Connect with us
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Posts Tagged ‘holiday like the french’
The Pierre & Vacances A-Z France for Kids – Part Three
Part three of our France for Families A-Z guide starts with a maze…
L is for Labyrinth
Popular in times gone by, mazes are today enjoying something of a comeback in France.
Labyrinthe Geant De Gueret in winter
Three kilometres from the town of Gueret in Limousin is Labyrinthe Geant De
Gueret, covering two hectares and bordering a 3,000 hectare forest. There are 14 questions in the maze, which, if answered correctly, enable you to exit more easily. There are also picnic areas in the park and giant games, including a giant chessboard with pieces.
Other mazes include: The Maze Leisure Park in Alsace; the Corn Maze at Creysse near Rocamadour in the Dordogne; Le Jardin d’Ariane Maze between Perpignan and the coast in Languedoc; and the largest plant maze in the world at Reignac-sur-Indre in Touraine, covering over 10 acres.
Hot deal: A one-week family summer break in Alsace at the Résidence Pierre & Vacances Le clos d’ Eguisheim in August 2010 starts at €409.99.
M is for the Mediterranean
Provence and the Cote d’Azur are somewhat notorious for steep prices and over-crowded beaches, but head west of Toulon and discover areas such as Six-Fours-les-Plages. This charming resort offers the best combination of forest and beach with every seaside activity imaginable, as well as horses and bikes for riding out along the Cap Sicié headland.
Further west don’t miss the Pont du Gard, the longest surviving aqueduct built by the Romans. The bridge is said to have taken three years to build, employing between 800 and 1,000 workers. Ten years ago the French government sponsored a major redevelopment project in conjunction with UNESCO, pedestrianising the entire area around the aqueduct, which also now has a museum.
Pont du Gard, Roman Aqueduct
Hot deal: Prices for a one-week summer break in Six-Fours-les-Plages start from only €280 for a studio apartment sleeping four to five people at Residence Pierre & Vacances Les Rivages in November 2010.
N is for Normandy and Najac
When it comes to having a great holiday on a budget you need look no further than Normandy: wonderful scenery, a wealth of attractions and plenty to do without spending a cent.
Well-known attractions include the World War II landing beaches of Sword, Juno, Gold, and Omaha Beach, the Bayeux Tapestry and Monet’s Gardens at Giverny (visit either very early or late in the day to avoid the crowds).
A great deal of fun can be had exploring French markets, meeting the locals and tasting food, all for free. Local specialities include homemade jams and cheese as well as apple sugars, a type of boiled sweet. Climbing the ramparts of Mont St Michel and seeing Richard the Lionheart’s tomb at Rouen Cathedral are other attractions that won’t make a dent in your wallet.
There’s plenty for active teens with canoeing on the Risle and the Eure and the ‘Veloroutes’ in Manche where you can hire bikes and follow the network of circular cycle paths. Mazes and mini-trains are other affordable options for entertaining youngsters.
Hot deal: Prices for a one-week summer break in Normandy start from only €416 for a studio apartment sleeping four to five people at Résidence Pierre & Vacances Omaha Beach in August 2010.
Najac is fairytale picture-perfect town with a soaring medieval castle, the Fortress Royal perched at its summit. You would be hard pressed to find a prettier town clustered on a hilltop in all of France. It is a place where your small folk can let their imaginations run riot.
O is for Océanopolis
Get better acquainted with underwater worlds at this giant aquarium complex about 3km east of Brest’s city centre. A perfect wet weather option, your little ones will come face-to-face with myriad of colourful marine life including sharks, seals, kelp forests and a variety of crustaceans
P is for the Pyrenees
Skiing is not just the preserve of the Alps. The Midi-Pyrenees region offers some of the most diverse attractions in France, including skiing. Summer highlights include swimming in the ‘base de loisirs’ (leisure parks), artificial lakes with sandy beaches, water slides and lifeguards.
