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Family

France has all the ingredients for a great family holiday. Choose from a walking holiday in the Alps, a full-on action-packed week rock climbing, skiing, mountain biking or horse riding, a relaxing week on one of France’s world class beaches or a camping holiday at one of the many well equipped family camping grounds – France is the perfect place for the whole family to have fun together. 


Natural Skating Rinks in Franche-Comté

The regions large lakes become remarkable skating rinks in winter. The principal sites are the lake Saint-Point in Doubs, the lake of Russet-red or that of Combe.


Les Labyrinthus in Alsace


The Maze Leisure Park. Very popular in times gone by, mazes are today enjoying something of a comeback. Designed in 1996, "Les Labyrinthus" are temporary mazes made from corn which are pulled up or harvested at the end of the summer.


A Unique Mountain Trip in Franche-Comté

Known as the Monkey Bridges, scale the mountains using over hangings and bridges along the rocky route sites of the Via Ferratas in Franche-Comté. These challenges are perfect for all the family adding that bit of fun and sport to the rugged but impressive scenery.


Devil Kart in Franche-Comté


For those who love nothing more than speeding around a track in a go-kart or for those who have always wanted to give it a go, Franche-Comté has a treat for you.


A Day and Night in the Trees

It’s a day for the family high up in the trees where you will be able to travel through a forest with ease. A guide will bring you safely along the chosen route. It is a place for young and old but a head for heights is needed.

The Secrets of an Artist’s Garden

In 1993, Françoise Radet-Mannerkorpi, a painter, having lived in Finland for 20 years, created this garden, situated at the foot of a 13th Century church in a small village in the Marne Valley, and turned it into a romantic garden with a remarkable, flower bedecked kitchen garden.


Sailing in Loire (Western)

Novice and experienced sailors alike will find ideal conditions in the Pays de la Loire for the full practice of sailing in absolute safety. From La Baule to Sables-d'Olonne, the wide bays, creeks and islands lend themselves wonderfully to the practice of sailing.


Adventure Parks in Alsace

Located in a forest of 200-year-old oak trees, this treetop adventure park combines a chance to discover nature with the opportunity to enjoy fun and adventure up in the treetops.


Bobsleigh Run in Rhône-Alpes


One of the most trilling and unique experiences in France awaits you in Rhone-Alpes. Known as the most technical piste in the world, the run is really frightening as you reach speeds of 90km/h to over 100km/h. This isn’t just for adults as families can go in four-man bobsleighs.


Beach Towns

Nice Surprises at Saint-Nazaire: A charming port of call. In the shade of the liners, this town is lively and passionate. What to see: the Chantiers de l'Atlantique, the Espadon (the only fleet submarine in France that is open to visitors), Airbus and Escal'Atlantic – a new kind of museum on board a transatlantic liner – and experience the ambience of the great ships of yesteryear.

Forest Acrobatic Parks in Rhône-Alpes

Among the numerous forest acrobatic parks scattered almost everywhere since the 90s', there are about a hundred throughout the Rhône-Alpes region, scattered within resorts, mountains, towns and the countryside.Explore via monkey bridges, Texan clamps, and lots of other suspended games for a unique experience!


Family Experiences in Champagne

Nigloland is the only theme park in Champagne-Ardenne. Nigloland features eighteen different attractions from a tiny train to flying saucers set in eighteen hectares of grounds. Nigloland is in the Aube-en-Champagne, near Dolancourt.


The Caves of Lascaux Aquitaine

The caves of Lascaux were discovered by a group of teenagers out walking their dog in 1940. They are one the world's finest examples of prehistoric cave dwellings and their walls are adorned with colourful artworks painted by early man.

Horse Riding Auvergne

Auvergne is a great region for horses and riding and is a wonderful destination for riding holidays. The layout of the fields, the patterns of crops and woodlands, the layout of the towns and villages and the unique building structures create the perfect horse riding experience.

Saint-Jean-de-Monts

Children first: An exceptional wooded environment, 20 km of safe, gently sloping beaches, lifeguards… This is the one for the kids! Although it is a child-friendly 'Station Kid' par excellence, there's plenty for adults as well: golf, thalassotherapy, fishing, bike rides or picnics beneath the pine trees – make yourself some great holiday memories!

Gardens in Lorraine

Whether in the intimate atmosphere of the Callunes gardens on the slopes of the Vosges with their outstanding collection of heathers, the Berchigranges garden famous for its primroses or the parklands in spa towns, everybody will find something to satisfy their curiosity.

