Inspiration

Reasons to visit France this summer

Guest Expert

5 min read

Summer holidays don’t get better than a get together of family or friends in a gîte. By day, everyone can do their own thing, be it exploring the area or a day by the pool. Later, everyone can reunite over an aperitif followed by dinners alfresco which can be as simple as baguettes with sharing platters of cheese, charcuterie and salads. Couples, meanwhile, will find cosy boltholes to which to return with local wines and cheeses for quiet evenings à deux.

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Finistère, Dordogne, Lot, Gard

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France

Escape to Finistère

The overnight ferry to Roscoff delivers you into the charming fishing town in time for breakfast and from there it's an easy drive west to some of the most charming yet undiscovered areas of Brittany. You can't beat this region in summer; the sun shines but it's not too hot, there's a bounty of produce to take back to the gîte and cook, and lively events to seek out. On the Crozon Peninsula and nearby coastline, you'll find dramatic coastal paths to explore and broad sweeping beaches of golden sand, such as Plage de la Palue and Plage de Trez Bellec. Decamp to your gîte to relax each evening, such as Ty Anna, with its own sea views and large deck for evening barbecues; or the bijou hideaway Tor ar Menez, where you're welcomed by the owners with local cider.

Summer is when the local strawberry harvest is in full swing at Plougastel-Daoulas and the Fête des Fraises takes place each June. Indeed, the festivals come in quick succession over the summer; midsummer’s eve (21st June) sees most communities host an event for the nationwide celebration, Fête de la Musique. Then in July, Quimper hosts the Festival of Cornouaille, a huge celebration of Breton culture, complete with concerts, dance shows, Breton bagpipes, bell-ringers and many people in traditional Breton costume. The 2023 edition will see it mark its 100th anniversary with some 150,000 visitors. Meanwhile world music is on the agenda as the Festival Bout du Monde on the Crozon Peninsula welcomes a cosmopolitan crowd – families and music lovers who dance, sing and play music from around the world.

Find out more about our special places in Finistère here >

Dordogne dreaming

There’s a reason the Dordogne is popular in summer, not only is it beautiful with its golden-stone villages and dramatically varied landscape, but there is so much to do and see. By booking a two-week stay, you have time to relax and enjoy the markets, villages and other attractions at a gentle pace. Wine lovers might like to stay closer to Bergerac to explore the vineyards nearby to learn how ‘Noble Rot’ is essential to the production of the local dessert wine. The Wine Cottage was made for oenophiles, being set on the site of a wine school and vineyard. Families and larger groups might want to be closer to Sarlat for attractions such as the incredible Hanging Gardens of Marqueyssac with their 150,000 topiaried boxwoods; or the former home of dancer and Resistance hero Josephine Baker Château des Milandes. Gîtes such as Les Portes de Sainte Marie and the Chartreuse de Montfort are a great place to relax after a day of exploring and the bonus is they are within easy reach of Sarlat’s incredible market on a Wednesday and Saturday to shop for provisions. Another market that is worth the detour is at Issigeac on a Sunday, nearby is Le Mas et Le Mazet, where the indoor and outdoor kitchens are so well equipped, any cook will love preparing meals with local produce there. Families can then gather around the stylish dining table or outside after a dip in the pool.

Find out more about our special places in Dordogne here >

The Lot with lots of friends

With so many Château and large maisons, France is ideal for larger groups to get together on holiday. If you’ve ‘done’ the Dordogne, look to The Lot valley as an alternative, where large groups will be able to get together in style in properties such as Domaine de Roubignol in Luzech, or at the Château Les Estournels, with its beautiful décor, Grand Salon and pool. When you do tear yourself away, though, you can visit the many vineyards along the looping River Lot and bring back your best finds to enjoy as an aperitif in the evening sun on the terrace. Catering for large groups is easy in south-west France; the excellent local markets abound with fresh local produce that make barbecues, picnics and sharing platters easy to throw together each evening. The town of Cahors is set in a loop in the River Lot and has a lively market, which takes place in Place Jean-Jacques Chapou, overlooked by the mighty Cathédrale Saint-Etienne, it’s here you can buy the local cake; Le Pastis du Quercy. This decadent fine pastry and apple confection is doused with rum or the local prune liqueur and is an easy crowd-pleaser for dessert. Explore the old town, too, and follow the tourist office’s map of the 25 secret gardens, hidden in courtyards and small green spaces between the medieval buildings, before walking across the famous 14th-century, Unesco-listed bridge, Le Pont Valentré.

Find out more about our special places in Lot here >

Glorious Gard

For a summer break in the south of France, the department of Gard holds much allure. In the north you have the Cévennes mountains, where lovers of the outdoors can hike in the shade of the chestnut trees and return to a holiday home with all creature comforts to rest weary limbs. Places such as Les Planas, with its own pool and shady patios, and the smaller Hayloft at La Deveze are the ideal place to put your feet up at the end of the day exploring. History lovers will adore this area too, for Roman history abounds in the Gard. In Nîmes, you’ll find the largest intact Roman amphitheatre outside Italy, as well as a brilliant interactive Musée de la Romanité and Roman temple, the Maison Carré, reopened last summer after refurbishment. The city is also great for shopping, with local specialities such as almond and orange blossom biscuits les croquants to take back to the gîte to try. Outside the city, the Pont du Gard needs to be seen to be believed; this three-level Roman aqueduct spans the River Gard. Its nearby museum has some fantastic exhibits about Roman life and explains what an incredible feat it was to build. It’s possible to swim in the river beneath the bridge, but if you prefer your own pool in which to take a dip, then head back to Mas de Mahystre where the tranquil pool is surrounded by fragrant pines. The house is within easy distance of Uzès too, with one of France’s best markets, to buy up delicious food for dinners al fresco.

Find out more about our special places in Gard here >

Explore our collection of special places to stay in France >

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The Wine Cottage

Saussignac, Dordogne

From €127 p/n
Self-catering
1 room for 2

Château Les Estournels

Barguelonne-en-Quercy, Lot

From €525 p/n
Self-catering
5 rooms for 10

Les Planas

Monoblet, Gard

From £390 p/n
Self-catering
5 rooms for 14

Carolyn Boyd

Guest Expert

Carolyn is one of the UK’s leading food and travel writers and an expert on France. She likes nothing more than telling a good story, packed with expert insight and inspirational recommendations. Her writing for The Guardian, The Times, National Geographic Traveller and many more has seen her cycle across France, seeking out its beauty, culture and delectable produce in search of some of the most delicious and exciting experiences in travel.

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