A group of French lifestyle bloggers have come together to reveal ‘Hidden France’ – the best things to do for those who are keen to sample 'la vie francaise' this summer, far away from football fever.
The top alternative destinations range from the sandy beaches on the Mimizan coastline to the thermal springs and picturesque villages of Normandy, there really is something for everyone.
Normandy
Head for Normandy for a bit of peace and quiet. From the Cotentin Peninsula to the rolling hillsides of Calvados, Normandy offers breath-taking scenery in a peaceful holiday setting, and in the open air!
Brittany
From Finistère to the corsair city of Saint-Malo, Brittany is a region where the clamour of vuvuzelas of the Euros gives way to the sound of waves. After a delicious galette au beurre salé, enjoy a slice of Breton hospitality and traditional singing, which is more than a match for the chanting on the terraces.
Mimizan-Plage
Nestled on the north coast of Landes, Mimizan offers sport and relaxation without breaking the bank. Cycle paths, lakes and pine forests can all be found along its six miles of fine sandy beaches. Standup paddleboarding, surfing and even beach soccer (occasionally!) are favourites with holidaymakers here.
Poitiers
Poitiers is a charming old town with a 2,000-year heritage of history and home of the Futuroscope theme park, which is worth the trip alone. As the fourth largest city in the new region of Aquitaine–Limousin-Poitou-Charentes, Poitiers is an ideal destination for sightseeing too.
Bayonne
With its huge festival and undeniably charming old town, Bayonne is well worth a look for travellers who want to party but want to steer clear of Euro fever. But watch out for the cows: they're often more formidable attackers than top European strikers!
Expedia gathered together the LifeStyle bloggers to share their Hidden France. Happy travelling!