Crocodiles and Submarines in Normandy

There are also many pools centres such as the Nautilus in Lisieux, Espace Aquatique at Condé sur Noireau in the Suisse Normande or Centre Park in Verneuil sur Avre in the Eure part of Normandy. Normandy offers three special animal centres too.

Family Attractions in Lorraine

There’s no time to be bored in Lorraine. With many recreational sites in the countryside or near major towns, there is plenty of choice if you’re looking for an unusual family outing.

Sporting Leisure Pursuits

Do you dream of exhilarating experiences and extreme sports? Discover the Picardy coast on a sand-sailer, take a parachute jump, gain altitude and see Picardy from a hot air balloon or an ultralight.

Family Activities in Normandy

Normandy is one of the premiere destinations for non-stop, kid-friendly adventures. From the seaside coast to the fantastic countryside, families will discover a multitude of outdoor recreation, outstanding parks and gardens, rivers and beaches, spectacular sightseeing, historical landmarks and much more.

Shopping Breaks - Champagne

It was in Troyes that the concept of factory outlets, now much copied but never equalled, was originally born. The town is the biggest European centre of this kind.

Family Entertainment in Languedoc-Roussillon

There are many locations in Languedoc-Roussillon for family entertainment. There is cycling, horse riding and walking treks but there are also many adventure parks and water parks too. From tree climbing to wild life parks, to steam train journeys, there is so much fun in the sun to have.


Hot Air Ballooning

Floating through the air in a hot air balloon is the perfect way to take in the scenery of the region. If you have a head for heights there is no more relaxing way to see the Burgundian countryside.

Le Labyrinthe - Gueret

This giant maze (the largest in the world) covers two hectares and borders a 3000 hectare forest. There are 14 questions in the maze which, if answered correctly, enable you to exit more easily. There are also picnic areas in the park and giant games, including a giant chess board with pieces.

Boating in Burgundy

By sail or motor, Burgundy is ideally suited for exploring by boat and there are a large number of companies in the area who will make all the arrangements you need for a holiday on the water.


To the Air

The Loire Valley is extremely large. Exploring it all would take quite some time by conventional means. For a more original and unique vantage point of this remarkable land, hot air balloon rides are available to transport you over the valley.

Horse Riding in Rhône-Alpes

Nothing is more pleasant than horse riding to discover the Southern Ardèche and Vallon Pont d'Arc region. You will pass through forests, on bridle paths and will end by crossing rivers.


Produce of Loire (Western)

The salt marshes of the Presqu'île de Guérande. White Gold: Classified as one of the 100 ‘Sites of Remarkable Taste’ in France, this magical place, where seawater circulates through a complex network of canals and basins, is the pride of Guérande, and has furnished its wealth since the iron age.

Family Activities in Corsica

Corsica is an island dedicated to sports. Having been French for only 200 years it is culturally different and has a unique, festive feel to it.


Hot Air Ballooning - Lubersac

View the Correze region from a hot air balloon! Journeys take 30 minutes or 1 hour and each flight can take a maximum of 4 passengers.

Train Tours in Rhone Alpes

Green Ardèche: Full Steam Ahead. The railroad circuit of the Chemin de Fer du Vivarais, between Tournon and Lamastre, allows one to admire ardéchois landscapes which are only accessible by train.


A Water Paradise in Rhône-Alpes

A cultural cruise in Lyon, a city classed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Discover Lyon and the famous history of the Capital of Gaul by water. There are many options for walks and day cruises, as well as provision for groups and school outings.

For the Family in Poitou-Charentes
On-road Tourist Train: Train Touristique "Le Pibalou". Discover the history, flora, fauna and geography of the Marais Poitevin and see the local architecture in its villages from a small road train.

The Saut du Doubs Waterfall

Listed as a 3-star "Grand Site National", Saut du Doubs and its natural pools are some of the most remarkable locations in the entire region.


Boating Routes in Brittany

Breton rivers and canals form a network of more than 600 km of navigable waterways reserved for leisure activities and boating.

Boating in Paris / Ile-de-France

Discover the Ile-de-France region from a different and very original angle, navigating the Seine, Oise, and Marne rivers or through the numerous canals.

The Science and Technology Discovery Centre


Produced in collaboration with the Cité des Sciences de la Villette (La Villette Science Centre) in Paris, this science and technology discovery centre covers an area of more than 5000 m² and is chiefly aimed at children aged between 3 and 15.


Vulcania in Auvergne -The European Volcano Park

Thousands of years of volcanism have forged the landscape of Auvergne giving it the special strength and character that make it a unique place in Europe.

