As we plan our travels and getaways for the year, it's time to take a look at the major tourist trends for the next twelve months. Obviously, the capital tops our hit parade in the run-up to the 2024 Olympic Games. But in the four corners of the country, there's plenty to enjoy. here's our ranking of getaways to plan in 2024!
1. Paris, Olympic time
Paris, the City of Light, is a prime destination where the whole world will flock for the Olympic Games next summer. It's one of the few cities in the world to offer so many monuments, museums and sites in such a small area. The banks of the Seine are a Unesco World Heritage site, and will be the unique setting for the opening ceremony on Friday, July 26. And, between two events and a trip to the Stade de France, you'll be able to take in some of the must-see sights, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Grand Palais, the Louvre, the Tuileries Gardens, the bateaux-mouches, Luxembourg, Montmartre and the Place du Tertre... All that's left to do is discover the best addresses in the Latin Quarter, the Marais or Place des Vosges, and dance the night away in the capital's new alternative venues around Oberkampf, Jaurès or République. What to do in Paris for free? Discover our 21 ideas for activities and visits!
And don't forget to check out our dedicated article"Visiting Paris in 2 days: what can you do in a weekend?"
2. Lille, the friendly, sporty capital of Flanders
As soon as you set foot in Lille , you immediately feel the charm of this warm, dynamic city. Whether you're attracted by its history, gastronomy, architecture or atmosphere, the capital of Flanders offers a rich experience that invites you to return. In Lille, everything is within walking distance! For a pleasant stroll, the Parc de la Citadelle is a veritable green lung where impromptu picnics blossom on the first sunny days of spring. This immense green space extends well beyond the Vauban ramparts, and is also a popular spot for sporting activities. Particularly at weekends, the alleys and banks of the Deûle are bustling with walkers, cyclists and joggers. Lille's sporting identity will be proudly showcased at the 2024 Olympic Games, which will see the northern city host official handball and basketball matches. Don't forget to check out our dedicated article "Visiting Lille in 2 days: what to do in a weekend?"
3. Normandy, the land of the Impressionists
Normandy, one of our 15 favorite destinations for family vacations in 2024, has always charmed painters. The exceptional luminosity exerts an irresistible attraction on artists. However, it is thanks to Impressionism that the region has acquired an essential place in the history of art, in particular thanks to Monet. In Honfleur, a must-see is the Musée Eugène Boudin, which focuses on several themes, the main protagonist of which is the painter himself, as well as other 19th-century artists. The Musée André Malraux (MuMa) in Le Havre offers another opportunity to appreciate choice works, as does the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rouen, which holds one of France's most prestigious public collections, highlighting artists such as Géricault, Delacroix, Corot, Moreau, Degas and Monet. For the full experience, a visit to Giverny is a must. This small village, famous thanks to the painter Claude Monet who lived there, offers picturesque walks in the surrounding hills and along the main street, where hotels, restaurants, elegant residences, stores, artists' studios and, above all, the Musée des Impressionnismes and the Fondation Claude Monet mingle.
4. Tignes, a festive family resort
Whether you're an avid skier, on a family vacation, looking for authenticity or ready to party the night away, Tignes is an ideal destination. In 1936, Tignes welcomed its first visitors to ski on its only ski lift. By the 1970s, the resort had metamorphosed into the international - and mythical - resort we know today. Centered around its church, which is a replica of the one in the sunken village, Tignes 1800 lets you enjoy all the benefits of a large resort while retaining the peaceful atmosphere of a traditional village. For those who like to combine a vacation with a night out, Tignes-Val Claret is the place to be! After a day on the slopes, dance the night away into the wee hours of the morning in a typical or original restaurant. A great destination in February, for example.
5. The Golfe du Morbihan, cruising from island to island
Located in the south of Brittany, the Golfe du Morbihan is a 12,000-hectare inland sea sheltered from the swell, and boasts some of the most beautiful bays in the world to be discovered from March on wards, as the days begin to lengthen. The Gulf of Morbihan is also an archipelago with a large number of islets and islands, the most important of which are Île-aux-Moines, the largest island in the Gulf, the verdant, unspoilt Arz, Gavrinis and Berder. According to a well-known legend, there are as many islands in the Golfe du Morbihan as there are days in the year. In reality, there are around forty today, and only thirty or so are inhabited. Île aux Moines, dubbed "the pearl of the Gulf", stands out for its flower-filled lanes. A cruise on the Gulf will give you the full measure of this prodigious natural marine park. On land, more than 180 km of coastal paths await you. From Arzon to Locmariaquer, a signposted itinerary lets you discover the coastline from breathtaking vantage points. And don't miss a visit to Vannes, both port and "City of Art and History".
