In recent years, various border closures and restrictions have made us realise that France is full of breathtaking scenery and that you don’t have to travel for hours to see new landscapes. In this month of romantic getaways, we suggest five places to explore in France.
The Crozon peninsula is located in Finistère, 45 minutes from Brest and Quimper. In the morning, leave from the Aber and take the GR34 coastal path. You will discover magnificent small beaches accessible only by kayak or by swimming for the most courageous. Afterwards, enjoy a good seafood platter in the port of Morgat. In the afternoon, visit its sea caves and reach the Virgin Island and its turquoise waters, either on board a mermaid (uncovered boat) or independently by kayak.
TipTop’s address : Thé à l’Ouest – 96 Bd de la France Libre, 29160 Crozon.
The Arcachon basin offers a multitude of landscapes between natural sites, long sandy beaches and small fishing villages. Start the day in a sporty way by climbing the Dune du Pilat on foot or by taking the stairs and descending through the sand (watch your ankles!). Don’t forget your picnic to enjoy at the top of the dune, a magnificent panorama guaranteed. In the afternoon, you can swim a few kilometres from the Dune du Pilat on the beaches of Petit Nice or Salie. Finally, finish with an ice cream or a waffle in the seaside town of Arcachon.
TipTop’s address : Restaurant la Co(o)rniche – 46, avenue Louis Gaume 33115 Pyla sur Mer
Lake Annecy, located in Haute Savoie, is one of the purest lakes in Europe. Starting from the old town by bike, commonly known as the Little Venice of the Alps, head up to the Col de la Forclaz after 4.5 hours, where you can enjoy magnificent views of the lake along the way. For thrill-seekers, discover Annecy from the sky by paragliding. For the others, water activities are available on the lake: sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, diving… After the effort, the comfort: visit the historic town centre of Annecy and stop in a typical restaurant to eat a Savoyard speciality.
TipTop’s address : L’abri Cyclette – 221 route du Stade, 74410 Saint-Jorioz France
In addition to its emblematic port and its famous Notre Dame de la Garde basilica, the city of Marseille is also known for its calanques, valleys dug by a river and then recovered by the sea. From the port of Marseille, take a day cruise to explore the most beautiful calanques. At TipTop Europe, we have a particular fondness for the Sormiou calanque, which has a sandy beach. Bring walking shoes, water bottles, sun cream and a diving kit for the adepts. Alternate between hiking and swimming and finish the day in the village of Les Goudes to admire a resplendent sunset.
TipTop’s address :O’ Douceurs Givrées – 77 Rue Emile Zola, 13009 Marseille
The Opal Coast is an exotic destination in the north of France. In the morning, visit the pearl of the Opal Coast, Le Touquet Paris Plage, with its Anglo-Norman style architecture. In the covered market at the corner of Rue de Metz and Rue Saint-Jean, discover traditional seafood products. Then, go to the site of the Two Capes labelled “Grand site de France”: Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez. Take advantage of the immense fine sandy beaches to try your hand at sand yachting, a fun activity for the whole family! End your stopover with a visit to the fortified town of Boulogne Sur Mer and take a walk along the ramparts.
TipTop’s address : La Table du Beffroi – 40 Place de la Résistance, 62200 Boulogne-sur-Mer France
