Appart'City Confort Nîmes Arènes ★★★★

France’s sheer variety is remarkable: history and art-filled Paris, star-studded Cannes, wine-rich Bordeaux, Provence’s chocolate box villages, Chambéry’s snowy peaks… we were well and truly in love with France and its unique art de vivre. But this time we were steering slightly off the tourist trails and heading to the lesser-known city of Nîmes.

It’s a place where authentic France and its fascinating history comes to life, originally settled by the Romans when they were building the road between Rome and Spain. Their legacy includes the amphitheatre, the baths and temples dotted throughout the Jardin de La Fontaine, and the world-famous aqueduct of Pont du Gard.

Our holiday started as soon as we touched down in sunny Montpellier, where we hired a car and detoured through picturesque villages and natural parks until we reached the palm-lined streets of Nîmes. By the time we arrived, we’d already spotted the Roman temple, aqueduct and amphitheatre and found ourselves right in the centre, gazing up at the Haussmann façade of our new home.

Set less than a five minute walk from Arènes, Appart'City Nîmes Arènes offers all the conveniences of a hotel including a 24-hour reception, bar and fitness area, whilst allowing you to have complete privacy in your own spacious apartment. Recently renovated, each one has a beautifully decorated lounge with regal furniture. We also had a large fully-equipped kitchen and a gorgeous bedroom with wooden flooring, a marble fireplace and a wrought-iron balcony offering splendid city views.

After a day or two we were well and truly into the laidback lifestyle that characterised our breaks to France. We’d start with a leisurely breakfast on our balcony, then wander through the cobblestone streets that make up the old city, absorbing the lively atmosphere and stopping for a mid-morning coffee and croissant in one of the cafés, with tables spilling out onto the fountain-adorned squares. We’d spend the afternoon driving through the countryside to visit quaint villages, natural parks and other gems that Languedoc-Roussillon boasts, before returning to our haven of comfort for a relaxing evening. La vie est belle!