10 Destinations for a February Vacation in France

The month of February always gives rise to a battle between fans of winter sports and fans of sunny places. But you don’t have to choose a side. In this article, there’s something for everyone. Here are ten destinations for a nice vacation in February.

 

Menton

Located on the Italian border, the city of Menton is a the perfect destination to spend a sunny holiday.

In February, the Lemon Festival sets the pace in Menton. Organized every year, la fête du citron, as we call it in French, is the unmissable event of the winter.

For two weeks, the city welcomes huge crowds of tourists that gather to celebrate the famous citrus fruit.

You’ll get to watch as a vast number of colorful floats – called “corsos” – parade through the streets accompanied by brass bands. You can also admire gorgeous sculptures made from lemons, go to the exhibition of lemon-made patterns in the Jardins Biovès, and even stay until they are lit up.

In addition to the Lemon Festival, you can visit monuments like the Jean Cocteau Museum, housed in a small 17th century fort, or the Russian Church that was built at Duchess Anastasia’s request.

When you are ready for a little bit of calm, take a walk in one of the numerous gardens that the city is home to, like the Fontana Rosa Garden that will remind you of an Andalusian patio.

And don’t forget to wander along the sea on the Esplanade des Sablettes!

 

Le Lioran

What would a vacation in February be without a bit of skiing? Le Lioran ski resort in Laveissière will be delighted to welcome you.

In addition to skiing, you can take part in paintball, snakegliss (several sleds hooked together to create a snake-like shape), and dog sled rides in Neussargues en Pinatelle.

Take a tourist train ride from Riom-Es-Montagne to Lugard on the Gentiane Express. This train with a vintage look will take you to the Cézallier Plateau where you’ll be able to see Salers cattle and the Sancy Mountains from the window of your compartment.

Do you like walking? Then opt for a half a day of snowshoeing with a mountain guide. By leaving the marked paths, you’ll be able to discover another face of Le Lioran.

 

Guadeloupe

The Guadeloupe Carnival is the event of the beginning of the year. From January to Mid-Lent, you can live at the pace of brass bands while enjoying multiple activities during your stay in the West Indies.

All the cities on the island celebrate the Shrove Days until the evening of Ash Wednesday. The program includes local music bands, a dance marathon, and the burning of the Carnaval king “Vaval”.

The festivities mainly occur in Basse-Terre, but the capital Pointe-à-Pitre isn’t about to be outdone either.

To complete your carnavalesque stay, you can visit some of Guadeloupe’s emblematic places, starting with the capital where the Saint-John Perse Museum  and the Memorial ACTe, dedicated to the history of slavery, are found.

Nineteen kilometers away from Pointe-à-Pitre, you can discover the City of Goyave, which is home to Moreau’s Falls and Blonzac’s Water Garden where ouassous – a type of shrimp – are raised.

 

The Jura Department

Do you want a change of scenery but have no idea where to go? Jura might be the answer.

Witness the Opening of the Vin Jaune that occurs every year in a local winemaking village. During this event, organized by the Association des Ambassadeurs du Vin Jaune during the first weekend of February, you’ll learn more about French cuisine.

The program is busy: a painting exhibition, winework with horses, the ceremony of the opening of the cask, various wine tastings…the hardest part will be deciding where to start!

But Jura cannot be reduced to the countryside. Don’t forget to go for a stroll in Besançon to discover the Museum of Time, located in a superb Renaissance palace, and the citadel built by Vauban.

You can also travel to Pontarlier, capital of the absinthe, where you’ll learn everything there is to know about the green fairy.

I recommend taking a walk along the absinthe pedestrian path and discovering the local heritage, then going to the Pontarlier Museum located in the Château de Joux.

 

Le Mont Saint-Michel

Next stop, Normandy! Let’s (re)discover Mont Saint-Michel!

The former prison has returned to being an island thanks to the gigantic restoration project that was undertaken to dredge it. During high tide, the Mont Saint-Michel is surrounded by water for the enjoyment of its visitors.

February is one of the best times of the year to visit Mont Saint-Michel due to the low number of tourists.

Lots of activities are available, both on the mount itself and in the nearby villages. You can visit the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel as well as the four museums on the site, then take a walk in the bay where you can watch the spring tides.

After a good stroll in the village and on the remparts, think about stopping at La Mère Poulard, a restaurant symbolic of Mont Saint-Michel, and tasting its famous omelet.

If you ever want to change your perspective, you can also discover the Mont Saint-Michel bay from the air.

