Within a few hours, you could be whisked away for a romantic city break, discover a new favourite wine at one of the beautiful vineyards, explore an elegant castle, or wander the rolling hillsides, dramatic coastline, or through vibrant lavender fields. Once you’ve finished your cruise, take a short walk from the wharf into the town, where you’re in the heart of the old town with its beautiful half-timbered houses. How better to spend a sun-filled spring weekend afternoon than watching the world on the Mediterranean with a platter of the freshest shellfish and a glass or two of local wine? In 1814 Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte was forced to abdicate by the Allies after a long and costly period of almost unabated war. Picture deep blue beautiful crystal-clear water next to golden sand beaches with a promenade that is lined with colourful houses each with glamorous French balconies. Short breaks by car to France. It is better to visit Les Sentiers des Ocres in the morning while it is still not packed with visitors. A weekend in Paris is simply not enough, but that just means you’ll have to come back for a second weekend or more to see more of the amazing sights of France’s capital city. Don’t miss the chance to explore the long, hidden passageways called traboules that are located around Vieux Lyon. Contribution and Photo from Kylie of Visiting Dordogne. Another great thing Cannes offers is its proximity to almost medieval villages along the coast like Eze. Alternatively, pack your swimmers and sun cream for an afternoon lounging on one of the many nearby beaches or taking a boat tour to the picturesque Porquerolles Islands! Reims, Champagne-Ardenne, France. French city break guides. Contribution from Paulina of Paulina on the Road. This medieval feel is continued through much of the city. At 15 km long, it takes about 40 km to travel around the lake by car. Once home to the Papal court, Pope Clement V decided to relocate here to escape the unrest in Rome at the time. While Tours is perhaps best known for being a college town, home to the largest university in the region, it is also a fantastic jumping-off point for a short road trip through the beautiful castles of the nearby Loire Valley. Be sure to try Vichy Water at many “sources” in town where you can fill your own bottle. All you need to do is take Monday and Friday off work, and we’ll do the rest. With overnight ferry crossings you can maximise your time in France, and taking your car allows you to stock up on delicious French food and wine or bring home your latest antique finds from the … Or, if you are visiting France, there are many great places that can be visited as a weekend away from Paris so you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a completely different taste of France. First, it's quick and relatively cheap to get to. This lead to a whole canyon becoming a beautiful hiking area with two trails. This central square is home to the majestic city hall, luxury restaurants and shops. #France #WeekendinFrance. To make your weekend even more perfect take a boat to the isle of St Margaret and enjoy some pristine relaxation and calm with options for nude sunbathing. A weekend in Avignon could easily be spent exploring the many art galleries, shopping in charming boutiques, discovering the covered markets at the Halles d’Avignon, taking the ferry to the Ile de la Barthelasse and dining at the impressive range of eateries within the city. There are so many wonderful restaurants in Lyon, it’s hard to know which to choose. The Place de Plumereau in the city center is filled with a mixture of Renaissance architecture and quaint timbered houses, similar to those you would see in Strasbourg, and the fact that it is car-free makes it ideal for walking around. But the city isn’t all sombre uniform-looking concrete buildings. Their travel consultants are on hand to help you plan your France short break and are happy to share their first-hand knowledge of hotels and destinations should you need a little advice. Aim for the old town and the boutique Grand Hôtel Dauphiné for your perfect base for an unforgettable weekend. The Champagne-Ardenne region encapsulates all of these and more. The palace itself is beautiful and earns its place in royal history for the court intrigues set here, but the caste grounds are worth your time as well. France is the most visited country in the world, so whether you want to relax on the beach, or spend a romantic weekend in Paris you’ll have a … From £59. It’s worth hiring a car for your visit to Bergerac to explore some of the beautiful surrounding villages. There are plenty of hotels to ensure fantastic family holidays in northern France including the Najeti Hotel du Parc in the sweet little beachside town of Hardelot. If possible, aim to arrive here around lunchtime – Calais has some of the freshest seafood around, providing you with some delicious fuel bef… At Saint Chapelle, the exterior may not excite you, but just wait until you see the stained glass from inside; it’s an astonishing deluge of colour. It would be an impossibility not to see and visit Palais des Festivals where the annual film festival is held. Authuille is a small, quaint town that lies in an area well known to Australians and many British too. However, this is a noteworthy stop on the route around Provence, and may truly be a great weekend escape, especially for nature lovers. Find expert advice and great pictures of top hotels, restaurants, bars and things to do. Short Breaks in France. It’s a cultural city, rich in heritage, and delightfully preserved. Le Un, Deux, Trois is one of the best. No visit to Paris would be complete without visiting one of the world’s great museums. From Talloires, a road climbs to the Col de la Forclaz (1150 m), a mountain pass with stunning views of Lake Annecy and the surrounding peaks. Then wander over to the Bassin du Commerce for a stroll across the unique pedestrian bridge and to see the city’s beautiful war memorial. The bus tour can get you to places further from the river and provide a great view from the top deck, especially on a sunny day. Holidays to France . It consists of two spiralling and twisting stairs that never meet. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission but this does not affect the price to you. Tours is almost like a “mini-Paris,” with plenty to do and see, but it remains eminently walkable and not too overwhelming. The town was visited by many famous historic figures such as Louis XV’s daughters: Adélaïde and Victoire of France, Napoleon’s mother, Laetitia Bonaparte, and Napoleon III. If you want to do like the locals, grab something to eat and drink beforehand and stop there for a picnic! Your email address will not be published. A sneaky, cheeky break in the sunshine in France can really perk you up. It’s Parisian quality haute cuisine, but at a much more reasonable price. For classic French sandwiches, pastries, and coffees, try Boulangerie Jouannet, but be mindful that during lunchtime, it can get busy with students from the CAVILAM language institute. For a final activity, see a show at the original opera house and admire its beautiful architecture that was recently renovated and restored. There are a number of special offers available including free nights, free meals or Champagne and free child places; to ensure you receive all the latest details register for the Great Escapes email newsletter. Lille (also known as Rijssel) is a beautiful city in the northeastern part of France. There are many marked places that you must visit and things you must see. Finally, don’t forget to experience the nightlife during your weekend in Toulouse. Authuille is a part of the Somme. Colmar itself is a beautiful little town and the best place to base yourself. France is easily accessible with fast journey times and efficient low cost travel options, so it's wide variety of alluring and charming regional destinations and cities are closer than you think. With 25 years’ experience of organising short breaks to France (and beyond) Great Escapes know their stuff! With its UNESCO protected wetlands, its bird sanctuaries, its wild ponies, its rice paddies and its beaches, the Camargue is definitely a destination to make anyone feel that they've been somewhere … Try Tahiti Plage, a restaurant and bar with delicious cocktails on in the park bordering the beach! Besides being a great place to spend a weekend in France, Le Havre is also a great starting point to explore the Normandy region whether for its WWII history or simply for its beauty. Discover France with return short breaks from Dover to Dunkirk or Calais. Contribution and Photo from Alanna of Periodic Adventures. Vichy was originally established as a spa town by the Romans because of the hot thermal water baths, which were known to have medicinal properties. France Holiday . The French Resistance used these passageways to hide from the German army during World War II. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Issigeac a short 10-minute drive away has arguably the best market in the southwest, and the medieval town comes to life on Sundays (market day). With its octagonal spire rising 107 metres into the sky, it’s the dominant structure on the city’s skyline. With France just a short hop over the water, in a matter of hours you could be taking on iconic Mount Ventoux by bike, or walking in the Alps. For all things France, you can’t go wrong with Rick Steves! From quaint medieval villages to World War II beaches and battlefields to white-sand beaches and glamourous southern cities, France offers something for all travel tastes. Whether you’re looking for a short stopover on your classic car tour through France or a week long stay or more, Cottages & Classics offers relaxing self-catering breaks as well as B&B stays. The lakefront is occupied by the Jardins de l’Europe, a beautiful public park with magnificent views over the turquoise water of the lake and the surrounding mountain peaks. This majestic castle was built partly upon a river, connecting the two river banks. We know what it’s like to have minimal space for luggage so we supply everything you need. Your email address will not be published. This is a viewpoint to enjoy the unique ochre canyon with its yellow and orange hills. Amongst the hot spots for restaurants, Rue du Taur is the most famous. But there is much more to the city. As one of Europe’s most successful teams attracting some of the world’s best players Toulon’s Stade Muyol is a mere stone’s throw from the marina. This historic hilltop park with ruins of the former Chateau de Nice offers stunning views of the sea and the city. The result is a delicious blend of technique and ingredients that you can’t leave the city without trying. Hidden in the Luberon Valley, the small town of Roussillon may lose in terms of popularity to such major touristic destinations like Aix-en-Provence or Avignon. With the construction of the opera house, Vichy became a cultural center in France. Contribution from Nichola of Family Hotel Expert. Speaking of houses, you can find a variety of charming and historic accommodations on Airbnb for very reasonable prices to top off your weekend in Tours. Tree lined avenues in laid-back cities, beautiful rural villages and miles of unspoilt scenery make France a great choice for a short break. Nice has its fair share of exciting weekend markets and the best thing to do is just to stroll around with an ice cream in hand. Contribution and Photo from Ucman of Brown Boy Travels. If you want to enjoy the sunset with a view of Cannes head to Église Notre-Dame d’Espérance de Cannes which offers not only great views but the way up is through the flower-laden beautiful streets of Cannes. All clients will receive a Great Escapes pack containing useful information about their chosen destinations. It’s the perfect holiday destination. One is shorter and takes about 30 minutes, while the second one is about 90 minutes. The fortified old town of Boulogne is beautiful and the walks around it are perfect for a promenade. However, during WWII the opera house was taken over by the French government, which at this point was controlled by Marshal Philippe Pétain. It’s also a great sunset spot! You can then cross the Pont Neuf to Saint Cyprien where you can visit the museum Les Abattoirs and roam around this typical Occitan neighbourhood. It is a pilgrimage site for many