The holidays soon affects their end, but nothing prevents a parenthesis again before the start of the school year. No need to cross the planet or empty your portfolio to blow a few days: France is full of accessible destinations where it is good to prolong the summer. Whether we dream of sea, mountain or improvised city break, there is still time to offer a simple and affordable getaway, alone, duet or family.
Saint-Brieuc, between sea and heritage
In Saint-Brieuc, Brittany is revealed between land and sea, in a balance that seduces hikers as much as relaxation lovers. The cliffs of Plouha, among the highest in Brittany, draw impressive panoramas and house trails where you enjoy a breathtaking view of the emerald coast. Lower, the beaches extend into large sand ribbons: you can lie down in the sun, try an initiation to surfing or go out at sea for a few hours of sailing. Nothing prevents you from coming to just coming with a picker to picnic with the family, the sound of the waves in the background.
The charm of the city continues in its medieval alleys, where houses with wooden sides tell another era. The Saint-Etienne cathedral, whose entry is free, impresses with its Gothic architecture and its role of formerly defensive fortress. For a more complete immersion, the Museum of Art and History makes it possible to better understand the roots of the local culture. Finally, impossible to leave Saint-Brieuc without a passage by its market: strolling between colorful stalls, smelling the local products or simply observing the animation is enough to feel the Breton soul.
Tours, in the heart of the Loire Valley
Hunted along the Royal River, Tours seduced by the elegance of its heritage and its quiet rhythm. The Saint-Gatien cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece, attracts the look with its bright stained glass, while the old center reveals half-timbered houses and cobbled streets conducive to walking. To breathe a moment, the Jardin des Prébends offers a parenthesis of greenery in the center, and the Museum of Fine Arts, installed in the old Archiepiscopal Palace, invites to dive into a rich artistic collection.
Tours is also discovered by flavors. Its markets are full of local products, rillettes with goat cheeses, which are readily accompanied by a glass of Loire wine. The city lives to the rhythm of summer animations, between concerts, festivals and night markets, which offer a warm and accessible atmosphere.
Soulac-sur-Mer, getaway to the end of the Médoc
At the northern end of the Médoc peninsula, Soulac-sur-Mer cultivates a separate atmosphere. Its immense sandy beaches, swept by the Atlantic, invite as much swimming as to the pleasures of surfing, while the Belle Époque villas recall the seaside charm of another time. In its streets lined with pines, the walk takes turns back, marked by the sweetness of a simple and affordable stay.
The discovery continues between heritage and local flavors. The Basilica Notre-Dame-de-la-Fin-des-Terres, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a dive into Romanesque art, and the covered market brings together fresh fish, Médoc oysters and wines from the region every morning. Nature lovers find their happiness by bike, along the tracks that cross dunes and forests to the neighboring vineyards. And for a striking detour, the Cordouan lighthouse, accessible by boat, remains one of the emblematic excursions of the coast.
Gérardmer, Pearl of Hautes-Vosges
Between lake and mountains, Gérardmer stands out as a destination that lives to the rhythm of the seasons. In summer, its body of water attracts swimmers and veil or canoe enthusiasts, while the landscaped banks offer a pleasant setting to families. The marked trails, accessible on foot as in mountain biking, allow to venture into the heart of the Vosges forests and to admire the panoramas that open on the valley.
Gérardmer also seduces with its warm atmosphere. Its traditional houses and small shops give the city center a welcoming character, while the local markets offer the opportunity to taste the local products. Cheeses, cold meats and blueberry pie are all accessible pleasures that complement a stay already rich in activities. Nature, sport and delicacy combine without constraint for a simple and pleasant trip.
Cahors, medieval city on the edge of the lot
Loved in a loop of the Lot, Cahors reveals a heritage which is discovered on foot through its alleys. The Valentré bridge, fortified and majestic, remains the emblem of the city and recalls its importance in the Middle Ages, just like the Cathedral of Saint-Etienne, remarkable for its domes and its cloister. Load lovers will find in the old center a tangle of narrow streets lined with old houses, punctuated by craft shops which extend the medieval atmosphere. The secret gardens, scattered here and there, offer small calm and green breaks in the very heart of the city.
Cahors also seduces with its gastronomy, accessible on its animated markets where liver foie gras, cheeses and, of course, the black wine that makes the reputation of the region. Some cellars willingly open their doors for free tastings, perfect for discovering this exceptional vineyard. Along the river, trails finally allow you to move away from the center to enjoy a quiet walk along the water, completing a getaway that brings together heritage, flavors and relaxation.
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for health, consuming in moderation.
