You don't need to venture far into France to find its wow factor. In Calais, the 25-metre-long mechanical Dragon de Calais stomps along the renovated seafront carrying 48 passengers, emitting jets of fire and water. This year it is joined by Le Varan, a giant iguana that crawls around the town with room for 25 passengers. Explore the nearby beaches at Hardelot-Plage and the historic Château d'Hardelot.
2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Claude Monet's death. Avoid the crowds at Giverny and head to Rouen, where the Musée des Beaux-Arts houses the largest collection of French impressionist works outside Paris, including one of Monet's cathedral paintings. Cycle through the Boucles de la Seine natural regional park, past orchards and the ruined Abbaye de Jumièges.
In the Dauphiné region, marvel at the Palais Idéal, a whimsical monument built over 33 years by postman Ferdinand Cheval from inspiration he gathered on his rounds. Nearby, explore the Vercors mountains with the precipitous Combe Laval road and the Grotte de Choranche caves with spaghetti-like stalactites, plus the medieval houses of Pont-en-Royans.
Cyclists can tackle the new Traversée Bretonne, a 14-stage route from Nantes to Mont-Saint-Michel. It passes Saint-Nazaire's mid-century architecture, the belle époque villas of La Baule, and the lively Rue de la Soif in Rennes, which has a bar approximately every seven metres.
For a late-summer escape, visit the Vallée du Gapeau near Toulon, known for its fig orchards. At the end of August, the Fête de la Figue in Solliès-Pont celebrates the harvest with markets, grove tours, and a four-course dinner. Hike through the valley, see the 'elephant rock', visit the Moulin à Huile du Partégal for olive oil tastings, and explore the villages of Solliès-Ville and Solliès-Toucas.
