France is a nation of great contrasts, with a varied and fascinating history, mouthwatering regional cuisine, charming cities, and breathtakingly beautiful scenery all over the country. This summer in france, if you’re thinking about visiting France, you might want to stay in one of the charming coastal towns in the north, such as Normandy or Brittany, or you might prefer the upscale resorts of Cannes, Antibes, and Saint-Tropez on the cool summer Côte d’Azur in the south, where partying and designer shopping are “de rigueur” and cocktails are sipped in cabanas on private beaches.
Outdoor enthusiasts can also take pleasure in cycling in the summer in france Dordogne, sailing down the Canal du Midi on a narrowboat, or discovering the health advantages of lavender at a Provence distillery. Look no further if you still need to figure out where to go and what to do in France during the summer. Our guide will provide plenty of ideas and help you quickly organize your trip there!
Best Places in France for Summer Holidays
There’s a summer vacation in France that will fit the demands of your traveling group, whether your plans include sunbathing, wine tasting, surfing on the Atlantic coast, or relaxing in a narrowboat while cruising a scenic canal. Our list of the top summer vacation spots in France is meant to serve as an inspiration, providing you with valuable details about what to see and do in each location and the main events you shouldn’t miss.
1. BIARRITZ
The sophisticated beach town of Biarritz is Located in France’s Basque Country on the Atlantic coast. The former whaling station is a surfer’s paradise with access to seaside and rural attractions, 19th-century architecture, and the French Pyrenees nearby. During your summer vacation in France, stroll to Pointe Saint-Martin lighthouse, explore the Sea Museum, or have dinner or drinks at the opulent Hotel du Palais. Constructed in 1854 as Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie’s imperial home, it has also been frequented by celebrities, including Frank Sinatra and Coco Chanel, in more recent times.
Les Halles de Biarritz market has everything you need for a beach picnic, or you can visit the seafood vendors next door to try some fresh oysters. Alternatively, chocolate lovers can sample some of the best chocolate in the nation and learn all about the making process by visiting the Biarritz Chocolate Museum. Before departing, stroll to the former Rocher de la Vierge whale-watching platform. It’s the ideal location for beach photography, or rent a car and spend the day in Spain’s San Sebastian, where you can enjoy some mouthwatering pintxos (Basque tapas).
2. AIX-EN-PROVENCE
The picturesque city of Aix-en-Provence is about 50 minutes north of the busy port of Marseille. The Romans established the city in 123 BC, and the surrounding scenery, museums, and architecture all bear witness to its rich past. Start your journey in the verdant central plaza of the city. Take in the 15th-century town hall, the clock tower, and inhabitants enjoying coffee and pastries. In that case, you might like looking at Paul Cézanne’s pieces at the Atelier Cézanne or perusing Picasso and Cézanne’s joint exhibition at the Musée Granet. The city is also home to a number of amazing local markets that offer a wide variety of goods, from delicious local specialties to fresh flowers.
These markets are ideal for assembling picnic supplies and heading to a nearby park. See the Pavillon de Vendome, a favorite among the younger population, or Le Terrain des Peintres, a park that has long inspired artists. Are you coming to Provence in late June or early July? Visit the gorgeous lavender fields of Provence for amazing photos and a master session on the health benefits of this fragrant purple flower. Numerous lavender fields cover the Valensole Plateau, an hour’s drive north of Aix-en-Provence, making it one of the most incredible spots to see them. Numerous active lavender farms offer farm tours and essential oil and soap sales. It might be the ideal way to cap off a summer vacation in Provence.
3. BELLE-ÎLE-EN-MER
Belle-île-en-Mer, the largest island in Brittany and one of the most picturesque in all of France is a veritable sanctuary during the summer. Take a nap on one of the island’s sixty gorgeous beaches, ride your bike with the family along the designated bike routes, or explore the island’s circumnavigation on the coastal walk. There are many enticing communities to explore when you’ve had enough swimming and tanning, like Sauzon, a former fishing hub. Visit the former vacation home of French actress Sarah Bernhardt or the final resting place of film director Philippe de Broca in this vibrant town with significant artistic associations.
Le Palais, the location of the island’s principal port, is also home to many historical sites. Not to be missed is the majestic Citadel (though remember that repair work won’t be finished until early 2024), and the impassive city walls are best experienced in person. All year round, ferries leave from Quiberon; during the summer, boats leave from Vannes, Port Navalo, Le Croisic, and La Turballe.
4. ANTIBES
Less than 15 minutes by rail from Cannes or around 30 minutes from Nice is the walled city of Antibes if you seek a more laid-back summer vacation in the south of France. Fort Carré’s fortifications, constructed in the late 1600s to protect the city against seaborne attackers, encircle the Mediterranean city, which dates back to the Iron Age. Explore the city’s rich history at the Musée d’Archeologie, which features historic artifacts, mosaics, coins, and pottery. You can also stroll through Old Town or take a sunset hike along Sentier de Tire-Poil, passing Mediterranean vegetation and azure blue waters.
On the way back, stop for dinner at a cliffside restaurant. Beautiful beaches can be found at Antibes and the nearby Juan-les-Pins, along with a vibrant nightlife that features clubs open into the summer’s wee hours. Every year, Juan-les-Pins organizes a jazz festival that has featured performances by Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone, and Ella Fitzgerald. In July, there’s the oldest jazz festival in Europe.
