15 incredible experiences you can only have in France
“Paris is always a good idea,” declared Audrey Hepburn in the classic 1954 film Sabrina. While the French capital certainly has enough art, architecture and monuments to beguile even the most well-travelled visitor, there’s much more to see in France beyond its biggest city. From historical palaces to world-class wine regions and incredible dining experiences, France ticks the boxes for anyone in search of la belle vie. Here’s our round up of the best experiences you can only have in France.
Wander the lavender fields of Provence
1/14Lavender blooms blanket the region of Provence from mid-June to early August. To see these beauties up close, take a day-trip from Marseille to Valensole, where you’ll find rolling rows of the fragrant flower at Les Grandes Marges, Terraroma and the photo-opp friendly Lavandes Angelvin, among others. Bus tours run regularly at this time of year but if you’d like to avoid the crowds, it’s best to plan your visit for early morning or late afternoon (and prepare for families en masse if you’re visiting during the European school holiday period). After you’ve wandered through the fields, stop at the Musée de la Lavande to learn about the flower’s life cycle.
Learn from the masters at the Perigord Truffle Festival
2/14One unmissable celebration of France’s exceptional culinary scene is the annual truffle festival in Sarlat, a six-hour drive south of Paris, which pays homage to the “black gold” or “black diamond” mushroom the Périgord region is known for. Timed for the December–February truffle season, the two-day festival features hunting demonstrations, cooking classes and tastings over a weekend in January. Our advice? Come hungry – there are plenty of signature croustous, or small bites, that capture the essential flavours of this earthy treat, plus foie gras is a regional hit at this time of year.
Image credit: Kate Shanasy
Experience the best of Basque cuisine in Biarritz
3/14The Basque region is known for its hearty stews, bite-sized pintxos and delicious local produce, all of which can be sampled in the seaside resort town of Biarritz on the French–Spanish border. Get a good look at the area’s best produce at the Les Halles daily covered market before later tasting the spoils at white-tableclothed Hôtel Restaurant Arcé (a la carte or set menu, both featuring a list of local growers), the historic Hôtel du Palais or seafood-centric Chez Eugénie. For a taste of the region’s succulent red broth, ttoro, brimming with langoustines and mussels, settle in at El Callejon or for a relaxed al fresco meal, the delightful Villa Magnan.
Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo
Visit Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel
4/14Rising up from a giant granite rock, this fortress-like town four hours drive west of Paris resembles a castle. Thanks to the ever-changing swell of the English Channel, the surrounding vista shifts constantly, often leaving the village water-locked during high tide. You’ll need your walking legs to explore the World Heritage site via its numerous stairs but it’s well worth the effort to see the panoramic view from the West Terrace or the moody Archangel Show in the abbey church at night. The entrance fee is waived on the first Sunday in January, February, March, November and December.
Master French cuisine in Lyon
5/14A region of proudly held culinary traditions, Lyon is the ideal place to learn how to master signature creations from paté en croute to the indulgent seafood-stuffed quenelles de brochet. Renowned French chef Paul Bocuse is from these parts and his École de Cuisine at the Le Royal McGallery Lyon hotel offers lessons based on his beloved recipes, while Plum Teaching Kitchen Lyon runs a range of small-scale full-day classes that take students from the market to the kitchen to the dining table at the cooking school, located in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed La Croix-Rousse neighbourhood.
Ski in the French Alps
6/14With its snow capped mountains, picturesque alpine villages and powder-dusted slopes, the French Alps, six-and-a-half hours south of Paris by car, is one of the world’s must-try skiing destinations. Some of France’s most famous resorts are in this pocket, including Les Arcs Ski Resort, which faces Mont Blanc, the tallest peak in Europe, as well as those in the town of Chamonix (Europe’s unofficial capital of winter sport). The parks and resorts cater to all levels from open piste tracks through to black diamond runs for the pros.