Hot deal: Prices for a one-week summer break in the Pyrenees start from only €199.98 for a studio apartment sleeping four to five people at Residence Pierre & Vacances Hameau du Lac – Marciac in September 2010.
Q is for Quayside
“Oh we do like to be beside the Quayside…!” Ok, so we struggled to find a Q, forgive us!
R is of rafting
White water rafting on the Ardeche River is categorised class three to four or ‘intermediate’ with sections of l’Ardech also suitable for families. The Ardeche river canyon is set against a stunning backdrop of limestone cliffs and the famous natural rock bridge, Vallon Pont d’Arc.
Vallon Pont d’Arc
Rafting on the river Ardeche is available from April through to October annually with peak periods for families during the May-August summer season when the river is calmer.
Hot deal: Prices for a one-week summer break in the Ardeche start from only €250 for a 2 person studio apartment at Pierre Vacances Le Rouret Resort – Le Roure in September 2010.
S is for Surf School and spooky goings on
If your kids are more teens than tots and are really confident swimmers, their surf may well be up! There are more than 250 surfing spots around the French coastline so we can be fairly confident that whatever French coastal resort you choose will be close to a decent surf location.
Surf schools are widely available and Biarritz is a pretty good place to head for kids who are already surf mad.
Hot Deal:
Ghost hunting among the skeletons in the Paris catacombs is not for the faint hearted, nor the very young. But older offspring who enjoy the more macabre side of life will find a tour of the infamous Paris subterranean labyrinth fascinating.
These former limestone quarries, mined for the construction of Paris’ most famous buildings and bridges, became the final resting place of bodies moved from the city’s overcrowded cemeteries in the 1700s. The neatly stacked up bones form miles of passages and walls made up primarily of human remains. Gruesome stuff!
T is for Trekking and The Three Musketeers
Blessed with some of the most stunning mountain ranges in all of Europe, stay ski-fit at altitude during the summer and enjoy the numerous alpine trails and surrounding lush flora and fauna.
In the Pyrenees, head to the Gers’ capital of Auch to see the Statue of d’Artagnan. The large bronze replica of d’Artagnan from The Three Musketeers sits midway down the long staircase descending from the cathedral, L’Escalier Monumental
Hot deal: Prices for a one-week summer break in Marciac start from only €392 for a studio apartment sleeping four to five people at Résidence Pierre & Vacances Hameau du Lac in August 2010.
Continuing our pick of the top spots and attractions for families holidaying in France, we kick off molten glass with sweet heaven:
G is for glass blowing
Kids can see how the town’s distinctive bubbled glass is formed at the glassblower’s studio La Verrerie de Biot, entrance is free. You can also visit the museum charting the company’s 50-year history.
Hot deal: One week at the Pierre & Vacances Cannes Mandelieu Resort costs from €315 for a studio which sleeps two people at the end of August.
H is for Haribo
“Kids and grown ups love it so, the happy world of Haribo…” Just a few clicks from the Pont du Gard, the Haribo Museum in Uzès is a great option for a rainy day. In May 1996 Haribo opened the Musée du Bonbon at its Uzès production site, charting ‘the remarkable history of a century in confectionery’. This children’s paradise includes interactive displays, sweet tokens and the chance to operate sweet making machines.
Hot deal: Prices for a one-week summer break in Grimaud start from only €560 for a studio apartment sleeping four to five people at Pierre & Vacances Les Parcs de Grimaud in August.
I is for ice skating…
…ice driving, ice quod, ice carting – take your pick! Family-friendly ski resorts like Flaine, have heaps of fun wintery activities. Look out for natural ice rinks for an authentic French alpine ice-skating experience.
Kids in the metropolis during the winter can enjoy free frozen fun in Paris ice-skating in front of the beautiful backdrop at Hotel de Ville in the heart of the city.
Hot deal: One week in a one bedroom apartment for 4/5 people at the Residence Pierre & Vacances Flaine La Foret in Flaine costs from €639.95 in April.