Boating in Languedoc-Roussillon

This region is lush with boating opportunities. With its 27 marinas and 30,000 moorings, Languedoc-Roussillon makes very good use of its Mediterranean location.

Cycle Trips for the Whole Family in Alsace

With almost 2000 km of cycle trails and cycle routes, Alsace offers cyclists an extremely dense network. Whether you're looking for endurance or simply a leisurely ride with the family, Alsace will meet your needs, with mountain biking in the Vosges or down in the valleys, and cycle trails criss-crossing the Alsatian plain.

The Futuroscope Park in Poitou-Charentes

A gigantic sphere set against a sloping sheet of glass, a translucent cube jutting up from the ground, reflective organ pipes or crystals dividing up the sky with their mirrors are only some of the futuristic sights to see at Futuroscope. It is a futuristic universe, like a backdrop to a science fiction novel.

Theme Parks in Picardy

Each time you visit you will see a different Picardy depending on the time, light and season. Each place is different and extraordinary, just like each encounter. Picardy’s theme parks will thrill you with shows and rides for the whole family.


Cité des Sciences and de l'Industrie

The cite des sciences and de l'industrie is one of Europe's largest centre for the diffusion of science and technology which is suitable for all: school parties, senior citizens, young people, clubs and societies, etc. They've welcomed more than 3 million visitors in 2007.


Welcome aboard Planet NAUSICAA

Visit giant aquariums, discovery areas, attractions and animal reserves for an unforgettable deep sea adventure – a unique and inspiring opportunity to learn more about the magical world of marine life.


Steam Train Journeys - Limoges

With a variety of routes from Limoges to Eyemoutiers and Ussel this is a great day out travelling back in time to the days of real trains! Weave your way through the gorges of the Haute Vienne with some spectacular viaducts.

The Bioscope in Alsace

An Innovative Leisure and Discovery Park.
A cross between an amusement park and a scientific museum, the Bioscope is a completely new kind of leisure and discovery park, where visitors can learn more about the relationship between man and his environment.

Watersports Auvergne

Auvergne, being known as the "land of lakes and volcanoes" is rich with numerous water sports. Natural and artificial lakes are in use all year round for sporting activities. From fishing and swimming to water skiing and kayaking, there is no limit to what can be done.

The Great Dune of Pilat Aquitaine - Europe's highest dune

The natural phenomenan that is the Dune du Pyla or 'Dune du Pilat' is the largest natural sand dune in the world and sits 60km from Bordeaux in the South of the Arcachon Bay.

Aeronautics in Midi-Pyrénées

From the airmail pioneers to the "Cité de l'Espace". Aeronautics and space research are the two great technological adventures of southwestern France. With Clément Ader, Mermoz and Saint-Exupéry on the one hand and Caravelles, the Concorde and Airbus aeroplanes on the other, legendary men and aeroplanes have punctuated the history of Toulouse.


Culture Auvergne

Because of the isolated nature of much of the Auvergne countryside, many ancient traditions have survived. Today the inhabitants are doing their utmost to preserve the special character of the region and the cultural heritage. Many of the old customs are upheld on the most important occasions.

Historic Places in Paris / Ile de France
 
Les Invalides is a complex of buildings in the 7th arrondissement, now containing museums and monuments, relating to France's military history, as well as a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans, which were the building's original purpose. The name is a shortened form of hôpital des invalides, the hospital for invalids.

Places of Art in Paris / Ile de France

Montmartre is one of the more famous areas of Paris, celebrated for its bohemian nature and colony of artists. Historically, this was a gathering area for artists and writers who travelled from many parts of the world to spend time in Paris.

Places of Interest in Paris / Ile de France

Notre Dame

Notre Dame was first constructed between 1163 and1345, commissioned by Maurice de Sully, Bishop of Paris. Built in an age of illiteracy, the cathedral depicted stories of the Bible in its portals, paintings, and stained glass. From the 28 statues to the colourful stained glass windows, Notre Dame is renowned for its art and its history.

The land of the Mushroom Caves

Three-quarters of the national production of the ‘Champignon de Paris’ is cultivated in the tufa galleries of the Saumur area. The climatic qualities of these places, whose temperature and hygrometry are constant throughout the year, combined with local savoir-faire, have made these caves the kingdom of mushroom-growers.

An Authentic Open Air Village Museum

Created in 1984, the Ecomusée d'Alsace comprises almost 70 authentic rural homes, dismantled in their original village where they were due for demolition, and rebuilt it here brick by brick.


