The summer holidays are the time for a much-needed break, giving you the opportunity to slow down, reconnect with your partner and focus on your health and overall wellbeing. Here in Northern France we’ve picked out some experiences that will allow you to enjoy a real break together, to recharge your batteries and make time for each other.
Driving the western route (A16/A28) between Calais and Bordeaux/Northern Spain?
Le Touquet as recommended by locals
Why you’ll love this:
- For the 360° views from the top of Le Touquet lighthouse
- For the seafood at Perard, especially its famous fish soup and its seafood platters, accompanied by a bottle of Chablis
- For a bike ride on safe trails by the seaside or in the forest
Why you’ll love this:
– Because this open-air son-et-lumière show inside the Citadel, depicting the world-famous novel by Victor Hugo, is a true extravaganza, featuring live horses, cannons, dance and even fireworks
Why you’ll love this:
- For the sublime candle-lit dinners featuring fresh local produce cooked by
your host Tim.
- For the chance to soak up the atmosphere of the 1,000-year-old village of Montreuil-sur-Mer over a leisurely lunch in a terrace café
– For the time to relax in Tim’s peaceful garden
Calais as recommended by locals
Why you’ll love this:
- For Andrew Birkin’s temporary exhibition of photographs of his sister Jane Birkin with Serge Gainsbourg at the Musée des Beaux Arts until 4th November
- For Le Grand Bleu restaurant for its inventive use of fresh regional produce
- For the chance to tour the area and enjoy stunning views of the French countryside
Why you’ll love this:
- For the period vehicles, which make this a must for all vintage car enthusiasts
- For that fact that the festival is completely free
Why you’ll love this:
– For the fact that your host Stéphanie – granddaughter of a lace designer – can give you insider tips on the best restaurants and make table reservations for you
– For the promixity to a secure pay car-park (just 7 minutes’ walk away).
Amiens as recommended by locals
Why you’ll love this:
- For the chance to explore the largest gothic cathedral in France – one listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO
- For the café terraces and for Saint Leu market in the city’s oldest district
- For the chance to go on a bike ride along the safe towpaths lining the Hortillonnages floating market gardens, and to hear the cuckoos sing
Why you’ll love this:
- For the way state-of-the-art modern technology is used to bring the cathedral’s incredible facade to life, bathing it in the colours in which it would have been painted in the Middle Ages
- For the son-et-lumiére effects bringing together stunning light displays with evocative music
Why you’ll love this:
- For a room with a view of the cathedral
- For the fact that your host Gweltaz can recommend the best local restaurants and book your table for you
Taking the eastern route (A26) to Marseille, Dijon and Provence?
The Champagne Trail
Why you’ll love this:
- For the pretty winding roads through the vineyards
- For the chance to discover scenic little villages
- For the champagne house visits and tastings
Why you’ll love this:
- For the unapologetically rich, delicious food at the Château de Fère’s restaurant – an unmissable experience
- For the chance to explore the remarkable grounds with its ruins of the original castle that occupied the site
- For a dose of luxury and French romance
The Best Flea Markets and brocantes in Northern France
What are the essential events in Northern France in summer 2018?
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