Steve Eubanks is a New York Times bestselling author and historian for the LPGA. 2024 ShareSave At the Airbnb in Carqueiranne our king bed’s actually two          mechanical singles scooched together entire bodies          butt-down birds inside plush porcelain cups or at the café accidentally order          half a dozen espressos I’m ashamed          to admit that for most of elementary school I wondered whenever witnessing the mom slathering biscuits          with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter          my husband screams for his flashlight the mid-century bedside table his father built for our home           Part of his body lives inside a city I’ve never explored My favorite poet studied classical piano at university opted instead to perform for the campus swim team she knocks           one fist against her cardigan pocket CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE TDN FOR FREE! Remember Ben with a gift to Thoroughbred aftercare Subscribe for FREE to the Daily PDF or the News Alerts Home » Archive » Top News Europe » Eight Declared For Europe's Juvenile Opener Fabrice Vermeulen saddles three of the eight entrants in the first European juvenile race of the year | Scoop Dyga Europe's first 2-year-old contest of the year Marseille-Borely's five-furlong Prix de Carqueiranne takes place Thursday morning and has attracted a final field of eight newcomers It features a trio hailing from the Fabrice Vermeulen yard including €10,000 Arqana September graduate Bad Boy (Fr) who will become the first representative of Haras de Saint-Vincent's freshman sire Fas (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) The February-foaled bay is a son of Listed Prix Caravelle third Queendara (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) herself a daughter of Listed Prix Occitanie victrix and G3 Prix de Royaumont placegetter Dance In The Park (Fr) (Walk In The Park {Ire}) a €23,000 4 1/2-furlong test for newcomers Pre-declaration entries include standard-bearers for first-season sires Calyx (GB) (Kingman {GB}) Inns Of Court (Ire) (Invicible Spirit {Ire}) and Palace Prince (Ger) (Areion {Ger}) with its usually informative opening five-furlong maiden for youngsters while Britain waits an extra week for Doncaster's £35,000 Apr victor and three-time Group 1 placegetter Persian Force (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts. Copy Article Link Editor / News Stories:editor@thetdn.com Advertising:advertising@thetdn.com Customer Service:customerservice@thetdn.com Click Here to sign up for a free subscription. FranceChevron Courtesy AirbnbSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links While we love Paris and dream of it frequently, there are many more places to visit in France beyond its capital city. Case in point: the South of France where travelers will find laid-back beach towns We've selected these listings based on Superhost status, ratings, amenities, location, decor, editor stays, and previous guest reviews. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Meredith Carey. 2 bathsTop amenities: Terrace with prime beach view 1 bathTop amenities: Heated saltwater pool 5.5 bathsTop amenities: Heated infinity pool 7.5 bathsTop amenities: Outdoor pool on manicured grounds This 18th-century house in Languedoc-Roussillon is charmingly appointed and full of character. It overlooks an enclosed courtyard, contains an infinity pool, and is shaded by a flowering trellis. With four bedrooms, prioritized comfort, and walking distance from anything and everything needed in Nîmes, this home is the perfect stay for a single family with older kids. This cozy Avignon townhouse is our pick for a cold-weather stay. Guests will find themselves surrounded by ornate fireplaces, flagstone floors, intricately framed mirrors, and antique furniture. The house has four bedrooms and sleeps up to eight. Nearby attractions in this ancient town include a sprawling indoor food market hawking fresh produce and local specialties, the medieval Pont d'Avignon, and bustling Place Crillon, perfect for people-watching. 3 bathsTop amenities: Garden with spa and heated pool up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time When Matt Giteau reflects on his decision to leave Australia after he missed selection in the Wallabies squad for the 2011 World Cup he admits the episode that centred on his publicised divide with then coach Robbie Deans does not paint a pretty picture But it is a measure of the man – and not just the player – that on the eve of playing for his French club in the Top 14 final in Paris on Sunday morning (Sydney time) that he raises his hand and takes account for his role in the bitter split Different man: Matt Giteau said he has grown as a person since leaving Australia.Credit: AFP Debate surrounding that departure was reignited last week when Englishman Jonny Wilkinson said of his Toulon teammate: "I don't quite know how a team ever let him go in Australia to come over here." Since joining Toulon from the Brumbies three years ago with a Test record of 92 caps has embraced French rugby and the French lifestyle "I've got the balance right with my family and everything," he says Rugby has its rightful place in my life." Leaving Australia – and the fallout with Deans even steers conversation to the key issue behind his exile – his omission from the 2011 Wallabies World Cup squad by Deans The way I portrayed myself was probably a bit childish and lacked a bit of maturity "I hadn't been in that situation throughout my whole career I reacted quite poorly and am a bit embarrassed about it But it could have been handled a little better [by the ARU]." Giteau credits his turnaround to the need to prove himself and earn respect at Toulon "I started from what I thought was the bottom here and just tried to improve and get the respect of the players and win things – that really humbled me," Giteau says "Having kids really puts rugby into perspective As for his strained relationship with Deans Giteau says: "We haven't spoken since." "I just think we just saw things differently I had been incredibly fortunate to have so many Wallabies coaches pick when I was out of form "I'm