6. The Parc naturel régional des Volcans d'Auvergne, an invigorating getaway
In the heart of the Massif Central, the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne is a vast, verdant territory, shaped by glaciers and dotted with numerous lakes and a remarkable array of volcanoes. This natural sanctuary, undoubtedly one of the best destinations for vacations in France with children, preserves a varied biodiversity, home to a wealth of flora and fauna. It is also home to a rural community steeped in authentic know-how and a life punctuated by agriculture. To explore the volcanoes, what better way than on one of the park's many footpaths, crossing the Chaîne des Puys, the Sancy massif or the Cézallier plateau.Auvergne 's volcanoes also reveal a traditional cultural heritage, with ancient architecture built of volcanic stone, 4,000 kilometers of rivers and numerous lakes. The region also boasts a local gastronomy rich in exceptional cheeses, world-renowned mineral waters and numerous national nature reserves. In all, the park extends over 150 communes, covering a vast territory from Cantal to Puy-de-Dôme.
7. The Basque Country, sporty and gourmet
Rich in tradition and culture, bordering the Bay of Biscay, the Basque Country stretches between the Ebro and Adour rivers, sharing its charms between Spain and France, bounded by the majestic Pyrenees. On the French side, the region's rolling green countryside stretches from Mauléon to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, via Guéthary and Biarritz. Every village boasts a pelota court, every hill offers hiking trails or golf courses, every beach is home to surfers and diving clubs, while sports fields vibrate to the rhythm of rugby clubs. The Basque Country boasts a profusion of sporting activities and points of interest, where heritage enhancement is of crucial importance. This land is also the cradle of world-renowned gastronomy. From hams and raw-milk ewe's milk cheeses to pimentos, Basque cakes, macaroons and chocolates, this ancestral know-how is sure to delight epicureans.
8. Porquerolles, idleness off the Var coast
The Var island of Porquerolles, the largest of the Hyères islands, reveals all its splendor outside the summer season. The particularly welcoming north coast boasts numerous sandy beaches bordered by pine forests and scrubland. The south coast, on the other hand, is steeper, while the island's interior remains sparsely populated. The village of Porquerolles, now almost a hamlet, is home to a few hotels and restaurants, fishermen's cottages around the Place d'Armes and a small marina. From May onwards, the island offers a delightful program of events that lasts until September, making Porquerolles an ideal place to enjoy a relaxing interlude, always idyllic on the Mediterranean Sea.
9. Annecy, the "Pearl of the Alps
Nicknamed the "Pearl of the Alps", Annecy owes this appellation to its idyllic location and the splendor of its medieval architecture. Nestled at the foot of the Semnoz mountain, on the shores of Lake Annecy and offering exceptional panoramic views of the Bauges and Aravis massifs, Annecy's breathtaking beauty is worthy of the finest postcards. The historic heart of the town runs alongside the lake and opens onto the vast Esplanade du Pâquier, where the famous Fête du Lac is held every year in early August. Well-known and popular with tourists, "Little Venice" evokes Italian Romanticism, with its canals and locks regulating the course of the Thiou and the level of the lake. The Palais de l'Île, built on a natural island, is one of France's most photographed monuments. Overlooked by the castle, which offers a breathtaking view of the medieval town and the shores of the lake, Annecy is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Alps. Tempted? Check out our dedicated article "What to do in Annecy? 17 things to see and visit"
10. Versailles, history and horse riding
Versailles... The name of this castle-city, transformed into a veritable kingdom under the reign of the Sun King Louis XIV, echoes down the centuries, still captivating the world's attention. It's where Louis XIII hunted, where Louis XIV reigned, and where Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette strayed, while Napoleon attempted to annex it. Its heritage is as diverse as the walks it offers. Explore the château, wander through its succession of rooms, be moved by the Trianon, and discover the formal gardens and the King's kitchen garden. Between Bartabas' equestrian academy, the Osmothèque, water games, concerts and events, this exceptional environment combines architecture, forests and botany in a truly unique way. And, during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games this exceptional setting will naturally host the equestrian events and the modern pentathlon in the Parc du château.