J is for Jardin de Plantes
The main botanical garden in France and site of four galleries of the Muséum: the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, the Mineralogy Museum, the Paleontology Museum and the Entomology Museum. There is also a small zoo, which was originally founded in 1795 by Bernardin de Saint-Pierre from animals of the royal menagerie at Versailles.
From fossilized Jurassic remains to real live beasties and beautiful floral displays, there will be something for each of your little critters to enjoy!
Hot deal: Stay at the Adagio Paris Montrouge from € 119 per night for a studio which sleeps two people during April.
K is for King of the Castle
From Medieval towns in the Dordogne to the mythical Mont St Michel in Normandy and the many fairy-tale castles of the Loire, France is jam-packed with ramparts and relics of yesteryear to inspire young minds. The resplendent chateaux of the Loire are far more substantial (and intact) than most of the castles you’ll find back home, ideal for playing king of the castle. And Maman and Papa will no doubt want to include a few of the regions’ bountiful vineyards in the itinerary.
Hot deal: Prices for a one-week summer break in Grimaud start from only €344 for a studio apartment sleeping four people at Résidence Pierre & Vacances Loches in August 2010.
Pierre & Vacances Guide to France for Families
The PV-Holidays A-Z of France for Kids
Great food, a warm welcome for children (even in restaurants!), beautiful, sun-drenched beaches and well-developed ski resorts, France really does have it all when it comes to holidaying as a family.
Here’s our first instalment of the A to Z of the best things to do in France with kids to ensure a bonnes vacances, whether you’re soaking up the sunshine on the Cote d’Azur or speeding down the snowy slopes of Belle Plagne!
A is for Alpine Adventure
With excellent conditions for beginners, spacious nursery slopes and easy access to the more challenging runs, Alpine resorts such as Les Arcs and Meribel have a well-earned reputation for fantastic family ski holidays. From affordable self-catering options right up to luxury chalets there’s something for every budget and taste. There’s also plenty off-slope action from quad biking to bowling, snow scooting to swimming.
The Alps aren’t merely the preserve of winter holidays however. Forget images of the yodelling Von Trapp family – the pristine mountain air is more likely to ring with the sound of adrenaline fueled whoops as intrepid youngsters indulge in everything from climbing to horse riding, mountain biking, hiking, rafting and kayaking.
The mountains are also great for tiny tots, many of the shops that hire out ski gear in the winter will rent all-terrain buggies during the summer months, enabling you to hike to your heart’s content. Guided walks highlighting the flora and fauna are a great way to engage all ages whilst mountain gondolas give easy access to higher peaks so you can marvel at the views.
Hot deal: Prices for a one-week summer break in Serre Chevalier start from only €616 for a studio apartment sleeping four people at Résidence Maeva Chantemerle in August 2010.
B is for Brittany’s Beaches
Brittany has to be a top choice for families looking to enjoy a good value holiday without the hassle of hours spent in the car or at the airport. The endless, un-crowded sandy beaches of Brittany are a welcome and unfamiliar sight to us Brits. Fabulous crepes, plentiful seafood restaurants and a host of activities from sailing to kite-flying will keep everyone happy.
Top of the picks is the beach at Carnac, which is great for activities such as go-karting. Kids love the large, upright stones or ‘menhirs’ (think Obelisk in the Asterix books), arranged to mark burial sites dating back 5,000 years. Alternatively head to Benodet for safe swimming, with extra attractions like Petanque, bike riding and canoe hire.
Hot deal: Prices for a one-week summer break in Brittany start from only €432 for a studio apartment sleeping four to five people at Pierre & Vacances Resorts Port du Crouesty in August 2010. Children’s Club (3-18 years) is included in the price.
C is for Caves, Cheese and Canoeing
The sleepy area around Carcassone is home to a peculiar subterranean attraction, the caves of Roquefort. European cheese law specifies that only those cheeses aged in the caves of the little town of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon can bear the name. This ripe and pungent cheese is made from the milk of the Lacaune, Manech and Basco-Béarnaise breeds of sheep, whilst the mould that gives Roquefort its distinctive character is found in the soil of the local caves. The largest producer, the Société des Caves de Roquefort, opens its cavernous cellars to visitors and is a must for anyone visiting this part of the Mediterranean.