not sure [Deans] saw I had any value to add to the World Cup group." A major influence on Giteau at Toulon has been Wilkinson Saturday's Top 14 final will be Wilkinson's last in a 17-year career that includes 91 Tests for England and six for the British and Irish Lions Giteau is forever impressed by the standards Wilkinson sets for himself "Whether it is to play in a midweek team he trains and prepares intensely like no one I have ever seen," Giteau says "The fact he has played for as long as he has and prepared as hard as he has for every game really shows the strength of his character." As for Wilkinson’s post-match praise of him in Cardiff last weekend Giteau says he first heard of it from Toulon teammate and former Wallaby and Waratah Drew Mitchell "It's incredibly flattering coming from someone you respect as highly as I do Jonny," Giteau says "To gets some praise like that from him is incredibly humbling." Backing up: From Heineken Cup to Top 14 finals Giteau is relishing the idea of backing up from last week's Heineken Cup final for the Top 14 decider especially as the double eluded Toulon last year when Castres beat them for the French title "Titles don't come around as easy as that," Giteau says "Our biggest challenge is getting up physically and mentally "We are taking this game probably harder than Saracens with our history with Castres A team of champions can be a champion team Toulon are a star-studded club with players like Giteau But Giteau says that the secret to the Mourad Boudjellal-owned club's success is not just the highly paid star status of the club even though most of their international careers are over "You can't just buy a competition," Giteau says "The guys have come with the right attitude wanting to win and to give everything to improve and be better players Anyone who thinks they can come in and believe they are better than the next … it doesn't work "Everyone respects each other and are there to win." Giteau believes that playing for a town or city like Toulon rather than a state and/or national federation adds a sense of attachment for the foreign payers to local fans It also helps a player focus on their club and not be distracted by national selection you are playing with guys who have competed against in the national team," he says "Your focus can sometimes go off your province because you want to play well All we have to worry about from a rugby sense is to just perform the best I can for Toulon "It binds the guys tighter and you do become committed to the town and the region." Giteau is only eight Test caps shy of 100 and would readily make himself available to play for the Wallabies again But even were the ARU to change its policy of not selecting players based overseas should back the talent pool based in Australia Asked if he would like to play for the Wallabies again who will be off contract at Toulon next year Any opportunity you can get to play for your country "It is something I probably took for granted when I was in Australia you really realise how precious and important it was the talent they have now – the young guys coming through – is where the future of Australian rugby is." After watching the Wallabies win four of their five games in their European spring tour last year Giteau says: "They are tracking well and getting fluidity in their game "Everyone also understands their roles "If they can start where they left off they will be incredibly hard to beat this year." But it is a measure of the man \\u2013 and not just the player \\u2013 that on the eve of playing for his French club Debate surrounding that departure was reignited last week when Englishman Jonny Wilkinson said of his Toulon teammate: \\\"I don't quite know how a team ever let him go in Australia to come over here.\\\" \\\"I've got the balance right with my family and everything,\\\" he says Rugby has its rightful place in my life.\\\" Leaving Australia \\u2013 and the fallout with Deans even steers conversation to the key issue behind his exile \\u2013 his omission from the 2011 Wallabies World Cup squad by Deans \\\"I hadn't been in that situation throughout my whole career But it could have been handled a little better [by the ARU].\\\" \\\"I started from what I thought was the bottom here and just tried to improve and get the respect of the players and win things \\u2013 that really humbled me,\\\" Giteau says \\\"Having kids really puts rugby into perspective Giteau says: \\\"We haven't spoken since.\\\" \\\"I just think we just saw things differently \\\"I'm not sure [Deans] saw I had any value to add to the World Cup group.\\\" Wilkinson \\u2013 the legend and inspiration Saturday's Top 14 final will be Wilkinson's last in a 17-year career that includes 91 Tests for England and six for the British and Irish Lions \\\"Whether it is to play in a midweek team he trains and prepares intensely like no one I have ever seen,\\\" Giteau says \\\"The fact he has played for as long as he has really shows the strength of his character.\\\" As for Wilkinson\\u2019s post-match praise of him in Cardiff last weekend \\\"It's incredibly flattering coming from someone you respect as highly as I do Jonny,\\\" Giteau says \\\"To gets some praise like that from him is incredibly humbling.\\\" Giteau is relishing the idea of backing up from last week's Heineken Cup final for the Top 14 decider \\\"Titles don't come around as easy as that,\\\" Giteau says \\\"Our biggest challenge is getting up physically and mentally \\\"We are taking this game probably harder than Saracens with our history with Castres But Giteau says that the secret to the Mourad Boudjellal-owned club's success is not just the highly paid star status of the club \\\"You can't just buy a competition,\\\" Giteau says \\\"The guys have come with the right attitude Anyone who thinks they can come in and believe they are better than the next \\u2026 it doesn't work \\\"Everyone respects each other and are there to win.\\\" you are playing with guys who have competed against in the national team,\\\" he says \\\"Your focus can sometimes go off your province because you want to play well \\\"It binds the guys tighter and you do become committed to the town and the region.