11. Noirmoutier, the peace and quiet of the Vendée
Noirmoutier, an ideal destination for a weekend getaway in France, is home to jewels of beauty hidden around its salt marshes, along its beaches of dazzling white sand or in the heart of its woods. The Bois de La Chaize stands out as the island's most popular site. Visitors come here to contemplate the harmony of arbutus, holm oak and maritime pine trees, as well as to admire the elegant villas nestled among the trees. The destination's appeal lies not only in these aspects, but also in the peace and quiet that reigns supreme here. La Guérinière, Barbâtre and neighboring L'Épine offer a typically Vendée tranquility that is a photographer's and walker's delight. Rent a bike and explore the narrow streets, where the whitewashed houses with their pink tiles reveal all their charm.
12. Martinique, beaches and hiking
Nicknamed the "Island of Flowers", Martinique' s first attraction is its paradisiacal beaches of white or black sand, accessible all year round , and where to go as of January 2024. In addition to its undeniable seaside assets, Martinique offers exceptional terrain for green tourism. From hiking the Montagne Pelée volcano to snorkeling the aquatic fauna of Anses d'Arlet, from kayaking in the Trois-Ilets mangrove to canyoning in the Piton du Carbet massif, the possibilities are endless. Last but not least, Martinique's rich cultural heritage includes museums, distilleries, gardens and Creole dwellings, all of which you'll want to discover during a stay punctuated by zouk lessons, plates of Antillean boudin and ti-punch.
13. Rocamadour, majestic Marian city
Rocamadour, France's second most visited tourist site afterMont-Saint-Michel, rises to the top of a 150 to 350-metre rock, majestically overlooking the Alzou valley. Nestling in its rocky setting, this city of white stones has its origins in the confines of history and legend. As far back as the Palaeolithic era, it was home to the first human settlers, as evidenced by the walls of the Grotte des Merveilles. However, it was during the Middle Ages that Rocamadour fully revealed its character. In 1166, the discovery of the intact remains of Saint Amadour, after whom it was named, marked the beginning of a series of miracles. The rock was then dedicated to the Virgin, who is depicted here in black, one of Rocamadour's treasures. The small statue of the Black Madonna remains the subject of controversy as to its origin. The Marian city became a renowned place of pilgrimage, second only to Lourdes, while also attracting the curious and epicureans in a region where fine dining is legion.
14. Gorges du Tarn, walks and fine dining
Nestled in the heart of the Parc naturel régional des Grands Causses, the Gorges du Tarn reveal splendid landscapes, listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. These impressive gorges offer a breathtaking natural spectacle. In this region, located between Aveyron and Lozère, you can enjoy magnificent hikes, horseback rides or bike rides, with the possibility of spotting griffon vultures. The spot will also delight lovers of white-water sports, such as canoeing and climbing, in the heart of unspoilt nature. You can also discover the rich history of the region along the Route des Seigneurs du Rouergue, punctuated by numerous medieval castles. Last but not least, a stay in the Gorges du Tarn is a real invitation to fine dining, thanks to excellent local produce.
15. The Baie de Somme, pure nature
Halfway between Lille and Paris, the Baie de Somme is a natural jewel, proudly bearing the title of Grand Site de France and Parc Naturel Régional, while its coastal section is part of the Parc Naturel Marin des Estuaires Picards et de la Mer d'Opale. Ranked as one of the most beautiful bays in the world, this site is also a remarkable wetland, renowned as a birdwatching mecca. But you'll also want to explore the region on board a steam train, cycle along the Somme cycle route, watch the seals at Hourdel Point, relax on the pebble beach at Cayeux-sur-Mer, kitesurf on the spot at Le Crotoy or visit the medieval town of Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme.
16. The Queyras, a hiker's paradise
A department bathed in sunshine all year round, the Hautes-Alpes offers a wide choice of village resorts, each more charming than the last. The Queyras region is another paradise for skiers, but above all for hikers, climbers and mountaineers. You can take advantage of this exceptional spot to enjoy the fresh air, practice winter sports or meet the marmots. The abundance of varied flora and fauna was one of the reasons why Queyras was declared a regional nature park in 1977. An unmissable nature getaway as soon as the warm weather arrives!
17. Troyes, the charm of half-timbering
The former capital of southern Champagne, Troyes fascinates visitors with its exceptional architectural and artistic wealth. The city boasts a profusion of churches, brightly-colored half-timbered houses juxtaposed with splendid stone mansions, and a multiplicity of museums, such as the superb Cité du Vitrail, often free of charge. The picturesque streets and alleys, still paved with cobblestones, add to its charm. Seen from the air, the heart of the town takes on the shape of a champagne cork, a reminder of the local production on the Montgueux hillsides and in the Côte des Bar, just a few kilometers away. And not far away, for a breath of fresh air, head for the Forêt d'Orient Regional Nature Park, for superb walks between forests and lakes. What to do in Troyes? Discover the 15 best things to do and see!