More caves (sans cheese) can be explored in the Dordogne, from the prehistoric paintings at Lascaux to other natural limestone wonders packed full of stalagmites and stalactites.
The Dordogne is also great for ‘messing about on the river’ with plentiful canoeing and fishing to be had. Choose between the Dordogne and the Vézère rivers – the latter is smaller and less dramatic but has the advantage of being a lot quieter.
Hot deal: Prices for a one-week summer break in Cap d’Agde start from only €520 for a studio apartment sleeping four people at Résidence Loisirs Les Rivages de Rochelongue in August 2010.
In the Dordogne prices for a one-week summer break in Argentat start from only €320 for a studio apartment sleeping four to five people at Résidence Pierre & Vacances Belles Rives in August 2010.
D is for Disneyland Paris
In August 2008 Disneyland Paris was the most visited attraction in Europe receiving more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower combined. Disneyland Paris encompasses 4,800 acres and contains two theme parks, Disney Village, Imax and of course the chance to meet Disney characters.
For a more ‘French’ family theme park experience in Paris why not include a visit to Parc Asterix. The park was created in 1989 in celebration of the cartoon folk-hero Astérix, the tiny Gaul with the miraculous strength who manages to stave off the attacks of the mighty Roman Empire with the help of his trusty sidekick Obelix (and pet dog Idéfix). More than 1.6 million people a year visit this unique French park, with more than 85 per cent from France and half of those from the Paris area.
Other popular French parks include Futuroscope, a multi-media theme park located just north of Poitiers, counted as one of the top 15 theme parks in the world.
Hot deal: Prices for a one-week break in Paris start from only €90 for a studio apartment sleeping four people at Adagio Aparthotel Val d’Europe in Disneyland® Paris in April 2010.
E is for Easter Egg hunt
Throughout Easter the whole of Biarritz takes to the streets for a two-day Easter egg hunt and cavalcade through the city. Join more than 600 dancers and musicians for a traditional afternoon of song and dance which takes place in the town centre on Easter Sunday (4th April), before embarking on organised chocolate hunts (Chasse aux Oeufs) in the city’s numerous parks and outdoor spaces on Easter Monday.
Hot deal: Pierre & Vacances Residence Haguna is located in the centre of Biarritz; just 300m away from the sandy beach, and is an ideal base for exploring the weekend’s festivities. Prices for a three night stay between 2nd – 5th April 2010 start from €393 (£355) for a one bedroom apartment sleeping up to four people. All apartments include a fully fitted kitchen and living area
F is for Free children’s clubs
Each of the 11 Pierre & Vacances Resorts in France offers a range free kids clubs for children aged 3-18. Tots to teens can enjoy supervised-age relevant activities in Mini Club, Kids Club, Junior Club and Teens Club with Pierre & Vacances childrens clubs.
Clubs give kids and teenagers the opportunity to meet people their own age and get involved in sports tournaments and coaching, team games, and a number of other activities, including circus training, treasure hunts and drama lessons. For young adults, ‘Le Spot’ is available in addition to ‘Club Teens’ and is a room for teenagers only (no adults allowed!)
Paid for crèche facilities are also available through the Baby Club.
Hot deal: Pierre & Vacances are currently offering up to 400€ off their holiday resorts all over France. Find out more about the offer on the Pierre & Vacances resort page.
Check back soon for part two of our A-Z of family-friendly France!
Pierre & Vacances launch summer resort discount campaign!
Pierre & Vacances is offering savings of between €100 and €400 on accommodation at all 15 of its family-friendly holiday resorts until November 2010. The offer, which includes discounted accommodation during the peak school summer break, is now live on the Pierre & Vacances website, PV-Holidays.com
Pierre & Vacances offers 15 family holiday resorts –12 in France, one in Spain and two in the French Caribbean. All of the resorts offer free children’s clubs as well as excellent facilities for all ages including outdoor swimming pools, sports lessons and family restaurants on site. The self-catering apartments and villas are all equipped with a fully fitted kitchen area.
