As Paris prepares to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we can easily say that the eyes of the world will be on France this year. In July and August, some of the capital’s most iconic monuments will be the venue for sporting events, from dressage to break dancing. This is a great opportunity to explore Paris in a slightly different way (more on this below), but you can also choose to stay away from the usual tourist attractions and head off the beaten track – at least a little bit.
Visit a traditional village wine festival in Burgundy or try fine dining in France’s cowboy country. Discover art in Occitanie or spend a weekend like a Parisian in a quiet corner of Normandy. There are also opportunities throughout the year to follow the Olympic Torch on its journey across the country; or head south to experience the new route of the Tour de France, which will end in Nice this year.
There are also more cycle routes and infrastructure than ever before, as well as numerous new train routes, from small local lines to new and improved sleeper services; on the journeyMany of France’s hidden corners are more accessible than ever. Allons-y!
Le Perche, Normandy
Don’t tell the Parisians I told you about this. Le Perche natural park in the south-eastern corner of Normandy has been the capital’s best-kept secret for several years.boobs”(bourgeois bohemians) are known. And enough of those cool people have now bought homes here that a vibrant food and cultural scene has begun to mature around them—albeit still in quiet, lush surroundings.
Sven Chariter, formerly a starred chef in Paris, runs Oiseau Oiseau, a restaurant where tradition meets casual, in Préaux-du-Perche, recognized by the Michelin Guide for its quality, with his wife Marianne. Located in a former village school building in Saint-Cyr La Rosière, you will find Après l’école, café/bar, antique market and cultural venue all in one. The region is especially famous for its second-hand shops and fairs in charming villages such as Bellême and La Perrière. Additionally, local food markets are held almost every day of the week in one of the villages. Parisians appreciate the region above all for its idyllic charm. Consider taking a long walk or bike ride through more than 100 old mansions and stately homes.
Where to stay and when to go
Book a weekend at Maison Ceronne, a modernly renovated farmhouse designed as the perfect weekend getaway for city dwellers. Think clean design, a cozy spa and pool, a hearty restaurant serving seasonal fare, and even cinema and karaoke facilities. To go? Le Perche has something to offer at any time of the year.
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Burgundy
If you are a wine lover, you may already be well acquainted with the highlights of the Burgundy region. This year will be full of excuses to enjoy the rich vineyard culture. The last week of January marks the 80th anniversary of Saint-Vincent Tournante, a very festive wine festival that relocates to a different Burgundy village each year (anyone who’s done Dry January need not apply). This year it will be held in the neighboring villages of Chambolle-Musigny and Morey-Saint-Denis, set among magnificent terrain for hikers, with walking routes stretching all the way to Dijon and vines.
In nearby Chenôve you’ll find the medieval wine press of the Dukes of Burgundy. Wine lovers will also be in heaven at the Hospices de Beaune Auction, a prestigious wine sale and celebration taking place in November; In 2021, the one-day auction achieved its highest sales total ever, exceeding €29 million.
Jura
Head a little further east in the region and you’ll come to Jura, the relatively small wine-producing area around the eponymous mountains that span the Swiss border. Winegrowers like Pierre Overnoy were producing natural wines here long before the phrase “pet nat” caught the eye of the Clapton hipster.
La Percée du Vin Jaune is a traveling festival celebrating yellow wine, held in a different Jura village each year, again well before the current trend towards orange wines. The action will take place in 2024 in Arbois, the hometown of Louis Pasteur, the scientist whose breakthroughs allowed for longer lifespans and easier export of French wine, among many other things. In winter, the mountains are preferred for cross-country skiing; Feeding on local Comté cheese, hiking and water sports are done on the lakes during the summer months. naturalness.
Where to stay and when to go
Telegraph Travel expert Mary Lussiana recommends Hotel Montrachet, a 4-star country house hotel in Puligny-Montrachet. Visit Burgundy in the last week of January for Saint-Vincent Tournante; La Percée du Vin Jaune is on the first weekend of February. Spring and early summer are a good time for walking and hiking; Autumn is wine harvest season.
