Tête à tête

Exciting ways to get away from it all

A dash of Gallic chic and a hint of 70s styling have reinvented this Provençal home, where relaxation is taken seriously

The timeless appeal of France’s bastides means they remain a popular choice with househunters – as Saskia Vlaskamp says, who doesn’t want a croissant with a view?

When it comes to entertaining friends, it is hard to top Château de Chambord as a spectacular party venue. Set in a vast forested estate larger than the City of London, this flamboyant royal residence

Looking for a characterful village near the Dordogne where you can really enjoy life? Samm Khourry suggests Lauzun

MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE JUST RETURNED HOME after spending an idyllic five weeks in the south of France. I am an artist and illustrator based in Teignmouth, south Devon, where my husband and I run our ow