From Saint-Malo to Auxerre via Charente and Hérault, discover five new travel destinations in France between wild nature and maritime architecture
Vezelay
Classified among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France”, Vézelay, on its steep hill, has a breathtaking heritage, built facing the reliefs of the Morvan, and it is also known to be an important stopover on the road to Compostela. One of its must-see places is the superb Sainte-Madeleine basilica, the highest point in the village and a masterpiece of Romanesque art, which was restored in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc, but you can also admire the very beautiful medieval houses along the main street, the Zervos museum housing the works of Calder and Miro, and you will not fail to note the plaques affixed to certain residences and bearing illustrious names such as Romain Rolland, Jules Roy or Georges Bataille, artists having stayed in Vézelay. You can also take a tour of the ramparts of the small town, stroll through its pretty streets, soak up its special atmosphere, but also taste its white wine! And why not settle for a few days in the city to explore the surroundings and visit this beautiful region? Closest town: Auxerre.
The Ochres of Rustrel
Located in the Vaucluse department, and more precisely in the Lubéron, this very special place is also nicknamed the “Provencal Colorado“, so much these 30 hectares of landscapes with red and orange ochres resemble their big American brother. This site has a semi-natural origin since they are old ocher quarries exploited by man (the largest ocher deposit in the world) then modeled by erosion, and whose flamboyant colors give an appearance almost magical in the space bristling with steep reliefs: cliffs, fairy chimneys, circuses, dunes, and surrounded by maritime pines.
The best time to enjoy the dazzling colors of the site is at the end of the day, two or three hours before sunset, to witness the blaze of colors in the evening light. You can take bike rides or hikes on marked routes, or choose a guided tour. You can also visit the Mines de Bruoux in the town of Gargas, with their 650 meters of galleries to discover (out of the 40 km dug in the past by miners!), Up to 15 meters high, as well as the village of Roussillon, a one of the most beautiful in France, with its ocher houses and narrow streets that climb up to the church tower under a bright blue sky. From the village leaves the Sentier des Ocres which also allows in two circuits (30 minutes or 1 hour) to admire red and gold landscapes, even if they are a little less impressive than those of Rustrel with their 650 meters of galleries to discover (over the 40 km dug in the past by miners!), up to 15 meters high, as well as the village of Roussillon, one of the most beautiful in France, with its ocher houses and its narrow streets climb towards the steeple of the church under a bright blue sky. From the village leaves the Sentier des Ocres which also allows in two circuits (30 minutes or 1 hour) to admire the red and gold landscapes, even if they are a little less impressive than those of Rustrel with their 650 meters of galleries to discover (over the 40 km dug in the past by miners!), up to 15 meters high, as well as the village of Roussillon, one of the most beautiful in France, with its ocher houses and its narrow streets climb towards the steeple of the church under a bright blue sky. From the village leaves the Sentier des Ocres which also allows in two circuits (30 minutes or 1 hour) to admire red and gold landscapes, even if they are a little less impressive than those of Rustrel
The lake of Salagou
Located a few kilometers from Montpellier, the Lac du Salagou is an artificial lake in the Hérault, created 50 years ago to irrigate the surrounding crops, surrounded by hills whose earth and red or black rocks give the landscape a strange aspect. , rich in colors contrasting with the blue sky reflected by the vast expanse of water. Small villages line its shores here and there, and the site offers many possibilities for outdoor activities: hiking around the lake (28 km perimeter), mountain biking, but also swimming, canoeing, sailing, kite-surfing, boarding. sailing, paddle, pedal boat, as well as fishing and horseback riding. A campsite and a nautical base welcome visitors who wish to spend a few days in this charming place. On the north shore, the village of Celles will surprise you: it should have been swallowed up when the lake was created and finally escaped its fate: abandoned for a few years it gradually found life and inhabitants.
You can also climb Mount Liausson which overlooks the lake at an altitude of 535 meters and admire a beautiful panorama from its summit or even visit the medieval village of Mourèze and the nearby dolomitic circus. And if you particularly appreciate the landscapes seen from the sky, treat yourself to a paragliding baptism which will allow you to embrace a superb panorama of the lake and its surroundings or a glider flight from the Saint-Martin aerodrome. -from London. You can also climb Mount Liausson which overlooks the lake at an altitude of 535 meters and admire a beautiful panorama from its summit or visit the medieval village of Mourèze and the nearby dolomitic circus. And if you particularly appreciate the landscapes seen from the sky, treat yourself to a paragliding baptism which will allow you to embrace a superb panorama of the lake and its surroundings or a glider flight from the Saint-Martin aerodrome. -from London. You can also climb Mount Liausson which overlooks the lake at an altitude of 535 meters and admire a beautiful panorama from its summit or visit the medieval village of Mourèze and the nearby dolomitic circus. And if you particularly appreciate the landscapes seen from the sky, treat yourself to a paragliding baptism which will allow you to embrace a superb panorama of the lake and its surroundings, or a glider flight from the aerodrome of Saint-Martin -from London.
