9 Ideas for Destinations in France for May Public Holidays

Labor Day, 1945’s Armistice, the Ascension, the Pentecost, these public holidays are the perfect excuse to take time for yourself. In this article, you will find my list of the best destinations to fully enjoy May’s public holiday and get a preview of the summer holidays.

 

The Gulf of Saint-Tropez

This destination is most likely to say show-off and bling-bling. But before being recognized as the botoxed celebrities HQ, Saint-Tropez and its surroundings were known for their breathtaking scenery and pleasant climate.

🏖️ Pretty hidden beaches: The prettiest ones are located around the Croix-Valmer and Lavandou.

You will find coves with crystal clear water surrounded by rocks. If you feel like sunbathing, the beaches around Rayol are perfect to keep cool.

And if you are part of the people who enjoy silence, the beach behind Port Grimaud is hidden and quiet even during peak season.

⚠️ Try to avoid the Pampelonne Beach, you are most likely to be surrounded by strangers and drinks will cost you a lot more than they should.

☀️ Whenever the weather is too hot to handle, you still have other options like visiting the heritage. The Gulf of Saint-Tropez is filled with many charming and picturesque villages:

• Grimaud (village at the top of a hill and its castle)
• Port Grimaud (Provence’s Little Venise)
• Ramatuelle (the flowered citadel)
• Cogolin (the typical village from Provence)

There are other many shaded spots in Saint-Tropez: the Our Lady of the Assumption Church (in French), the town hall square (and its Zanzibar gate decorated with clove wood), the Marine Cemetery (in French) where Eddy Barclay, Roger Vadim and others are resting, the citadel and its museum and the Gendarmerie and Cinema Museum (in French).

And for the food lovers you can’t go wrong with the traditional, creamy and fluffy Tarte Tropézienne.

▶️ Nice Places around:

• A dreamy scenery and its bungalows that will transport you to Nikki Beach (from €150)
• A charming, refined and modern hotel (from €350)

 

Avignon

A small paradise nestled in the heart of Provence where sun, flavors, smells and culture are blended to form the perfect spot for an exotic weekend.

🏛️ The temperatures in May are perfect if you want to visit the famous Palace of the Popes, take a stroll in the medieval streets, go on a journey to Barthelasse Island (in French) or take a look around the villages perched on the Vaucluse hilly areas.

🍷 To all wine amateurs, hear me out! When it comes to wines, Avignon is THE Rhone Valley’s wine capital. Don’t miss out on visiting one of its many cellars (in French) and try some of their most prestigious drinks.

🐝 The city is filled with lavender fields and a sweet scent which reflects Provence (as well as the sweet melody from the cicadas).

🍲 And because only a good meal can complete the set to fully enjoy a long weekend, here’s a list of specialties from Avignon you should try:

• The Meat Croustade Avignonnaise (puff pastry, lamb, and sausage meat _ link in French)
• The Daube Avignonnaise (lamb shoulder simmered in wine _ link in French)
• The Anis Pernod (it is older than the Pastis from Marseilles _ link in French)
• The Ventoulet (an almond, honey, dried fruits, and chocolate cake _ link in French)

▶️ Nice Places around:

• A very affordable yet luxurious hotel (from €149)
• A night in a bubble and surrounded by nature (from €209 _ link in French)

 

Mont-Saint-Michel

The first French site classified as one of UNESCO heritage sites is the perfect spot for a healing weekend.

What’s ideal is that in May, the island is clear of tourists and the weather is pretty nice (contrary to popular belief, it’s not always raining in Normandy).

🚴 In 2018, a footbridge was installed, making the site accessible to people riding bicycles.

You’ll get to discover another side of this architectural masterpiece thanks to its different trails:

• Belle-Vue sur la Merveille departure from the Mont-Saint-Michel _ 32 km long
• The Mont-Saint-Michel departure from the Mont-Saint-Michel _ 9.96 km long

→ What we like: there are 4 different free parking spots for bicycles on the Island.

🏇 If you want to make your trip unforgettable, we recommend that you explore the Bay on horseback. Strolls for beginners are offered by the Equestrian Center La Tanière (in French). They are around 1h30 and keep you close to the Mont-Saint-Michel. As for the more experienced ones (gallop 3/4), you’ll get to enjoy a special view on the landscapes of the Bay thanks to the guides of the Bay of the Mont-Saint-Michel on horseback (in French) and the 5 hour-long trip.

