When considering a trip to France, it feels like hopping on the Eurostar to Paris is on everyone’s itinerary; once travel restrictions are lifted and the country switches from amber to green, of course.
But do you really want to be treading the same path as so many other holidaying Brits, particularly when keeping a little distance is de rigueur right now.
Sure, a trip under the Channel and into France’s capital is convenient, but beyond strolling the elegant Parisian boulevards and taking a seat in a Michelin-starred temple of gastronomy, the country has so much to offer, particularly if you enjoy being on the move.
If you’re keen to experience French culture, cuisine and the countryside, then what better way to do it than in motion? From hikes and bikes to barges, here are 5 fantastic travelling holidays in France.
PILGRIMAGE TO MONT SAINT MICHEL ABBEY
Situated off the Normandy coastline on a rocky islet and only accessible on foot, the Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel is a must-visit for anyone keen to explore a different side of France.
This magnificent medieval monastery and its surrounding bay have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the abbey is one of France’s most revered cultural locales.
Covering more than 7 acres of land, the abbey was once a popular pilgrimage destination, receiving visitors from all over mainland Europe and England keen to have their sins absolved. Regardless of your charge sheet on that count, you can still make the pilgrimage today, with routes beginning from different starting points in France, such as Rouen, Paris and Tours, as well as from Italy and Germany. Pilgrims walk these routes by foot to honour the centuries-old tradition with ten hiking trails in total carved out, each of which will take several days (or even weeks!) to complete.
The Monastic Communities of Jerusalem perform religious songs to receive the pilgrims at the abbey, welcoming those who have made the arduous (though breathtaking) trek. As a treat, you can book a special horse-drawn carriage (a maringote) to take you around the monastery, should your feet be bruised and blistered by the time of your arrival.
RIDE A BIKE AROUND BORDEAUX
Bordeaux is perhaps the most picturesque city in France, with the surrounding wine region revered globally as being the finest producer of premium plonk. With the city itself relatively flat and replete with cycle lanes, and the nearby vineyards a bike ride away, this is one of the best places in France to explore on two wheels.
The majority of Bordeaux’s main cultural landmarks, including Bordeaux Cathedral, the Basilica of St. Michael and Place Royale, the huge central square, are all accessible by bike. If you do dismount, don’t forget to visit Sainte-Catherine, Europe’s longest pedestrian street for a leisurely shopping experience.
Should you be keen to leave the city and explore the countryside, the Roger Lapebie bike path from Bordeaux to Sauveterre-de-Guyenne is a 60km scenic stretch of well signposted, straightforward cycling, complete with stunning views at every turn. Alternatively, you cycle in the opposite direction, heading west to the coastal town of Lacanau, which is supported by a 60km off road path.
Alternatively, you could enjoy a dedicated cycling tour of Bordeauux’s vineyards, taking in Cadillac, Saint Emilion and Blaye in a single day. Just don’t enjoy too much of the fine wine along the way if you intend to make it back in one piece!
TAKE A BARGE HOLIDAY
If you’d like to embrace this spirit of being on the move but also kick back while you’re doing it, then why not enjoy one of the many luxury barge holidays that France has to offer?
On a barge experience, you will visit some of the country’s most beautiful canals, rivers and countryside, negotiating France at a refined, regal pace and enjoying the place at its most serene. What’s more, tackling the country’s canals allows you to take things at your own pace, as most luxury barges are self-drive.
In fact, France has over 8’000 km of canal, meaning you’ll be spoiled for choice if this is the kind of trip which gets your slow-revving diesel engine purring. Some of the top canals to cruise along in the idyllic French countryside include the Canal de Bourgogne in the illustrious wine region of Burgundy, the Canal du Nivernais which takes in the Yonne River, and the Canal de la Marne au Rhin, which allows you to traverse the River Marne in Vitry-le-François with the River Rhine in Strasbourg.
DRIVING THE FRENCH RIVIERA
Whilst many choose to experience the world famous French Riviera on a yacht or sailing boat, the Mediterrenean coast of Southeastern France is perhaps even more spectacular when driven, its winding roads offering scenic vistas, charming villages and world class eateries.
Away from the more cliched Cannes, Saint Tropez and Monaco, there are some less flashy, more fashionable stops. Rather than keep you from setting off on your journey, we’ll redirect you here, to our 4 luxury holiday ideas in Alpes-Maritimes, Southern France.
GO SKIING (OR JUST ENJOY THE ATMOSPHERE) IN THE FRENCH ALPS
Or, how about exploring the French countryside on two skis? The French Alps are mountain ranges located in the regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, boasting luxury ski resorts and cosy châteaux.
There are many legendary ski resorts situated in the French Alps, including Chamonix-Mont Blanc, Val d’Isère, Les Trois Vallées and Courchevel. Did you know the first time snowboarding featured in the Winter Olympics it was held at Chamonix-Mont Blanc? If you prefer to snowboard or even sledge, these mountain peaks have been a home for many other winter sport challenges over the years.
Or, if you’d rather take things at a more leisurely pace, why not explore one of our favourite destinations for enjoying the atmosphere of the French Alps without skiing, with these 7 things to do in Méribel that don’t involve skiing.