Camargue, Southern France
One of the things that makes France so attractive as a travel destination is the sheer variety of its geography and terrain. The Camargue, the piece of lowland land between Arles and the Mediterranean, is a good example of this. Bisected by the Rhône, this pocket of Le Sud is one of the largest river deltas in Europe and one of the largest wetlands in France. It is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, with over 400 species including various egrets, herons and the famous pink flamingo. You’ll also find Camargue bulls and mystical-looking white Camargue horses roaming freely in the area.
From wine to tomatoes to rice, produce is plentiful here, and in recent years international foodies have flocked to the Camarguais countryside for La Chassagnette, a delightful Michelin-starred restaurant with its own market garden, owned by Maja Hoffman, the person behind the cultural additions. Like the Luma Foundation designed by Gehry in Arles. Amidst all this regeneration, residents speak with fear of rising tide levels and wonder how many more generations this unique land will be here in this state. Visit while you still can.
Where to stay and when to go
The south of France meets Route 66 at Les Cabanettes, a renovated former motel that’s sure to please lovers of Mid-Century aesthetics. For maximum exploration, try spring or autumn as summers are very hot here; Saying that the Arles Rencontres photography festival held every summer is a great excuse to come here; Cool off on the area’s rugged beaches.
Nimes and Arrond, Occitanie
Not far from the Camargue but with a very different atmosphere, we head to Nîmes, the Occitanie city known for its magnificent Roman architecture, including the imposing amphitheater that (rightly or wrongly) still hosts bull events. In the autumn of 2023, the Maison Carré (square house), a Roman temple from the 2nd century AD, became a Unesco World Heritage site known for being remarkably well preserved.
For 2024 only, the Tour de France route will avoid Paris (busy with the Olympics) and instead finish in Nice, adapted to cover parts of southern France, including that city. Head there in July for the final week of the Tour, which starts with the race from Gruissan to Nîmes. This summer we are also celebrating the 30th anniversary of Jeudis de Nîmes, weekly outdoor entertainment held in various locations around the city. For art lovers, there is the first edition of Contemporaine de Nimes, a contemporary art festival for young people, held from April 5 to June 23, affiliated with the Carré d’art contemporary art museum. The surrounding area is now more accessible than before for those without a car, thanks to the Occitanie Rail Tour route, which connects different points in the region from Nîmes in the east to Lourdes in the west (€10 per day for all routes).
Where to stay and when to go
According to Telegraph writer Anthony Peregrine: “For show it should be the five-star L’Imperator (doubles from £311); the historic Margaret-Hotel Chouleur (doubles from £137) and the budget-friendly L’Amphitheater (doubles from £79).” Visit in the spring for Contemporaine, and in the summer for the Tour de France and summer festivals.
Le Grand Paris, Ile-de-France
It’s true that Paris isn’t short on publicity, but this Olympic year offers the opportunity to do it a little differently. The Olympic Village will be located in the sometimes maligned suburban town of Saint-Denis, north of Paris. The cluster of nearby suburbs that make up this part are called “la petite couronneThanks to the new Line 14 Metro, it is now more accessible than ever. From the antique markets in Saint-Ouen to the Zone Sensible urban farm in Saint-Denis or the canalside bars of Pantin, the so-called “Brooklyn of Paris”, there is no shortage of cultural and artistic activities in the area. With hotel prices so high in the city center and so many events on this side, it’s the perfect time to explore ‘le Grand Paris’.
In fact, exciting developments are happening all over the Paris region. Another option: combine your city break with a stay at an idyllic boutique hotel, such as the food-focused Le Doyenné in Essonne east of Paris, Le Barn in Rambouillet beyond Versailles, or the stunning Chateau de Rosa Bonheur with its charming guest rooms and stunning views. Thomery, artistic heritage at Fontainebleau.
Where to stay and when to go
Try the wonderful Mob Hotel in Saint-Ouen, right next to the historic flea market. There’s plenty to do at Le Grand Paris any time of year, but of course summer is the time for all the Olympic festivities. Spring is an ideal time to visit the nearby countryside.