🔔 When it comes to visiting monuments, since the region is a true historical fiefdom you will be more than satisfied. From the Mont Abbey, through the bell foundry of Villedieu-les-Poêles (in French), the Christian Dior House (in French), to the Saint James American Cemetery, nobody will be left unsatisfied.

If you want to spend the night (or the weekend) in one of the hotels located on site, you can. However, I’d recommend booking in advance as the hotels are usually packed. And food-wise, you must try the mouthwatering puff omelet La Mère Poulard serves. And while you’re at it, you should also try the Salt Marsh Lamb which eats the grass that grows in the marshes of the Bay.

▶️ Nice Places around:

• A colorful hotel (from €130)
• A night right on the island (from €390)

 

Porto Vecchio

May is ideal if you want to travel to Corsica.

Only 1h30 away from Paris by plane, this little paradise will turn your long weekend into a true exotic outing.

🏖️ Beaches and sceneries with a spark of Italy, fine sand, clear waters and plants all over the places. You’ll get to settle yourself on one the picture-worthy beaches:

• Palombaggia
• Tamaricciu
• Santa Giulia
• Cala Rossa
• Pinarellu
• San Ciprianu
• Rondinara
• Lavezzi Islands’ beaches

→ Tip: hire the services of a skipper who will take you on a journey to discover unknown places on board (motorboat, sailboat or catamaran).

🏛️ When it comes to the must-go places, you have many options: the Old Town and its shop-filled and picture-worthy streets nestled in the citadel (in French), the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church (in French), one of the last vestiges of fortification: the Porte Génoise (in French) and the Bastion de France (in French) and its terrace which offers a panoramic view.

🚵 For the adventurous people who can’t stay still, Corsica also has many places which are perfect for sports activities.

There are 3 canyons: the Pulischellu one (in French), perfect for families, the Purcaraccia one  (in French) and the Vacca one (in French), which is a little more difficult and technical. But you can also go hiking, mountain biking, drive a quad or a four-wheeler, dive in the waters or even do a treetop adventure course (in French).

▶️ Nice Places around:

• A luxurious and modern hotel (from €250)
• A quirky night spent in hanged in the cliffs (from €280 _ link in French)

 

Collioure

Choose this destination for its location right next to the Mediterranean Sea, the beauty of its port, its specialties and its history which mixes sea and mountain.

What makes the city so special? It’s almost like being protected by a bubble. It is perfect for some leisure time.

The city of Collioure is the perfect combo between nature and authentic chic.

Not to mention the charming hotels and the picturesque restaurants it beholds.

Quaint streets and a setting as perfect as the ones you see in movies, any lover would fall for this place.

🏰 With the Collioure Royal Castle, the old beacon (in French), the stunning gothic-style church and the Modern Art Museum, you won’t have the time to be bored.

🏖️ The Boramar beach, right at the bottom of the Pyrenees is, without a doubt, the prettiest one. You get to appreciate the clear waters while being surrounded by colorful houses.

🖼️ If you like fine art and strolling around you must go to the Fauvism Trail as it will allow you to discover the city’s artsy side. The trail has twelve viewpoints, with bronze frames which help enclose the landscapes.

🐟 Food wise, there is one must-do in Collioure. Enjoy the anchovies and the Banyuls wine (which is really worth it) while admiring the sunset on the beach.

▶️ Nice places around:

• A trendy hotel (from €270)
• Mémé Jeannette’s (very) sophisticated huts (from €350)

 

Vendée

If you want to spend your long weekend doing all sorts of sports activities, then Vendée is the destination to choose…

You’ll have beaches, a bit of countryside and many paths. The perfect base for a lively weekend.

🚴 If you want to bike around and discover the hedged paths, pastures, and mountains, there are 27 trails you can choose from on the website www.vendeevelo.vendee.fr (in French).

🚶‍♂️ Multiple 100% nature trails to suit any hiker:

• The Grenon’s trail (on Sèvres’ banks – this 13 km long path perfectly blends nature and history _ link in French)
• The châtaigniers’ trail (departure place de l’Église de Saint Michel Mont Mercure – 8.5 km long path _ link in French).
• The trail between Petite Maine and Doulay which guides you through the discovery of the small heritage (the Moulin du Sacré-Coeur, Lourdes’ cave…) – 10 km long (in French)

🌲 A trail that keeps you connected even in the Grasla forest. A fun and interactive way to calm your mind. You just have to download the app Piste et Trésor and choose the Mission en forêt de Grasla game (mini-games, wooden statues to discover _ app in French)

🍲 As always, take time to enjoy the local specialties: trouspinette (vermouth wine _ link in French), gâche (similar to a brioche _ link in French), tourtisseau (diamond shaped beignets _ link in French), préfou, and the mojettes beans; and inhale and fill your entire body with the salty air you’re going to miss back home.

