France

Fashion and the French capital have always gone hand in hand but nowhere so prominently than the city's Musee de la Mode et Du Textile.Housed in Paris' famous Palais Galiera, the museum hosts regular exhibitions alongside its longstanding displays.The collection includes some 16,000 costumes, 35,000 fashion accessories and 30,000 pieces of textile making it one of the most comprehensive clothes museums in the world.Exhibits date from the flamboyant Regency period to modern day masterpieces and are constantly bolstered by donations from private collectors, manufacturers or designers.The latter and their work also make up their own section of the museum, with catwalk innovators such as Paul Poiret, Madeleine Vionnet, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Christian Dior all catalogued.The life and works of French fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent are also charted. The revered couturier died on June 1st 2008.

It might be unusual to recommend a town with spitting locals as a holiday destination, but Sainte-Livrade-sur-Lot is definitely a sight to behold this summer.Nestled in the region of Aquitaine in beautiful south-west France, the agricultural village is a desirable getaway for those hoping to experience a traditional French way of life away from the bustle of large metropolises.At no time is this heritage more overtly shown than July, when the 6,500 inhabitants gather in the centre to toast their prune-growing prowess in bizarre fashion.Approximately 100 participants take part in a competition to determine how far they can spit the fruit stones, with a prize awarded for the most impressive distance.As well as prune games, July 28th offers the more traditional aspects of a festival with music, dancing and frenzied feasting.Aquitaine, which in the Middle Ages formed its own kingdom, is sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and Pyrenees mountain range.

Gerberoy, a picturesque area in the North of France, is famed for its annual festival of roses.Once known as a scene of battles, it is now a serene hideaway strewn with the beautiful flowers thanks to the work of post-impressionist Henri Le Sidaner.The artist brought the once sleeping village to life at the beginning of the 20th century by planting at least one rose bush in front of each house. In 1928, Le Sidaner organised the rose festival, which occurs annually to this day.Every June, the residents of Gerberoy welcome visitors to partake in the festivities which include plant stalls, street entertainment and folk dancing.The 'village of roses' has just over 100 inhabitants and guests will be captivated by its charm, with beautiful architecture, stunning flowers and little sign of unsightly modern additions such as electricity wires or billboards.Mayor Marina Rophe describes the area, ranked among the top 100 most beautiful villages in France, as "untouched by time".

Luckily not a shrine to the celebrated authors' reported misogynistic views, men and women are welcome in this tribute to Ernest Hemingway in the Paris Ritz.This is allegedly where the writer of A Farewell to Arms sat during the liberation of Paris in 1944.In tribute to its most famous guest, the intimate bar now holds Hemingway memorabilia as well as homages to other writers including Proust.The sumptuous bar is cosy and unpretentious, although drinks are a little on the pricy side.As the most famous hotel bar in the French capital, diverse crowds soak up the laid-back atmosphere while sipping on delicious drinks, including a champagne cocktail adorned with a fresh orchid.Visitors should also remember to visit the powder rooms, which are noted as among the best in the world, complete with impressive octagonal mirrors.Other notable hotel bars in Paris include Fontainebleau at Le Meurice, bar Montaigne at Plaza Athenee and Jaipur Bar at Hotel Vernet.