Our top 3 springtime getaways in France blooming with excitement for families.
Spring is a unique opportunity to marvel at the magnificent transition from winter to summer. In France, it is the moment when the regions show their most beautiful faces. Springtime is the perfect season to organise a family getaway far from the blues of winter and on the way to the most beautiful landscapes in bloom.
But it's not always easy (to say the least) to satisfy everyone. However, do not fret. We have chosen 3 destinations to not miss this spring that will be sure to please everyone: sporty or disillusioned teenagers, children overflowing with energy and parents in search of tranquility. Follow us and discover as a family the most beautiful spring landscapes in all of France.
EmbraCe the gardens of the Côte d’Azur
Springtime
Around Saint Tropez, the villages wake up after winter and are covered with bougainvillea. A little further along the coast, it's time for the Garden Festival where the mythical gardens of the coast, from the most famous to the most secret, open their doors and the villages become full of entertainment for the children.
The program
Gather your whole family for a road-trip along the waves and the exuberant gardens of the French Riviera. First, tackle the neighbourhoods of Saint-Tropez. In Spring, you can admire legendary mechanics during the vintage car festival, and le Tigrr opens its doors for happy hour and a round of pétanque with family.
Continue on your route toward Cannes and Nice to dive into the tropical explosion that is the Garden Festival. Not to miss is the Palais Carnolès and its immense collection of citrus plants, the Villa Ephrussi with its refined, Italian style and of course the garden of Eze known for its belvedere invaded by exotic plants.
Explore the blooming maquis in Corsica
Springtime
Just ask the locals: they will tell you that spring is the most beautiful season in Corsica. The scrubland becomes overgrown with a thousand wildflowers in sensational colours. Furthermore, spring in Corsica is also the best time to taste all the specialties of the island at the height of their freshness: Corsican sausages and goats cheese that are not just to be enjoyed in the summer.
The program
Depart on horseback between the chestnut oak trees and breathe in a heady lung-full of the sweet scent of figs. With teenagers, it's the perfect adventure. Find a lost ranch in the middle of the countryside and slip on some cowboy boots. Then, leave to gallop in the sand and throw yourself into the water while still on horseback.
Also, try not to miss the Festival de la Gastronomie Art'e Gustu. On the schedule: workshops for kids and parents alike as well as picnics under the hazel trees. There's nothing better to please everyone in your tribe.
Follow the poppies in the Luberon
Springtime
At the end of spring, the Luberon is breathtaking. The fields are covered in a blanket of bright-red poppies, the balconies in the villages overflow with flowers and the terraces are animated without being too packed. Even better is the pâtisseries (bake shops) and other tasty gourmet addresses that re-open their doors with fresh products and even fresher menus.
The program
Organise a gourmet picnic in the fields, fill yourself up with "oreillettes" (a sort of sugary donut) from the bakery. Then, have a drink at a café in the village while the children play in the square. Scour the countless flea markets, fly fish on the Sorgue river and harvest cherries that are already ripe for picking. Immerse yourself in the laid-back lifestyle of the region: the Luberon in spring is a paradise for families in search of the dolce vita and sweet tranquility.
We have compiled a list of our favourite holiday films that compel us to go to the beach. Alongside each film, we have included a beach villa that we think fits the scene perfectly!