To ski or not to ski, that is the question...

Now then. Let's have some time out from all this talk of summer and sea and sun and frivolity, and instead turn our attention to the future. And by future, we of course mean SKI.



Ah, ski. Some very organised people out there in the bloggisphere will no doubt be feeling rather pleased with yourselves, as it looks like you have been quick off the mark, and have already booked those all important Christmas, New Year or half term ski holidays. However, we know that for every forward planner, there are at least two last-minute-rs who will now be starting to think about skiing. Maybe. Some times after Christmas perhaps? Definitely before the end of the season, anyway.



Or perhaps you have decided, "yes, we SHALL ski this season" and now it's simply a matter or where, when and how much to spend. Do you avoid the crowds and go outside the school holidays? Or, do you bite the bullet, hedge your bets and embrace the hustle and bustle that is February on the Alps? If this sounds like an inevitability, then we at Lagrange have come up with some perfect packages to make planning a February half-term ski break just that little bit more bearable...

• 'Le Roc Belle Face', Arc1600:

If you're looking for a family skiing holiday that offers both excellent skiing conditions and a friendly atmosphere, then look no further than Arc1600. Keen skiers can enjoy an impressive 200km of slopes, whilst avoiding the crowds attracted to the higher areas of the Les Arcs domaine. Le Roc Belle Face has ski-in/ski-out access, as well as an on-site sauna and steam room to soothe aching limbs after a long day on the slopes. This February half-term, for a mere £779pp, you lucky people can get a two bedroom apartment, 6-day Les Arcs lift passes, ski hire AND a return Dover to Calais ferry crossing. Are we good to you, or are we good to you?!

• 'Les Chalets de Wengen', Les Coches:

For those looking for somewhere with a real 'moutain' feel, Les Coches is perfect. Nestled in the village resort of La Plagne, Les Coches offers 225km of ski slopes - ideal for exploring the Alps without having to share the experience with thousands of others! Our Lagrange Prestige residence, Les Chalets de Wengen , is just 250m from the slopes and this half-term we have one bedroom alcove/mezzanine apartments plus 6-day La Plagen lift passes, ski hire and ferry crossing for just £654pp! Maddness...

• 'Le Pic de L' Ours', Font Romeu:

If you're desperate to spend February half-term gliding elegantly down various mountains, but find the idea of crowds and high Alpine prices slightly daunting, then why not think outside the box and head to the French Pyrenees? Beginners, families and anyone just looking to relax will find the Pyrenees perfection personified, as the resorts are quieter and smaller but no less welcoming. Le Pic de L' Ours in Font Romeu is located just 20m from the gondola offering direct access to the slopes, and has an indoor pool on-site for those who still feel energetic enough for a few lengths...As if all that wasn't enough, this half-term just £449pp will get you a one bedroom alcove/two bedroom apartment plus 6-day Font Romeu lift passes, ski hire and a return ferry crossing. Ridiculous.

So, what are you waiting for...? Give us a call, or check out our lovely website for tantilising photos of where you could be spending your half-term this ski season...

http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/index.php?reinit=1

NOTE: All offers are early booking offers and are valid until 30/09, so hurry if you want to snap up a half-term break at bargain prices! All advertised prices are based on a package for a family of four, compromising two adults and two children aged between 7-11 years, and all include (deep breath): return Sea France Dover to Calais ferry crossing, 6-day "Classic" adult ski hire and 6-day "Junior" ski hire (skis, poles and boots), 6-day lift passes and all accommodation is self-catering for a week 19/02/2011 - 26/02/2011. Phew!

Sun, sea and Sainte-Maxime...a last minute August treat!

If, like us, the recent turn in the weather from pavement cracking heat to cool breezes and drizzle has got you dreaming of sun loungers and the seaside but you have no holiday on the horizon to look forward to, then help is at hand! Yes, this August the holiday gods have decided to be kind, and that means we have some super summer bargains to share with you all...

For stays commencing August 14th and August 21st, Lagrange is offering three bedroom villas, each with their very own private pool (I know, I know, we really do spoil you) the Residence Le Carre Beauchene in Sainte-Maxime for the scandalously low price of £1529. Yes, that is nearly a whopping 60% off the original price. Yes, we really are that good to you...

