3 super Summer break destinations in France

Summer in France is a time of sunshine, grape-filled vineyards, fields of sunflowers, street markets, festivals lavender and joie de vivre! Here are 3 super summer break destinations in France…

Angers, Loire Valley

A great place to visit all year round but in June the Angers is in bloom and a delight to see. Besides a mighty castle, the royal city has a vibrant and richly endowed museum district. Must-sees include the Maison Bleue and the Galerie David D’Angers, with its collection of monumental 19th Century sculptures by the renowned local craftsman, as well as the imposing Collegiale St-Martin church, which dates back to the pre 1000 AD Carolingian period and is built over older buildings from the end of the Roman Empire.

The old centre dates from medieval times and its cobbled streets are lined with ancient buildings, dominated by the massive chateau of the Plantagenets, home of the astounding Apocalypse Tapestry, the largest medieval tapestry ensemble in the world.

Enjoy a guided tour of the Espace Cointreau distillery where the delicious Cointreau liqueur has been made since 1849, and discover the art of cocktail making (with a tasting!).

From Angers you can take a shuttle bus to the extraordinary and brilliant Puy du Fou theme park (around 1hr 15m), a vast Hollywood style history park which features a vast Roman arena with real chariot races – complete with rucking gladiators and a parade of animals, Viking ship attacks, stupendous night-time shows and much more.

Le Touquet Paris-Plage

Le Touquet, AKA “the Monaco of the north” is a favourite with Parisians for its vast sweep of silky golden sand and chichi little town, plus it’s just a couple of hours from Paris – hence the name. The town was developed by a linoleum magnate from Leeds at the beginning of the 20^th century, designed to attract British gentry. You’ll spot ‘olde-English’ style cottages with thatched roofs, Tudor style manor houses and coiffed English style gardens – not quite what you’d expect to see in a northern French seaside resort. But it works.

From the start, it was the place where jet setters went to see and to be seen. Hollywood celebrities, millionaires, politicians, anyone who was anyone came here to play. Author Ian Fleming wrote Casino Royale based on Le Touquet’s casino, where coincidentally Cole Porter wrote the music for “Anything Goes” on the casino piano, and Sean Connery came here to sign his first James Bond contract. Serge Gainsbourg got his big break singing in a restaurant here. Winston Churchill spent summers in Le Toquet and once claimed that so many of his cabinet were there on holiday that he might as well hold office in the little town.

Le Touquet was designed with sports in mind. Tennis courts, a horse racecourse, swimming pools, polo, horse riding, golf – it’s rumoured that Queen Elizabeth II learned to sand yacht here as a teenager!

There’s an abundant café lifestyle, restaurants galore, art deco street market and swanky French shops.

Royan, Charente Maritime

Royan in the southwest of France, in Charente-Maritime, is a classified “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire”. This holiday resort combines old-world charm of the Belle Epoque with modern architecture, a buzzing port and sea front with plenty to see and do in the town and close by.

Get your bearings with a tour of the town. In the aftermath of World War II, Royan, which suffered huge damage, needed reconstruction on a grand scale. The architects in charge of the city’s rebuilding in the 1950s, experimented with new forms, techniques and materials to design a model city, aiming for an open and modern look and feel. Royan’s updated look is unique and comes from combining modern architecture and in particular the influence of Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, combined with Charente-Maritime coastal style, don’t miss the spectacular indoor market and church of Notre Dame.

The sea front is more traditional, bars and restaurants line the esplanade and make for a great, relaxing place to while away the hours. Round the bay, the Belle Epoque style villas are a great contrast after the city’s concrete vibe. Stop at Pointe De Suzac, a short drive from Royan. This natural “balcony” over the Gironde Estuary and protected natural area with forests and lots of wild birds. At nearby Meschers visit the extraordinary Trogladyte caves. And take a short detour to Talmont-sur-Gironde, a ‘Plus beau Village de France’ and ‘Petite Cité de Caractère’. The village was founded in 1284 on a rocky promontory overlooking the Gironde Estuary by Edward 1st of Aquitaine. Cobbled streets, pretty houses, artisan studios and stunning views await.

Janine Marsh is an author and Editor of The Good Life France magazine and website.