Wonder at the Living Museum of the Horse, Chantilly

The Great Stables of Chantilly, viewed as the world’s finest, are home to the Living Museum of the Horse. Far removed from dusty, immobile museums, this Museum is perpetually developing in order to offer ever more original shows, put on by the thirty employees of the Living Museum of the Horse.


Puy du Fou®: Get ready for a journey through time!
Escape to the Grand Parc of the Puy du Fou® for an unforgettable trip with family or friends. Puy du Fou® is a whirlwind of extraordinary shows and a real breath of fresh air far from everyday hustle and bustle. Make the most of an exceptional entertainment program during the day, breath-taking shows at night, as well as 17 restaurants, a themed hotel and 45 hectares of pure green bliss. Days at Puy du Fou® are adventure and action-packed. Get ready for a journey through time!

The Morvan Natural Park

Burgundy's green spaces are ideal for a range of leisure pursuits and getting close to nature. The beautiful landscape is ideally suited for hiking, horse riding, golf cycling and even hot air balooning for those looking for a bit of adventure.

Isère - A four season destination

The Oisans, Chartreuse, Belledonne and Vercors mountains are a real paradise for winter sports or family fun in the snow. Leading the way are the International resorts, L'Alpe d'Huez and Les Deux Alpes, both well-known to skiers and snowboarders. But what is perhaps not such common knowledge, is that Isère is a great place to come in any season...

Cycling in Aquitaine

A gentle ride to take in the beauty of the landscape or the town, long-distance trips through the mountains for fresh air and fun, cross-country exploits and downhill thrills...Aquitaine caters for each and every taste.


Boating in Aquitaine
For centuries, the region's waterways were used for transporting wines, salt, oil, flour, spices, lace and a whole host of other goods. Today, they offer an original way of travelling, a gentler way of getting around and that marvellous sensation of seeing towns and villages from a most original angle, almost catching them by surprise.

Visit Chateau de Chenonceau
Chenonceau is, after Versailles, the most visited French castle. Aside from the visit to the castle, the chateau de Chenonceau provides a large range of activities and services like: a gastronomic restaurant l'Orangerie, a buffet restaurant, a tea room, the Ladies Galery (wax museum) and sailing in small boats during summer months. You can also discovery the vegetable garden, the 16th century farm and the flower workshop where incredible flower displays are created and displayed in the castle.

Nature Parks in Auvergne

The Auvergne contains two of  the largest regional nature parks in France, the 'Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne' and it's smaller neighbour the 'Parc Naturel Régional des Livradois-Forez' - making this area the largest environmentally protected area in France.

National and Regional Parks - Aquitaine

Aquitaine also has various National and Regional Parks such as The Pyrénées National Park, The Landes de Gascogne Regional Park, The Périgord-Limousin Regional Park.


Camargue is a land of men, horses and bulls
Camargue is synonymous with nature and wide open spaces. Flora and fauna have pride of place in this area which is still home to countless old ranches, tended by traditional horseback herdsman or "gardians".

A world of water - Aquitaine

From the flat, sandy plains and pine forests of the Landes to the beautiful lagoon of the Bassin d’Arcachon... Aquitaine is immensely diverse. The valley of the Dordogne provides a sharp contrast...ideal for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, horse riding and cycling.


Nancy in Lorraine

Montpellier in Languedoc-Roussillon

Grenoble in Rhône-Alpes

Not to be missed in Alsace

Very long and narrow and backing onto the Rhine, Alsace has seen its borders moved on many occasions. The ups and downs of history have caused it to hang on to a very strong regional tradition. This can be seen in its language, its folk traditions and its cuisine. Its countryside beckons the walker, with its hillsides streaked with vineyards in the Munster valley and the flower-decked valleys of the Florival.


Metz in Lorraine

Not to be missed in Aquitaine

If you had to define this land by one word, il would be 'generous'. A generosity that can be seen in its variety of landscapes with hills, valleys, sandy moors and a coast that is almost wild. The Bordeaux vineyards, the Basque Country, the plateaux of Périgord...

Bordeaux in Aquitaine

Not to be missed in Rhône-Alpes

A great river and a chain of mountains give the region its name and create the pattern of life here. The Alps crowned by Mont Blanc provide a skiing area that is unique in the world. Hiking enthusiasts are becoming increasingly numerous in the summertime, walking the waymarked trails through the region's nature parks (La Vanoise, Les Ecrins, Les Bauges), and around the lakes (Lake Geneva, Annecy, Le Bourget). Nearer the Rhône, the Ardèche gorges are a paradise for canoeing.