If you are looking for some last minute summer sun by the sea before school starts again, this offer is ideal! Sainte-Maxime nestles cozily into the Bay of Saint-Tropez, which means fabulous weather awaits those looking to enjoy the south of France but hoping to avoid the crowds of tourists who swarm to Nice and Cannes every summer. This accommodation offers the perfect compromise between isolated R and R and the hustle and bustle of being in the heart of the resort - a dip in the private pool with soothe even the most frayed of nerves, whilst anyone hoping to indulge in some Rivera chic can head to Sainte-Maxime's vibrant centre, which is just a kilometre away from Le Carre Beauchene. And, if you really can't resist its bright lights and glamorous allure, Saint-Tropez is just a twenty minute drive south from Sainte-Maxime. For a real Rivera experience, Lagrange recommends trying out your sea legs with a boat trip to Saint Tropez. Brigette Bardot, eat your heart out...

So, if you still need a holiday and a week in the sunny south of France sounds right up your rue then why not give us a call or check out our website if you fancy a virtual poke around these fabulous villas....

http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/holidays-rental-sea-mountain,accommodation-cote-d'azur,sainte-maxime-MAXIME-L-HAUT-residence.html#residence

Vive les holiday bargains!

So, the summer holidays are well and truly upon us. In the words of Bill and Ted, excellent! Sun, sea, and endless carefree evenings stretch out ahead of us for two glorious months, until September sneaks up on us and forces us to put down our buckets and spades and head back to the drudgery of real life.

However, with summer come dilemmas. Where to go? What to do? And, perhaps most importantly in these uncertain financial times, how much to spend? After all, a holiday should be relaxing, not a one way ticket to bankruptcy-ville. With this in mind, Lagrange is always on the look-out for a bargain and a saving, so imagine our surprise when a survey by Skyscanner showed France to be the most expensive holiday destination for British tourists. Sacré bleu and zut alors, indeed! But, fear not fellow Francophiles, because Lagrange has some handy hints to help you enjoy a séjour on the Continent without breaking the bank...

Food and drink...

Eating out is probably the ultimate 'holiday' indulgence, but it should be deliciously affordable, not repulsively expensive. It may sound simple, but a quick trip to the local supermarche (or indeed bakery, delicatessen and greengorcer - vivez les commerces locales after all) to stock up on picnic items for lunch will make indulging in the evening seem far more financially viable. Plus, Lagrange was always brought up to believe that a holiday just isn't a holiday until you have found a sunny spot, flopped onto the grass and tucked in to a generous hunk of brie.

Look out for set menu deals when dining in local restaurants, as these as always far cheaper than other options. Of course, the lack of choice does plunge those with only basic French skills into the culinary unknown, but how do you know you don't like it if you have never tried it? A word of warning, from experience, Lagrange has found that almost without fail, most items on a French set menu will involve a clandestine boiled egg at some point, usually tucked quietly under a lettuce leaf. Bon appetit!

As for alcohol...Lagrange just has one word and two syllables for you all: supermarket. If you have ever wanted a good quality bottle of vin rouge for under £2.00, then now is your chance to realise those dreams! Yes, head to any good French supermarket of any size and we promise you will not be disappointed by the range of choice available for those keeping one eye on the pennies as well as the good times. "A Euro!", we hear you cry in awe and disbelief! As Brucie himself would say, the price is indeed right. Heck, get two bottles. You are on holiday, after all...

(Lagrange would like to take this opportunity to say have good clean fun, and always drink responsibly).

Transport...

Flights, as we all know, are a financial drain and a stressful nightmare. Hidden charges? Airport delays? Baggage drama? No. Not this year, Stellios. This summer, experiment with a ferry crossing instead. With crossings from Dover to Calais only lasting an hour and a half, you can be in France quicker than you can say 'baggage allowance?!'. Think of the freedom that comes hand in hand with taking a car on holiday. No car hire charges and the chance to take your time and meander through France's impressive rural, mountainous and coastal landscape? Why not? Why not indeed. If a jaunty ride across the Channel doesn't float your boat (sorry), then why not let the train take the strain? Glide effortlessly from London or Ashford to Paris or Lille, then onwards to wherever your holiday may be, via Eurostar and TGV. It really is that simple. After all, who doesn't wouldn't rather have a leisurely stroll to the buffet car over being bumped on the elbows by the air stewardess's trolley...?

