As the rest of the pack dawdled, the breakaway attained a maximum lead of more than 13 minutes past vineyards and picture-postcard villages of red-roofed houses.

From the looks of Maison de Lèves, her country house in this picture-postcard village a few miles from her hometown, Chartres, she also had no problem with half-finished paint jobs.

Time seems to have stood still at this enchanting picture-postcard village.

I've always wanted to visit those picture-postcard villages but without the coaches, and those riverside greens will look even more resplendent when crowned by a gold-leafed oak.

Undeniably beautiful, quintessentially English and beloved by tourists and locals alike, the lush rolling hills and picture-postcard villages of the Cotswolds are one of the country's most popular spots.

A real picture-postcard village.

A picture-postcard village of quaint cottages, several with thatched roofs, sprawled into the distance along both sides of a winding road.

It is a quaint, picture-postcard village full of kitschy cottages, with narrow, tree-lined streets crammed with expensive restaurants, art galleries, and craft shops.

Cornwall is actually the poorest county in England, despite the picture-postcard villages and the affluence of the second home owners.

Today the region is popular with tourists with attractions such as Blackgang Chine, Isle of Wight Pearl and the picture-postcard villages.