If for many people summer rhymes with the Mediterranean, it is not the only possibility! Often crowded during the high season, the Côte d'Azur is not always a paradise for holidaymakers. Think also of the west of France, bordering the Atlantic Ocean: it turns out to be a choice destination for your next summer holiday. Brittany, Charente-Maritime or the Basque Country, the sites are numerous and varied, offering beautiful possibilities for a stay. In addition, the variety of landscapes on France's Atlantic coast is incomparable: from the cliffs of Brittany to the surf beaches of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, everyone will find something for everyone! If you are not yet convinced of the attractiveness of the Atlantic coast, read this article. We are sure that these ten good reasons to choose it this summer will make you move west!
Surfing It
To celebrate
If you prefer popular celebrations to VIP nightclubs, it's on the Atlantic coast that you should go this summer! It is well known that the Basque Country is one of the best places to celebrate, especially during the holidays. The festivals of Bayonne, in July, and Dax, around August 15, are among the unmissable festivities. The atmosphere goes on until the end of the night to the sound of the bandas. The red scarf around the neck is a must to blend in!
For the kitchen
If the Côte d'Azur has some culinary surprises in store, such as ratatouille or pan bagnat, we can also enjoy the Atlantic coast! From north to south, it is a real gustatory journey that is possible. Kouign-amann, a 100% pure butter cake typically Breton, delights the taste buds of gourmands. In the Basque Country, Bayonne ham is a must. The Basque cake, filled with pastry cream or black cherries, is also to be enjoyed without moderation!
For the climate
In summer, the Southeast can quickly become a real furnace! The Atlantic coast benefits from a more temperate climate, so it is the ideal choice if you want to escape the heat. When the heat wave hits the other holidaymakers, you will always find freshness by the ocean, most likely in Brittany where temperatures never rise very high and the drizzle often cools. In addition to the umbrella, you should also provide an umbrella!
For a unique regional heritage
Whether in Brittany or the Basque Country, regional traditions are still very strong in the west of France. Listen carefully and you will probably hear locals speaking Breton or Basque! The fest-noz are also the ideal opportunity to discover traditional Breton music and dances. In the Basque Country, you can try your hand at pelota, a unique sport that is part of the region's cultural heritage.
For the many islands
A multitude of islands easily accessible by boat or by bridges connecting them to the mainland are concentrated along the Atlantic coast, mainly in Brittany and Charente-Maritime. A change of scenery is guaranteed! Among the most famous, there is of course the island of Ré and the island of Noirmoutier. But Brittany is not to be outdone with its picturesque island beauties such as Ushant, Sein, Groix or the famous Belle-Île-en-Mer with its evocative name
For the Pilat DuneThe
For long sandy beaches
Small coves have their charm, certainly, but out of season. During the summer, it is better to isolate yourself on long beaches that offer enough space to indulge in idleness with your feet in the water and not on your neighbour's towel! The ones on the Atlantic coast have the advantage of being spacious, so you can enjoy the ocean in peace. Among our favourites, the large sandy beach of Hendaye, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques
For Médoc wine, a wine-growing peninsula
The Atlantic coast is also well known for its vineyards where wine tourism has developed considerably in recent years. A trip to the Médoc, a wine-growing peninsula between the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, is therefore to be expected for wine lovers. You will have the opportunity to visit renowned wine estates while walking the superb castle route that crosses the region
For Fort Boyard, a childhood dream
The children of the 90s (and 2000!) will surely realize one of their dreams by discovering the famous Fort Boyard, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. We will of course remember the mythical show that was shot there when we approached this monument during a cruise organized during a stay in Charente-Maritime. However, do not think about testing the trials or meeting Father Fourras since it is not possible to enter the Fort.
