10 Destinations for a June Vacation in France

Are you looking for a French destination to go to in June? Say no more! I’ve put together a list of the best vacation spots.

 

1)  Les Landes

The Landes is an accessible destination, with many options to choose from –  with its oceans, forests, cuisine, and culture, it has everything you need!

Come discover the Landes coast: a fine sand beach,106 kilometers in length, with many entry points, wild dunes and an ideal water temperature.

Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or a beginner (website in French), the Landes is the perfect spot to catch a wave. You’ll find surf schools and rentals right at the beaches’ entrance. The region’s transparent lakes will also offer amazing landscapes to paddle in (website in French).

If you like hiking or biking, go inland: beautiful pine forests, grapevines, rolling hills, marshes all along the Adour will be a delight to your eyes!

To reward yourself for your physical efforts, sit down at a patio and enjoy the local cuisine.

In June, you can attend the Contis Film Festival (official website in French) where you can meet directors, watch feature film premiers as well as competing short films. Younger attendees can even participate in workshops, and each day ends with a concert…  all of which being right beside the ocean!

The Landes is also recognized for its thermal baths, so it’s the perfect place to restore your energy whether you are here for a long or a short stay.

 

2)  Corsica

June is the perfect time to visit the Île de beauté. Since it’s mid-season, you’ll feel like you have the island all to yourself! Stroll through the colorful Corsican villages, surrounded by clear waters, vegetation and mountains.

The légendines, every Tuesday in June at 4:30 pm, offers a discovery of the city of Bastia: a guide reveals the historical secrets of the city during a horseback ride. It ends with a polyphonic concert (typically Corsican) and sampling local products.

In mid-June and for four days, Bastia hosts the Creazione Festival (website in French), where fashion and design come together. Don’t miss the conferences on well-being or the musical scenery: there are several DJ sets and a concert.

If you’re athletic, the Corsica Raid Adventure offers an original way to discover Corsica through trail running, canyoneering, mountain biking, sea kayaking, orienteering and many other outdoor activities.

The Cavall’in Festa is a famous horse fair held at the beginning of June, an essential experience for those who love horseback riding. On the program, you will find dressage demonstrations, parades, pony and horse baptisms, horse races, and so much more!

The Canonica Fair, at the beginning of June in Lucciana, on the archaeological site of Mariana, offers a sampling of local Corsican products after attending the Pentecost mass in the famous Santa Maria Assunta di Canonica cathedral.

 

3)  La Dordogne-Le Périgord

Périgord is above all a land of prehistory. Come discover the famous Lascaux I, II, III, and IV caves, in Montignac, considered “The Sistine Chapel of Prehistory”, or the Vézère Valley, labeled “Grand site de France” since 2020: 15 places are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

At the end of May and beginning of June, you can also attend the BriKaBrak Festival (website in French) in Le Bugue which combines theater, circus, music and dance on the banks of the Vézère river.

Let’s take a little leap forward in time! According to legend, a thousand and one castles dot the Dordogne. By the river or hidden in the valleys, come visit centuries-old castles and discover their magnificent gardens.

Immerse yourself in Nature while sliding on the water! With plateaus, valleys, vineyards, cliffs and hills, the Périgord offers you breathtaking landscapes. The majority of these sites are also preserved and protected by environmental and architectural laws, once again classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.

With black Périgord truffles, foie-gras, strawberries, Périgord walnuts, chestnuts, porcini mushrooms, along with the famous wines of the region: your taste buds will be delighted that you have made the trip!

 

4)  Mercantour

Located in the Verdon, the Mercantour National Park is an essential destination for nature lovers.

This park extends over seven valleys of the “Mediterranean Alps”, so there is much to see! This vast and wild territory has been carefully preserved so that future generations can enjoy its incredible beauty. Its entry into the UNESCO World Heritage’s list is just around the corner.

It had an extremely rich biodiversity; you will be able to observe 2067 plant species and 8744 animal species!

Put your feet on the ground and your head in the stars!

The park is also part of the Réserve Internationale de Ciel étoilé Alpes Azur Mercantour, one of fourteen such sites on the planet. At night, the stars shine like a thousand lights. It is truly a unique experience.

 

5)  Le Lubéron

Discover the ocher-colored trails of the Luberon, an extraordinary geological specificity, reminiscent of the landscapes of the United States.

Nicknamed the “Colorado Provençal”, this flamboyant land is twenty-five kilometers long and five kilometers wide. Its colors vary from yellow to red depending on the time of day.

You can visit this extraordinary place on foot, by bike, by taking the Carrières d’Ocres footpath in Rustrel, or the Ocres with the Vélo cycling circuit. You can also explore it on horseback.

Don’t forget to take a detour to the Ocre de Bruoux mines, which are fifty kilometers long, and a must-see in the region. A guide will tell you all about its history, which dates back to Antiquity!

The surrounding small villages match the colors of this incredible landscape.

 

6)  Giens

Giens is a must-see village of the Côte d’Or. Surrounded by blue water, this peninsula offers many small creeks that will take away your breath.