Re island
The second of the Charente islands is located off La Rochelle, to which it is connected by a bridge. It has 70 km of coastline, and white is its dominant color thanks to its many salt marshes (especially to the west of the island) and the walls of its houses, the latter being decorated with green or blue shutters, and their gardens planted with hollyhocks. It owes its tourist frequentation to its special Zen atmosphere and to the various possible activities offered in summer: bicycles on the cycle paths, sea trips, water sports, horse riding, golf, and tennis, without forgetting of course swimming and lazing around. on the many fine sandy beaches, all favored by the very mild climate and the beautiful sunshine of the region. The Île de Ré also draws a good part of its economic resources from oyster farming as well as from market gardening, viticulture, and salt farming, some of whose products are particularly known in regional gastronomy, such as fleur de sel or the early potato. You will inevitably love this island with its authentic fishing villages, the port of Saint-Martin de Ré, the charm of Ars-en-Ré and its typical architecture as well as its church with a black and white bell tower, the Loix ecomuseum which will teach you all about the profession of Saulnier, the Baleines lighthouse which will allow you at its top a magnificent view of the ocean and the island, the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve where migrating birds nest. An ideal place to relax and enjoy a corner of unspoiled nature. viticulture and salt production, certain products of which are particularly well known in regional gastronomy, such as fleur de sel or early potatoes.
You will inevitably love this island with its authentic fishing villages, the port of Saint-Martin de Ré, the charm of Ars-en-Ré and its typical architecture as well as its church with a black and white bell tower, the Loix ecomuseum which will teach you all about the profession of saulnier, the Baleines lighthouse which will allow you at its top a magnificent view of the ocean and the island, the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve where migrating birds nest. An ideal place to relax and enjoy a corner of unspoiled nature. viticulture and salt production, certain products of which are particularly well known in regional gastronomy, such as fleur de sel or early potatoes. You will inevitably love this island with its authentic fishing villages, the port of Saint-Martin de Ré, the charm of Ars-en-Ré and its typical architecture as well as its church with a black and white bell tower, the Loix ecomuseum which will teach you all about the profession of saulnier, the Baleines lighthouse which will allow you at its top a magnificent view of the ocean and the island, the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve where migrating birds nest. An ideal place to relax and enjoy a corner of unspoiled nature. like fleur de sel or early potatoes. You will inevitably love this island with its authentic fishing villages, the port of Saint-Martin de Ré, the charm of Ars-en-Ré and its typical architecture as well as its church with a black and white bell tower, the Loix ecomuseum which will teach you all about the profession of saulnier, the Baleines lighthouse which will allow you at its top a magnificent view of the ocean and the island, the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve where migrating birds nest. An ideal place to relax and enjoy a corner of unspoiled nature. like fleur de sel or early potatoes. You will inevitably love this island with its authentic fishing villages, the port of Saint-Martin de Ré, the charm of Ars-en-Ré and its typical architecture as well as its church with a black and white bell tower, the Loix ecomuseum which will teach you all about the profession of saulnier, the Baleines lighthouse which will allow you at its top a magnificent view of the ocean and the island, the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve where migrating birds nest. An ideal place to relax and enjoy a corner of unspoiled nature. the Loix ecomuseum which will teach you all about the profession of saulnier, the Whales lighthouse which will allow you at its top a magnificent view of the ocean and the island, the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve where migrating birds nest. An ideal place to relax and enjoy a corner of unspoiled nature. the Loix ecomuseum which will teach you all about the profession of saulnier, the Whales lighthouse which will allow you at its top a magnificent view of the ocean and the island, the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve where migrating birds nest. An ideal place to relax and enjoy a corner of unspoiled nature.
Saint Malo
A unique port city whose charm continues to seduce visitors, privateer city, and capital of the sea, Saint-Malo has a historic heart surrounded by ramparts built on a beautiful coastline, which makes it the jewel of the Emerald Coast. In the center of the city, one can discover the castle, the Saint-Vincent cathedral, and the Fort National. Outside the city, you will visit the fortified islands of Grand-Bé and Petit-Bé with the tomb of Chateaubriand, but also beautiful and vast beaches, and the Grand Aquarium which will delight the youngest with its 600 marine species. Strolling through the cobbled streets, you will discover shops and restaurants, terraces, and charming little squares. You can also walk around the ramparts pierced with 9 gates for a walk of about an hour over 1754 meters long, and admire from the top of the enclosure a magnificent view of the port and the bay. Also worth seeing is the statue of the famous Surcouf, a renowned French privateer. Do not forget to taste the various culinary specialties in the many crêperies, Sarazin pancakes but also the kouign amann (made from butter and sugar) and crackers.
