The Cote d’Azur, with its stunning natural landscapes, charmingly quaint fishing villages and dramatically luxurious cities, framed immaculately by the unique colours and characteristics of the Mediterranean Ocean, such as its laid-back and agreeable lifestyle, has long be an inspiration for many an artist.

In was during the 20^th century when this inimitable region of the Southern France really began to attract artists from around the world and became legendary for its association with Modern Art.

From Matisse, Picasso, Bonnard, Chagall and Renoir, many of the world’s finest painters found inspiration on this stretch of Mediterranean utopia, inspired by its special light and devotion for ‘living’.

As a consequence of being such a hub for 20^th century artists, there are numerous museums in the region fundamentally dedicated for displaying the spectacular creations of some of the world’s most influential artists.

The Musee Renoir, for example, in Cagnes Sur Mer, is situated within a park brimming with olive trees, which was one of Auguste Renoir’s most cherished loves.

The Renoir Musee features 11 original paintings from the Cagnes and Nacre periods, as well as hordes of Renoir’s old photos, sculptures, sketches and personal belongings.

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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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Photographers can travel the world but they will find it hard to match the unique and unrivalled beauty of the Cote d’Azur to showcase their talents.

With so many inspiring landmarks, eccentric and unusual discoveries and stunning natural beauty, swathed by an azure sky and sea, achieving inimitable and motivating photographs on this stretch of French coastline is attainable for even the most amateur of photographers.

In celebration of the Cote d’Azur’s perpetual capacity to enthuse photographers, the Chateau St Julien d’Aille is holding a photography workshop.

Named the ‘Scrapbook Event’, the workshop will enable photographers of all abilities to speak to and gain advice from professionals to help them make photographic scrapbooks with their own photos.

Alongside attending talks dedicated to helping photographers mount and display their work in a professional scrapbook, the event will include several wine tasting sessions, allowing photographers to sample the delicious local wine that is produced in the Cote d’Azur region.

Situated close to Vidauban on the Cote d’Azur, is the grand and impressive Chateau St Julien d’Aille, which, for centuries, has been tended by people whose passion in winemaking has been proven by the quality of the wine produced here.

In combining both modern and ancient winemaking techniques, the experience visitors to this stately chateau discover delves much deeper than simply tasting some of the most divine wine that France has to offer.

Being blessed with 80 hectares of vines surrounded by a swarm beautiful natural resources including holly oaks, pine trees, heather, thyme, junipers and pine trees, it isn’t difficult to envisage why the photography professionals that will be gracing the Chateau St Julien d’Aille with their presence decided to hold the Scrapbook Event at this truly inspirational venue.

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When visiting a new country, the best way to ensure that you have the most luxurious stay is to book yourself into a 5 star resort. However, you can now experience an even more exclusive getaway by renting your own village!

Rentavillage.com is now offering its wealthy clientele the opportunity to rent an entire town for around $60,000 a night. The whole village would be at your disposal, ready for you to spend your stay however you please.

You could rename the streets and squares, have your name or company logo carved into the snow on a mountain slope, or even change the currency for the duration of your visit.

The inhabitants of your chosen location earn a living from the village and local businesses and clubs also contribute to any events you organise on your trip, offering their expertise in areas such as catering and indoor/outdoor activities.

Karl Schwärzler of Xnet (the company that runs the rentavillage website) reports that this concept has become a firm favourite with large global organisations who want to go all out to impress their clients.

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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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