Location, location, location...

Anyone who has ever been caught out by the soaring prices in any tourist hotspot will know that popularity comes at a (ridiculously high) price. Unless you are happy to stay in accommodation of questionable quality, staying slap bang in the heart and centre of big name resorts does not come cheap. Luckily, France is the third largest country in Europe and has hundreds of hidden gems waiting to be discovered by all you lovely adventurous holidaymakers out there.

This summer, Lagrange strongly recommends beating the crowds and going somewhere a little bit different. If you think Nice might be nice (again, sorry, we just couldn't resist) but don't fancy the price hike, why not try Six-Fours-Les-Plages instead? This seaside resort offers the ideal South of France experience for anyone with champagne tastes on a lemonade budget, with several miles of sandy beaches and rocky coves waiting to be explored by anyone willing to venture off the beaten track. And why stop there? Venture slightly off the beaten track and away from the crowds, and we guarantee you won't be disappointed. While all the world rushes towards the Cote d' Azur, why not head inland and explore the Loire Valley, the Dordogne or Provence? Rural France offers that true Jean de Florette experience - crumbling chateaux, picturesque villages and the chance to test out your French on the locals sitting outside cafés and tabacs. Seriously, what more could a person want in a holiday?! Plus, during July and August, the weather in the Loire, Dordogne and Provence more than rivals that on the Riviera...

So there you have it, Lagrange's light-hearted guide to keeping an eye on your pocket money this summer whilst still being able to enjoy all the delights France has to offer. Perhaps we're just a tiny bit biased (only a tiny bit, though) but, for us, being on a shoestring budget should not mean giving the Euro zone a wide berth or missing out on the chance to have a glass or two of kir royale whilst watching some dignified French gentlemen play a game or several of pétanque...

• Transport: Lagrange offers self-drive packages, including Eurotunnel and ferry crossings between Dover and Calais, as well as longer crossings. We've said it before and we'll say it again - we are just too good to you! If self-drive doesn't appeal, we can also book train tickets, which means a swift Eurostar and TGV journey to your desired location. Marvellous.
• Location: Lagrange still has great availability on Prestige-standard accommodation in various resorts throughout the Loire Valley, the Dordogne and Provence, ideal for escaping the crowds on the coast without missing out on the warm weather. We've been tweaking our website recently and now you can read and download a copy of our France 2010 summer brochure in the comfort of your own home. Just don't forget to ring us to get that holiday booked, we get lonely otherwise...

Follow the virtual breadcrumbs for more images and ideas on-line...!

http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/

Summer in the Alps.

For all of you who thought the Alps were an exclusively winter destination, think again! The mountains make the ideal location for a summer holiday, as Nadia found when she visited Morzine and Les Gets...

When I think of mountains and more specifically the Alps the first image that comes to mind is that of a tanned Italian ski instructor safely carrying me down from the slopes at the end of a treacherous fall… maybe not the first image that comes to your mind but it certainly does in mine and tends to linger for a while…

For the purposes of this exercise however one must steer away from exciting Italians and consider that in truth the word association most likely to conjure up the word “snow” is either “mountains” or “Alps”. Does anyone immediately think of verdant and lush alpine meadows blossoming with summer wild flowers? Of course not. We are creatures of habit and our brain works fastest along those well travelled connections in complete defiance of the laws of reason. Arriving in June in Morzine and then Les Gets (which is a resort town in the Portes du Soleil) under a baking hot sun derailed all previous trains of thought with the effectiveness of a cow chewing the cud in the middle of a busy rail crossing.

My preconceived ideas about what a winter resort in the summer month would be were rerouted in an entirely new way. Surely all the inhabitants would have retired for some much earned rest after the frantic pace of having to serve, please and entertain thousands of winter visitors. There must be, I thought, such a thing as “summernation” in July and August when those popular alpine resorts close the shutters and recover from this year’s madness to prepare for the coming onslaught.

