2007 sees France playing host to the 6th Rugby World Cup which runs from 7th September 20th October. Twenty nations will be competing in 48 matches over 44 days and all but six will be played in ten French cities, the remainder being played in Cardiff and Edinburgh. The tournament is one of the largest sporting fixtures in the world and will be watched by millions in the UK since England's success in 2003.

If your other half is not a rugby fan you may well think that your suggestion of a trip to see the action in France won't be well received. However, many of the matches conveniently take place in cities which are attractive in themselves and which are within easy driving distance of areas which would be ideal for a family holiday.

Nantes

For those who prefer culture to rugby, Nantes is a vibrant city with various museums, Romanesque churches and a distinctly Breton feel.

The Loire-Atlantique has a good variety of beaches, from long sandy stretches to secluded rocky coves. You could rent this apartment in La Baule, a sophisticated resort with much more of the feel of a resort on the Med. If you want something a bit more traditional you might like this property only 35 mins from La Rochelle, a bustling seaside resort with something for every member of the family.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is an attractive city with pedestrianised boulevards and a beautiful historic centre.

There are plenty of beaches in the area from the family-friendly ones at Montalivet, Soulac and Lacanau (with two very nice rental properties on our website) to the massive dunes of Arcachon bordered by pine forests. There are also several amusement parks if your kids tire of the beach, and a visit to Aqualand is always fun. There are opportunities for all sorts of water-sports along the coast and of course it goes without saying that the region is excellent for wine tasting.

Toulouse

Toulouse has a real buzz to it with a good café and bar scene as well as narrow medieval streets, churches, cathedrals and museums.

Having had your adrenalin-charged fix of rugby you will find that in whichever direction you head from Toulouse you have an abundance of choice for a chilled antidote: beautiful countryside, little medieval hill towns and beaches on the Med or the Atlantic. My personal choice would be to rent any of several Perpignan properties where you could be forgiven for thinking you were in Spain. Often called French Catalonia it offers all the ingredients for a good holiday.

Montpelier

Montpelier is a pleasant city with students making up a quarter of its population. It has an attractive old quarter with some beautiful old mansions, pavement cafés and street entertainers.

From Montpelier there is a good choice of beaches as well as the under populated and rugged Garrigue to the north. Rentals France features many properties in the area from a Provençal-style villa to a house in the foothills of the Corbières Mountains but only ten minutes from the coast. If you rent near La Grande Motte you will find lots to keep everyone entertained but you may find the beach crowded and a little soulless, so try the tranquil Plage des Aresquiers.

Even if you are unable to get tickets for the rugby, there will be giant screens in town squares and with the French passion for the game the atmosphere is bound to be electric.