Drop into some of the world’s best winemaking regions
7/14France is famous for its exceptional wine, with the spoils globally lauded. Cellar door visits and wine tastings are commonplace across the country, with many family-owned wineries delighted to share their knowledge and tipples. Try world-class red wines in Bordeaux, crisp chardonnays from Burgundy, Provençal rosé, Champagne from its source and whites from the picturesque Loire Valley, where estates dot the riverside.
Picnic beneath the Eiffel Tower
8/14Soak up the joie de vivre like a local by rolling out a picnic blanket in the Champ de Mars, the park adjoining the iconic tower, to enjoy provisions picked up at Rue Cler, a street packed with delis and boulangeries. It’s also only a 30-minute walk from Le Bon Marché, an epic multi-storey French grocer – just enough time for your brie to soften to the perfect eating texture.
Marvel at the Palace of Versailles
9/14Less than an hour’s drive from Paris, the 2,300-room Palace of Versailles is a World Heritage-listed marvel. Part of a broader 800-hectare estate of sweeping gardens, stables and a public park, the 17th-century palace is home to over 60,000 pieces of art, some of which appear on the vaulted ceiling of the 73-metre-long Hall of Mirrors. Wander the hallowed halls on a guided tour or with an audio headset before setting off on bike paths that loop around the grounds.
Sail the waters of Saint-Tropez in style
10/14If you’re ready to blow the budget, head to Saint-Tropez, two hours’s drive east of Marseille. Starting at 2,000 euros for a day on the French Riviera, boat rental outlets – such as those by St Tropez Boats or 212 Yachts – allow you to pick your vessel and experience a bespoke itinerary that might include must-visit coves and beaches and to-your-taste menus. The glittering harbour is also home to a clutch of luxe beach clubs, including Club 55 and Nikki beach, so put aside some time after you’ve set anchor to book a daybed and refuel accordingly.
Immerse yourself in Salvador Dali’s surrealism
11/14Escape the lines at the Louvre or the Centre Pompidou and instead venture to the Montmartre district to visit Dalí Paris, an incredible gallery dedicated to the Surrealist master Salvador Dalí that’s packed with 300 original pieces from his vast catalogue. The artist regularly walked the streets of this neighbourhood in the 1950s (often with his pet anteater), adding extra resonance to the basement museum’s location. The museum is also surrounded by excellent eateries (such as Chez Eugene) and within a five-minute walk of the white-stone Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre.
Reconnect with nature at the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park
12/14There are 1,650 kilometres of signposted trails throughout this awe-inspiring UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve at the foothills of the Vosges Mountains in the country’s north-east. You can choose from easy day walks and heavier-duty treks but a highlight is the wander to the peak of the 23-metre-tall Le Chemin des Cimes for exceptional views across the lush pine and oak foliage of the Black Forest and a 75-metre toboggan ride in the structure’s centre. The park also hides 30 castles and numerous camping sites, 111 villages and 28 museums.
Live like a local at produce markets
13/14Pack your pocket with loose euros and venture out early to experience the buzz at the country’s best markets. Etiquette at the market – regardless of whether you’re at the seaside Sanary-sur-mer in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, the 700-year-old Cahors Market in the Lot Valley or Paris’ Marché d’Aligre – is essential. Look for where produce bags are located; if they’re on your side, you can serve yourself. If they’re not, do not touch the goods: explain what you want and the stall holder will pack it for you.
Indulge in the best baked goods
14/14Crusty baguettes and buttery, flaky croissants are synonymous with French culture and the smell of these freshly baked gems perfume the streets of most towns and cities. There’s a reason you’ll see an early-morning line of locals at the boulangerie – a designation only given to bakeries that bake on-site. Join them to pick up a still-warm loaf and a few pastries – try the baguettes from Paris’ award-winning Utopie, the cream-filled Sainte-Lova at Strasbourg’s La Gare’Mandise and a savoury offering from Maison Deschamps in Lyon.