The Easter holidays rhyme with the first rays of sunshine. While holidaymakers are increasingly in favor of getaways in the great outdoors, from north to south and from east to west, there is no shortage of destinations in France to take advantage of wide open spaces and authentic and dynamic stays.
Discovering the Ile d’Oléron on an electric scooter, a getaway to the Bay of Somme with the family or diving in the footsteps of Marcel Pagnol in Provence, here are five suggestions for getaways for the spring break.
Ile d’Oléron by electric scooter
Ideal in spring, the Ile d’Oléron and the Marennes basin deploy its natural landscapes between land and sea. A winning combination as soon as the fine weather arrives. Alternating beaches, marshes, dunes and forests, the second largest French island and its surroundings offer an XXL playground conducive to active and authentic holidays geared towards green tourism.
Tasting its famous Marennes d’Oléron, visiting its citadels, strolling with your feet in the sand or along its oyster channels and colorful huts… its protected areas lend themselves to gentle wanderings to do with family or friends in the along its 160 km of cycle paths.
To do : discover the island on an all-terrain electric scooter thanks to Green trott. This activity is accessible from 12 years old. It will take 27 euros for an hour of ride and up to 86 euros for 4 hours of rental. Several discovery circuits are also offered on the handlebars of these machines between tour of the vineyards, trips in the marshes accompanied by a tasting of oysters or outings combining walks on a scooter then on horseback.
Provence in the footsteps of Marcel Pagnol
While Christophe Barratier has just adapted Marcel Pagnol’s “Le temps des secrets” on the big screen, in theaters since March 23, why not take advantage of the Provençal mildness in spring to walk in the sets that inspired the author of “The glory of my father”. In the hinterland of Provence, the Pays d’Aubagne tourist office offers to dive into the filming locations by surveying the Garlaban massif.
An immersion in the landscapes dear to Marcel Pagnol to be extended by a trip to Marseille or La Ciotat on the coast or inland in Aix-en-Provence and Gordes, the latter listed among the most beautiful villages in France.
To do : for families, a treasure hunt for young people and inspired by the “Times of Secrets” is also organized by the Pays d’Aubagne tourist office. A fun activity offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays between April 13 and May 4 at a rate of 20 euros per team of 2 and 6 people.
Burgundy, its vines and its heritage
Burgundy is this year in the top 10 regions to discover in the world in 2022, according to Lonely Planet’s annual Best of. There is therefore not a minute to lose to go (re)discover this national jewel. And for good reason, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is one of the two regions with the most UNESCO World Heritage properties, eight in total including the Abbey of Fontenoy, the Citadel of Besançon but also its vineyards. registered since 2015. Vineyards that lend themselves to beautiful walks and tastings with friends in the spring.
To do : Whether by electric bike in the Mâconnais with Mélanie’s cannon walks or in the Chalonnais at the wheel of a Renault dispatch rider dating from 1974 with My French Tour or even on the handlebars of vintage mopeds with Les brèles strolls, the possibilities of getting started in an original wine tourism trip are numerous.
The Bay of Somme with the family
In Hauts-de-France, the Bay of Somme, just two hours from Paris, offers the guarantee of a family getaway placed under the sign of wide open spaces and the observation of fauna and flora. With its seals basking on the sand or sticking their heads out of the water, its landscapes changing completely with the rhythm of the tides, its ornithological park at Marquenterre and further west and east its walks along the cliffs, it does not lack air and original activities.
To do : the Bird and Nature Festival returns for a 31and edition from April 9 to 18 with a rich program of outings and activities. Among them: hikes accompanied by donkeys, seal observation sessions or even guided rides on all-terrain electric scooters. Activities to be found also throughout the year.
Auvergne between hiking and volcanoes
Want wide open spaces? To take a breath of fresh air, Auvergne has not stolen its title of land for hiking. Its green domes, including its emblematic chain of Puys and its alignment of 80 volcanoes, are an invitation to contemplation and sports activities increasingly sought after by travelers since the health crisis.
There are dozens of hiking trips for all levels, for the day or over several days, and will allow you to explore these unique landscapes in Europe. Majestic sites to also fly over in a hot air balloon or to discover by mountain bike and on horseback or by spending the night in a buron, a small stone house emblematic of the Cantal mountains which originally housed cowherds and their animals.
To do : to unravel all the secrets of the fascinating world of volcanoes as a family, a visit to Vulcania Park is a must, especially since it is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with an anniversary programme. Among them: the show “Expérience, c’est show”, offered throughout the school holidays.