Nîmes in Languedoc-Roussillon

Not to be missed in the Loire (western)

A land of water traversed by the Loire, the region is bathed in the north by the spray of the Atlantic Ocean. While Saint-Nazaire is an important merchant navy port, Nantes is the regional capital, and Saumur, Le Mans and Angers offer visitors a cultural heritage dominated by Gothic art and the Renaissance.

Not to be missed in Corsica

Mountains in the sea, pierced with torrents, Corsica, an island of rare beauty, has the full spectrum of landscapes. Dry in the south, it makes up for it with long beaches of white sand, where lazing around can be enhanced by sightseeing tours.

Not to be missed in Picardy

With its exceptionally rich architectural heritage, this province is a preserve of Gothic art. Famous for its cathedrals, it offers the discerning an opportunity to explore its towns and their medieval wonders.

Not to be missed in Champagne-Ardenne

The fruit of its vineyards is so famous that the first thing you think of in this region is a glass of champagne. You can of course begin the journey underground and visit the wine cellars. Reims, its magnificient cathedral or its museum of fine arts, should not make you forget the 'vine-growers' villages spread around the region. There is also the Ardennes with its wild forests, populated by roe deer and hares.

Nantes in Pays-de-la-Loire

Not to be missed in Languedoc-Roussillon

The Mediterranean on one side, the eastern Pyrenees to the south and Lozère to the north, Languedoc-Roussillon takes pleasure in the contrats if its stepped relief.

Saint-Etienne in Rhône-Alpes

Not to be missed in Paris

Some cities call to mind lovers, others architecture, yet others an intellectual, cultural or appealing popular atmosphere. Paris has all these faces, plus lots more to discover depending on your particular interest.

Not to be missed in Franche-Comté

This is a region with distinct faces. In the north, the valleys of the Haute-Saône which, from the Grays region to the  Saône Vosges, passing through Vesoul, back onto the region of Belfort. Châteaux and churches give added attraction to its towns and villages, and a great many museums house specimens showing the traditional craftmanship related to wood, but also to clock making.

Not to be missed in Poitou-Charentes

The dispute between Ancient and Modern is not on the agenda in this region where the vestiges of the past are keyed neatly into an openness to the future.

Mulhouse in Alsace

Not to be missed in Auvergne

If it were possible, the best way to travel in this region would be on the back of  a donkey, just as the writer Stevenson did. It is indeed probably the pleasantest way to see this land of volcanoes, fashioned by their eruptions. Inactive for centuries, they gave birth to a strange and majestic landscape.

Avignon in Provence-Alpes-Côte-D’azur

Not to be missed in Brittany

A land of seafaring people, and the aspect that makes Brittany the daughter of Neptune. Its thousands of kilometres of coastline, from Cancale to Saint-Nazaire, give it a prodigiously varied relief, with the strange rocks of the Pink Granite coast and the idyllic beaches of the Morbihan following on from one another.

Lille in Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Not to be missed in Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Traditionally an industrial region, it has now turned to tourism, a natural choice in a landscape where forests predominate, and where the Opal Coast has a host of beaches dedicated to surfing, wind-surfing, water-skiing, and more.

Not to be missed in Lorraine

Bordered by the three countries, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, Lorraine is a strategic region which today exudes a peaceful charm. There is no shortage of reasons to explore it. For lovers of architecture and the arts, Mirecourt, Bar-le-Duc and Epinal possess many wonders. Enthusiasts for footpaths, will find routes dotted with lakes, forests and green valleys in the Lorraine Regional Park. Another excellent reason to come is for its springs and to stay in one of the well-known spa establishments in Contrexéville or Vittel, where the gastronomy is not to be outdone.

Not to be missed in Midi-Pyrénées

Few regions offer such a variety of landscapes, climates and architecture. This is because the region is huge, it runs from Aveyron to Gers and from Ariège to the edges of the Dordogne.

Lyon in Rhône-Alpes

Not to be missed in Burgundy

From the vineyards of Chablis to those of the Mâconnais passing through the Côte de Beaune and Côtes de Nuits, from the luminous Loire Valley to the opulent Bresse region passing through the mysterious forests of the Morvan, Burgundy is beautiful in its natural state and in every season.   

Not to be missed in the Loire (centre)

It is western Europe's last wild river, over 1,000 km long, that shapes the region : The Loire. On its banks the aristocracy built châteaux that are among the jewels of French architecture. Amboise, Chambord, Blois, Azay-le-Rideau are all extraordinary.  

