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Distillerie Les Agnels
This distillery near Buoux uses locally grown lavender, cypress and rosemary in its products. It also rents three gorgeous self-contained cottages (€1300 to €2000 per week) that share a glorious heated pool covered by a greenhouse roof.
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Jardin Botanique Exotique du Val Rahmeh
Laid out in 1905 for Lord Radcliffe, governor of Malta, the terraces of the Val Rahmeh overflow with exotic fruit-tree collections, including the only European specimen of the Easter Island tree Sophora toromiro, now extinct on the island.
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Bastide aux Violettes
To find out more about Tourrettes famous violet, head to the Bastide aux Violettes, 10 minutes walk from the centre of town. This modern space takes you through the history of the flower, its uses and cultivation (you can see fields).
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Parc de Saleccia
Wander the 7 hectares of these landscaped gardens to explore the flora of Corsica – the tough plants of the maquis, pines, myrtles, fig trees and over 100 varieties of olive trees. The gardens are 4.5km from town on the road to Bastia.
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Château de Tournoël
Château de Tournoël , a storybook medieval fortress, is also along the GR441, uphill from the pretty village centre. You can visit the kitchens, kitchen gardens and the castle’s 14th-century defensive round tower with its panoramic views.
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Château de Bonaguil
About 15km west of Puy l’Évêque, near St-Martin-Le-Redon, the imposing feudal Château de Bonaguil is a fine example of late-15th-century military architecture, incorporating towers, bastions, loopholes, machicolations and crenellations.
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Espace Van Gogh
The former hospital where Van Gogh had his ear stitched and was later locked up – not to be confused with the asylum Monastère St-Paul de Mausole – hosts the occasional exhibition. Other times, its small courtyard garden is worth a peek.
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Observatoire Sirene
Surrounded by lavender fields and beneath some of Europes darkest nighttime skies, this observatory shows you the stars and reveals astronomical wonders using high-powered telescopes. Reservations obligatory for two-hour star-gazing sessions.
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Porte St
These two triumphal arches – Porte St-Denis and Porte St-Martin – were both built in the late 17th century to commemorate victories by Louis XIV’s armies. At the time of their construction, they replaced medieval gates in the Paris city walls.
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Parc du Gévaudan
Wolves once prowled freely through the Lozère forests but today you’ll see them only in this sanctuary, in Ste-Lucie, 7km north of Marvejols. The park sustains around 100 Mongolian, Canadian, Siberian and Polish wolves living in semi-freedom.
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Musée de l’Aventure Industrielle du Pays d’Apt
Gain an appreciation for Apt’s artisanal and agricultural roots at this converted candied-fruit factory. The well-curated museum interprets the fruit and candying trade, as well as ochre mining and earthenware production from the 18th century.
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Domaine de la Brillane
Make an appointment at this organic estate to taste esteemed reds and rosés. Find the brilliant ochre-coloured château surrounded by vineyards 7km north of Aix-en-Provence, signposted 1km off the northbound D13 from Aix to St-Canadet.
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Arènes de Lutèce
The 2nd-century Roman amphitheatre Lutetia Arena once sat 10,000 people for gladiatorial combats and other events. Found by accident in 1869 when rue Monge was under construction, it’s now used by locals playing football and, especially, boules.
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Aqueduc de Roquefavour
Take the D64 13km west of Aix to stroll through the trees beneath the Aqueduc de Roquefavour, the world’s largest stone aqueduct, built in 1861 to transport water from the River Durance to Marseille. Afterwards lunch at Hôtel-Restaurant Arquier .
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Salle des Mariages
In 1957 Jean Cocteau decorated Mentons registry office, inside the town hall. Its a distinctive space, with swirly drawings, leopard-print carpet and no windows. An audio commentary (French only) runs you through the symbolism of Cocteaus designs.
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Musée Henri Malartre
Jean-Paul IIs Renault Espace, Hitlers Mercedes, 50-odd motorbikes, bicycles and historical modes of Lyonnais public transport are displayed inside this 15th-century château, 11km north of Lyon along the D433. Take bus 40 or 70 to the Rochetaillée stop.
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Musée de lÉvantail
Around 900 handheld fans are on display here, dating as far back as the mid-18th century. The small museum is housed in what was once a well-known fan manufactory, and its original showroom, dating from 1893, is sublime. It closes during August.
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Parc Astérix
Despite its Gaullish comic-book inspired name, this theme park 30km north of Paris covers the whole gambit of history from prehistory to 19th century with its six worlds packed with adrenelin-pumping attractions and shows suitable for all ages.
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Crypt of St Martial
All that remains of the once-great pilgrimage point St-Martial abbey , founded in AD 848, is a faint outline on place de la République, and an underground tomb dedicated to the city’s patron saint. Entry is by tourist office tours in July and August.
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Collegiale St
Towering over the little village of La Romieu, 11km northeast of Condom, this 14th-century collegiale is famous for its cloister and twin 33m towers. You can climb the 136 steps of one of them for a memorable panorama across the Gers countryside.
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