France 💖

Loire Valley

An area of outstanding natural beauty, the Loire Valley is also affectionately known as the garden of France. The valley spans over 280km and is located in the beautiful middle stretch of the Loire River in central France. It’s filled with so much culturally and historically important architecture it has earned itself a world heritage site status. One of the most visited places in France, it’s known for its large collection of fairytale-esque chateaus and mansions, exceptionally beautiful landscapes and one of the most striking rivers in Europe – the Loire Valley is a gentle but most definitely bourgeois paradise.

Where to stay – our recommendations

• Hotel Diderot, Chinon, Loire Valley – Charming family run hotel in beautiful location from €56pn
• Auberge de Launay, Limeray, Loire Valley – Affordable but gorgeous country hotel from €65pn
• Chateau Colbert Maulevrier, Loire Valley – Superb traditional Chateau with glamorous decor from €89pn

Mont Saint-Michel & Normandy

Second only to the Eiffel Tower as France’s best-loved landmark, Mont St-Michel is rocky, peaked island connected by a causeway to northwest France. It’s an imposing sight sitting amid sprawling sandbanks and powerful tides but the heritage site is most celebrated for its Gothic-style Benedictine abbey. Directly below the grand monastery is a medieval village complete with winding streets dotted with small houses and souvenir shops.

You should also spend a few days exploring the rest of the Normandy region. Filled with history and lush green landscapes expect dry-stone farmhouses, chalk-white cliffs, half-timbered buildings and picturesque chateaus. The historically important site of the Normandy Landing beaches and the famous Bayeux tapestry is also located here.

Where to stay – our recommendations

• Mouton Blanc Hotel, Mont-Saint-Michel – Character hotel on Mont-Saint Michel from €80pn
• Les Vieilles Digues, Mont Saint-Michel – Farm cottage guest house near the sea from €60pn
• Chateau de Bouceel, Normandy – Beautiful chateau guest house set on a country estate from €80pn
• Clos de Bellefontaine, Normandy – Charming restored mid-19th century mansion close to Bayeux from €60pn

Côte d’Azur

The sun soaked Mediterranean coastline of southeast France is also known as the French Riviera. The glamorous region has transfixed many famous visitors over the decades (including royalty, writers and artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse) and its miles of gorgeous coastline and azure waters easily make it one of most beautiful places to visit in France. Also pay a visit to the stylish coastal cities of Nice, Cannes and St-Tropez all located here – they still remain exclusive holiday resorts even today.

Where to stay – our recommendations

• Nice Garden Hotel, Côte d’Azur – Small and stylish budget boutique hotel from €60pn
• Hotel Villa Rivoli, Nice – Charming centrally located hotel with French decor from €75pn
• Ideal Sejour Hotel, Cannes – Stylish budget boutique hotel with pretty garden from €66pn
• Hotel Des Allees Cannes – exceptional 3-star hotel close to Carlton Beach from €90pn
• Villa La Begude, St-Tropez – Exceptional villa moments from Saint Tropez Gulf. from €90pn

Giverny

Giverny is a riverside rural idyll located on the borders of Normandy which is most famous for being the birthplace of impressionism. The small village was once Claude Monet’s cherished country retreat and now both his postcard-pretty pink shutter-board house and beautiful country gardens are open to the public. Planted by Monet himself, the walled water garden (which inspired so many of his famous paintings) features white and purple wisterias, water lilies, weeping willows, bamboo and the iconic green Japanese bridge.

Where to stay – our recommendations

• Hotel La Chaine d’Or, near Giverny – Normandy riverside retreat near Monet’s Garden from €85pn
• La Maison de Madame Baudy, Giverny – A lovely renovated farmhouse with modern decor from €75pn

The Palace of Versailles

A wealthy suburb of Paris, Versailles is an important administrative centre and a proud tourist attraction in its own right. It’s most famous for its chateau – the hugely grand and ornate Palace of Versailles which once housed the kings of France (including the ill-fated Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette). Both the immaculate palace and manicured gardens are extraordinary and the palace offers a beautifully preserved insight into the lives of 18th century French royalty before the start of the legendary French Revolution.