Strasbourg in Alsace

Not to be missed in Limousin

Nature lovers who like to punctuate their walks with seeing the old craft traditions develop an immediate attachment to this region. Green woods and forests, it is also criss-crossed by water, the Creuse, Vienne and Dordogne rivers...

Not to be missed in Normandy

Combining in the same land the pleasures of an extraordinary coastline and those of a green and blossoming countryside, Normandy is a very fortunate region.

Angers in Pays de la Loire

Not to be missed in Ile-de-France

Around Paris, Ile-de-France offers the joys of discovering both nature and culture. With 9 royal towns, 400 listed gardens and châteaux including 24 masterpieces of landscape art, medieval villages or Cistercian abbeys, the Ile-de-France region boasts a unique and fascinating heritage.

Aix-en-Provence in Provence-Alpes-Côte-D’azur

Not to be missed in the French Riviera

It is the blue of the south that defines this land. Its climate is so mild, its nature so filled with flowers that thousands of years after the Romans, English aristocrats, fed up with the greyness, fell in love with it. Since then, the Côte d'Azur has been entirely given over to summer pleasures.  

Nice in Provence-Alpes-Côte-D’azur

Marseille in Provence-Alpes-Côte-D’azur

Not to be missed in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur

Everything in this region sings, even the wind, when it is called the Mistral or the Tramontana. The great poets were able to convey its music, and painters from Cézanne to Picasso, captured its light. Provence is magical, it smells wonderfully of olive oil, lavender and thyme.

Loire Valley (Centre) / Centre Val-de-Loire
The Loire Valley is made up of six départements (counties): Eure-et-Loir, Loiret, Loir-et-Cher, Cher, Indre, Indre-et-Loire.

Explore over 800 magnificent chateaux. Discover charming towns of art and history. Take a stroll through the lush gardens. And don’t miss a chance to visit one of the numerous museums and cathedrals.

Escape into the enchanting countryside and enjoy cycle tours, bird-watching, golf, hot-air ballooning, canoeing and kayaking.

If you are a food lover then the Loire Valley is the place for you from fresh fish to goat’s cheese, delicious wines and more delicious local specialities.

An hour's drive South of Paris, the Loire Valley offers holiday experiences to suit everyone. Experience its astonishing châteaux open to the public, many with extensive, lush gardens. Be seduced by 740 religious monuments such as the impressive Chartres and Bourges cathedrals. The Loire Valley boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Bouches-du-Rhône

This departement (county) is one of vast contrasts, It ranges from mountains (the Alpilles to the north, the Saint Baume and the Saint Victoire to the east) to plains and flat country (Camargue). The city of Marseille is a busy urban center but the creeks, beaches and ports have a more restful rhythme on this changing coastline.


Vosges in Lorraine

Loir-et-Cher in Loire (Centre)

Jura in Franche Comté

Aveyron in Midi-Pyrénées

Ardèche

Val-de-Marne in Ile-de-France

Somme in Picardy

Alpes Maritimes in Provence Alpes Côte-d’Azur

Lot in Midi-Pyrénées

Saône-et-Loire

Meurthe-et-Moselle in Lorraine

Indre in Loire (Centre)

Territoire de Belfort in Franche-Comté

Hauts-de-Seine in Ile-de-France

Var in Provence Alpes Côte-d’Azur

Gers in Midi-Pyrénées

Yonne

Just an hour south of Paris, here you are in the land of canals and vineyards, fertile hills and huge forests. A land, named after a river, that features a seldom-seen natural diversity.


Vienne in Poitou-Charentes

Ain

Gironde

Corrèze in Limousin

Puy-de-Dôme in Auvergne

Charente-Maritime in Poitou-Charentes

Drôme

Yvelines in Ile-de-France

Oise in Picardy

Tarn-et-Garonne in Midi-Pyrénées

Mayenne
If you are after unspoilt countryside, rich cultural heritage or outdoor adventure, the Mayenne departement/county is the place to be.  

Moselle in Lorraine

Loiret in Loire (Centre)

Doubs in Franche-Comté

Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Seine-Saint-Denis in Ile-de-France

Hautes-Alpes in Provence Alpes Côte-d’Azur

Hautes-Pyrénées in Midi-Pyrénées

Côte d’Or

Bas-Rhin in Alsace

Indre-et-Loire

Landes

 


Corse du Sud

Deux-Sèvres in Poitou-Charentes

Rhône

Val d'Oise in Ile-de-France

Savoie - Mont Blanc

Walking, hiking, snowshoeing, sledging or dog-sledding, all our areas have come up with inventive ideas to ensure you don't have to be a fanatical skier to have an invigorating but relaxing winter holiday. In Savoie Mont Blanc, there are many fun and healthy ways to explore and enjoy the countryside.


