Best time to visit France

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France

Jul24 - Aug03:

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38 THINGS TO DO IN FRANCE (JULY 09 - JULY 18)

Lavender Fields in Bloom — Lavender Fields in Bloom
June–August • nature
One of the first things that may come to mind when you think of Provence is views of magnificent blooming lavender fields

Tour De France — Tour De France
July 06–28, 2019 • event
The world's biggest, most challenging and beautiful cycling event

Secret Hideaways — Secret Hideaways
April–September • activity
Ever dreamed of escaping to a hideaway resort?

Fromage de Chèvre or Goat Cheese — Fromage de Chèvre or Goat Cheese
April–October • food
Wine and cheese are a classic, but in Provence, these words have a whole new meaning

Bouillabaisse — Bouillabaisse
May–September • food
Not only the flavour of this fish soup is special, but the method of serving it as well

Pétanque World Championship (Mondial La Marseillaise à Pétanque) — Pétanque World Championship (Mondial La Marseillaise à Pétanque)
July 07–11, 2019 • event
A sport in which the French are the ultimate champions

Aïoli — Aïoli
June–September | Christmas | Ash Wednesday • food
You might think it's only mayonnaise but you'll discover that it's the centre piece of delicious provençal cuisine

Mont Saint Michel Tide — Mont Saint Michel Tide
July 01–09, 2019 | July 15–20, 2019 | July 30–August 07, 2019 | August 14–20, 2019 | August 28–September 05, 2019 | September 12–19, 2019 | September 26–October 04, 2019 | October 11–18, 2019 | October 25–November 01, 2019 | November 10–17, 2019 | November 23–December 01, 2019 | December 10–17, 2019 | December 24–30, 2019 • nature
At one moment it's coastal, at another—an island in the open sea, cut off from the land with 15-meter high tide

Passage du Gois — Passage du Gois
all year round • activity
Do you dare to meet the hour of driving on one of the world's most dangerous roads?

Boat Trips Around Corsica — Boat Trips Around Corsica
May–October • activity
Discover Corsica's beautiful seaside and mountain landscape on a remarkable boat ride

Bastille Day or La Fête Nationale — Bastille Day or La Fête Nationale
July 14 • event
The military parade held in Paris's main avenue proves to be the largest one in Europe

Hiking the GR20 or Grande Radonnee 20 — Hiking the GR20 or Grande Radonnee 20
late June–September • activity
The most challenging and beautiful hiking trail in Europe

Ratatouille — Ratatouille
June–September • food
Not the Disney movie, but the mouthwatering stewed vegetable dish from Nice

Jazz à Vienne — Jazz à Vienne
June 28–July 13, 2019 • event
Two weeks of jazz in an amazing outdoor setting

Claude Monet's House & Gardens in Giverny — Claude Monet's House & Gardens in Giverny
late March–November 1 • activity
Observe the famous lily pond in the painting and in reality

Sun and Fun: Beach Season — Sun and Fun: Beach Season
July–August • activity
Prepare for lively and energetic beach holidays in Corsica

Corsican Chestnut Beer — Corsican Chestnut Beer
May–September • food
A native beer flavour invented on Corsica

Hiking in Normandy — Hiking in Normandy
April–October • activity
If you are looking for some fresh air and beautiful landscapes, Normandy is the place to go

Étretat — Étretat
April–October • nature
Known for its white cliffs and beaches strewn with rocks, Étretat attracts both tourists and world-famous artists

Chorégies d'Orange — Chorégies d'Orange
June 19–August 06, 2019 • event
Visit the world's best preserved Roman theater in Orange when it hosts summer opera festival

Tour du Mont Blanc — Tour du Mont Blanc
mid-June–mid-September • activity
Conquer Europe's highest mountain and test your endurance

Mont Ventoux — Mont Ventoux
mid-April–mid-November • activity
Take a scenic drive to the highest mountain of Provence

Col d'Izoard — Col d'Izoard
mid-June–October • activity
An iconic high mountain pass featured in the iconic Tour de France race

Col de la Bonette — Col de la Bonette
July–October • activity
Ride along one of the highest roads in Europe nestled in the French Alps

Col du Tourmalet — Col du Tourmalet
late May–October • activity
A legendary road climb, most known as a Tour de France stage finish