Not one bit of it. The winter months, albeit very exciting especially for those of us who can’t get enough of the white stuff and have not lost the childish excitement and sense of wonder that snow brings about, are almost bland compared to the extraordinary explosion of greenery, flowers, sun and activity which are the true mark of summer in an alpine resort. It quickly became apparent from the smiles and excited chatter of everyone around me, the delighted shouts and waves from children taking a ride in the mini-train around the town centre, the sounds of splashing from nearby pools, the murmur of conversations from the tables outside local cafes that what was to me a revelation was a much enjoyed everyday reality to everyone who had sampled the resort’s summer delights. Just as the mountains all around us had awaked so had the town, its visitors and its inhabitants.

Winter is a rather serious affair which cannot be undertaken without some preparation, it is full of equipment to buy or rent, clothes to be chosen carefully, slopes which need to be followed etc. Summer by contrast is a liberating experience with the license to do as one pleases whether it be a gentle walk through gently slopping trails alongside cool mountain rivers or a breathtaking mountain bike ride at top speed amidst clouds of dust. Anything seems possible and the bewildering array of summer activities available do nothing to disabuse you of that first impression.

A list of what is possible certainly far outweighs a list of what is not. As well as all the activities you can easily imagine being available such as walking and hiking, rock climbing, canoeing and kayaking, mountain biking, horse riding etc. there are a lot of activities which you would not immediately think of but which are, in retrospect, rather logical to find in such a rich and diverse environment. Fishing and angling in mountain lakes, adventure parks set in the middle of fragrant pine forests, paragliding from mountain tops even golf, of all sports, all find themselves at home in those majestic surroundings. Rather cunningly all the infrastructure which is essential to any skiing endeavour converts very easily to its new summer task. Bikes are attached to ski lifts which take you up to various trails and paths as they did with your skis in winter. Horse-drawn sleights turn into carriages for nostalgic tours of the old bourgs. Old activities are given new twists such as Afghan walking, hydrospeeding (not for the faint hearted and something you really will have to look up), summer sledging, grass scooters etc.

There seems to be a determined effort to ensure that every single possibility has been explored and that no one feels left out as almost all activities are available for all ages apart from the very young (think newborn). Families feel especially welcome with a charter and a label “Famille Plus Montagne” which aims at providing appropriate services specifically for families everywhere. Discovering those resorts in summer was a truly exhilarating experience. I thought I knew the Alps, I now realise that I had only seen a small proportion of what those amazing mountains can offer.

Next time, I am taking the troops with me!

Paris, Je t'aime!

Here at Lagrange, we enjoy nothing more than passing on our personal recommendations, top tips and general snippets of information we think you might like. Aren't we good to you? So, without further ado, here are a few choice highlights to consider if you find yourself planning a weekend trip to Paris...

We all know that Paris is bursting with beautiful architecture, spectacular museums and has an endless array of restaurants, bars and cafes to suit all tastes and budgets. However, occasionally it pays to venture off the beaten path and spend your time seeing or doing something a little different. I am a Paris lover and proud of it, so to make life that little bit easier, here is a selection of my favourite places plus trips for getting around, to help inspire the perfect weekend get away…
The Musee d’Orsay, located on the left bank of the river Seine in the 7th arrondissement, is a definite must-see for art lovers and culture vultures. Built in a former train station, the museum boasts an impressive collection of art, most notably impressionist and post-impressionist works by Cezanne, Renoir and Manet to name but a few. Even if you are not a budding Brian Sewell, the combination of world famous artworks and inspiring setting makes this museum a real ‘must see’ for any visitors to Paris.
Getting there: Solferino (Metro line 12) or Musee d’Orsay (RER Line C)