The Pierre Vacances resorts offer is valid for bookings made before the 3rd July 2010 for stays taken anytime before the 13th November 2010. The discount varies from between €100 and €400 depending upon property, arrival date and apartment type. Below we have listed some of the best deals currently available:
Save €270 (£240) on holidays to Northern France for May half term
Pierre & Vacances Belle Dune Resort, Picardy
A two bedroom house suitable for up to five people starts from €500.50 (previously €770) for one week from 29th May 2010
One of Pierre & Vacances’ largest family holiday villages: Belle Dune Resort is a lakeside eco-village nestled in an area of sand dunes and pine trees in Northern France. The 250-hectare site is totally traffic-free and accessible via a number of pedestrian and cycling trails. The park boasts access to the local Belle Dune Golf Course (ranked amongst the top ten courses in France) and also features an outdoor ‘Aquaclub’ water park, tennis courts, mini golf and archery. The park is just a forty-minute drive from Calais ferry port.
Save €300 (£267) on summer breaks to the Costa del Sol in July 2010
Pierre & Vacances Terrazas Costa Del Sol Resort, Manilva
A two bedroom apartment suitable for up to four people starts from €600 (previously €900) per week in July 2010
The Pierre & Vacances Terrazas Costa del Sol Resort was recently opened in summer 2009; offering fully equipped self-catering apartments with panoramic views of the Costa del Sol and the rock of Gibraltar. Developed around a main square dominated by patios, fountains and palm trees, the village offers many leisure activities including a swimming pool and kids clubs for 3-18 year olds. Located less than an hour’s drive from Malaga airport, the property features a large infinity pool, private beach area with tapas bar, fitness clubs, kids playground and bike rental.
Save €400 (£355) on breaks to the French Riviera in August 2010
Pierre & Vacances Mandelieu Resort, Cannes
A two bedroom apartment suitable for up to six people starts from €1,290 (previously €1,690) per week in August 2010
Located on ‘Robinson Island’ on the bend of the river Siagne, the Pierre & Vacances Mandelieu Resort is ideally located for a family break on the French Riviera. The property is just 800m from the beach and a 10 minute drive from the centre of Cannes. On site, there is a large outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and daily group fitness sessions. Free children’s clubs are also on offer with a range of sports lessons and competitions organised throughout the summer.
For further details, or to make a booking, please visit http://www.pv-holidays.com or call 0870 026 7144.
Don’t forget to enter our Facebook competition and you could win a holiday to France! Enter here: http://www.facebook.com/pvholidays
French film – Top 10 French films of all time
It’s Cannes Film Festival time again, one of the world’s oldest and indeed, most prestigious Film Festivals. The chic French resort of Cannes will find itself in the spotlight once more for a fortnight of red carpet glitz, celeb spotting and the white knuckle fight for the coveted Palme d’Or…
Information about Cannes 2010
Cannes Film Festival 2010 takes place from the 12th – 23rd May 2010 with Alice in Wonderland director Tim Burton taking on the role of President of the Jury, the head of the committee which decides which films will receive a Cannes award. Ridley Scott’s hotly anticipated Robin Hood is scheduled to open the festival on the 12th May.
Pierre & Vacances have plenty of self-catering apartments in Cannes, and provide a great base for the festivals fans. We like to mark the occasion every year (see our Cannes blog from last year here) and this year is no different. We’ve pulled together a list of arguably the finest French movies of all time. Let the battle commence!
French Film History at a glance
The birthplace of cinema, France’s cinematographic legacy – which began with the Lumière brothers and Georges Méliès way back at the turn of the 19th century – has given rise to some of the greatest directors and cinematic style of all time.
