So many things to do and see in France, so little time. The best thing about France being on the UK doorstep in this century is that you can grab a quick and comfortable ferry to France and you are instantly in the thick of it.
I love Paris in the springtime… and in the summer, autumn and winter. Of course the French capital has been the place to see and be seen for centuries, but there is so much more. You can buy, do, eat and visit plenty of delightful things on day trips to France although it is very tempting to stay over, at least for a weekend.
Fashionistas flock to Paris to find out what to wear and then pop down to the south of France or into the French Alps to show off their purchases. Sports lovers can’t resist the Tour de France cycle race which takes in most of the country.
The choice is yours, whatever your taste – art, culture, architecture, sport, great outdoors, food and drink in the landscape of your choice – coast, alps, plains, vineyards, cities, villages, countryside.
There are hundreds of fabulous things to do, but if you need to cut it down here’s a chic list of dix (10) things to do in France that have a certain je ne c’est quoi.
10. Monet’s garden
If you love the works of Impressionist painter Claude Monet, then you must visit his house and stunning garden in the pretty village near Giverny. Best for flower viewing in spring and summer.
9. French Open
Tennis anyone? Grand Slam clay court at Roland Garros is a must for tennis fans, held May/June in Paris.
Possibly the most glamorous place in the world for a fortnight in May, Cannes is the playground of the rich, famous and wannabes.
7. Taste champagne in Epernay
The biggest and best champagne houses are represented on the Avenue de Champagne. I could live and die on this street, I’m sure.
6. Balloon ride
Pick any region and you’ll find a balloon company to get you up, up and away. Imagine flyng over the lavender fields of Provence, the Loire valley or fabulous walled towns like Carcassonne.
5. La Fete de la Musique
From street gigs to major orchestral events, La Fete de la Musique is now a festival celebrated all over France in June.
4. Walk the GR trails
There are marked walking trails in most areas adding up to 110,000 miles. For a hard core challenge try GR 20 in Corsica.
3. Canal du Midi
For a lightly more leisurely travel option, you can boat, walk, cycle or drive along the beautiful man-made Canal du Midi. It connects rivers from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic and was built to navigate safely and quickly as well as keep away from Barbary pirates.
2. Working organic farm stay
For a free holiday where you can work and learn about organic farming, WWOOF-ing is for you. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms is an international organisation that introduces people to the wonders of low impact lifestyles and organic growing.
1. Stay in a chateau
The ultimate luxury. Go on, you know you want to.
Blogger Midge is a newly converted Francophile and visits France as often as possible. If only she had some French language skills.
