SELECT FRENCH CONNECTIONS, WITH FLEXJET
August 3, 2023
Paris and the Cote d’Azur are timeless highlights for travellers to France, and for very good reason. Each offering its own brand of iconic beauty, history and allure, they need no introduction and are among our most-flown European hotspots throughout the year. However, France also offers a veritable feast of other, varied destinations, including these Flexjet Owner favourites.
A hippic and gastronomic escape to Deauville
The classic French seaside town of Deauville on the Northern Normandy coast was designed in the 1800s as a coastal escape for wealthy Parisiens and it retains a sophisticated Belle Époque charm.
The glamorous resort is flanked by a long sandy beach, backed by the famous Promenade des Planches and iconic art deco beach huts, each named after a Hollywood visitor to the famous American Film Festival. Deauville is also firmly on the gastronomic map, with local restaurants widely regarded as serving some of the best seafood in France.
Luxury hotel options include the Hôtel Barrière Le Royal Deauville, a decadent beachfront preference for movie stars and polo champions, which transports guests to another era of unabashed glamour. The Barrière group also own and operate the sumptuous, jazz-inspired Casino Barrière Deauville.
The town is synonymous with Equestrian sport, with Deauville-La Touques Racecourse the home of thoroughbred flat racing since 1882, and Deauville International Polo Club the French capital of polo. An equestrian highlight each summer is the Arqana August Yearling Sale, for which Flexjet is the official event partner. This event attracts elite, global bloodstock vendors and buyers, as the cream of Europe’s yearlings are presented in a series of exciting auctions. We are delighted to once again be providing VIP access and hospitality to many Flexjet Owners at this year’s sale.
Flexjet Owners travelling to Deauville can fly into Deauville-Normandie Airport (LFRG) which is just 8km from the town. Our Flexjet Sikorsky S-76 super-midsize helicopter can also fly direct to Deauville from London or other locations in southern England.
Drama and glamour in Biarritz
On the dramatic Atlantic coastline of western France, Biarritz offers a wilder beach experience than the gentler seas of French Riviera, yet the atmosphere is much more laid back. This has always been a surfer’s paradise and those in-the-know have been long-acquainted with the area’s considerable charms, but it is now undergoing an awakening with an elite international travel crowd.
In the past few years, a number of new luxury hotels and properties have opened or reopened here, including the wonderfully restored Hotel du Palais Biarritz. Originally the summer home of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie, it became a sought-after bolthole for the likes of Frank Sinatra and Coco Chanel and remains one of the top hotels in southwest France.
Add to that a growing global art scene and some exceptional dining and the appeal is clear. The Basque Country has distinctive culinary offerings including fire-grilled meats and tapas style eating, and Biarritz is now home to a number of exceptional buzzy restaurants, helmed by some of France’s top chefs.
With Biarritz Airport (LFBZ) conveniently located less than 4km away, Flexjet Owners can arrive in Biarritz with seamless ease.
Immersive art & beauty in Arles
The Provençal city of Arles, midway between Montpellier and Marseille, has been a magnet for artists since Roman times. Its wonderfully preserved amphitheatre is just one of many beautiful architectural examples in this UNESCO World Heritage Site and it also packs a punch when it comes to its light and natural beauty, making the area a deep source of inspiration for artists including Van Gogh and Gaugin.
The city’s art connections are evident in its top hotel, the unique L’Arlatan, an immersive piece of art in itself, packed with vibrant patterns and colours courtesy of contemporary Cuban-American artist Jorge Pardo. The building dates back to the 15th century and is located above the ruins of a Roman basilica.
Many exceptional dining options include Les Maisons Rabanel, home of the two Michelin star chef Jean-Luc Rabanel and his highly-creative style of French and Mediterranean vegetarian cuisine.
While Montpellier (LFMT) and Marseille (LFML) airports are both in easy reach, Flexjet Owners can get even closer to Arles and the Camargue region by flying into the smaller Nîmes Airport (LFTW), just 24km away.
Corsica’s distinctive rustic charm
The fourth largest island in the Mediterranean, Corsica may belong to France, but it has a distinctive, relaxed and rustic character all its own. There’s a reason why it’s known as the Isle of Beauty, with Caribbean-style white sand beaches framed by dramatic craggy cliffs and a mountainous interior.
The island’s coastline gives plenty of scope for sailing, with beautiful towns and coves bordering the turquoise sea from the north to the south, where the luxury resort of Porto Vecchio in the south is known as the St Tropez of Corsica.
There is much to discover beyond the coastline, with ancient citadels and historic cobbled streets giving way to olive groves and vineyards. Accommodation options range from secluded hilltop villas, to exquisite five-star hotels.
Corsica has four airports, the most popular with Flexjet Owners being Figari Sud-Corse (LFKF), at the southern end of the island. Other options are Calvi Sainte-Catherine (LFKC), Bastia (LFKB) and Ajaccio (LFKJ), which is the closest to the island capital.
Find your French escape with Flexjet
The world is at your disposal in exceptional style with Flexjet’s European fleet, including the super-midsize Praetor 600 and ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650.
To discover more about our European programmes, contact our team using the form below or call us on +44 (0) 203 856 8151.
