France is a very popular destination for holiday makers from the UK. Whether you want a relaxing week on a golden beach, a city break, or somewhere that will delight the kids, France has it all, and it is all within easy travelling distance of home. Here is a guide to the top destinations for a French holiday.
A Week in France – Where to Go?
A week in France makes a wonderful break and it is enough time to really start getting to know the country. If you are looking for a week in the sun, then the French Riviera in the southeast of the country offers a huge selection of beautiful beaches and interesting towns to visit. Fly from London to Nice in just 2hrs 15 minutes to enjoy some beautiful weather for the week.
Nice
If you do not want to travel too far from the airport, then stay in Nice. Nestled on the Promenade des Anglais, Nice offers seven miles of beautiful coastline and some of the best scenery and panoramic views in the whole of France. It has a great selection of beaches such as Villefranche sur Mer and Coco Beach. People also love the chic Castel beach whereas families will enjoy the atmosphere of the Ruhl beach.
Take a walk around the old town while you are there. It is famous for its cobbled streets and quaint architecture and is home to some fantastic shops. Nice boasts some lively nightlife with plenty of bars and restaurants where you can sample some of the magnificent French cuisine and drink local wine until late into the night.
Cote D’Azur
The Cote D’Azur stretches from the picturesque town of St Tropez to the Italian border. This area boasts over three hundred days of sunshine per year miles of golden sand to enjoy it on. If you get too hot, then take a dip in the warm turquoise sea. There is plenty to enjoy if you are looking for a beach holiday in this area.
Take a walk around the many pretty harbours in this region and stop for a coffee in one of the bars or cafes to take a break or people watch. There are many Medieval towns and villages to explore too so you will find plenty of sightseeing opportunities.
Monaco
Motor racing enthusiasts will love Monaco where for a few days of each year the roads are closed to form one of the most famous Grand Prix circuits in the world. Outside of Grand Prix week, this is where the rich and famous come to party. You will find plenty of Michelin starred restaurants and designer shops in the town and super yachts line the harbour. Monaco is famous for its casino where billionaires can win and lose a fortune in hours, and it is well worth visiting, if only to admire the stunning architecture.
Cannes
Cannes is full of beautiful beaches and has a great selection of stunning seafood restaurants. It is famous for its Film Festival where, every spring, the great and the good of the cinema industry descend of the town for twelve days. You may not be able to get a ticket to the events themselves, but it is a fantastic place to spot the stars. Other festivals include the food festival, advertising festival and yachting festival. There is always something to see in this lively resort.
Cheap Holidays in Whit Week
If you are looking for a cheap holiday in Whit week then Northern France is an ideal destination. It is easy to get to by boat and the Dover-Calais ferry crossing takes 1.5 hours. You can take your car on the ferry which will save you the cost of hiring a car once you have reached your destination. Opt for a self-catering holiday and take enough food with you to last a week. That way you don’t have to factor in the cost of eating out which will reduce the cost of your holiday further. You can also make use of the hypermarkets in Northern France for last minute essentials or if you have forgotten to pack anything. These are plentiful and low cost, and it’s easy to navigate your way around them.
Normandy
Normandy is often described as being ‘the Devon of Northern France.’ It is less than three hours’ drive away from the port of Calais and it is a beautiful region with lots of green farmland. It has miles of coastline surrounded by low dunes; however, the weather is similar to that of the UK so don’t go there expecting year-round sunshine.
This is an area that is rich in cultural heritage so there is plenty to see and do if you want to go exploring. Visit the Bayeux Tapestry that depicts scenes form the Battle of Hastings or see the cathedrals in Rouen or Coutances.
Brittany
Drive along the coast of northern France to the west and you will find the region of Brittany. This area is famous for its beaches and you can find a resort to cater to every taste. Larger towns are situated here as well as family resorts and idyllic rural beaches too. Take your pick for your perfect holiday or explore a new beach every day.
Brittany has a large cultural heritage, and the Breton language is spoken proudly. The area has strong Celtic ties and there are many festivals that celebrate music and dance. For a wonderful northern French holiday in Brittany stay in Dinard, Vitre or St Malo.
Two Weeks Holiday
If you have more time to explore the country, then a multi-centre holiday is an attractive possibility. Either take your own car or hire one to make the most of the time you have available. Although France is a large country, if you choose the areas you want to visit carefully, you will not spend too much time travelling and you will have more time to take in the sights or enjoy the sunshine.
Marseille
If you are travelling to southern France and do not want to spend all your time soaking up the sun, then combine a trip to the French Riviera with a few nights stay in Marseille. This is the second largest city in France and is about a 2-hour drive away from the French Riviera. This is a vibrant city with an interesting blend of African and French culture. It has some wonderful beaches and fascinating architecture to explore.
This area is well known for its fantastic Mediterranean cuisine. Take a trip down to the harbour to experience the culinary delights of some of the best restaurants in the city.
Paris
No visit to France would be complete without a trip to Paris. This is the capital city of France and one of the most chic and cosmopolitan cities in the whole of Europe. Take a stroll along the Seine as the sun comes up and then stop for breakfast croissants in one of the many pavement cafes that the city has to offer.
For the best view of the area, climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower, one of the most fascinating buildings in France. Visit the Louvre to see some stunning works of art, including Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Shop until you drop on the Champs Elysees before taking a rest at one of the many points around the Arc De Triumph. Paris is a beautiful city to explore and can be combined with a trip to Northern France as Calais is only a three-hour drive away. Choose whether to take a day trip to the city or book a longer stay to make sure you don’t miss any of the sights.
Euro Disney
If you are travelling with children or are a big kid yourself, Euro Disney is well worth a short stay if you have time on your hands. You can opt to stay in the resort itself as there are plenty of hotels and self-catering options available or you can stay in the surrounding area if you would prefer to. If you are trying to keep the costs down, then you could choose to stay on a local campsite. Most of these are family friendly and offer all the amenities you will need for your stay.
Euro Disney is easy to get to from northern France as it is only about a 2.5-hour drive depending on the traffic. It is situated 20 miles outside Paris, making it easy for you to choose a location that is situated in the region and then visit both places while you are staying in the country.
How Do You Say Next Week in French?
“La semaine prochaine”. Now that you have read about some of the lovely locations France has to offer, you will want to book your trip as soon as possible. The only difficulty will be in deciding what region of this beautiful country you want to visit first. See you next week perhaps, or at least in the summer holidays!