Chrissie McClatchie

Pierre & Vacances, a popular French brand, offers self-catering stays with activities included. It is ideal for holidaymakers who want to enjoy nearby attractions such as beaches and villages.

Neat rows of vines cascade down the slope in front of the large swimming pool where my two daughters are splashing about with new friends. Beyond, hills stretch out like gentle waves, the dense cover hiding the first buds of hazelnuts and the promise of the coming truffle season.

This summer, crowds are expected to flock to Paris for the summer Olympic games. Prices for hotel rooms are likely to skyrocket. Tickets for even the lesser events will be eagerly sought. And almost every aspect of visiting the French capital is likely to become trop cher for ordinary travelers.

Locks, high water levels and tricky steering can't dull the enjoyment of a break on the water

In 1924, French-born Alexandra David-Neel became the first European woman to set foot in the Tibetan city of Lhasa. Now, 100 years on, her story is as relevant as ever.

The Lana just opened in Dubai as the 10th hotel in the Dorchester Collection portfolio, and we were among the first to stay.

From Cannes to Nice, the luxury hotels of France’s Côte d’Azur are emerging from careful makeovers with a fresh look that hasn’t chipped away any of their legendary history.

There are 55 countries in Africa and, as it stands, they trade far less with each other than they do with the rest of the world. Mona Haddad, Global Director for Trade, Investment and Competitiveness at the World Bank, believes this has had a detrimental impact on the people who live there.

With its reputation for fast cars and superyachts, the Côte d’Azur seems the unlikely home of Europe’s most budget-friendly ski resort. Yet that’s exactly where you’ll find value for money this winter, according to a new ranking by French holiday rental site Holidu, which has placed a little-known ski station, just over an hour from Nice, in the top spot.

There are so many 100-plus-year-old companies in Japan that there’s a word for them in Japanese: shinise. What is it about doing business in Japan that cultivates such an enduring legacy?

Even though it’s still November when I visit, you would have to be Scrooge to deny that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Arras. The cold is biting but the sun is shining on the small northern French city. My fingers curl like a cat in front of a warm fire around my first cup of mulled wine for the season. A curious, yet quintessentially seasonal, mix of cinnamon, roasted chestnuts and fried churros lingers in the air.

Set on 2,500 acres in a small village, the fairytale-like Domaine des Etangs offers the chance to forget the stresses of the modern world in the largest five-star hotel in mainland France.

Five minutes after stepping onto a paddle court for the first time in my life, I’m dripping with sweat and already contemplating how much of my water bottle I can pour over my head and still leave enough for essential hydration.