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An overview of the region

The largest city in the area is Nice with a population of about 350,000. It is a popular tourist destination among celebrities and common people alike. It features a beautiful flower market apart from its commercial port. The airport is the third busiest airport in France after both the airports in Paris. The low budget airlines have contributed greatly to the increased tourists arrivals in this region.

To the east of Nice you will find the resort of Menton, known for its lemon festival and stunning villas. Cannes, the city popular for its film festival, is also located on the French Riviera and witnesses a lot of tourist activity. Towns like Mandelie-La Napoule, located further to the west of the region, are known for their unique chateaux and marinas. St Tropez is another popular holiday destination, which is a favorite among celebrities and movie stars. Small villages surrounding St. Tropez have managed to retain a bit of their fishing village atmosphere.

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The French Riviera is often associated with wealth, glamorous lifestyle and yachts. But taking a stroll into the old areas may change you outlook. You will find a number of quaint towns and villages on the coast. Several of these unassuming little towns attract artists, who find inspiration in the serenity and beauty of the region. Businessmen are known to purchase Cote d’Azur Villas in France, which are primarily used as holiday retreats. Other than painting, which is seen all over the region, Cote d’Azur is also known for activities like perfumery, pottery and glass blowing.

Villas at Cote d’Azur

France exhibits some of its most exquisite architecture in the villas located on the French Riviera. These properties are owned by some of the richest people in the world, many of whom are famous. Sean Combs, Tom Cruise, David Beckham and Johnny Depp are among the some of the rich and famous that own property here.

Cote d’Azur Villas in France, although expensive, are a worthy investment. The properties often include waterfront houses with private beaches with enough space for a yacht. Others are characterized by beautiful marble staircases and wrought iron grills. A large number of contemporary villas have been seen cropping up recently made entirely with chrome finished glass. This timeless destination is a hotspot for international investors, especially because of its warm sunny weather. Hiring a real estate agent can be helpful when purchasing or renting a villa as they are well versed with the local laws, tax regulations and other such rules.

Want to find out more about luxury holiday villa rentals in France, then visit Burger Davis Sotheby’s International Realty, the luxury property rental specialists for apartments to rent in Cannes and villas throughout the South of France.

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Axel Brocke

The city boasts Roman remains mixed with the traditional medieval network of streets, facades from the 18th century, fountains and springs. All of that is featured by the latest amenities of our time, because the inhabitants of Aix (mainly students) are very active and modern. In summer it is impossible to come here and not to see any of numerous cultural events.

Almost in every corner you will find well done facade, stone fountain, simply a lot of interesting things. That is how I think is the best way to know Aix.

You, however, should know that in a short visit to the city you can not catch and see everything the city has to offer, because it is really much.

Vasarely Museum

This black and white museum is built in a charming contrast to the green hills around. It was designed in the 70′s of the last century by Victor Vaserly, the father of Op Art, a method of painting, which developed after Pop art.

Vasarely was born in Budapest, spent his childhood in the Slovak Republic, and after the wedding with his French wife he lived in France. Glass building itself is an optical illusion, a few are exposed to some hexagone Vasarely works.

Cézanne’s trail

Cézanne’s trail that leads through Aix takes approximately two-hour. It is marked with gold signs and show you Cézanne’s favorite cafes and its birthplace. At the end of the trail is Cézanne’s studio, where you can see a tray with fresh apples arranged every day, coat hanging in the corner and the chair pushed away from the table, so here you have the impression that the artist has just left to the garden. From the windows you can see a landscape that inspired Paul Cézanne all the time, so do not hesitate and be inspired too.

In the summer months the garden holds an evening concerts or even a night exhibitions. More detailed information can be found on the studio website: www.atelier-cezanne.com

Cathedral of St. Saveur

The cathedral was built between the 11th and 13th century. As a result it is a mixture of the Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles. During your visit do not miss to get to the monastic tower from the 12th century. It is one of the most interesting places of the cathedral, and its top also offers beautiful views of the octagonal belfry and the surroundings.

During the French Revolution, citizens of the town cut off all the statues on the cathedral’s head, the statues were returned back in the 19th century despite the fact that the most heads had no neck.

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The most important monument in the town of Valldemossa is certainly the Royal Charterhouse of Valldemossa from the 14th century. The lovers Frédéric Chopin – Polish composer and virtuoso pianist, and George Sand – French writer found a refugee here in winter 1838 – 1839. There are still the rare originals of Chopin scores and the manuscript of the book Winter in Mallorca by George Sand hidden in the cells number 2 and 4. In these rooms you can also see the pianos on which famous pianist composed their works. Every year the town of Valldemossa hosts an international Valldemossa Chopin Festival, where you can see and listen to the famous pianists from all around the world. Charterhouse includes also a church, the historic monastery pharmacy, library, museum and Royal Palace.

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The character of the town and its monuments
Valldemossa is characterized by winding streets and colorful houses. They surround another significant monument of Valldemossa – the church of Sant Bartomeu from 13th century. Its entire interior is devoted to Catalina Thomas, who was born here and was declared a saint.

The area is suitable also for hikers – you can go from the town of Valldemossa to the tops of the natural park of Son Moragues, from where you can enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding area.

The final advise!
If you decide to visit any of the local town cafes, do not miss the drink horchata de almendras, which is a popular Spanish drink made from almond milk.

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Vianden castle has been owned by the family of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg until 1977 when it was donated to the state. Since then it has undergone extensive exterior and interior refurbishment. For its scenic beauty it is often visited by huge number of tourists, but also by Hollywood filmmakers. Vianden castle has a beautiful view to the medieval town of Vianden, which was, in the past, very fond of French writer Victor Hugo. Local museum and a copy of a bust by Roden remind writer’s visits on the river Our.

Vianden is the birthplace of King John the Blind (John of Luxembourg). In 1310 he became Count of Luxembourg and after the marriage to Elisabeth of Bohemia (Czech: Eliška Přemyslovna) he became King of Bohemia. John of Luxembourg is today a popular historical figure in Luxembourg and weighed very much like his son Charles IV. in the Czech Republic.

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Vianden castle is accessible through the whole year.

02.01 – 28.02 10.00 – 16.00
01.03 – 31.03 10.00 – 17.00
01.04 – 30.09 10.00 – 18.00
01.10 – 31.10 10.00 – 17.00
01.11 – 31.12 10.00 – 16.00

Basic admission fee is €7,50 (2010). There is also interesting culture programme that includes exhibition, jazz concert etc…

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