Those who prefer their culture to be a little livelier should head away from Paris’s center to the district of Montmartre, in the 18th arrondissement. The area is renowned for it’s cozy cafes and thriving arts scene, formally home to Salvador Dali and Toulouse-Lautrec amongst others. This link between art and Montmartre has continued to the present day, and artists still dominate the Place du Tertre in the heart of the district when the weather allows for them to take their work outdoors.
There is one landmark that dominates Montmartre – the basilica of the Sacre Coeur, on the top of Montmartre hill. Visitors who climb the 234 steps from its foot to its summit (walking from Abbesses or Anvers metro stations) will be rewarded with spectacular views over Paris that rival those from the Eiffel Tower.If you prefer not to arrive at cultural landmarks sweating and wheezing, there is a regular cable car, which accepts metro tickets, and travel passes and is a short, well-signposted walk from Anvers metro station.
Getting there: Abbesses (Metro line 12), Anvers (Metro line 2) for Montmartre hill/Sacre Coeur. Montmartre can also be accessed from Pigalle (Metro line 12), but visitors should be aware that the walk is a little further than from other stations.

After the inevitable uphill trudge encountered in any trip to Montmartre, visitors should relax by heading to Le Marais district, which spreads across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements in the centre of the city. One of Paris’s oldest districts, the area is dominated by impressive Hausseman buildings and filled with hidden gems tucked down side streets. Visitors looking to relax and refresh with a coffee or light lunch should head to Rue des Rosiers in the 4th, where the large Jewish community is clearly evident in the many delis and bakeries offering delicious goodies to help keep tourists' energy levels from flagging.
For a real teatime treat, look out for Le Loir dans la Thiere cafe just off rue des Rosiers, which serves delicious puddings and light meals in a cozy, Mad Hatter’s tea party-style environment. Everything about this café is ideal for a leisurely brunch, but be prepared for a possible wait for a table, as it is very popular.
For those who prefer to eat and walk, the falafel stands throughout the Jewish quarter are highly recommended. Each stand offers a wide variety of mouth-watering filled pitas and salads, the perfect solution for those visitors looking for a reasonably priced and filling lunch that won’t eat into valuable culture, sightseeing and shopping time.
If you can’t resist a bargain, Le Marais has some the best vintage shops I have ever stumbled across. Scattered throughout the district, these shops are full of fantastic finds (look out for leather bags and belts in particular) in good condition and far cheaper than most over-priced vintage shops in the UK.
Getting there: Saint-Paul (Metro line 1), Bastille (Metro line 1), Filles du Calvaire (Metro line 8) and Saint-Sebastien Frossiart (Metro line 8) are all within easy walking distance from Le Marais district.

After a long, hard day of eating and soaking up Paris’s cultural highlights comfy accommodation is a must. Lagrange offers self-catering apartments in Boulogne-Billancourt, located at the end of metro line 9. These apartments are the ideal base for exploring Paris, as they are only 15 minutes from the centre of the city. http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/location-vacances-boulogne_les_rives_de_seine-L_CITY_BOULOG_FRA_V_E_2_IF-rcre-6.html

So, grab your passport and hop on the Eurostar! Allez à Paris!

So many Festivals, so little time...

So, summer is officially here. Or on its way. I get confused. Either way, it's time to start thinking about where to go, what to see and what to do while the sun shines (we at Lagrange are British optimists at heart). However, if you tend to frazzle rather than dazzle as soon as the sun peeps out from behind a cloud, finding summer holiday activities can be tricky. Luckily for all you English roses out there, France has a great selection of truly varied festivals to keep you entertained and in the shade this summer. Whether you’re looking to soak up the culture, rather than the rays or simply fancy doing something a little different this year, read on for a few choice cultural highlights on offer in L’ Hexagon over the coming months…

Jazz à Juan: 14th-25th July, Antibes/Juan les Pins: The 50th Jazz à Juan jazz festival is a must for both jazz aficionados and those simply looking to put a spring in their step who may be planning a stay in the Antibes/Juan-les-Pins area this July. Between July 14th and 25th, Europe’s longest running jazz festival will be celebrating it’s 50th anniversary with musical tributes to those who have previously graced the festival’s fames ‘Pinède Gould’ stage since it’s launch in 1960. With artists ranging from super-smooth crooner George Benson to New York club scene regulars the Brooklyn Funk Ensemble, plus performances from big bands and jazz orchestras, this year’s festival offers something for everyone, and is guaranteed to get toes tapping.

