Vacances

Que faire en France cet été?

By Louise Catier
12/05/2008

Whether you want to have some rest this summer, prefer trying new adventurous activities, or feel like discovering more of the incredibly diversified French culture, you’ll hopefully find in this article some ideas to enjoy your time in France this summer.
Immerse in French Culture:
Culture is everywhere in France in the summer and this will be true once again this year, every region will welcome numerous Festivals celebrating cinema, music, theatre or regional tradition. All you have to do is book your return ticket (or a one way one if you’re not sure you’re going to want to come back home). Find out below a short list of the most awaited summer festivals:


Paris Cinema. Cinema
1st- 12th July
www.pariscinema.org/

Festival international du film de La Rochelle. Cinema
27th June-7th July
www.festival-larochelle.org

Festival d’Aix en Provence. Music
27th June- 23rd July
www.festival-aix.com

Solidays. Music
4th-6th July
www.solidays.org/

Festival d’Avignon. Theatre
4th-26th July
www.festival-avignon.com/

Francofoloies de La Rochelle. Music
11th-16th July
www.francofolies.fr

Festival des Vieilles Charrues. Music
17th-20th July
www.vieillescharrues.asso.fr/en/festival/index.php

Nice Jazz Festival. Music
19th-26th July

Festival Interceltique de Lorient. Music, Dance
1st-10th August
www.festival-interceltique.com/

Paris Quartier d’été
14th July-15th August
www.quartierdete.com/

Rock en Seine. Music
20th-29th August
www.rockenseine.com/

Festival du Film américain de Deauville. Cinema
5th-14th September
www.festival-deauville.com

Les Fêtes de Bayonne
30th July – 3rd August
www.fetes.bayonne.fr/



Find peace and quite in the best parts of France:
Then, if you’re looking for a charming place to stay but are keener on escaping from the crowd and finding some peace and quite, rent a farmhouse in the southern region of Provence or on the Brittany coast. To be really close to the local life, try to swapping your house in the UK for one in the region of your choice, so you could really appreciate a typical French atmosphere. But if you prefer renting something the classical way, you can choose the holiday home of your dreams among those offered by companies such as Allez France, Azur Villas, The Villa Book or others.

  Why not discover the mountain areas this summer?
 You could also enjoy peacefulness by discovering the French mountain areas. Once the snow has gone, you just don’t find the same people. Forget what the trendy resort looked like in winter. The mountain is just transformed in summer and is worth discovering. It is not the first place you could imagine spending your summer holiday in, but the Alps, Pyrenees and other mountains in France provide as much if not more treasures in the summer as they do in the winter. You could thus enjoy delicious nature walks, packed with colourful flowers and observe the animals you’re not used to seeing. You could also learn how local foods such as the famous French cheeses or honeys are made.

For those who love adventure, France also has surprises in store!
Now if you’re a rather adventurous person who just doesn’t want to go for a classic holiday spending all your time sunbathing on the beach, make the most of your journey and try something different. France doesn’t just host quiet beaches and restful countryside:
For a sport filled adventure that will surely make your adrenaline level rise, discover the Gorges du Verdon. Located in the famous region of Provence, the area offers numerous activities such as climbing, swimming, canyoning… For more information about activities and accommodation, visit : www.provenceweb.fr/f/groupes/verdon/loisirs.htm

If you don’t want to leave the side of the sea though, you could also take some surf lessons in the West coast of France where the waves are really generous like in Biarritz or Hossegor. Click here for more information. 

  What if this summer’s new trend was…the land of the Ch’tis?
Finally, thanks to the phenomenon ‘Welcome to the land of Ch’tis’ everyone has changed their views about the North of France. The Pas-de-Calais has suddenly become is very ‘in’ this summer. So, as it is also very close to London by Eurostar, enjoy a break one or two hours away from home and discover the beautiful city of Lille and its Flea market in September or go out and explore the delightful surrounding area. For more information, visit: www.northernfrance-tourism.com/en/default.asp