Holiday

Secluded coves, quiet villages, hilltop hideaways… Where do the French go when they holiday in France?

Officially listed as one of the most beautiful bays in the world, this tranquil stretch of the northern French coastline has inspired everyone from Degas to Jules Verne. Take a punt along the waterways of Little Venice or potter around the cafés and shops of the Quai de la Poissonerie and dip into the town’s vibrant covered market to sample the best local produce. The spa town of Aix-les-Bains is nearby, and the small marinas scattered along the lake offer boats to hire for all level of sailor, from gleaming powerboats to simple wooden rowing boats. Doubles from £84 room-only; Stay at La Maison des Pêcheurs, where all rooms come with stunning lake and mountain views, and the waterfront restaurant focuses on local, artisanal produce and wines. Stay at the Bellevue, a Bréhat institution right on the quay with a renowned seafood restaurant, just 10 minutes’ walk from Guerzido, the island’s best beach. A charming seaside resort that’s still mostly the preserve of the French, Banyuls has a palm-backed esplanade, a long arc of beach and a bustling marina, offering plenty to keep all ages happy. Waterfront restaurants lay on locally caught seafood with an almost Caribbean vibe, while the place to stay is Auberge Glycines on Porquerolles, a simple but comfortable base with classic Gallic charm. French hikers, birdwatchers, foodies – and those looking for a break in Provence away from the crowds – head to Les Alpilles, a chain of low, limestone mountains dotted with 10 charming villages. Stay at La Maison du Bassin, a charming 11-room hotel with an excellent restaurant. Resting happily under the radar, between San Sebastián and Biarritz, Saint-Jean is known to be perfect weekend break territory for French families, with cycling and walking trails flowing in and around the town, and bustling cobbled squares and historic streets. Villages such as Erbalunga and Nonza feel authentic and unspoilt, with centuries’ old houses and churches and atmospheric ruins, while fishing villages like Centuri still send out daily boats to bring back spiny lobsters and fish to serve in the waterfront restaurants.