Kite and Windsurfing — Kite and Windsurfing
April–October • activity
Corsica is a great place to learn kite and wind surfing

Palace of Versailles — Palace of Versailles
all year round • activity
Get a sense of royal lifestyle in the residence of the Kings of French Monarchy

Musée d'Orsay — Musée d'Orsay
November–March (all year round) • activity
Some of the best of French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art is collected at one neat place on Seine's left bank

Picnics — Picnics
May–September • activity
Icons of Paris provide some of the world's most romantic settings for a picnic

Pastis — Pastis
May–September • food
The favourite apéritif of Provence

Vichy Spa — Vichy Spa
all year round • activity
Engage in the recreational activities of the highest society of “la belle époque”

Hiking in Gorges du Tarn — Hiking in Gorges du Tarn
April–October • activity
Explore a magnificent canyon and search for a medieval castle

Guédelon Castle — Guédelon Castle
March 18–November 03, 2019 • activity
Watch the team of volunteers that aim to build their own medieval castle, using traditional techniques and eco-friendly materials

Fort Boyard — Fort Boyard
May-October (year round) • activity
The famous French fort built by Napoleon is now used for filming shows

Musilac — Musilac
July 11–14, 2019 • event
The festival renowned for its diverse lineups and scenic locations

Col du Lautaret — Col du Lautaret
all year round • activity
The highest year-round pass in France

Col du Galibier — Col du Galibier
late May–late October • activity
An iconic climb that inspires cyclists and drivers

Puerto de Somport — Puerto de Somport
all year round • activity
A beautiful and exciting ride in the Pyrenees

44 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Exploring the Calanques — Exploring the Calanques
October–May • nature
This natural treasure of Provence and cousin to the Scandinavian fjords is an essential highlight of any trip to the region

The Gitan Pilgrimage — The Gitan Pilgrimage
May 24–May 25 • event
Watch a small sleepy seaside town of Saintes Maries de la Mer turns into a noisy and wild carnival with Gypsy dancing and music

Monaco Grand Prix — Monaco Grand Prix
May 23–26, 2019 • event
Formula One race time is nothing but speed, glamour, passion, noise, and a hint of danger because the cars are never too far away from the barriers

Parks and Gardens in Autumn Foliage — Parks and Gardens in Autumn Foliage
late September–November • activity
Parisian parks and gardens are beautiful at any time of the year but in autumn they become especially charming and poetic

Louvre with Shorter Queues — Louvre with Shorter Queues
September–May • activity
Whether you are a keen museum goer or not, the world's finest art is worth exploring!

Festival De Cannes — Festival De Cannes
May 14–25, 2019 • event
One of the world's biggest and most important events, the Cannes Film Festival speaks for itself

Sunset in the Arc de Triomphe — Sunset in the Arc de Triomphe
mid-May | early August • nature
A biannual natural phenomenon that was not planned by the architect of the monument

Paris Fashion Week — Paris Fashion Week
September 23–October 01, 2019 • event
One of the world's coolest fashion parties!

Chestnut Season and Fête de la Châtaigne — Chestnut Season and Fête de la Châtaigne
October • food
A little province in the South of France is the chestnut capital of the world

Marathon de Paris — Marathon de Paris
April 04, 2019 • event
It's not just about running beside world-famous monuments—music, cheese, and wine tasting wait en route too

Ironman 70.3 — Ironman 70.3
May 12, 2019 • event
The home of a famous triathlon, Aix-en-Provence, annualy gathers triathletes from all over the world for a big race

Snorkelling and Diving — Snorkelling and Diving
March–April • activity
Corsican marine life is rich and diverse attracting both professional and amateur divers

Warm Up in Covered Passages — Warm Up in Covered Passages
November–March • activity
When it's cold and windy outside find a beautiful and cozy old passage and have a cup of tea or shop for souvenirs

Saffron Farms — Saffron Farms
September–October • activity
A precious spice is made out of the beautiful and tender flowers of saffron in Provence

Rise Festival — Rise Festival
December 14–21, 2019 • event
Lots of snow, music and adventures in the famous French ski resort

Strasbourg Christmas Markets — Strasbourg Christmas Markets
late November–December • event
Welcome to Christkindelsmärik—Europe’s oldest Christmas Market

Grape Harvest & Festivals — Grape Harvest & Festivals
September–mid-November • event
Grape cultivation and wine festivals constitute the tangible part of the French lifestyle. Everyone can join in!

