Archive for 'Day Trips in France'

Located on an island, in the middle of a river, in the north of France, a beautiful Japanese garden emerges like a vision. This special wonder is a must-see for garden-lovers and those fond of a unique attraction who book one of our vacation rentals in Brittany. 

Called the Jardin Japonais de l'Île de Versailles (Île de Versailles Japanese Garden), this lovely lush space in the city of Nantes was built on the artificially formed island of Île de Versailles, which was created in 1831 using soil excavated during the construction of the Nantes–Brest canal and which originally housed workshops for carpenters, boat builders, engineers, and others working on the canal. These remained there for over 100 years until the island eventually fell into disrepair as they began to be closed.

There are many towns in France that were made famous throughout the centuries by boasting a loveliness that captured the eyes and imaginations of some of the most renowned and celebrated artists in the history of art. These towns already have impressive looks and plenty more going for them but if you are planning a vacation in France and you also want to enjoy particularly stunning places with a painterly beauty, then they really are a must. Plus, if you are an art history fan and an art-lover then these spots are not only like pilgrimage destinations of a sort but they might also inspire a great work of your own. So, follow these famous names to some of France’s most breath-taking towns...

Giverny is a famously idyllic town that is today best-known as the location of Monet’s beautiful and immortalised home and gardens. In addition to this main attraction, the pretty town itself, the surrounding landscapes, and several other museums and destinations associated with various other Impressionist artists who came and worked in Giverny, make it a pretty magical place to spend a day. Many who find a vacation rental in Paris take a day train out to the town and return in the evening but also if you have found a holiday rental in Normandy, the region in which Giverny is located, it is well worth setting aside time to plan a day-trip to this impossibly picturesque corner of the world. 

Corsica is a place of truly incredible natural beauty. With beaches in technicolour hues that look as though they aren’t even real, craggy cliff sides plummeting into those azure waters, rocky peaks hiding picturesque lakes, impressive gorges waiting to be explored, endless hiking routes, lush forests, and much more besides, there is a whole wealth of natural bounty to discover and enjoy if you have found a villa in Corsica. However, if you are interested in the occupants of this landscape and not just enjoying the surroundings, then we highly recommend a visit to A Cupulatta while you are on vacation in Corsica. This 2-hectare sanctuary and nature park is home to a wide selection of turtles and tortoises from all over the world and makes for a brilliant day out for any animal-lovers, kids, or people who are young at heart among your travel party!

Located on the main T20 road that goes through the commune of Vero, on the west coast of the island, 17km north-east of Ajaccio, the park is nestled into the side of a wooded hill with a river flowing through the area, affording shade and refreshing cool to the park’s occupants even during the hottest summer days. Spread over two hectares, the park is unique in Europe and is devoted to the breeding, studying, and protecting of land tortoises and turtles from all around the globe. There are around 130 different species in total and over 2,000 animals. 

France has a stunning landscape that varies from craggy cliffs slapped by impressive Atlantic waves to Alpine peaks capped by snow to rolling fields of vibrant purple lavender and plenty in between. Those who like a bit of adventure, therefore, and getting out to wander, hike, and explore, will find plenty to keep them occupied. Particularly if you find a vacation rental in Provence and come discover the south of the country, with its picture-perfect Mediterranean strands, lush agricultural plains, diverse and rich flora hugging the coast, idyllic ski resorts, and more, you’ll have endless options of outdoor pursuits and adventures to choose from. One specific destination that boasts lots of incredible sights and natural attractions is the area of Camargue, a natural region located south of Arles, and between the Mediterranean and the two arms of the Rhône Delta. Boasting an incredibly diverse flora and fauna, stunning wetlands, and its famous pink lakes where salt is mined, this incredible part of France is a place where one can indulge in bird-watching, hiking, cycling, riverboat trips, horse riding, days at the beach, and much more besides. One of the most important wetlands in Europe and one of the most distinctive landscapes in France, this wonderful gem is a must-see for the outdoorsy types who are planning a vacation in France...