Where to stay – our recommendations

• L’Hotel Des Roys Le Paris, Versailles – Uniquely decorated excellent budget hotel from €60pn
• Mercure Versailles Chateau, Versailles – Well presented hotel with good amenities from €85pn

The Dordogne

The Dordogne (which lies to the south west of the country) is an exceptionally beautiful place to visit in France which seems to please even the most discerning of travellers. The region’s long roads and rivers wind through unspoiled pastures, spectacular gorges, charming medieval towns and villages of rich historical heritage. Include a visit to the sacred pilgrim’s monuments en route to Santiago de Compostela, sample the local wines still produced by many of the chateaus and explore the ancient fortified towns such as the visually striking Beynac-et-Cazenac.

Where to stay – our recommendations

• Hotel Du Centenaire, Dordogne – Classy, traditional hotel with gorgeous garden from €120pn
• Chateau De La Fleunie, Dordogne – Unique hotel housed in a historic stone chateau from €78pn

Champagne-Ardenne

The birthplace of champagne is also one of the most beautiful regions in France and not surprisingly its very popular with wine trail tourists. Champagne-Ardenne, located northeast of the country, has miles of Champagne trail routes, scenic countryside, medieval chateaus and vineyards as far as the eye can see. Make sure you visit the region’s capital Troyes for impressive art and architecture and Reims for its famous cathedral and acres of underground wine cellars.

Where to stay – our recommendations

• Hotel Le Chateau Fort, Champagne-Ardenne – Medieval fortress turned unique hotel from €70pn
• Domaine Champagne Ployez Jacquemart – Beautifully presented mid range family run chateau from €80pn

Strasbourg

Located right on the border of Germany and France this heritage city has the charming characteristics of both countries. It’s a picturesque place, famous for its riverfront half-timbered houses, gothic cathedral and obvious fondness for flowers! It also makes a great base for those wishing to visit the nearby Black Forest or the River Rhine.

Where to stay – our recommendations

• Hotel De France, Strasbourg – City hotel with funky decor from €65pn
• Hotel Du Dragon, Strasbourg – Stylish and tasteful lower priced hotel in a good location from €60pn

Provence

The Provence countryside definitely deserves a mention of its own. If you head for the Luberon area (located at the heart of the Provence region) you’ll find the most stereotypical scenery of rural Provence – beautiful landscapes filled with seemingly endless lavender fields, lush olive groves, undulating vineyards and pretty ancient hilltop villages dotted with shutter-board houses. Make sure you also include trips to the picturesque villages of Baux-de-Provence and St. Rémy, and the dazzling walled city of Avignon. Long lazy days and alfresco lunches await you in this rural chic paradise.

Where to stay – our recommendations

• Chateau des Alpilles, Provence – Stunning 19th century country castle from €110pn
• Mas Des Carassins Hotel, Provence –  Pretty stone country hotel in St.Remy from €90pn
• Hostellerie Du Luberon, Vaugines, Provence – Peaceful rural retreat with great views from €80pn

Annecy, The Alps

The French Alps are probably best known for their up-market ski resorts, but the region is also home to some very attractive towns which make lovely places to visit in both summer and winter. One that really stands out is Annecy, also known as the ‘Venice of Savoie’ the city is interspersed with small canals with a postcard pretty 14th century Chateau at the centre. With its unique central focal point and backdrop of beautiful snowy mountains, Annecy is easily one of the most photogenic towns in France.

Where to stay – our recommendations

• Splendid Hotel, Annecy – Lovely hotel in fairytale location from €90pn
• Hotel Des Alpes, Annecy – A popular modern budget hotel in a central lake-side location from €60pn

Of course it’s impossible to mention all the beautiful places in France in a Top 10 list. Still want more? Then also pay a visit to the tranquil and unspoiled countryside of the wine regionBurgundy, the chic coastal cities and sun-soaked shores of Corsica, the exceptional coastline of Brittany, the world heritage cities of Lyon and Bordeaux, the picturesque villages and high mountains of the Mid Pyrenees, the low-key traditional wine region of Languedoc and the Gorge du Verdon, France’s very own answer to the Grand Canyon. Enjoy your stay in this beautiful country!