France’s incredible attractions are easily accessible, often just a short distance after arriving by ferry or the Channel Tunnel. One such marvel is the Dragon de Calais, a 25-meter-long mechanical dragon that roams the renovated waterfront, carrying 48 passengers on its back for a ticket price of €9.50. This stunning creation, designed by the artists behind Les Machines de L’île in Nantes, breathes fire, steam, and water, captivating onlookers with its impressive presence.
This year, the Dragon de Calais is joined by Le Varan, a massive iguana that meanders through the town and the historic fishing area, accommodating 25 passengers at a cost of €8.50 for adults. While visiting, take time to enjoy the coastal beaches at Hardelot-Plage and explore the Chateau d’Hardelot, which has ties to the historical relations between France and Britain.
The year 2023 marks a century since Claude Monet’s passing, prompting numerous exhibitions across Normandy and Paris to celebrate his legacy. However, art enthusiasts need not crowd into Giverny or the Musée d’Orsay to enjoy Monet’s masterpieces. Instead, Rouen offers a quieter alternative, where Monet was inspired by the cathedral’s ever-shifting, silvery light, capturing it in over 30 paintings from the perspective of a ladies’ undergarment shop across the street.
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen houses the largest collection of French Impressionist art outside of Paris, featuring one of Monet’s cathedral paintings alongside works by Camille Pissarro and Alfred Sisley. While in the area, visitors can also explore the Boucles de la Seine regional park, which provides scenic cycling routes through orchards and past the historic ruins of the Abbaye de Jumièges.
In the Dauphiné region near Grenoble, stunning landscapes meet intriguing sites like the Palais Idéal, an imaginative structure built over 33 years by Ferdinand Cheval, a postman inspired by the postcards he delivered. This 10-meter-high palace showcases a blend of mythical creatures, Egyptian temples, and Swiss chalets, while a small museum narrates Cheval’s poignant life story and the efforts made to have the palace recognized as a historical monument.
The region is also home to the breathtaking Vercors mountains, featuring dramatic roads like the Combe Laval route, carved from rock in the 19th century for timber transport. Visitors can discover the remarkable Grotte de Choranche caves, known for their unique stalactite formations, and the picturesque town of Pont-en-Royans, where medieval houses cling to the cliffs above a gorge.
Cycling enthusiasts will find extensive, car-free paths throughout France, including the newly established Traversée Bretonne, a challenging route that traverses central Brittany. Starting in Nantes, the 14-stage journey leads riders past mid-century architecture in Saint-Nazaire, including the Saucer-shaped sports center, and onto La Baule’s “Atlantic Riviera,” featuring elegant villas and a sprawling beach.
The vibrant city of Rennes offers a perfect spot for refreshment, with Rue Saint-Michel, humorously known as Rue de la Soif, boasting a bar approximately every seven meters. The ride culminates with a flat stretch leading to the iconic Mont-Saint-Michel.
Consider a late-summer getaway to the Vallée du Gapeau, located inland from Toulon, famous for its fig orchards. Locals claim that the trees thrive with their heads basking in sunlight and their roots in water. At the end of August, the harvest season kicks off with the lively Fête de la Figue in Solliès-Pont, featuring a bustling market, tours of the orchards, and an enjoyable four-course dinner with live music in the village square.
During your visit, take a hike through the wooded valley to see the strangely shaped “elephant rock.” Tour the local olive oil mill at Moulin à Huile du Partégal for a complimentary tasting and explore the charming villages of Solliès-Ville and Solliès-Toucas.
To truly appreciate the essence of French cheeses, visiting the regions where they are produced is essential. The Jura mountains, known for comté cheese, provide an enchanting backdrop. The Routes du Comté allows visitors to tour the Fort Saint-Antoine, where Fromageries Marcel Petite ages over 100,000 wheels of comté cheese within a 19th-century military fort (tours require reservations at €11). Nearby, the Restaurant du Fromage offers a delightful fondue featuring comté and savagnin wine in a Swiss-chalet ambiance.
Just an hour away, the town of Poligny hosts La Maison du Comté, a visitor center dedicated to the cheese-making process, highlighting the diverse flavors derived from the 130 plant species that cows graze upon.
A road trip through the scenic Perche regional natural park in southern Normandy reveals rolling hills, cider orchards, and quaint villages, making it a prime location for treasure hunters seeking vintage finds. The towns of Bellême and Mortagne-au-Perche, as well as the D923 road between La Ferté-Bernard and Nogent-le-Rotrou, are dotted with brocante shops and warehouses showcasing artfully arranged items.
This area is a favored weekend retreat for Parisians, leading to a plethora of excellent dining options. In the village of La Perrière, La Maison d’Horbé B&B and wine bar is located within an antiques shop, while the Hotel les Prés in Saint-Hilaire-le-Châtel features its own restaurant.
No trip to France is complete without experiencing the unique offerings of Puy du Fou, a theme park that transcends traditional attractions.
