With France’s great diversity, it’s no wonder that tourists are often left pondering over the best areas to visit for their own needs. If you’re happy to be so neatly defined by your interests, you can’t go wrong with this short guide to the best regions for specific demographics:
So, here’s my pick of the best luxury holidays in France for…
Families
In truth, most areas have plenty to do for children, but what parents won’t have felt the tug on their clothes and an insistence that a trip to Disneyland is all they’ll ever want? This, combined by the other excellent theme park in the area – Park Asterix – and the range of entertainments provided in the city, makes Paris a worthwhile stop for those looking to keep families entertained. If you want to make either park the main focus of your holiday in France, hotels are available on both sites. Other good mentions are the south with its sunny beaches and child friendly atmosphere, and Brittany/Normandy for its short journey time.
Gourmets
To be perfectly honest, from a food perspective, you’ll be well served by every area of France. Each region has its own unique specialities, and you could go for months with unique meals touring the place! That said, for its wine as well as fine cuisine, you can’t fault the Burgundy region. Everyone knows it’s the premier region of the country for wine, and its food is excellent as well – amongst the best produce of the region are the Charolais beef, fine cheeses, splendid mushrooms and truffles, and some very moreish chocolate!
Skiers
Skiing fanatics won’t be surprised by this revelation – the Three Valleys is clearly the best region in France for ski lovers. A massive 600km of ski slopes, 200 ski lifts and 8 ski resorts ensure that this will keep you coming back for luxury holidays in France for years to come, if hurtling down an icy slope attached to two planks is your idea of a good time…
Beach Lovers
France is blessed with many outstanding beaches, so narrowing it down to one region was always going to be tricky. That said, in terms of quality, quantity and variety the Cote d’Azur wins hands down for me. The pick of the lot is Plage Port Grimaud, an outstanding picturesque beach with visitors from every section of society enjoying the sands. Nearby, you have great variety – from those where clothes are optional (Plage de Tahiti) to the ones with beachside playgrounds that children will love (Plage de la Bouillabaisse, Plage des Jumeaux).
Walkers and Cyclists
While experienced cyclists may prefer to pay homage to the yellow jersey and head to the French Alps, you can’t go wrong with a hotel in France’s Provence region. It has everything which those who love exploring the outdoors need – lovely weather, stunning scenery and nice, empty roads. Novices will want to explore the Luberon’s hilltop villages, while experts will find the intimidating Mont Ventoux a real challenge. Wrap up each trek with some charming food and excellent local wine and you’re really onto a winner.
Romantics
A hotel in France is amongst the most romantic places to mark that anniversary or make the most of that special weekend. While there are great spots for honeymooners and romantics all over the country, my first instincts would be to recommend not the bustle of Paris, but the understated charm of the Loire Valley. The glorious countryside is littered with charming castles, the food and wine is exceptional, and the whole peaceful mood is just designed for romance. Some of the chateaux’s have actually been converted to hotels – can you imagine anything more suited to a honeymoon?
Culture Vultures
Of course for culture, you cannot recommend anywhere but Paris. True, there are museums, galleries and historical points of interest all over France, but nowhere do you find such a high density as in the capital. Of course, the guide books will tell you to visit the Louvre and the Pompidou Centre, but there are literally hundreds of monuments, museums, galleries and cultural sights for those with the stamina. For culture vultures on holiday in France, there really is no better choice.
Of course most people will want to mix and match their interests, but with many of these in easy reach, a day trip is never too far away…
Author Resource:-
Kieron Sellens is the marketing manager of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AiTO). With an AITO holiday in France (http://www.aito.co.uk/france-holiday.asp) you can tailor-make the dream holiday – whether you want piste pleasure or family fun.
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