A rural holiday in Normandy through French Connections is the major focus of the Sunday Times Travel section cover story today. In a three-page article headed 'Summer's best deals from £100 a person', journalist Stephen Bleach highlights the fantastic value of our La Houssaye, a Normandy watermill where a week in July or August for a family of four costs just £350. The 18th century converted mill still creates its own electricity and is set in 10 acres of riverside meadows. The article features a photo of La Houssaye, seen from the organic vegetable garden, along with photos of canoeing, riding and French markets, which are all available nearby.
Read more: The Sunday Times loves our value family holidays!
Planning to travel to France by plane or train and need to pick up a little runaround car from the airport or station? Want to find a spacious, convenient vehicle to take your family or group and their luggage on the ferry? Hiring a car is now quicker and easier with our new, one-stop price comparison search. All you need to do is enter your pick-up and drop-off location and some brief details on our car hire page and quotes at great rates will be instantly displayed from a whole range of top brand providers, including Hertz, Avis, Budget and Eurocar and more.
Read more: New! We bring you car hire price comparison for fantastic rates
Want to live like a lord for the holiday weekend? The Comte and Comtesse de Vanssay are offering an elegant Easter break with a complimentary extra night at their Chateau de la Barre, which is featured in our latest competition.
The offer includes a VIP welcome and tea in the salon, a private tour of the château, a festive Easter Sunday Grand Siècle dinner with fine wines and champagne in the XVIIth century grand dining room, using the family silver and crystal, and two nights’ accommodation with breakfast - plus an extra night free. All for 390 to 490 euros per person, depending on the room chosen.
See more about Chateau de la Barre
We have been told that this wine has a “hint of strawberries” or that one suggests “dry cassis”, but I have always been bemused by the fact that some alcoholic fruit juice in a mass produced bottle can sell from anywhere between one Euro and three thousand Euros each.
Why?
Spring has definitely arrived and there's good news for anyone dreaming of a last-minute Easter getaway. Not only is France a fantastic destination, but you can also still choose from a range of fabulous accommodation from budget to luxury, giving you a chance to savour the romance of Paris, the glorious Normandy countryside or the glamour of the Cote d'Azur along with all the traditions, celebrations, food and drink associated with the season of Pacques.
If you feel lured by the charms of Paris, then check out the peaceful one-bedroom Greneta apartment in the buzzing Montorgeuil district, close to the Eurostar terminal. At £100 a night for two people, it's excellent value and allows you to live like a Parisien for the weekend. Also great value is La Barberie, a beautifully restored and modernised rural cottage in the Calvados area of Normandy. With two bedrooms, it has plenty of space for four people and costs just £250 for the week.
Anyone looking for luxury in Normandy with a larger group of people will surely be delighted by the mouthwatering Chateau du Mont, set in its own gated 50 acre estate and resplendent with French antiques and period features at 6,000 euros for a week for up to 16 people. Luxury is also on offer at an architect's villa near St Tropez on the Cote d'Azur, with a pool and amazing sea and Corniche views. La Lezardiere has five bedrooms and four bathrooms and accommodates up to 10 people for £1,500 per week.
April is a beautiful month of the year, it heralds in the spring with a promise of all things new. It is my favourite time of year and I enjoy pottering in the garden and planning our French holidays!
The garden is beginning to come to life as the spring bulbs begin to show through and very soon our laburnum tree will have a wonderful display of yellow flowers as the month progresses. The lavender is also beginning to show a new green growth and will in due course give us a beautiful display of fragrant lavender flowers down the garden path. I will use it for cooking as well as for lavender bags later on in the year.
We’re very excited about our latest competition in association with FrenchEntree magazine. During March and April you’ll have the chance to win an exclusive two night break in the secluded Petit Loir for one lucky couple. The winners will be welcome guests of the Comte & Comtesse de Vanssay, 20th generation owners of the super elegant Château de la Barre.