Brocciu — Brocciu
October–May • food
An exquisite Corsican sheep cheese

Medieval Festivals — Medieval Festivals
May 25–26, 2019 • event
France is proud of its rich history. It's no wonder that Medieval festivals in the country are so popular

Hellfest Open Air Festival — Hellfest Open Air Festival
June 21–23, 2019 • event
Join fans of Sepultura, Iron Maiden or Cannibal Corpse during one of the biggest heavy metal music festivals in Europe

Olive Picking — Olive Picking
November–December • food
In Provence you can still experience traditional farming and take part in olive harvesting

Black Truffle — Black Truffle
mid-November–mid-March • food
You'll be able to not just taste some black truffles, but also hunt them, visit the truffle fair, or try out other interesting activities offered by local farmers

Oyster Season — Oyster Season
September–April • food
Even if you don't like oysters, you'll love them in France!

The Thirteen Christmas Desserts — The Thirteen Christmas Desserts
December 24–December 25 • food
The sweetest Provençal tradition—lei tretze dessèrts

French Alps Ski Season — French Alps Ski Season
late December–late April • activity
This is one of best skiing destinations in Europe

Lyon Festival of Lights (Fête des Lumières) — Lyon Festival of Lights (Fête des Lumières)
December 05–08, 2019 • event
Once a year, night time in Lyon reveals the city's special colors

Frog Legs (Cuisses de Grenouille) — Frog Legs (Cuisses de Grenouille)
early March–early May • food
To eat or not to eat, that is the question ?

Mardi Gras (Carnaval) — Mardi Gras (Carnaval)
February–March (check official websites for details) • event
Amazing floats, masquerades, and delicious food make winter festivities season in France unforgettable

Dunkirk Carnival (Carnaval de Dunkerque) — Dunkirk Carnival (Carnaval de Dunkerque)
February 02–March 23, 2019 • event
A unique celebration with a strong fishing theme

Snowboxx — Snowboxx
March 23–30, 2019 • event
A week filled with famous DJs, legendary Après parties, and lots of snow in the French Alps

Surfing — Surfing
September–February • activity
Good waves arrive to Corsica with the cold

Sardines — Sardines
September–February • food
Try a delicious Corsican specialty—sardines with brocciu and wild herbs

Cider, Calvados, and Pommeau — Cider, Calvados, and Pommeau
September–November • food
Normandy is known for its apples and the best drinks are made from them

Marathon du Médoc — Marathon du Médoc
September 07, 2019 • event
A fun race combining wine, sports, delecious food and health

Carnaval de Paris and Carnaval des Femmes — Carnaval de Paris and Carnaval des Femmes
March 31, 2019 • event
The graceful moves of the colourful procession drives away winter and brings spring

Espelette Pepper Harvest & Festival — Espelette Pepper Harvest & Festival
mid-August–December 1 • activity
Visit the town of Espelette and check out the #1 Basque spice called Piment d’Espelette

Herri Urrats Festival — Herri Urrats Festival
May 11, 2019 • event
Every year, Basque people celebrate their language and culture

Christmas Markets (Marchés de Noël) — Christmas Markets (Marchés de Noël)
late November–December • event
Alsace, Aquitaine and the French Riviera have their beautiful Christmas traditions

Tomorrowland Winter — Tomorrowland Winter
March 09–16, 2019 • event
The new edition of the world's biggest dance festival in snowy Alps

Quiksilver Pro France — Quiksilver Pro France
October 03–13, 2019 • event
An elite surfing competition on the legendary Landes coast

Wheels and Waves — Wheels and Waves
June 12–16, 2019 • event
Moto and surf festival on the France’s southwestern Basque coast

Château Perché Festival — Château Perché Festival
July 25–28, 2019 • event
Techno and deep house in the medieval castle in the heart of France

Snowattack — Snowattack
January 25–February 01, 2020 • event
A week-long snowboarding and music extravaganza

Cherry Blossom — Cherry Blossom
late March–early April • nature
Spring is in the air when thousands of pink buds cover cherry trees

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