These three destinations are great to visit any time but they’re particularly lovely in spring. From the big attraction of Versailles where out of the main visitor season you’ll find less crowds, Tours at the heart of the Loire Valley where the April blossoms and flower filled beds of the chateaux are an uplifting sight, to the tiny village of Camon in Ariege which is filled with roses in May.
March: Versailles, gilded and gorgeous
The royal city of Versailles is good to visit all year round and in March (and even at the start of April) there are less crowds at the Palace and the gardens are free to visit and if you’re lucky sparkling with a dusting of frost. Book your ticket for the palace online beforehand – it’s a good way to avoid queues to get in and for some visits and guided tours, the only way you can visit.
If you want to see everything – the Queen’s Hamlet, Trianon Estate, allow for a long day or 1.5 to 2 days at a relaxed pace. The gardens are free to visit when the musical fountains are closed (end October to end March). There’s much more to this lovely city – don’t miss the Notre-Dame market, it’s the second largest market in France and one of the best (daily but best days are Tuesday, Friday, Saturday). Built during the reign of Louis XIII (1610-1643). The city coasts sensational architecture, several museums and great restaurants.
And don’t forget to visit Versailles historic town – there’s so much to see and do even without the chateau
April: Tours, delicious and historic
Tours is at the heart of the Loire Valley and a great base to visit the chateaux, vineyards and lovely villages. As the weather warms up in spring, there’s no better place to sit and watch the world go by with a glass of local wine than In the lovely place Plumereau in the old district, which has been voted “best place for an aperitif in France.”
The former Gallo Roman city is crossed by medieval winding lanes, full of ancient buildings and timber-framed houses, soaring churches and several museums – don’t miss the world’s only Guild Museum, which exhibits masterpieces made by guildsmen through the ages. Tours is a gastronomic destination with a magnificent covered market – the belly of Tours – plus a flower market, flea market (Place Victoire) and a craft market on Saturdays. Take your pick of superb restaurants serving local specialities from cheeses to fish, cakes, pies and more – don’t miss the log shaped Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, delicious fresh goats milk cheese and Selles-sur-Cher, a disk shaped, slightly nutty-tasting goats’ cheese.
It’s a good time to visit the surrounding chateaux (several of which can be reached by train from Tours including Chenonceau, Blois and Amboise), with gardens bursting into life, and less visitors.
May: Camon, village of roses
This pretty Plus Beaux Village, located near Mirepoix and Lagarde, in the hollow of the Ariège valley is best visited in May and June when the roses are in bloom. The ancient houses and narrow winding streets are smothered in rose bushes. Nicknamed ” the little Carcassonne “, this tiny medieval village is surrounded by ramparts on which grow vines, and it’s a perfect a relaxing weekend destination and base for the wider area.
If you can – go on the 3rd Sunday in May when the annual Rose Festival takes place. There are lots of roses and plant sellers, the whole town is filled with the scent of their soft blooms. There’s also a gourmet market, events in the Abbey cloister and concerts in the church.
Discover the fairy tale Chateau of Gudanes near Camon
Janine Marsh is the Editor of The Good Life France.
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