When planning a summer holiday, France stands out as one of Europe’s top destinations no matter how you prefer to unwind. Whether you fancy a romantic city break, a foodie adventure, an action-packed camping trip or a lazy vacation full of sun, sea and sand – the French have you covered. From the moment you roll off the ferry in the port city of Cherbourg, you’re surrounded by areas of historical interest and natural beauty.
Rather than zipping off straight away, visitors who stick around Normandy will be rewarded with fabulous beaches and unbelievable seafood. Whether you’re interested in maritime history, visiting some of the pivotal sites of World War Two, or have a fascination with all things medieval, there are tours and museums enough to last a lifetime. From Normandy, it’s a relatively short drive to Brittany, an area rich in cultural heritage and history, but also phenomenal natural beauty.
This is the perfect area to spend a few days by the sea, surfing, kayaking or taking boat tours to explore waters teeming with wildlife. Moving further inland, the Loire Valley offers a real change of pace, where everything slows down a little bit. Gentle hiking trails, lazy riverboat rides and fairytale Châteaux make this a wonderful part of the country to spend some time.
For those who prefer the hustle and bustle of a city break, France’s iconic capital is a must-visit. Paris has so much to offer, whether you want a few days soaking up the romance of one of the world’s most beautiful cities, or immerse yourself in European café culture against the backdrop of the planet’s most instantly recognisable skyline. For fans of great art, Paris is also home to renowned museums like the Louvre, Centre Pompidou and Musée d’Orsay, where you can explore human creativity from prehistoric times right up to the modern day.
If a sun holiday is more your speed, you won’t want to miss out on the beautiful Côte d’Azur, where the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean lap against the shores of glamorous locations like Nice, Cannes and St Tropez. Spend a day soaking up the sun and bathing in the warm water, before exploring beautiful boutiques full of luxury brands and local specialities. The French take food very seriously, so it goes without saying that no matter where you visit you’ll be spoiled for choice.
From sumptuous seafoods and gorgeous gallettes to wonderful wines and oh-so-many different types of cheese – if you weren’t a gourmand when you arrived, you certainly will be by the time you leave. No matter how you choose to spend your break, getting there is easy with Stena Line. You can pack everything you need into your car and take it all with you – pack in your family, pack in your friends, pack in your pets or pack in enough luggage for an adventure in France this summer! Stena Line offers a fantastic on board experience, with bars, restaurants, kids play zones, cabins, Pure Nordic Spa treatments and pet friendly travel – your holiday begins the moment you step on board! With six weekly sailings from Rosslare to Cherbourg, Stena Line has the most sailings to France from Ireland.
Enabling you to roll off the ferry, in your car, in Northern France and travel on to wherever you want to go. Kids go FREE when you book with Stena Line before 30th September 2024! For more, visit stenaline.ie.
