Book a Provence villa for one of France's highlights

It is widely known that a South of France villa holiday offers a window into one of the world's most healthy lifestyles.

This appears to have been recognised by International Living magazine, which named the country as the best place to live in the world in terms of quality of life for the fifth year in succession.

While regions such as Provence, which boasts rows of stunning vineyards, quaint villages and a beautifully-cultivated landscape, have helped France's standing, the quality of the nation's healthcare was also praised by the publication.

Provence won special praise for its "lavender-scented" landscape, with the magazine saying that France "always nets high scores in most categories" in its annual quality of life index.

The southern region is easily reached via TGV from Paris, with International Living commenting that "it's impossible to enumerate the joy of lingering for hours over dinner and a bottle of red wine in a Parisian brasserie."

Provence is known for being an artists' haunt having inspired painters such as Van Gogh, Cezanne, Giono and Chagall.

Posted by Corrine Moore

9 Feb 12

Reasons to consider buying property while on France holidays

8 Feb 12

Take holidays to Brittany 'to explore beautiful sights'

7 Feb 12

Take holidays to Cannes to witness two famous festivals

3 Feb 12

Explore the cultures of the world with holidays in Marseille

16 Jan 12

Party into the night with summer holidays to Biarritz

Other suggestions

© 2007 Adfero Ltd
Views and opinions in this article are solely of the author and do not necessarily represent those of James Villa Holidays(JVH). JVH provides no assurances regarding the accuracy of the information and cannot accept liability for complaints, loss or damage resulting from the article. It does not form part of the contract made when a holiday is booked with JVH and the information provided is not intended to be a rider or replacement to the booking conditions. Reference to the service or product of a third party, is not an endorsement or recommendation and JVH accepts no liability as a result of complaints, loss or damage arising from their use.