Geographically, our nearest neighbour is just a stone’s throw away yet many overlook the delights travelling in France has to offer.
Whether it’s the hustle and bustle of Paris or the quaint fishing ports on the Biscay coast, the rolling greenery of Normandy and Brittany or the warm, lush Provence region down in the south. There’s always something to be found that’ll provide a memorable trip and enrich your mind when travelling in France.
Awkward? Non!
Many think that a visit to France is awkward and involves complicated travel arrangements, but this really isn’t the case. There’s a huge choice of flights available from most of the UK regional airports as well as the main London hubs. Prices are surprisingly low and getting around really is a piece of cake, either using France’s superb railway systems or hiring a car and exploring off the beaten track. Of course there’s also the option to hop over on one of the many ferry or Channel Tunnel routes in your own car.
There are even more sedate ways to see the different regions on river cruises, meandering up or down France’s great rivers; the Seine, Marne, Garonne, Dordogne Marne, and Loire to name but a few. They’re a fantastic way of seeing rural France and having the chance to hop off onto local excursions at each stopping point. A few years ago while travelling in France we took a cruise from Paris up to the Champagne region. We really had a blast! Lots of great food, good wines and cheeses and lots to see and do.
La Plage
If you like the beach, there’s every point in the spectrum catered for. In the south west there’s glamorous Biarritz. And there’s the rugged Aquitaine coast with highlights such as the enormous Dunes du Pilat and the little market towns surrounding the tidal Bassin D’Arcachon. Outdoor activities abound and all ages are well catered for. On the Côte D’azur there are the fashionable resorts of St Tropez, Cannes and Antibes packed to the rafters with designer humans wearing matching designer gear. Have a look at some of the options on Ebooking .
The beautifully picturesque interior offers unrivalled scenery and enviable local culture. It has some of the best fine wine and haute cuisine synonymous with the French regions. The French Alps offer such spectacular walking and scenery year-round.
An Indulgence for the Senses
It’s famously criticised in the UK as an unwelcoming and expensive option. Our own experiences have proved the gossip so very wrong on so many occasions. Travelling in France is a real indulgence for the senses. It doesn’t cost a fortune and has left us with some of our nicest holiday memories.
We’ve done the lot, from campsites in Brittany, through river boats on the Seine and Marne. We’ve stayed at top class hotels in Paris and Nice and roadside motels en route to destinations further afield. It’s a much maligned destination that has the power to surprise.
What advice would we give? Well, firstly, make the effort with the language. It may not come out perfectly, but the locals will love you for trying. Secondly, and this is a stern word of warning, AVOID the infamous Aire d’Offekerque motorway services just outside Calais. Your olfactory system will experience permanent and unbearable damage if you do! It’ll thank you forever if you don’t!
Bon Voyage a tout!
