On the 14th of July, France will be alive with dancing and fireworks as the country celebrates Bastille Day. Now a national holiday, Bastille Day, commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789, a day when Parisian revolutionaries attacked this royal fortress, releasing its prisoners and symbolising an end to the tyranny of the Bourbon monarchs. Celebrations will take place countrywide but centre around a spectacular traditional military parade on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, where soldiers from 27 countries in Europe, India, and fourteen African countries join together to mark their independence.
Taking a holiday to France this summer is a great way to learn about the Bastille Day celebrations and soak up more of this country’s fascinating history and culture. Below, we share five fantastic French trips that do just that and are perfect for a late summer getaway! But be quick; places are filling up fast!
Discover some of France’s most magnificent châteaux, including Château d’Amboise, Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau, as you take a relaxed meander through peaceful hamlets, sunflower fields and regal towns on our Châteaux of the Loire Walk.
As you follow the easy paths along the Loire and Cher rivers, there are multiple opportunities for wine tasting. Stop in picturesque Cheverny to explore the region’s largest art collection and take time in Amboise, Leonardo da Vinci’s last home, now a museum displaying some of his original work.
Starting in St. Malo, you’ll have the opportunity to explore this charming naval port town with its cobbled streets and historic stone buildings. Then beginning our St Malo to Mont St Michel Cycling trip, you’ll take in Brittany’s dramatic, unspoilt coastline with its pink granite cliffs, wild white beaches and hidden coves. Take time to pause in the traditional fishing villages and sample the region’s signature dish: the seafood platter, the freshest you’ll ever try, paired beautifully with a cold Breton cider.
Following the tranquil Rance Valley, you’ll pass through enchanting towns, such as Dinan, with its 13th-century castle, Gothic basilica and wonderfully restored ancient square. Finally, your destination, the UNESCO site of Mont St Michel, will appear in the distance. A magnificent abbey, incredibly perched at the top of a rocky island and surrounded by an expansive, beautiful bay; the view is mesmerising!
Our Dordogne Activities trip offers great flexibility, whether you wish to explore this region by canoe, bike or foot. With a lesson provided first, canoeing is a safe and undemanding experience, allowing you to journey at ease through the Perigord Noir region with its pinky-gold cliffs and chestnut forests, where buzzards and kites swoop overhead.
The medieval villages are rich in historical sites, including the Benedictine Abbaye Sainte-Marie in Souillac, founded during the 12th century, and the hilltop castle at Beynac, captured by Richard the Lionheart in 1179. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Gouffre de Padirac too, where you can descend a mighty chasm down to a spectacular underground cave system, explored by boat.
Nestled between the Vosges Mountains of France and the River Rhine, bordering Germany, Alsace offers a fascinating mix of history, culture and cuisine. Discover its traditional local dishes, such as ‘baeckeoffe’ (a casserole of lamb or beef with potatoes, onions, white wine and juniper berries) or ‘tarte flambee’, resembling a pizza, topped with creme fraiche, onions and lardons. And with several Grand Crus vineyards in the area, be sure to stop in at least one of the villages to sample the Alsatian white wine.
The walking route on our Villages & Vineyards of Alsace takes in the romantic town of Colmar, with its canals and half-timbered houses. You’ll also discover the medieval village of Ribeauville, dominated by three châteaux, and also the stunning panoramic views of the Black Forest and Vosges mountains, where the Châteauxu of Haut Koenigsbourg perches impressively on one of its summits.
Bordeaux is world-renowned for its wine regions: Blaye, Margaux, Saint-Emilion, ‘Entre deux mer’. On our Cycling the Grand Crus Of Bordeaux, you’ll have the opportunity to sample many of them, the reds, the dry, sweet or sparkling whites and the roses, and learn more about the diversity of these remarkable wine-growing districts.
This region is filled with historical sites too. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the medieval town of St Emilion holds many intriguing stories dating back as far as 750. As you follow the cycling paths, you’ll also discover the medieval châteaux in Rauzan, the 17th-century citadel in Blaye and the defensive system of Fort Médoc.
As France celebrates Bastille Day, let’s celebrate France for all its exceptional cuisine, culture and history. Our trips that offer a closer look at this charismatic country are hugely popular and selling out fast. Don’t miss your chance for a late summer break in France; get in touch with our Headwater specialists now to book your spot!
