Paris is breaking new ground by holding many of the Olympic Games 2024 events around and inside some of the city’s most iconic sites, including the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais, the Château de Versailles, Trocadéro and Butte de Montmartre among others. This allows visitors the opportunity to see some of the world’s top athletes go for gold against the backdrop of the city’s legendary venues, without having to purchase a ticket. However, sadly this also means there will be road closures, train disruptions and large crowds descending on the streets of Paris this summer making it difficult to experience the City of Love at its best. Luckily for us, there are plenty of other idyllic regions across the country to explore on a Headwater holiday. Below we’ve shared our top five places that will undoubtedly spark your wanderlust in France.
Located around 170km southeast of the French mainland, Corsica has captured the hearts of travellers for centuries, with its turquoise-fringed coves, charming hilltop villages and scrumptious Corsican delicacies. And on our North Corsican Wonders Coast and Mountains, you’ll spend a delightful week exploring the island’s most enchanting sites.
Your holiday begins in the beautiful old port of Bastia, where you’ll have time to wander through the Old Town and see the imposing 16th-century Bastia Citadel fortress and the Baroque Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral. After making your way along the coastal path to Punta Vecchiaia on day three, you’ll arrive in the seaside town of St Florent, where you could make a pit stop in the region’s local wineries such as Domaine Gentile or Domaine Orenga de Gaffory to enjoy glasses of Niellucciu and Vermentinu. We’d also recommend visiting the medieval Genoese citadel, for breathtaking views of the coast and surrounding countryside. The Romanesque church of Santa Maria Assunta is also particularly beautiful.
Aside from Corsica’s wonderful seaside towns, you’ll also have the chance to immerse yourself in the island’s natural wonders. On day four, you can explore the Agriates Desert. Here, you’ll find rocky plateaus, rugged cliffs sides and fragrant maquis scrubland, which grow local herbs including thyme, juniper and myrtle. However, the most impressive thing about this region is the secluded beaches, like Lotus Beach, where you’ll find crystal clear waters and powdery white sands. Close by is the picturesque seaside town of Île-Rousse. Follow the bougainvillea-draped streets to the Baroque-style church of Chapelle de la Miséricorde or head closer to the beach to see the Phare de la Pietra, the region’s remarkable Genoese lighthouse. Your trip comes to a close in Calvi, where you can visit the 15th-century Citadel of Calvi and soak up the sun on the town’s main beach, Plage de Calvi.
Another idyllic region to visit this summer, instead of Paris, is Bordeaux situated in southwestern France along the Garonne River. Boasting charming medieval towns, rolling hills and picture-perfect vineyards, you’ll find that Bordeaux is also one of the country’s culinary havens. Gastronomy is deeply rooted in Bordeaux’s art de vivre, thanks to the region’s proximity to Arcachon Bay and the Gironde estuary which influences their local cuisine, such as their well-loved Huîtres d’Arcachon and Lamproie à la Bordelaise. From local food markets and family-run bistros to high-end fine dining, there’s plenty to explore, and our Cycling the Grand Crus of Bordeaux holiday ensures you savour some of the region’s best dishes while taking in the beautiful landscapes and historic landmarks.
This six-day trip begins in the city of Bordeaux, where you can spend time admiring its architecture, including the 18th-century Place de la Bourse, the Gothic Saint-André Cathedral and the monuments in the Place des Quinconces, one of the largest plazas in Europe. The following day, you’ll start with a gentle cycle past the Entre-deux Mers vineyards where you’ll ride towards the village of Saint-Emilion, and on to the Cotes de Blaye vineyards, where you could stop for a local wine tasting. Next, you’ll cross the Gironde River and visit the 17th-century Fort Médoc, before discovering the quiet lanes of the Bordeaux Wine Route in Médoc.
