With an average of 300 sunny days per year, Provence is a fabulous region to visit year-round. Encompassing lush vineyards, stunning mountains and glorious Mediterranean beaches – there really is something for everyone. Driving from the ferry port at Cherbourg to the south of France probably isn’t a trip you want to undertake in one go, so give yourself a couple of days to explore this beautiful country along the route, perhaps spending a night in the Loire Valley, making a pitstop in Lyon and then making your way to the glorious Côte d'Azur as your final destination.
Known for being a playground for the rich and famous – not to mention hosting a highly-regarded film festival every year – the area around St. Tropez and Cannes is worth visiting for a glimpse of the high life. Even if your budget doesn’t stretch to superyacht levels, you’ll still be able to enjoy a bit of the jet set glamour that infuses the entire place.
If fashion is your passion, a stroll down the boutique-lined Promenade de la Croisette in Cannes is the perfect way to spend a few hours window shopping some of the world’s top luxury brands. Whether you’re interested in international brands or local treasures, Cannes is a must-visit for shopping addicts. In nearby Nice, you won’t want to miss out on a leisurely stroll down the famous Promenade des Anglais – so-called because it was a favourite spot of English aristocrats who visited the area in the 18th century.
This seven-kilometre stretch offers an unbroken view of sunny skies, sandy shorelines and azure waters. There are plenty of rest stops along the way, so you can keep your energy up as you enjoy a day in paradise. Straying away from this famous tourist area, a visit to the historic old town will transport you into the past, with narrow streets curving between red-tiled buildings, tiny restaurants and open-air markets.
All along the Côte d'Azur, or French Riviera, there are opportunities for the adventurous to spend some time in the warm waters of the Mediterranean – whether you’re interested in paddleboarding, jetskiing or kayaking. There are also numerous boat tours, from picturesque day trips around the coast to day-long fishing expeditions. Once you’ve had enough of sun, sand and sea, you may want to nip into some of the (thankfully) air-conditioned museums and art galleries that pepper the region.
The Marc Chagall National Museum in Nice and the Musée Picasso, situated in a castle in Antibes, are both must-visit galleries for art fans. It almost goes without saying that the food, no matter where you go in Provence, is incredible. This is where French cuisine meets Mediterranean fare and some local delicacies worth sampling include ratatouille, bouillabaiusse and, of course, Salade Niçoise.
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.