Pas de Calais in Nord-pas-de-Calais

Dordogne

 


Creuse in Limousin

Allier in Auvergne

Eure-et-Loir in Loire (Centre)

Charente in Poitou-Charentes

Aisne in Picardy

Alpes de Hautes Provence in Provence Alpes Côte-d’Azur

Tarn in Midi-Pyrénées

Meuse in Lorraine

Cher in Loire (Centre)

Haute-Saône in Franche-Comté

Lot-et-Garonne

Seine-et-Marne in Ile-de-France

Haute-Loire in Auvergne

Haute-Garonne in Midi-Pyrénées

Nièvre

An area of outstanding natural beauty. The Nièvre boasts a rich cultural & architectural heritage with the Morvan offering a variety of activities such as canoeing, skiing, horse riding, cycling, climbing & fishing.

Haute-Savoie

Haut-Rhin in Alsace

Haute-Vienne in Limousin

Cantal in Auvergne

Haute-Corse

Ariège in Midi-Pyrénées

Loire

Essonne in Ile-de-France

Nord in Nord-pas-de-Calais

Vaucluse in Provence Alpes Côte-d’Azur

Sarthe
Sarthe offers a lot of open-air activities. The towns and villages bring together in one site a powerful historic and architectural heritage, while the many museums provide us with the keys necessary for understanding. Gourmets and connoisseurs of the good things in life will also, in one mouthful, be able to savour the wealth of the terroir and gastronomy of Sarthe.

Orne

The Orne département/county lies in the south of the region and is Normandy in its most natural state. Green fields, deep river valleys and forests abound, punctuated by fine manor houses and estates. Some of these are home to well known stud farms for this is also the land of the horse.

Lozère

The Lozère department covers the southern part of the Massif Central, including the mountainous regions of Aubrac, la Margeride, le Gevaudan and the Cevennes.


City of Rouen

Rouen is the Capital of Normandy and the Seine-Maritime department. The city, also known as the ‘Ville aux cent clochers’ has preserved much of it’s historical centre which is now largely composed of pedestrian streets.


Calvados
 
The Calvados département/county bears the name of its most famous spirit. The county covers much of the coastline of the D Day Landing Beaches and historic towns such as Caen, Bayeux, Honfleur and resorts of Deauville and Trouville.

Aude

Aude is known for its wine, castles and abbeys. Often referred to as 'the land of the Cathars' it is here that you'll find the unconquerable mountain sites of Rennes-le-Chateau and Peyrepertuse. The coast provides a sharp contrast with miles of sandy beaches for family holidays and isolated inlets for those looking to escape the crowds.


City of Cherbourg

Ideally situated as a port for both leisure craft and military ships, Cherbourg has long been a centre for the French navy as well as a popular destination with local and international yachtsmen who enjoy the choppy seas and challenging winds. The town was once also the centre for transatlantic liners and in its heyday saw many a famous celebrity arrive or depart from the Gare Maritime. Now transformed into the Cité de la Mer, an impressive museum dedicated to the world undersea and exhibiting the world’s largest submarine open to the public; this building is an architectural reminder of the town’s glamorous past.

Ardennes

Bordering Belgium, the rural Ardennes departement/county is a nature lovers paradise. Largely covered by ancient deciduous forests it provides a fantastic playground for outdoor types. The emblem of the departement is the wild boar (Sanglier) which also features heavily in local dishes. The capital, Charleville-Mézières, has a very attractive main square modelled on the Place des Vosges in Paris (pictured).


Manche

The Manche département/county forms the western coastline of Normandy. From the Landing Beach of Utah Beach, via the Cherbourg peninsula to the Bay of Mont St Michel, the sea has had a major influence on this part of the region.

Hérault

The Hérault departement/county coastline is one of the most unpsoiled and protected on the Mediterranean but offers a large range of activities for all ages. An attractive alternative to the more ritzy and expensive Provence and Cote d'Azur, the Herault department is a real gem.

City of Le Havre

Le Havre is multi-facetted, as important a commercial port as it is a popular yachting destination. Its 2 km of beach open onto the Seine estuary, once the backdrop for Impressionist artists who loved the effect of light and painted many famous paintings, including Monet’s “Sunrise at Le Havre”.


