Summer holidays in France

July and August have traditionally been a time for the family to get together and take time off from the ordinary routines of school and working life.

Family holidays to France are top of the list in our book for a great family getaway.

From beaches to mountains

France offers something to suit every family member.  Miles of golden beaches, stretching along the vast coastlines from north Brittany to the south Aquitaine region, plus of course the Mediterranean coast from the Languedoc across to the Cote d’Azur.

The more adventurous can head inland to the adventurous areas of the Jura or the Alps, or the picturesque regions of the Loire or Dordogne.

One reason many families choose a holiday to France in the summer is the opportunity it allows you to relax, have fun and get back to nature.    Put away the gadgets: the phones, the tablets, the games consoles and take in the world around you.   Enjoy long lazy days on the beaches, quiet barbecues by your villa, cottage or gite and make new friends along the way.

Summer holidays with your pet

Many holiday cottages and gites welcome the family pet on your summer holiday.  So say goodbye to expensive dog kennels and hello to a summer family holiday where everyone is included.  As long as they keep their paws of the furniture, then it’s a holiday that both they and you will love!

You can read more about our dog-friendly holidays to France here, but in the main it’s sensible to bring everything you normally have for your dog, including dog-bed, normal food, poop bags plus a spare lead.

Summer holidays for couples and friends

Of course July and August breaks are not reserved exclusively for families with children, they make ideal times for people wanting to travel as a couple or with groups of friends.

It’s a perfect time for a social holiday.  If you like meeting new people then head to gate complexes or a holiday park. There you can join in group nights or sample some evening entertainment.  Many gite complexes hold events such as group barbecues or meal evenings which are a great way to meet other people across great food and a glass on wine.

If you prefer to avoid the peak times for holidays to France and you are not bound to exact school holidays then you may want to consider holidaying in early July or early September, when the waterways are not so busy.  UK school holidays tend to start mid-July until the end of August each summer.

Does July and August get very busy?

Certain parts of France do get very busy during the peak holiday season in July and August. Many of the coastal resorts, particularly in areas such as the Cote d’Azur, do experience traffic jams throughout July and August.

If you want to avoid the jams on the motorways and resorts, then our top tip would be to avoid travelling on a Saturday during August if you can help it.  The first two Saturdays in August tend to the busiest on the roads, with many French people choosing to travel and start their holiday on that day.

Certain parts of France are much less crowded than others.  Head to beautiful Brittany, or inland to the Loire and other areas of central France. The Charente is a particular favourite for the France for Families team – whilst most tourists are sitting in traffic jams heading to the beach, central Charente with it’s beautiful landscapes and plethora of gites and villas with their own private swimming pools, is the perfect, quiet escape.

How far to travel?

The further south you go in France, the hotter the weather will get.  You will be guaranteed more sunshine hours in the south but bear in mind that temperatures can get high in the the 30 degree mark.

The Vendee and the Charente is famous for it’s long sunshine hours and if you prefer milder summer temperatures then stay north in Brittany and Normandy.

A memorable break

So all in all a summer holiday to France makes for a very memorable break away.  Different areas offer different types of holidays – from the relaxing beach break to the more active cycling, hiking or watersports adventure holidays. Take a look at our range of accommodation on offer France for Families, including gites in France.