Think you already know every aspect of the mount? Drive to Avranches and visit the Museum of the Manuscripts of Mont Saint-Michel where you’ll learn all about the work of the copyist monks.

 

Les Menuires

Are February ski holidays a tradition for you? Then why not try a different resort? This year, take a trip to Les Menuires.

In the very heart of Savoie, in the skiing area of the three vallés, Les Menuires ski resort will make sure that you have a fun-filled holiday with your family.

To experience something truly new, you can take a snow groomer ride. For an hour, ride on a snow groomer and watch the work that happens behind the scenes. Ski resorts will never be the same for you!

The slope of Le Mont de la Chambre and the slope of La Masse will quickly become your favorite places for a great day of skiing.

Don’t leave before you try cross-country skiing, a trendy activity that has become popular during the past few years. The concept is simple: you climb up the slope using only the strength of your own legs, then once you reach the top of the mountain, you ski back down.

For a change of pace, end your stay with an outdoor escape game that will enchant children and adults alike.

 

Dunkirk

The month of February is known for the numerous carnivals that happen in most French cities. Dunkirk hosts one of the most popular of these carnivals.

The Dunkirk carnival is a unique opportunity to get better acquainted with the city’s culture. You’ll see beautiful clothing made according to local customs, meaning with a fur coat, an umbrella, and a hat. And there are no masks in Dunkirk; carnival-goers cover their faces with make-up.

Since the carnival is three months long, many activities are planned. Here are a couple just to give you a sense of what’s waiting for you: an imitation of the seagull’s cry and the throwing of kippers. Get ready!

Once you’ve caught your kipper – or klipper in the Dunkirk dialect – you can explore the city by walking along the Atlantic Wall.

For a more unusual experience, I recommend visiting the Bourbourg Prison to discover the conditions in which previous prisoners were kept.

 

Bormes-les-Mimosas

Tired of the grayness of winter? Reconnect with the sun by going to Bormes-les-Mimosas.

February is the perfect month to visit Bormes-les-Mimosas, as the city hosts the Mimosa Festival during the last weekend of February. Every year has its own theme, so we never get bored with it!

Floats made with fresh flowers parade through the streets at the same pace as the brass bands, and a flower battle traditionally ends the carnival.

Dance shows, an introduction to archery, and other entertainment is organized during the celebration. In addition to the festival, the city has a rich history, so you can enhance your stay by discovering the street heritage: alleys and small squares in more than sufficient quantity to keep you busy.

As you walk, you’ll pass through the medieval village in which you’ll find several 12th century monuments. You’ll see the Castle of the Seigneurs de Fos, the Saint-Trophyme Church, and the Saint-François de Paule Chapel.

Finally, if you have the heart (or should we say, the nose) to do so, you can traverse the Mimosa Route that stretches the entire 130 km from Bormes-les-Mimosas to Grasse. From December to March, you can take in both the sights and scents of this unique ecosystem.

 

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Corsica

Do you need a break from daily life? Go to Corsica.

February is an eventful month, so you can move around the island as you please.

Let’s start with the Citrus Festival in Bastelicaccia, organized by the Association de Promotion et de Valorisation des Agrumes de Bastelicaccia, during which you can chat with farmers, see their handicrafts, and buy local products.

The village of Bastelicaccia is also home to a bridge built by Gustave Eiffel at the end of the 19th century.

Twenty minutes away from Bastelicaccia, you can visit Ajaccio, home of the Bonaparte family house and the Palais Fesch. You can also stroll along the many different pedestrian paths on the outskirts of the city and soak up the sun.

Finally, you can take in Les Rencontre de Calenzana “invernale”, a rural and off-season music festival punctuated by conferences, concerts, and workshops.

Calenzana is also the entry point of the GR20, considered by many to be one of the best walking trails in the world, and boasts a grand architectural heritage with structures like the Chapel of the Santa Croce Brotherhood.

 

La Mongie

With a 100 km slope, La Mongie resort has everything a winter sports enthusiast could want.

Want some freedom? Try the free ride space which allows experts to ski and snowboard in a backcountry area.

Feeling romantic and original? Do some snowshoeing under the stars for a moment out of the ordinary.

Want to do something other than skiing? Take a cable car up to the Pic du Midi de Bigorre -which is 2,887 meters high.

Enjoy the new activities centered around astronomy in the planetarium. Then, if you are brave enough, take the suspended footbridge for maximum thrills.

Maybe you’ll even have the opportunity to attend a concert on the panoramic terrace!