Tickets for individual performances are available from the official Jazz à Juan website, where a full programme of events is also available: http://www.jazzajuan.fr/en/home.html

Lagrange offers accommodation in Antibes/Juan-les-Pins itself in the ‘Les Pins Blues’ self-catering residence, ideal for exploring the resort and sampling all the jazz festival has to offer.

‘Visa Pour l’ Image’ : 28th August – 12th September, Perpignan: Between August 28th and September 12th, Perpignan plays host to the ‘Visa Pour l’ Image’ photojournalism festival. This event offers those who are passionate about photography the chance to see a huge range of world class photojournalism reporting on world events and current affairs, as well as allowing professional photojournalists to discuss the future of the industry. Screenings depicting a chronological review of the year and it’s biggest news stories as seen through the photojournalist’s lens promise to be both interesting and thought-provoking, and might just leave you feeling inspired to start capturing the world on film for yourself. Someone pass me my Kodak…

· Full details regarding all events at ‘Visa Pour l’Image’, including how to register for accreditation, can be found on the festival’s website: http://www.visapourlimage.com/index.do

· Lagrange offers accommodation in Saint-Cyprien in the ‘Residence du Golf’ self-catering residences, just 25 minutes drive from Perpignan, ideal for enjoying sandy beaches and avoiding the higher prices in Perpignan itself during the festival’s run.

‘Normandie Impressioniste’: June – September, throughout Normandy: Art lovers and culture vultures alike should head to Normandy this summer for a feast of Impressionist art being held in museums and galleries across the region from June 5th onwards. This festival will celebrate works by artists such as Manet, Renoir, and Monet to name but a few, as well as exploring contemporary Impressionist mediums. Events will include concerts, photography exhibitions and art installations, all held in the dramatic Norman surroundings and landscapes that originally inspired the Impressionists and their work. Magnifique indeed.

· For a full and detailed programme of events, anyone interested should head to the ‘Normandie Impressioniste’ website: http://www.normandie-impressionniste.fr/en/home

· Lagrange offers self-catering accommodation in Houlgate and Deauville, both of which are ideally placed for visiting exhibitions and events throughout the region.

‘Rock En Seine’: August 27th – 29th, Paris: Summer just isn’t summer if at least one weekend isn’t spent catching your favourite bands in the ‘intimate’ surroundings of a field or park. Held over the August bank holiday weekend in the Domaine Nationale du Saint Cloud on the outskirts of Paris, Rock en Seine offers a cracking line-up in far more civilised settings than most English festivals. The organisers really seem to have thought of everything, from the Mini Rock festival especially for children aged 6 to 10 years, to the headliners finishing in time for festival goers to catch the last metro or RER home rather than camp on site. Rock and indeed roll.

· Rock En Seine is ideal for anyone venturing over to Paris towards the end of August, as day tickets are a mere 45 euros each. Check out the website for more details: http://www.rockenseine.com/en/

· Lagrange offers self-catering accommodation in Boulogne-Billancourt, just minutes from the festival’s site. What better way to end a great day of live music than by knowing you’re heading back to clean sheets and a hot shower?

For details regarding all the Lagrange accomodation mentioned here, check out our website: http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/home.php3?p=1&id=0

Lagrange Holidays are back and blogging!

Lagrange Holidays are back and blogging indeed!

We were starting to feel sorry for Alison's solitary entry about her holiday in Samoens, and we thought it was high we stopped neglecting our blog and started to show it the love and affection it deserves. After all, how else will we be able to share our anecdotes about lazy weeks spent sipping vin rouge in the Alps or sunning in Sainte-Maxime? Not to mention tip-offs on great holiday deals and new residences, top tips for holiday makers to France and anything else that catches our eye.

This marks the start of Lagrange Holidays relaunching ourselves back into the blogosphere as your one-stop shop for all things Francophile. We're re-vamping our Twitter and Facebook accounts as well, so there really is no excuse for being out of the loop with Lagrange Holidays. Got that? Good. This also means keeping up to date and in touch with Lagrange has never been easier - just Tweet, blog or pop a post on our Wall! We welcome feedback (but keep it clean, we're sensitive souls here in Hammersmith), comments and questions from everyone, especially if it means we can help make your holiday with us that little bit better.

To get us started, we will be uploading a selection of our finest literary efforts to get you in the holiday mood....