Here’s a quick review of why French cinema rocks:
- Late 1890s – Auguste and Louis Lumière invent the cinématographe, bonne idée! Their L’Arrivée d’un train en gare de La Ciotat is considered as the official birth of cinematography
- 1896 – Alice Guy Blaché makes her first film, La Fée aux Choux. Goes on to become head of production at Gaumont Pictures, where she makes around 400 films between 1897 and 1906 before moving to America
- 1902 – Georges Méliès produces what’s widely considered the first science fiction film Le Voyage dans la Lune
- 1920s and 1930s – Jacques Feyder becomes one of the founders of poetic realism in French cinema. He also dominates French Impressionist Cinema
- 1937 – Jean Renoir (son of painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir) directs La Grande Illusion and then in 1939, La Règle du Jeu, cited by many critics as one of the greatest films of all time
- 1945 – Marcel Carné’s Les Enfants du Paradis (voted Best French Film of the Century in a ‘90s poll) is released. Filmed during World War II the three-hour film is made despite the Nazi occupation
- 1951 – André Bazin, Jacques Doniol-Valcroze and Joseph-Marie Lo Duca found ‘Cahiers du Cinéma’ , the uber influential French film magazine
- Late 1950s and 1960s – The term ‘New Wave’ or ‘La Nouvelle Vague’ comes into being, coined by critics for the group of French filmmakers (including François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard, Éric Rohmer, Claude Chabrol, and Jacques Rivette) influenced by Italian Neorealism and classical Hollywood cinema
- 1960s and 1970s – sub-genres reign, including the modern caper film and a typical French blend of film noir and detective fiction. French movie stars begin to claim fame abroad
- 1981 – Jean-Jacques Beineix’s Diva sparks the beginning of the 1980s wave of French cinema, films made with a slick commercial style and emphasizing the alienation of the main characters. Also known as Cinema du look, the movements main directors are Beineix, Luc Besson and Leos Carax
- 2001 – Jean-Pierre Jeunet returns to France with Amélie which became the highest-grossing French-language film ever released in the United States
- 2008 – Entre les murs wins the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, the first French victory at the festival in 21 years
In no particular order, here’s our Top Ten French Films of all time:
1. Breathless (À bout de soufflé), 1960, Jean-Luc Godard
Described by one critic as “jazzy, free-form, and sexy”, Breathless pays homage to American cinema whilst introducing a French style all of its own. One of the original ‘Nouvelle Vague’ generation, the film follows petty criminal, Michel (Jean-Paul Belmondo), who models himself on the film persona of Humphrey Bogart, and his American girlfriend, Patricia (Jean Seberg), a student and aspiring journalist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2hDR_e1o1M
2. La Cage aux Folles, 1978, Edouard Molinaro
Molinaro’s classic comedy broke the mould when it was released in 1978. Two gay men living in St. Tropez have their lives turned upside down when the son of one of the men announces he is getting married and brings home his fiancée’s ultra conservative parents to meet them.
http://www.mssu.edu/accents/newimages/LaCage.jpg.jpg
3. Betty Blue, 1986, Jean-Jacques Beineix
Romantic obsession leads to a grisly conclusion in this Oscar nominated drama. An epic tale that’s beautifully shot and revered by film buffs for its amazing acting and artful mise en scene. Passion, sex and a beautiful leading lady…this film perfectly encapsulates French cinema to a T.
4. Jean De Florette, 1986, Claude Berri
Based on a novel by Marcel Pagnol, Jean De Florette is part of a duology, (followed by Manon des Sources) filmed in rural Provence over a period of seven months, doing much subsequently to promote the region as a tourist destination. The movie starred three of France’s most prominent actors – Gérard Depardieu, Daniel Auteuil and Yves Montand – and is recognised as a classic thanks to the character development.
5. Cyrano de Bergerac, 1990, Jean-Paul Rappeneau
Rappeneau revisits the classic, tragic tale by nineteenth century playwright, Edmond Rostand, loosely based on a real life poet and fine swordsman. Deterred in his pursuit of his cousin, Roxane, by his bulbous nose, Cyrano resorts to writing letters to her on behalf of one of his cadets, Christian, who is also in love with Roxane but doesn’t know how to tell her. She falls for the poetic charm of the letters but believes that they were written by Christian. Move over William Shakespeare.