And, take a stroll on the stunning Île d’Yeu and look around the prehistoric sites of the city like the Préhisto’site du Cairn (in French).

▶️ Nice places around:

• Côte Ouest Thalasso & Spa Les Sables-d’Olonne – MGallery (from €298)
• Become the lord or the lady of the manor (from €210)

 

Montpellier

Sunny weather and hot temperatures, liveliness, festive atmosphere and monuments to explore…

Montpellier beholds many secrets and assets which are perfect for any weekend with your loved ones.

🏖️ Apart from being a city from Southern France, one of its main virtues is the proximity with well-known beaches like the Palavas-Les-Flots or the Grande Motte beaches.

🌊 There are also many trendy (Instagram-worthy) spots where you can enjoy yourself:

• The Dune et Effet Mer (THE nightclub of the city _ link in French)
• The Mas du Cheval (nestled in the middle of nature under an open sky, the Friday nights built its fame _ link in French)
• The Latzarro private beach (inspired by open-aired cafe, you don’t want to miss out on Thursday’s nights events _ link in French)
• The White Beach private beach (to enjoy an all-white night every Saturday)

🏛️ And if you feel attracted by the city’s historic places, there are many places you can visit. Among the must-go places, you have the Arc de Triomphe, the Château de Flaugergues, the Medical School (and its medieval design), the Ursulines’ convent, the medieval mikveh (Jewish ritual and purifying bath from the 13th Century), and the Aqueduct Saint-Clément.

→ Most of those places are made of beautiful white stones, making Montpellier a picture-worthy city.

▶️ Nice places around:

• A comfortable, modern and plant filled hotel (from €290)
• A night in a hut by the water or hung up in the air (from €140)

 

Arcachon Basin

You don’t need to travel around the world to admire stunning scenery or relax.

Right in between the ocean and nature, the Arcachon Basin is the perfect spot to enjoy one of May’s long weekends.

🌡️ Temperatures can reach 20°C in May, therefore, you’ll be able to rest on the prettiest beaches:

• The Pereire Beach (nice view on the Cap Ferret Island _ link in French)
• The Abatilles-Arbousiers Beach (family-friendly)
• The Moulleau Beach (with the Pyla Dune in the background _ link in French)
• The downtown beach (in Arcachon with supervised swimming during season)
• The Aiguillon Beach (discreet and calm)

🏛️  La ville d’Hiver (one of Arcachon’s districts), far from the frenzy of the beach, walk along the streets to look around and see astonishing mansions from the 19th Century.

🛶 But Arcachon is also linked to nature. You’ll get to climb up the Pyla Dune, discover the stilted houses from l’île aux oiseaux on a kayak, climb up the Cap Ferret’s beacon stairs or even take a picture next to one of the many piers.

▶️ Nice places around:

• A luxurious weekend with a spa and a pool (from €550)
• Hut or bubble? (from €59)

 

Biarritz

For an elegant yet leisurely weekend, Biarritz is the perfect place.

Unlike what you may think, it is not just a beach resort. There, anybody can replenish themselves in a lively and dynamic setting.

💆 For a healing weekend, I advise you go to Biarritz’ Thalasso. There are many services (massages, aqua sports, seaweed and sea mud skincare routines…) that you can enjoy with a breathtaking view on the Atlantic.

🏄 Biarritz is a true surf bastion. You can rent surfboards on all beaches. And if you’re a big surf fan, you’ll get the chance to admire the handprints of some of the world’s greatest surf champions in the Avenue du Surf.

🛳️ Discovery wise, don’t miss out on the Rocher de la vierge which you can find above the beach. The Port des Pêcheurs is also a place you don’t want to miss. You’ll get to eat freshly fished fish and appreciate the charming and picturesque place. And if you’re fond of pretty pictures, you should go to the plateau de l’Attalaye, it’s ideally located to give you a stunning view of the Big Casino from the seaside.

As for the families, I recommend the Biarritz Aquarium where you can spend a moment with the seals who live on the building’s roof.

▶️ Nice places around:

• Fancy yurt with an outdoor pool (from €195 _ link in French)
• A pleasant night spent in a historic hotel (from €295)