From painters, poets, writer and sculptures, over the centuries the Cote d’Azur has attracted many an artistic genius to its lands. Filmmaking is another artistic genre that has been drawn to this sensational region of southern France.

The late David Lean was one such film director who was unable to resist the unique charms of the Cote d’Azur. The English firm producer and screenwriter, who is best remembered for his legendary screen epics, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), A Passage to India (1984) and Doctor Zhivago (1965), owned an idyllic luxury retreat on the French Riviera known as Moulin du Jardinier.

The story goes that Lean fell in love with the derelict 15^th century ruin, tucked away inconspicuously within a seven-acre garden in Mouans-Sartoux, a medieval town desirably located between Grasse and Cannes. Lean’s love affair with the ancient ruin allegedly began whilst the filmmaker was working on the screenplay for Nostromo in St Paul de Vence.

Lean restored the mansion to a standard that has been described as ‘almost clichéd Provencal beauty’, with its old walls scattered with wines.

Internally Lean’s Cote d’Azur retreat is said to merge baronial chic with bohemian opulence, being vast and open-plan where grand stone archways separate mighty rooms with staggeringly high ceilings where the eye is drawn to extravagant chandeliers. A huge canopy in the house is believed to pay homage to David Lean, which sits beside a mural of the snow palace from Dr Zhicago.

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Without wanting to sound like a cliché, the village of Gordes truly is a hidden gem on the Cote d’Azur. Built into a rock and clinging cosily to the face of a cliff, Gordes’ presence cries out a million tales and legends.

Whilst the beauty and overall charm of many of the villages and towns on the Cote d’Azur is augmented by the narrow cobbled streets that climb, wind and descend through a labyrinth of marvels, delights and treasures, the cobbled streets of Gordes, which gently coil past tall stone houses, stunning architecture, picturesque squares, until they finally reach the zenith of the village’s assets – a castle standing proudly atop the hill, keeping a watchful eye over the Gordes’ villagers and equally as beautiful Luberon valley in the distance.

This impressive castle was originally built in the tenth century and was rebuilt in 1525, and brings together a unique amalgamation of architecture from the medieval period and hints of a more contemporary Renaissance period. The inspiring castle is now home to Gordes Town Hall and the Pol Mara Museum, in honour of the late Flemish painter, Pol Mara.

Pol Mara died in 1998 and spent much of his life living in Gordes, where he was inspired by the beauty of the village and its surroundings. Although a visit to the Pol Mara Museum is not for the physically unfit, as to experience the museum in its most splendid form, one is required to climb a spiral Renaissance staircase that leads to the top of the castle, where one can then begin a transfixing chronological tour of the life and work of this extraordinary painter.

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Being a maritime city, Marseille is perhaps best known for its legendary sailing events. Although despite the city’s exquisite harbour, where vessels of different shapes, sizes and value gently bob up and down on the translucent water all year round, a scene that is world-renowned for hosting some of the world’s most exclusive sailing events, Marseille also plays host to a myriad of cultural, colourful and candid festivals and carnivals.

The Festival of Marseille is one such event, which has been referred to as being a “reflection of the city’s soul.” What is particularly spectacular about this annual event it is focus on appealing to a multi-faceted miscellany of cultures.

The inimitable reputation that the Festival of Marseille has built up for itself over the years for being uninhibited by boundaries, for being undaunted by touching upon the controversial, and for exploring the most cutting edge in art, culture, theatre, music and dance.

This truly remarkable festival never fails to attract the most highly acclaimed of artists and performers to engross themselves in a remarkable cultural experience.

This year the Festival of Marseille is taking place from June 9 until July 7 and promises to as culturally diverse and mind-opening than ever.

A mosaic of exhibitions will line Marseille’s atmospheric streets, the rhythmic sounds of theatrical performances will emerge from of Marseille’s buildings, in which quirky-looking doors will lure visitors to stop what they are doing and go and take a look.

Visitors will also be drawn to Marseille’s squares which are rapidly swelling in numbers as people gather to catch site of the many “cine-concerts” that will be projected onto large, open-air screens.

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Lord Norman Foster is one of the world’s most pioneering, accredited and celebrated architects.

In 2013, the city of Marseille on France’s exquisite Cote d’Azur will become the European Capital of Culture and it has been announced that the British architect Norman Foster will be renovating Marseille’s port ahead of the city’s 2013 accolade.

From designing Monaco’s ultra-glamorous yacht club, to designing the World Port Centre in Rotterdam maritime architecture, Norman Foster is no stranger to maritime architecture.

But how exactly will the legendary British architecture transform Marseille’s 2,600 year old port?

Working in collaboration with the French landscape designer Michel Designer and Emmanuel Dujardin, reports are emerging that the three architectural geniuses plan to make Marseille’s port more accessible to tourists and residents by pedestrianizing several of the lanes that run along the waterfront where a new sandstone promenade will frame the shore.

Talking about the project in a press statement, Lord Foster said:

“I know the port….I want to make it better.”

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Talk about an art exhibition being held in inspirational surroundings! Until 15^th April this year, the work of six sculptors will be featured on the sides of the ski lifts on the Verdons slopes, one of the most famous ski locations in Courchevel.

This ‘art museum in the sky’ will feature a range of popular, modern and street art, displayed at an altitude of 2,320 metres.

Alongside the masterpieces of six great contemporary sculptors shown at various stations within this popular French ski resort, including the work of the famous ‘Doggy John’, the works of 20 contemporary artists will also be suspended in the air on the ski lifts.

The artistic geniuses of the likes of Alain Godon, Franck Tordjmann and Robert Mars are being complimented proficiently by a backdrop of unblemished snow quilted across a dramatic range of mountains.

While the Cote d’Azur has been given the title as being a playground for the rich and famous, Courchevel is known as being a ski resort for the world’s richest skiers.

French billionaire business magnate, Bernard Arnault, who, according to Forbes Magazine is the world’s forth richest person in Europe, with a 2011 net worth $41 billion, is a regular face at the Courchevel ski resort.

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