5. ALBI
The red-brick city of Albi, which is 80 km northeast of Toulouse, is one of France’s most picturesque and underappreciated locations during the summer. It is tucked away in the stunning Occitanie area on the banks of the Tarn River. The city’s historic structures, palaces, gardens, and museums honor local fashion designer Toulouse-Lautrec and enthrall tourists to its UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can take a boat ride down the picturesque River Tarn to see the city from a different angle. You can also locate a quiet spot in the shade of Park Rochegude and bring a picnic basket with wine and cheese from Bouyguette des Collines. Only left with seeing the stunning Saint-Cecile Cathedral with a southern Gothic design and strolling along Pont Vieux at sunset. You may start to picture life here during the Cathar era as the city glows in ochre hues. Suppose you’re thinking of taking a summer vacation in France. In that case, Albi features a massive fireworks display that is visible throughout the city on July 14, also known as Bastille Day.
6. DORDOGNE
The Dordogne Valley is a practical choice if you plan a summer vacation in France alone, with family, or with friends. The countryside is lush and green in the summer, with quaint villages lining the river’s edge, offering swimming, kayaking, and canoeing opportunities. The picturesque, meandering roads of the Dordogne are ideal for bicycling, trekking, and driving. They take you to medieval towns like Sarlat-la-Canéda, the region’s culinary capital, Périgueux, and Brantôme.
You can explore the multimedia exhibit at Lascaux, which honors the prehistoric caves or tour the grand chateaux that once stood imposingly on hills. Over 600 prehistoric wall paintings found in the original caverns have been recreated for the show, even though they are no longer accessible to the general public. On hot summer days, you can go wine tasting in Bordeaux or Bergerac or stroll through charming villages like La Roque Gageac. Savor relaxed riverbank picnics with friends, gourmet festivals, and baroque music in the evenings.
7. CANAL DU MIDI, LANGUEDOC
Initially constructed in the seventeenth century, the Canal du Midi was intended to carry wine, silks, and grains from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. One of the most picturesque rivers in France is the canal. Encircled by verdant woods and cycling routes, it winds past lush vineyards and other historically significant locations. You can rent a riverboat and go down the canal at your speed or take one of the many available riverboat trips.
Start your trip in Castelnaudary, formerly a bustling trading port, and have some cassoulet, a regional delicacy. Take some time to see the renowned Carcassonne citadel, which is included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, further down the canal. This venue hosts over a hundred concerts during the Carcassonne Festival in July and August. Discover the exciting history of the walled city, which spans from the Middle Ages to the Present, by walking around it. As you approach the Mediterranean coast, Le Somail, Capestang, the lovely towns of Narbonne and Béziers, and the seaside resorts of Agde and Sète are other highlights of the Canal du Midi.
8. NICE & INLAND VILLAGES
It’s nearly complicated to write a summertime in France essay and not want to mention every location along the Southern Coast! However, such a list would only be complete, including Nice, a well-liked French summertime destination on the Mediterranean coast. Days can be spent wandering the Promenade des Anglais, perusing the Old Town flower and produce market, and visiting the Musée Marc Chagall to satisfy your need for art.
Then, indulge in the regional specialty, Niçoise salad, while sitting by the waterfront. Go to Mont Boron, located between Cap-Ferrat and the port of Nice, for some of the best views. Nice is an excellent starting point for exploring the neighboring places, which is one advantage of going in the summer. Travel inland to St. Paul de Vence, a breathtakingly situated village. Wander the ramparts, engage in a game of petanque in the town center, or sip a glass of wine and see the breathtaking scenery at dusk.
9. HONFLEUR, NORMANDY
If you’ll be in France this summer and don’t like to travel in the heat, consider taking a trip to Honfleur, Normandy. Honfleur is a charming harbor town on France’s northwest coast with waterfront structures that seem like they could be in the right place in Copenhagen or Amsterdam. The Vieux Bassin is a photographer’s paradise, known for its pastel-colored, small, timber-framed buildings. Visit the nautical Museum to learn more about the city’s rich maritime past, or trek to the picturesque Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce above Honfleur for breathtaking views of Mont-Joli. There are many sandy beaches to explore, historic salt granaries to find, and naturally shifting light credited with inspiring Renoir and Monet’s works. Savor a locally produced Calvados brandy while socializing with locals at a waterfront bar on calm evenings. You can also plan day trips to the adjacent national parks or the ancient city of Rouen.
10. ANNECY
Annecy is a charming summertime destination in France, often referred to as the Venice of the Alps. During the summer, the city is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts from all over Europe who are excited to go rock climbing, cycling, caving, and hiking in the mountains. Then there’s Lake Annecy offers many water sports, including swimming, paddle boarding, sailing, and more, all set against a picturesque Alps backdrop.
Canals crisscross the Old Town of Annecy, and when the lake annecy summer boats float by, you may see window boxes full of vibrant, in-season flowers on half-timber houses. Elegant seaside eateries provide mouthwatering Savoyard fares like fondue, raclette, and grilled meats paired with local wineries’ varietals. Head to the lakeside Jardin de l’Europe for the most incredible views, or go a little farther to Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval, a gorgeous natural reserve with waterfalls and wildlife. Alternatively, take advantage of an accessible bus or train ride from Annecy to Geneva, Switzerland, for a day vacation.
Summer Weather in France
France’s summers are generally warm and bright, but where you choose to go on vacation will determine this. The nation is big (by European standards), covering over 247,000 square miles, and the climate varies from area to area. Most places—inland, alpine, and coastal—start at about 22°C in June and reach as high as 27–28°C in July and August. In the northwest of France, in Brittany or Normandy, average summertime temperatures hover around 22°C, whereas in Provence, high summertime temperatures can occasionally reach 35°C or higher!
