France

[wellquickwoody]

If you do drive then be aware it takes around 13 hours from north to south with a couple of stops etc.. About half way down is some serious wine making country (Nuis St George) and some very picturesque B&B's if you want to break the trip. As mentioned earlier be aware of the speed limit as it is not only expensive but CASH only. Worth carrying around 150 euro's as otherwise you will have your car impouded whilst you trek to a cashpoint! When you get south there are some great places all along the coast but if you get a chance then drive into Italy for a couple of nights, marvellous!

 

[dougdeep]

But, but, but, it's full of French people.

 

[BensGrandad]

But, but, but, it's full of French people.

The vast majority of french people loves us once you get away from Calais and other day trip places who have only seen the worst of the Brits.

 

[Lethargic]

St Omer is SUPERB. 30 minutes from the Ferry. A lovely Town and area with a square surrounded by bars and resturants with friendly locals and a good atmosphre. France pisses all over the UK imo.

Much as I wish I could disagree you're right so much choice you're spoilt for places to go - a couple more to add to the list anywhere in the Champagne region then hire bikes and cycle around the champagne vineyards, around Cognac - seems to be a theme there. Avoid the major cities and stick to the small towns and villages and France is wonderful.

 

[Stat Brother]

The vast majority of french people loves us once you get away from Calais and other day trip places who have only seen the worst of the Brits.

As said on another travel thread.
If you put a small amount of effort into speaking basic french, they are more than happy with us brits.

 

[Hunting 784561]

But, but, but, it's full of French people.

I envy their Quality of Life.

Fact.

 

[Daddies_Sauce]

I envy their Quality of Life.

Fact.

I'll ditto that, we have family who have left blighty and are not far from Beziers. We have driven down the last couple of years and had a great time, stop over half way down in one of the cheap B&B's and your onto a winner. Don't forget to go over the Millau bridge, an amazing sight.

 

[The Hon Sec]

As above dont go early August. Did it once, travelling on overnight ferry but still got caught in the horrendous traffic going south from Paris. Nightmare! Vendee coast and towards La Rochelle excellent weather almost as good as the south and not so far. Anywhere south of Calais really and in agreement about St Omer!

 

[Beach Hut]

Try the atlantic coast - fabulous fun with superb beaches.

Vendee area is spectacular as well.

 

[Austrian Gull]

So many great places to go - difficult to know where to start.

The advice about busy roads in August is sound. It's worse on the motorways (the queues for the too booths can be horrendous), around paris and Lyon and around the beach resorts.

You certainly don't need to drive to the south to find beautiful places unless you're real sun worshippers.

Brittany is beautiful and great for families - Golfe du Morbihan area is a favourite as well as Dinan.

The area around Caen has some fine beaches but the water's no warmer than in England.

Alsace was a good tip - wine villages, beautiful rolling hills, Colmar, Strasbourg.

Massif Central is a great area to avoid the crowds - great walking country, friendly locals, few Brits, mountains without the scars of ski resorts.

The Basque country (Biarritz) is one of my favourite regions but could be a tad busy in August.

Speak a little bit of French and you'll find 99% of the people friendly and helpful!

 

[Austrian Gull]

When were you last in the Languedoc, not exactly hot.

Have you ever been to Nimes in the middle of summer? It's hotter than the sun, man!

 

[Carrot Cruncher]

I've absolutely loved the times we've been based around the Avignon/Nimes/Arles area. It's wonderful and the beauty of the Camargue is only a very short hop from Arles.

I would also recommend the area around Pau, especially south towards the Pyrenees.