While the Pyrenees mountains have been used as a vital passage between France and Spain for the past millennia, it was only at the turn of the 19th century that this region became a popular hiking destination. The opening of long-distance routes like the GR10 and GR11 gave opportunities for curious hikers who wanted to explore more remote corners of the Pyrenees. The Pyrenees even connects one of the world’s most ancient pilgrimage routes – the Camino de Santiago, so this region also holds spiritual significance for many who traverse these trails.
On our Basque Country: From the Mountains to the Ocean, you’ll follow in the footsteps of shepherds, pilgrims, iron miners and other curious travellers as you hike from St Jean Pied de Port along the GR10 long-distance route. Passing rugged peaks and lush valleys, you’ll walk through quaint mountain villages like Bidarray and Itxassou, where you’ll see charming stone houses and modest restaurants serving delicious dishes including pintxos and Alubias de Tolosa (hearty pork stew). A climb to the summit of Mondarrain, the following day, offers breathtaking views of Basque Country and out towards the Atlantic Ocean. Afterwards, you can follow the GR8 past ancient fortifications and the authentic Basque village of Sare, known for its white houses, with red and green timbering. On the final day, you can hike up to the panoramic summit of La Rhune before making the descent towards the village of Ascain, where you’ll get a short transfer to the picturesque fishing port of St Jean de Luz.
The Alsace region is nothing short of a fairy tale. Its charming villages filled with half-timbered houses, rolling vineyards, forests and picturesque countryside make for an enchanting summer holiday, away from the Olympic crowds on the streets of Paris – and our Villages and Vineyards of Alsace trip ensures you see the best parts of this captivating region.
This relaxing 7-day holiday begins in picture-perfect Colmar. Here, you’ll have the chance to visit the Place de L’Ancienne Douane, the Tanners’ Quarter and the wonderfully scenic Fishmongers’ Quarter, where you can stop for a tarte flambée along the canals and watch the flat-bottomed boats float by. Next, you’ll pass through Turckheim and the fortified town of Kayserberg on your way to Riquewihr, to wander past its colourful Dolder Tower and explore the quaint shops in Vieille Ville, the medieval Old Town. After a visit to the incredible Chateau of Haut-Koenigsbourg, which houses an impressive collection of Middle Age weaponry, you’ll explore the Castle of Ramstein and Ortenbourg castle the following day before ending Itterswiller a beautiful wine village on the ‘Route des Vins’. You’ll end this trip by exploring The Grands Crus wine villages.
Located in southwestern France, Dordogne’s history traces back to prehistoric times, with fascinating sites, including the Lascaux Caves, that house Palaeolithic paintings which date back over 17,000 years. This region’s landscape is characterised by meandering rivers, towering pink limestone cliffs and riverside medieval villages, creating a beautiful backdrop that’s best admired from the water. So, we’ve aimed to include two days of canoeing on our Dordogne Activities holiday.
This journey through the Dordogne starts in the ancient town of Rocamadour. When you’re here, you should wander through its medieval alleyways towards visit Chapelle Notre-Dame. Inside the chapel, you can find the Black Madonna, a revered statue of the Virgin Mary cradling Jesus. Legend has it, that this Madonna has miraculous powers after saving the monastery from a Swedish invasion and siege in 1655, and today draws pilgrims from across the world. Just outside the village, you can walk to the Grotte des Merveilles, a prehistoric cave with intricate rock formations and ancient cave paintings. On day four, you will have the first canoeing lesson that begins in Meyronne and takes you past the Chateaux of Belcastel towards Souillac.
In Souillac, you can explore the famous Musée de l’Automate, which showcases the largest collection of dolls and mechanical toys in the country. There’s also the 12th-century Abbey Sainte-Marie and the ruins of Château de Souillac to admire. A cycle to the spectacular Cathar stronghold, Chateau de Fenelon, is another great way to spend the afternoon. On day six, you’ll get back to gentle paddling in the canoe down to Grolejac and towards the charming village of Saint-Vincent-de-Cosse where this holiday comes to an end.
If this has inspired you to visit France this summer, take a look at our wonderful walking and cycling itineraries here.
