Located in the Languedoc on the border with Provence, between the Mediterranean and the hills of the Cevennes, Nîmes is one of the loveliest towns in southern France.  It has the finest collection of Roman remains in France, and its pleasant little pedestrianised streets invite the visitor to explore the attractive old town, shady gardens and fountains.  It’s also the perfect base for discovering the Cevennes national park to the north or the famous wetlands of the Camargue to the southeast, as well as the large number of other historic towns and sites in this part of France.

For a region that is relatively unexplored by many visitors to France, the Pyrenees has so much to offer.  Not just its breathtaking scenery of snow-capped mountains, deep gorges and high altitude agriculture, but also for the number of beautiful little villages that have their own distinct architectural style and character.

Travelling eastwards from the Basque region of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, there are many more gems to discover.  Pau, the capital of the department is set along the northern edge of the Pyrenees, has fine boulevards, an impressive castle and panoramic views of the mountains.  There are little villages nestled in the high plateaux, stunning scenery, excellent ski slopes, glaciers, high altitude agricultural communities and rich gastronomic traditions such as the famous sauce Bearnaise.

Located down in the most south-westerly tip of France, this small area is the last region in the country before crossing into its larger Basque neighbour over the Spanish border.  Most visitors cling to the beautiful coastal area around the trés chic city of Biarritz, but venture further inland from Bayonne and you’ll soon be immersed in the rich Pays Basque with its own distinct culture.

The traditional name of Gascony nowadays refers to modern-day French departments of the Gers, the Landes and the Hautes Pyrénées.  To the west, it’s bordered by the Atlantic ocean and to the south by the Spanish border.  The name ‘Gascony’ conjures up a rich agricultural area, warmth, sunshine and a traditional rural way of life.  It’s one of the great gourmet regions of France and produces some of the country’s finest wines.  There are fortified villages, sections of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, and home to the story of d’Artagnan and the Three Musketeers.