Between the two tombolos that attach the island firmly to the coast, hundreds of birds have taken refuge in the salt marshes. If you are a birdwatcher, you can admire flamingos, avocets, herons, egrets, shelducks, and many other feathered beasts.

The beaches are magnificent, and the Mediterranean sea offers incredible viewing grounds for those who want to put on their flippers, mask and snorkel, and swim with the fish.

For those who love sailing and kitesurfing (website in French), this place is an ideal playground. For a more tranquil discovery of the surroundings, you can rent a kayak and paddle wherever your heart leads you.

 

7)  Colmar

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Colmar is located on the Alsace wine route. This romantic city is ideal to visit in mid-season.

Steeped in history, the streets are cobbled and lined with early Renaissance and medieval half-timbered buildings typical of Alsace.

To visit this city, there’s nothing like a little boat trip on the “Petite Venise“. This nickname is due to the colorful houses that are located on either side of the course of the Lauch river.

You can also discover Colmar by having a scavenger hunt (website in French) in the city!

For history and architecture buffs, the Quai de la Poissonnerie, the Marché couvert, the Pfister house, the Saint-Martin collegiate church – the largest Gothic cathedral in the Haut-Rhin after Strasbourg’s cathedral – or the Khoïfus (or Old Customs), are all places that deserve to be seen.

If you come as a couple, you can buy a heart-shaped padlock and immortalize your love on the fence of the bridge facing the Quai de la Poissonnerie.

A piece of advice, do not hesitate to book a guide to learn all the secrets that this charming little town holds.

The city also offers a city pass, to visit everything at a reduced price.

 

8)  Bordeaux

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007, Bordeaux is rich in heritage and culture.

The month of June is an ideal time to go there, as tourism is not yet in full swing and the days are mild and warm. Sit on the terrace and let yourself be seduced by the cuisine and the Bordeaux art of living. From small bistros to gourmet restaurants, there is something for everyone. You can even dine on the Garonne to visit the city at the pace of the river’s current.

A nice little detail: you can get to Arcachon easily from Bordeaux (by car, train, or bus).

You can also stroll through the vineyards and enjoy some wine tasting (website in French).

Experience Bordeaux wines at the Cité du Vin, go to the Place de la Bourse after dark to observe its illuminated reflection in the Water Mirror, or spend a relaxed moment at the Guinguette after visiting the Darwin ecosystem on the opposite bank.

If you like museums, you will not be disappointed. The Bassin des lumières, the CAPC, the MusBa, the Meca, and the Mer Marine Museum, are among the many places that will fulfill a variety of interests.

Stroll through this city of white stones and discover its must-see monuments: the Pey Berland tower and the Saint-André cathedral, the Saint-Michel spire, the Big Bell, the Grand Théatre, the Rohan palace, and many others.

 

9)  Arcachon

If you like architecture, nature, and calm, Arcachon is the destination for you! Among its many attractions, here are some that are definitely worth a visit.

Jump in your kayak or take a boat trip to visit the Cabanes Tchanquées on the Île aux Oiseaux. The charm of these small homes is unforgettable.

Climb the Dune of Pilat for a breathtaking view of the Arcachon basin. The sunset from the top is memorable. If you don’t feel like climbing this mass of sand, fly on a helicopter!

The districts of the city of Arcachon are divided according to seasons. Follow the cobbled streets of the Winter Town to discover houses and villas dating back from the 19th century.

The Banc d’Arguin Sandbanks are one of the most beautiful places in France. These sandbanks continually change with the winds and tides, and are home to the eggs of several species of birds.

Take a detour through the oyster-farming villages. These are ideal places for strolling and tasting fresh oysters from the basin.

Every year in June, Arcachon is transformed into a full-on open-air museum during the Printemps des Sculptures.

End your stay with an overview of the tip of Cap Ferret by climbing up its famous lighthouse.

 

10) Cauterets

You’re not much of an athlete but you dreaming of being in nature? Don’t look any further! You can visit three magnificent Pyrenean lakes in just 2 hours on foot.

The Gaube lake, at 1,725 meters above sea level, at the foot of Vignemale in the Cauterets valley, is famous for its beauty and convenient accessibility.

It’s a 1-hour walk from the Pont d’Espagne car park, through a forest of fir and pine trees, or by gondola or chairlift.

Ilhéou Lake stands at an altitude of 1,988 meters between Grand Barbat, Pic Arrouy and Pic de Courounalas. Nicknamed the “blue lake” due to the transparency of its water, it is possible to fish and swim there.

Perfect for a family outing, it is accessible after a 1 hour 45 minute walk from the Cambasque valley or by taking a gondola or chairlift from Le Lys.

And finally, Estom lake, at 1,792 meters above sea level, is irrigated by the waters of the Estom-Soubiran river. This walk, rather than a hike, promises the observation of typical animals of the Pyrenees mountains such as marmots or chamois. Once at the lake, you can rest near its clear water and enjoy the mountain calm.

It can be accessed by walking two hours from La Fruitière.