25 of the best mini breaks in France for spring

[Celerity]

The pre-summer months are perfect for a balmy French holiday. From new art shows on the Côte d’Azur to wine-tasting in the Loire, let our expert be your guide

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe-travel/france/25-of-the-best-mini-breaks-in-france-for-spring-z6mvfxl8t

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Champagne vineyards at Montagne de Reims GETTY IMAGES

France is gearing up for an exciting summer as the world’s attention turns to the Paris Olympics, but the period before things really hot up is the perfect time for a short springtime break. Having been writing about France for nearly 20 years, I’ve had many of my best experiences, and made many of my best discoveries, in April, May and June, when gardens are in full bloom, hotels have good availability, and the temperature is pleasant enough to stroll around without a jacket. There have been many times, too, when the mercury has risen above 25C and I have sipped that first glass of rosé of the summer on a sun-drenched café terrace and looked forward to many more. The season offers a chance to explore a city, enjoy a walking or cycling tour, or soak up culture at exhibitions in galleries and museums. It’s also a great time to try somewhere new.

France offers so much variety in terms of its landscape, architecture, regional cuisines and cultures that you can often feel as if you’re in a completely different country without straying beyond its borders. This could mean embracing Basque culture in Bayonne, admiring Renaissance architecture in the Loire Valley, or strolling between the timber-framed villages of Alsace. What’s more, a short break is often a good opportunity to scope out an area you might return to for a longer summer holiday. I’ve chosen these 25 trips from personal experience, in places I know and love; be it the north Brittany coast for some fresh sea air, Toulouse for a fabulous food tour, or seeing the incredible Roman artefacts in Nîmes. Each location is easy to get to for a three, four or five-day break, without too much time spent travelling. And simple journeys mean you can get straight on with the serious business of eating, drinking, exploring and, most important, relaxing.

1. Garden festival in the Loire Valley


Chateau de Chaumont-sur-Loire ALAMY

Garden lovers won’t want to miss the International Garden Festival, which has taken place at the fairytale Château de Chaumont since 1992 (from £13; April 24-November 3; domaine-chaumont.fr). It showcases the extraordinary talents of the gardeners, sculptors and artists whose work is exhibited throughout the estate. The château itself is close to the river and worth a visit to hear the stories of the 19th-century socialite Marie Say, a former owner, who hosted lavish parties and had a pet elephant. Spring is ideal for seeing other nearby château gardens in bloom. Stay at Hôtel le Fleuray, a pretty mansion with an outdoor pool, tennis courts and a hot tub.

2. Hiking in the Vosges mountains


Kaysersberg village GETTY IMAGES

Strap on your walking boots to explore the villages near the Vosges mountains in northeastern France. This walking break takes you to two of the prettiest, Turckheim and Kaysersberg, when the vineyards will be starting to bloom and the region’s storks will be building their lofty nests to prepare for new arrivals. On this Inntravel trip guests stay for two nights in each in family-run hotels, with suggested walks through forests, past the Château de Kaysersberg or to charming Colmar.

3. Old-school luxury by the sea in Dinard


The Pointe de la Malouine in Dinard ALAMY

British high society adopted Dinard as a sophisticated holiday destination in the early 20th century. More than a century later, Alfred Hitchcock was inspired by the town’s Villa Les Roches Brunes for the house in Psycho. It has now been turned into one of many art galleries and has incredible views of the Emerald Coast. The beach is glorious and has a tidal swimming pool, while the coastal paths are gorgeous for rambling. Sail into Saint-Malo on the ferry, then it’s a short drive to Dinard across the Rance River. The five-star Castelbrac is set in the former natural history museum right by the water, with a spa, private wooden speedboat and a bar in the former aquarium.

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