French Holidays: what do you really want?

Yes we all think about the country, the area, the accommodation and the facilities which, of course,  are all extremely important; but we often forget about what we are going to get out of the holiday in France.  By that, I mean that when its all over, when you get back home and you have the chance to reflect on your trip, what will you have gained from the experience to keep you going until the next holiday getaway?

We all need to recharge our batteries and where better to do this than somewhere completely different, where the major decision of the day is which pair of shorts you are going to wear. Getting a good nights sleep, helped by a tranquil setting and comfy beds in cool and spacious bedrooms, is a great beginning to the chilling out process.  Whether you want to read a book, listen to music, learn something new, take stock of your life or seek inspiration to make changes, it is always easier to achieve in a calm and new environment.

The sun puts a smile on your face and a spring in your step – it stimulates, rejuvenates and for many people it is a vital part of their summer holiday.  Cooking and eating alfresco not one day, but almost every day is a welcome treat. Relaxing on a sun lounger in the shade of a vine covered terrace whilst reading your favourite magazine is perfect and enjoying a swim in your own private pool anytime you like, is heaven. Then what about having sundowners on the terrace overlooking open fields and forest where you can catch a glimpse of the deer as they venture out at dusk.

Everyone likes to learn something about their surroundings whilst on holiday and the fun of being somewhere new awakens the curiosity in all of us.  So you might want to explore a beautiful hilltop village steeped in history or go back much further in time to view the geological wonders of the underground caves of Padirac.  If water floats your boat, then you can take a leisurely trip on the local rivers or even paddle your own canoe.  Driving and cycling are relaxing and stress free, as the roads are so quiet, even during the summer months.  Of course there are chateaux and museums galore close by and it’s s a mere 90 minute drive to the beautiful city of Toulouse for a cultural fix with a cosmopolitan feel.

There will be a blog dedicated solely to this subject in the coming weeks, but let’s just say for the moment, that the Lot region of France has more than its fair share of gastronomic delights, of which the local people are fiercely proud.  I would defy anyone not to find something that they absolutely adore on the diverse menu of delicacies. The dark powerful tones of the Malbec red wines, the refreshingly crisp yet fruity rosés, the sweeter whites that pair equally well with desserts or the velvety rich foie gras of the area.  Add to this, truffle, saffron, duck, a plethora of cheeses including a smooth and light tasting goats cheese that would convert even the most sceptical into a ‘friend of fromage’. Whether you want to savour the food and drink in the many local restaurants or visit local markets to create your own masterpieces, your culinary journey will be easy and exciting in the South of France.

Holidays are precious – they are often looked forward to for months – but are over very quickly, and what keeps us going are the memories that have been created. Those thoughts that can be recalled months or even years later, on a rainy day, in a traffic jam, during a boring meeting, which still make us smile.

What is often forgotten is how much we benefit from the experiences encountered whilst on holiday.  How rejuvenated you can feel in such a short space of time.  How much closer you can feel to those you have been on holiday with and how inspired you can be after time away, somewhere new and different.

If you like the sound of the area and would like to learn more about Bijou Barn then click here for more details about booking