\\\" \\\"It is something I probably took for granted when I was in Australia the talent they have now \\u2013 the young guys coming through \\u2013 is where the future of Australian rugby is.\\\" Giteau says: \\\"They are tracking well and getting fluidity in their game they will be incredibly hard to beat this year.\\\" We recently reported on the sensational move of NRL star Sonny Bill Williams to Toulon in France culminating in a NSW Court order from the NRL to stop him from playing Williams made his debut for the newly promoted Top 14 team yesterday Williams displayed the star factor thats been associated with his career since he was a teenager Thousands turned out to watch him strut his stuff in the pre-season friendly against Carqueiranne-Hyeres but he himself received a yellow card for a shoulder charge that is most definitely not part of the Union code His victim afterwards described the hit as it being like an electrocution Williams will adjust to the laws quickly though and with the glimpses of brilliance he showed while playing on the wing – one handed offloads and basketball like skills – he is sure to be a superstar in France Off the field though he faces his biggest challenge as walking out on his contract with the Bulldogs two weeks ago has put him in the spotlight with the NRL lawyers and top dogs out to make things right which could actually mean he’ll face jail time if he continues to play in defiance of the NSW Supreme Court injunction NRL boss David Gallop said they have “no choice” but to continue the legal pursuit of the Bulldog when Toulon meet Toulouse for a friendly on Friday night they will be forced to take things further Williams is not only flirting with a jail term for contempt of court “It’s one thing not to comply with an obligation you have in a contract it’s another thing altogether to defy an order of the court,” NRL lawyer Tony O’Reilly stated To avoid being personally served with the injunction before kick-off but received a huge ovation from the crowd Speaking to a Sydney newspaper he said he’s prepared to go to jail for what he believes in it’s shown it’s just not about me it’s about the boys getting a fair go “It’s about them having the balls to stand up for themselves “I just want to see the game and the players looked after the way they should be because the crowds don’t turn up to watch David Gallop play… they turn up to watch the players play “Hopefully some good can come out of what I’ve done and it wakes everybody up and they realise that something needs to be done.” Sonny Bill Williams leaves the Bulldogs & League, goes to Toulon Sonny Bill Williams highlights Former Wallabies loose forward Lopeti Timani is among 10 new caps in the Tonga rugby squad for the upcoming tour of the Northern Hemisphere Forty players based in 10 countries have been selected for the upcoming matches against Scotland although Tonga Rugby Union CEO Peter Harding says not all players will be available for every game The other new faces up front include former Hurricanes prop Loni Uhila who is now with Hyères-Carqueiranne in the French third tier former Australian schoolboys hooker Maile Ngauamo and Grenoble utility forward Tanginoa Halaifonua former Melbourne Rebels squad member Navarre Haisila Pau centre Vaea Vaea and Stade Francais flyer Atunaisa Manu are all poised to make their test debut with Covid-19 travel restrictions making it difficult to include players from Australia and New Zealand Peter Harding said 'Ikale Tahi head coach Toutai Kefu and manager Lano Fonua "have done a great job putting this squad together" under difficult circumstances the Scotland game is outside the international rugby regulation nine release window This has taken some negotiation with clubs undertaken by Toutai and Lano and this has to this date been successful," he said "Clubs have been good to deal with and I want to thank the French Rugby Federation for their assistance." Tonga coach Toutai Kefu was fully involved in the selection of the touring squad but will not travel to Europe with the team as he continues his recovery from a violent home invasion in August Lopeti Timani and Afusipa Taumoepeau became eligible for the 'Ikale Tahi after representing Tonga at the Olympic sevens qualifying tournament in June Former All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa also switched his international allegience to Tonga at the same event but the Wasps star was unavailable for selection after suffering a serious shoulder injury in the English Premiership The squad is due to assemble in Edinburgh next weekend ahead of their opening test against Scotland on 30 October Pacific RSS Follow RNZ News Published: Invalid Date A RUGBY legend who won 40 caps playing for England is now a wine merchant - but he remember games like they were yesterday Former England and British and Irish Lions loosehead prop Andrew Sheridan, 43, retired from rugby on medical grounds in 2014 The ex-Toulon forward, who started the 2007 World Cup final against South Africa in Paris Sheridan has swapped destructive scrummaging for a knowledge of grape varieties The Bromley-born man, who bench pressed 225kg at his peak, took his Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) exams Sheridan completed his "GSCE" (Level 2) and "A Level" (Level 3) while still playing at Sale Sharks and RC Toulonnais Sheridan has now settled into life in the quiet fishing port of Carqueiranne in the south of France "I'm not currently involved in any rugby in particular," he told WalesOnline. "I did my wine exams when I finished playing so I do the odd wine event from time to time. Sheridan first became interested in wine when his uncle brought "very good and interesting wines to lunch at my parents' house" "However, my interest really increased when I was living in the Manchester area and enthusiastic local wine merchants suggested new wine varieties and styles to me," he told WSET "I started to broaden my tastes and explore wines from outside my comfort zone and with this came a thirst for a greater understanding of wine and all the factors that account for its differences." Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/