Marne

The Marne is quite simply ‘Champagne Central’! The departement contains both Reims and Epernay, which between them are home to almost all of the well known Champagne houses. As you might imagine, the landscape is dominated by vines although part of the lac du Der-Chantecoq sneaks into the bottom south west corner. The Marne is also home to the administrative capital of the region, Chalons.


City of Caen

Today Caen is a thriving commercial and university centre; with historical roots dating back even before William of Normandy in the 11th Cwntury. He commissioned the Abbaye aux Hommes as well as the Abbaye aux Dames, built for his wife Mathilde and now her final resting place. Both buildings survived the destruction of bombardments in 1944. The city was rebuilt after the War, and present day Caen offers an appealing mix of old and new with plenty of well-maintained green spaces. Various markets are held daily.

Aube-en-Champagne

The Aube-en-Champagne departement/county is just a hop from London via the tunnel or the Ferry , one and a half hours from Paris and an hour south of Reims, you will find a tiny paradise with everything charming and relaxing about the French way of life.

Vendée

The Vendée throws open its protected natural sites. Between rocky escarpments and beaches of divinely fine sand. Both along the coast and inland, a living heritage awaits your exploration – castles, humbler dwellings, tourist sites. Thanks to its position between land and sea the Vendée offers a comprehensive range of traditional flavours. A comprehensive network of walking and riding trails and of cycle paths covers the length of the coast and the hinterland.


Seine Maritime

The Seine Maritime département/county fills the area between the Seine Valley and the Channel Coast. Dramatic cliff lines, rolling open countryside and the twists and turns of the River Seine are the main geographic features while the town of Rouen is the jewel in the crown.

Pyrénées Orientales

The Pyrénées Orientales is a region in the southern most part of France, bordering with Spain. The department of Pyrénées Orientales, which includes the Languedoc, conceals many treasures: varied landscapes of rich beauty, an important architectural heritage, and traditions and a culture that have lasted for centuries.



Loire-Atlantique

The Loire Atlantique departement/county boasts a magnificient coast and offers many additional interests to its visitors such as : picturesque fishing ports, canals and thatched cottages, forests, parks...

Maine-et-Loire / Anjou
The landscapes of the Anjou département/county are ideal for every kind of outing. Walk the GR 3 footpath along the Loire Valley (a UNESCO heritage site), bike through the vineyards, ride on horseback through the forests, or float along the streams and rivers on longboats, canoes and kayaks. The highways and byways of Anjou will take you to delighful views over the countryside.  

Eure

The River Eure gives its name to the county/département which lies south of the Seine and between the Auge Valley and the western outskirts of Paris.

City of Alençon

Situated on the crossroads between the routes from Brittany to Paris and from Belgium to the Loire Valley, Alençon is an ideal stopover point for visitors travelling further afield, yet also offers much worth spending time to visit. Once known as the “Cité des Ducs”, the town boasts a fine old town hall, 15th Century church as well as the Dukes’ Palace dating from the 14th and 15th Centuries.

Gard

The departement/county of the Gard is bordered to the east by the Rhone Valley and to the north, the Cevenne mountains.To the south the Petite Camargue is nowadays a series of lakes and marshes. The short coastline has a superb beach at Espiguette and Le Grau-du-Roi is an important fishing port. The centre of the department is a world of dry limestone, the garrigue, of vines and olive trees and the perfumes of the Mediterranean.

City of Dieppe

Dieppe is a seaside resort where the seafront has been developed with a promenade, grassy lawns and children’s play areas. Dieppe’s streets are busy with shops and restaurants, and the weekly market brings colour and tradition to the central square. The fishing port reaches right into the town itself, explaining its reputation for seafood, in particular the marmite dieppoise, a creamy fish stew. Visitors will be spoilt for choice with the range of cafés and restaurants.


Haute-Marne

The Haute-Marne département/ county, is an intensely rural department, which has approximately 3 acres of forest per inhabitant, this area was the birthplace of the philosopher Diderot and is the final resting place of Charles de Gaulle. In the north west of the departement is the lac du Der-Chantecoq, which claims to be the largest man made lake in Europe and is a magnet for bird watchers, fishermen and watersports enthusiasts. The town of Langres also gives us one of France’s most distinctive cheeses, which tastes better than it looks!


City of Bayeux

Essentially a medieval town, whose cathedral was dedicated in 1077 by William the Conqueror, Bayeux is also home to the famous tapestry depicting William’s epic journey to England and the Battle of Hastings. Intrinsically linked with the events of June 1944, the town provided headquarters for General de Gaulle after D-Day, now a museum.

 

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