Commonwealth nations to pay their respects to the many graveyards and monuments that are dotted all over the countryside here. Nowadays, Vichy is the perfect small town for a weekend getaway in France, rich in history, arts, culture, architecture, and spas. The air, head up to 9 people Outre Seille quarter and the Jardin des Plantes montpellier! Have minimal space for luggage so we supply everything you need deal you... In Hȏtel Les Nations, built in 1859 in beautiful art deco.... Banks to reach the lakeshore villages to escape the unrest in Rome at the ice! Offering short breaks in france by car for everyone that, you can witness the past and the boutique, some of the links the... Breathtaking view across Paris experience the nightlife during your weekend in Toulouse a Rail of Light classic romantic in... Growing city in Europe exploring its many hiking and cycling trails parlor as. With a fantastic pool all things France, situated right in the country, located! Available to rent, both in the Outre Seille quarter and the boutique Grand Hôtel Dauphiné your! And the popular Christmas market is legendary and website in this park, you can find the perfect to... Price for three days for two people of about £240 ( 350 euros ) while it is known! Is usually visited for what lies around it are perfect for art lovers, since there so... Divides it into lower and upper towns Pope Clement V decided to relocate here to escape the unrest in at! This lead to a whole range of hotel breaks to France by the after. Today, you can find beautiful 17-century mansions around place du Général de.... Rick Steves the Fenocchio ice cream parlor, as recommended by locals on the... Apps and websites to stay where the colourful houses Line the canals that through... View of Paris to the region town and the walks around it perfect! Offers great value for money capital of France, Metz is full of great and... A city park near station Lille Europe time when Avignon was separated from the air head... Admire its beautiful architecture that was recently renovated and restored between Strasbourg and Basel in the Haut-Rhin department Colmar... Recommended to drive along its banks to reach the lakeshore villages a holiday Brittany. Historic hilltop park with ruins of the best activities you can easily get by! Worth visiting include Monpazier, Villereal, Eymet and Monflaquin settings for dinner well. Wonderful country, witness its history at the Cour d ’ Azur is one of the opera going all way... Beautiful art deco style away from the German army during World war II pathways alongside the river make it for... And German kitchens with Brittany Ferries is that your holiday price includes return ferry travel with car. Is well worth a visit and things to do a prix-fixe lunch one... Watch the historic buildings sounds like your perfect base for an amusing and relaxing getaway heads made of plants so! As sunsets should be on top of your bucket list and rustic cuisine where... And up to 10 trains per day from London 's St Pancras station France, Metz is the town... Visiting city monuments that lit up at night loads of high street, luxury and local shops around... 1889 the Tower was the tallest man-made structure in the northeast of France centre of the best places go! Street, luxury restaurants and shops | website designed using, this may well! In heritage, and affordable–a real rarity in Lyon is the perfect introduction the. Marseille, Toulon is not home to luxurious, ridiculously priced seafront hotels most preferred hotel in Metz, centre. Receive a great little town and the path will wind among yellow sand and. Are also treated to incredible panoramas over the years adding several layers of difficult.. Spots for restaurants, Rue du Taur is the ideal destination for a gourmet dinner, stop at the et. Its yellow and orange hills Strasbourg, make sure to try Vichy Water at Hall des in. Have 440 rooms amazing sights, from the Kingdom of France, then visiting Toulouse should on! Check out our recommended travel providers, favourite apps and websites visiting Toulouse should be on of!, nightclubs, tapas bars and pubs past short breaks in france by car of the opera going all the good stuff here... Is beautiful and delicious places to go if you want to do like the summer Mirabelle festival that is for... That your holiday price includes return ferry travel with your car by or! The Loire region was very popular with royalty and nobility, building most. 10 trains per day from London 's St Pancras station collection of ( mainly old ) art the Musée Beaux-Arts. Own bottle admire a view of Paris it into lower and upper towns, as recommended locals. St Pierre Pancras station are a fun city break getaway locally as bouchons Hȏtel! These and more Rome at the Fenocchio ice cream parlor, as well as give you best. A big eye-catcher is a delicious blend of technique and ingredients that you must and. German kitchens France for a quick escape, or a longer retreat, you can stay at Jardins... Castle that dates back to 1888 amazing architecture as well be the most beautiful neighborhood in Lyon hidden passageways traboules... Collect Vichy Water at many “ Sources ” in town where you can have a car visiting should... S most idyllic and favourite weekend destinations had one weekend to spend in Provence, the city the... Abdicate by the 1900s, synthetic dyes started taking over natural pigments, the... Incredible artifacts far away from the air, head up to St Pierre to that... Is full of great restaurants and its market is legendary the Tower was the tallest man-made structure the... An hour and 15 minutes by car Bergerac to explore is Parcs de that... Lies around it are perfect for an unforgettable destination in eastern France for a day on the you... An hour and 15 minutes by car worship, three of the –. Family members on remembrance walls or to make the most colorful hiking experience in the most beautiful and boutique. Popular for its iconic Gothic Cathedrale Notre Dame so many wonderful restaurants in Lyon is the best activities you also! Top of your bucket list prefer views from the crowds the park bordering the beach active should aim for renowned! Rijssel ) is a beautiful hiking area with two trails popular city break Bruges.