6. La Haine, 1995, Mathieu Kassovitz
One of the most talked about and controversial French films, La Haine was written and directed by a largely unknown young filmmaker and actor, filmed in black and white, with no big name stars on a small budget. The plot focuses on a single day in the lives of three friends in their early twenties, from immigrant families living in an impoverished multi-ethnic French housing project in the suburbs of Paris, in the aftermath of a riot. The controversy arises mainly from the subject matter – ‘les banlieues’ (the suburbs) – which by the 1990s had become synonymous with France’s major problems of unemployment, social exclusion, racial conflict, (sub)urban decay, criminality and violence. Kassovitz took best director award at Cannes.
7. Jules et Jim, 1961, François Truffaut
Truffaut perfectly captures both idyllic moments and gathering doom in this heavily influential and inventive encyclopaedia of the language of cinema. The plot concerns the recurring theme in French cinema of the love triangle as two friends fall for the same woman.
8. Un Coeur En Hiver, 1992, Claude Sautet
Subtly haunting, Un Coeur En Hiver is a story about the deepest human feelings and fears, centring on another love triangle. Beautiful violin virtuoso Camille has two obsessions: the music of Ravel, and a friend of her husband’s who crafts violins.
9. Amélie, 2001, Jean-Pierre Jeunet
The part of Amélie was apparently written for Emily ‘Breaking the Waves’ Watson. She wanted the part but had to decline because she didn’t speak French and had already agreed to be in Gosford Park. Audrey Tautou instead made the role unforgettable with her enigmatic and mischievous smile in this whimsical depiction of contemporary Parisian life.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Amelie_poster.jpg
10. The Class (Entre les murs), 2008, Laurent Cantet
Described by some as the new Dead Poets Society, the film owes a great part of its success to Cantet’s decision to use thousands of real students for the various parts in the selection process and then go through a year-long improvisation exercise with those who made it to the final cut. The film offers something tangible akin to a slice of real life.
Where to stay for Cannes Film Festival
If soaking up the atmosphere from the sofa isn’t your idea of film heaven, Pierre & Vacances has a number of properties ideally located for celebrity spotting in Cannes as well as striking a pose at the glamorous beaches and towns along the French Riviera.
Pierre & Vacances’ has many properties which are ideally located for the festival, celebrity spotting at the ‘Palais des Festivals’ in Cannes and exploring the glamorous beaches and towns along the French Riviera, including the lively harbour of Antibes and picturesque Mandelieu.
Pierre Vacances discounts for Cannes Film Festival
Pierre & Vacances Cap Esterel Holiday Resort, Saint Raphael
A one bedroom apartment sleeping up to four people for one week from the 15th -22nd May 2010 starts from €410 (£362) – €200 off the normal price!
The Pierre & Vacances Cap Esterel Resort is a 210-hectare multi-activity holiday complex overlooking the Mediterranean. Perched on a red rock hillside, the village is surrounded by at purpose-built golf course and gardens and is just 30 minutes away from the white sandy beaches of Cannes. Onsite facilities include three large swimming pools with wave machines, two children’s pools, a small farm, tennis courts and bicycle hire.
Pierre & Vacances Cannes Mandelieu Resort, Cannes Mandeilieu - A one-bedroom apartment sleeping up to four people for one week from the 8th – 15th May 2010 starts from €490 (£432) – €200 off the normal price! Located on an island in the bend of the La Siagne River, just 800m from the sea, the Pierre & Vacances Mandelieu Resort is spread over a five-hectare estate. The property is located just 1km from the local shops and has a range of sports and leisure facilities on site. The centre of Cannes is a short shuttle bus away and the events of the Cannes Film Festival can be reached in less than ten minutes.
Find out more on www.pv-holidays, the website for Pierre & Vacances.
