If you’re an avid traveler, odds are you’ve been to France at least once. It’s annually one of the top destinations for American tourists. As the country reopens for leisure travel this week, it’s a reminder that even in the most familiar destination, things are constantly changing. Next time you’re roaming the streets of Paris, you’ll notice that the city centre is a lot more pedestrian-friendly. A top priority of Mayor Anne Hidalgo limits the number of cars in the central arrondissements around the Seine, reducing pollution and congestion. You might still be dodging bikes, but the city centre will seem much more true to its historical roots.
Destination Guide: France
There’s more to France than Paris or the Riviera.
River Cruising
Cruises on the Seine, Rhone, and Saone rivers will resume this summer. A river cruise is a great way to dive into a country, and there’s a ship for everyone. An option that has existed for years in France – but is especially enticing in the COVID era – is barge cruising. With a capacity of twelve or so, barges are great for families and small groups looking for some quality time. They’re a great way to immerse yourself in the best of the French countryside and culinary scene.
The West Coast of France
Normandy has long been a favourite given its history and seaside charm. It still has all those things, but so does the oft-overlooked northwest corner of the country where Brittany preserves a Celtic culture unique to mainland Europe. There you’ll find bilingual signs and some of the world’s oldest standing architecture. Sidestep Mont St Michel in favour of St Malo, where you can take a walking tour based on All the Light We Cannot See.
Head down the Atlantic coast and you’ll end up in another cultural territory: Basque Country. This mountainous coastal region straddles France and Spain with a language and culture unique among its neighbours.
Wine Country
On the way there, you’ll hit Bordeaux. With a city centre to rival Paris, Bordeaux also boasts excellent food and wine from the bounteous territory surrounding it. Sweeping across the South of France you’ll find the wonders of Provence and the Riviera. Roman ruins, Avignon’s Palace of the Popes, fields of lavender, hill towns and ritzy Mediterranean resorts invite you to rediscover the magic of France.
You’ve probably had some incredible meals on your own Tour de France, but your best might come in the gastronomic capital of Lyon. Here, three-star Michelin chefs elevated the local cuisine to the world stage. The surrounding regions supply world-class wines to pair. On the way back to Paris, you can cut into the heart of France. The chateaux of the Loire Valley will make you think you got lost in a fairy tale, as will the villages of Alsace-Lorraine along the Rhine and the border with Germany.
Whatever you see, whether it’s a city you’ve visited several times before or a region you’ve yet to explore, France remains full of all the beauty you’ve imagined along with a lot more you haven’t.
Where to stay:
Esprit Saint Germain, Paris. This boutique hotel is designed to feel like a private residence in the heart of the Left Bank’s ultra chic Saint Germain des Prés. Esprit Saint Germain was entirely renovated in 2021 with an authentic Parisian ambiance. This is exactly what you imagine a French hotel should be like – very intimate and warm, stunningly designed, with real loving care put into each of its 28 rooms.
Sarah’s tip: relax in the lounge with a glass of complimentary champagne after a day in the city
Les Sources de Caudalie, Bordeaux. Surrounded by the Grand Cru vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Les Sources de Caudalie has been welcoming guests since 1999. Located between vineyards and forests, the hotel is just 20 minutes from Bordeaux’s city centre. The Palace of the Vineyards offers unique experiences thanks to the two-Michelin-starred restaurant La Grand’Vigne , the bistro-style La Table du Lavoir, the wine bar ROUGE, and the Caudalie Spa.
Sarah’s tip: take a wine tour, and watch wine barrels being made by hand!
Château Eza, Eze. Château Eza clings to the side of Èze’s ancient rock walls more than 1,300 feet above the Mediterranean Sea. Such a dramatic setting promises a remarkable experience, and this is one hideaway that definitely won’t disappoint. With just 14 guest rooms, there’s an enchanting, intimate atmosphere. Quiet prevails here, because the city doesn’t allow cars on the surrounding cobblestone streets. Dining is a regal experience; spend an evening in the elegant dining room.
Sarah’s tip: don’t miss the degustation menu.
Cour des Loges, Lyon: Cour des Loges is tucked away in the heart of Lyon’s old town. Four interconnected Renaissance mansions boast just 60 guest rooms and suites, many overlooking the gardens. Don’t miss out on dining here – the chef and his team are outstanding.