SEE THE LIGHT

Although born in Nord and educated in Paris, Henri Matisse’s artistic work was influenced most vividly by his time on the Côte d’Azur, as Lara Dunn discovers

PÉZENAS

This medieval Languedoc town with a history of power and privilege charms

Le weekend Short but sweet city breaks

Brigitte Nicolas is in awe of the history and culture Albi has to offer

Music to MY EARS

Keith Mundy visits the merry accordion town of Tulle in Nouvelle-Aquitaine during its annual music festival

FIND YOUR FEET

Where the mountains meet the sea, Helen Parkinson puts her best foot forward to discover the pleasures of Pyréné es-Orientales

PÉTANQUE

Helen Parkinson is bowled over by the worldwide appeal of this quintessentially Provençal pastime

Piece of CAKE

Lucy Parford joins a French country baking class in London led by Master Pâtissier Eric Lanlard

3 HIDDEN GARDENS

Get some fresh air and escape the crowds in these horticultural havens

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them

Fiona Young-Brown goes on the trail of the legendary Beast of Gévaudan through modern-day Haute-Loire and Lozère

VENDÉE

Enjoy adventures aplenty, both on land and afloat, in the jewel of Pays de la Loire’s crown, says Helen Parkinson

Mother KNOWS BEST

French chef Eugénie Brazier was the first person to earn six Michelin stars in the 1930s and her restaurant in Lyon is still going strong, as Paola Westbeek finds out

TICKLED PINK

On the opposite bank of the Rhône from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Dominic Rippon discovers another shade of rosé

BAYONNE

Alex Green is captivated by the cultural traditions, historic architecture and hidden heritage in Bayonne

JOAN OF ARC

As May 2020 marks the centenary of Jean d’Arc’s canonisation, Helen Parkinson finds out how a peasant girl became a military leader

Go with THE FLOW

Lucy Parford takes time out on a rejuvenating wellness break in the popular resort of Moliets-et-Maa on the south-west coast

COLLIOURE

The coastal town of Collioure in Occitanie has inspired some of the world’s most famous painters to put brush to canvas and it’s easy to see why, as Vicky Leigh discovers

Champion of THE SKIES

Janet Brice reveals how flying ace Roland Garros became the toast of French tennis

ANJOU

Karen Tait enjoys a few days exploring the lesser-known châteaux of the western Loire, with wine-tastings and tapestries along the way

Magic is the MOONLIGHT

A night of summer sorcery in the Sancerrois casts a spell over Deborah Nash

Apple of My Eye

Cider and cycling prove to be the perfect pair for a relaxing Brittany break, discovers Michael Cranmer

WATER: Water Everywhere

Rudolf Abraham finds solace in the tranquil natural haven of northern France’s Audomarois wetlands

Sound of the UNDERGROUND

Paris is renowned for its iconic Métro stations and underground system, a feat of 19th-century engineering, as Sandra Haurant discovers

NEW HEIGHTS

In the foothills of the Alps, Dominic Rippon tastes Savoie’s flagship red grape

SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ

Lucy Parford enjoys a stylish seaside break in sunny Saint-Jean-de-Luz on the south-west coast

MORBIHAN

With a spectacular rugged coastline, medieval towns and prehistoric sites, Helen Parkinson finds Morbihan to be a magical destination

LANDES

Hydrotherapy, gourmet treats, lovely lakes and luscious beaches await you in Landes, says Heidi Fuller-love

ILE DE RE

What could be more perfect than a sunny Atlantic island, full of pretty blue-shuttered homes and villages? One peppered with traffic-free, signposted bicycle paths, decides Lara Dunn

Along for The Ride

Take the time to enjoy Alsace’s wine, food and wellness scene on two wheels, as Sophie Gardner-Roberts explores the Route des Vins by e-bike

ABSINTHE

Janet Brice discovers the story of this seductive spirit, known as the green fairy, which broke down barriers in French society and influenced the artists and writers of the day

Twist of FATE

In a little-known part of Pays de la Loire there is a prevalence of mysterious churches with twisted spires. Alison Hughes delves into history to discover the reasons why