeraye is a stunning neo-classical shopping arcade where sumptuous architecture and statuary vie for attention with chic boutiques. And the iconic Brasserie la Cigale is as famous for its Belle Epoque decor as its food. With an international airport Nantes is easy to reach. It also has extensive public transport – including a major tram system and ferries – together with numerous cycle routes and self-service bicycle hire. More info: www.levoyageanantes.fr, www.nantes-tourisme.com