France is one of the most romantic countries with its roots in gothic art, medieval harbor towns, peaceful villages, majestic mountains, and fabulous beaches. The cities are filled with elegance and beauty, and the refined taste of the French is reflected not only in their fashion but also in their fabulous cuisine. Resorts on the French Riviera and in the Provence region guarantee great beach holidays with plenty of activities. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF FRANCE

FASHION

Fashion is a matter of national identity.. Today, the most prestigious firms and famous designers have France and its capital, Paris, as the major stage to present their collections and announce new trends. Throughout the year you will find numerous glamorous fashion shows and events hosted in the country.

LAVENDER FIELDS

French smedia is booming with a great deal of photos of lavender fields.
France is just that place where you can find yourself in the heart of the colorful lilac shades. The region of Provence, in southeastern France on the Mediterranean Sea, is covered by lavender fields that take over the valleys.  The flowering season runs from June/July until September. 

FESTIVALS

You'll be amazed at the number of French festivals the country hosts yearly. From art and music festivals to chocolate and wine festivals and fiestas Nice's Carnival is one of the largest in the world. It takes place in February and dazzles with colorful parades of flowers, dancers, and lights. Another destival is the Cannes Film Festival in May. In December, the spectacular Fête des Lumières in Lyon attracts huge crowds of tourists as well. The list goes on. 

MICHELIN-STARRED RESTAURANTS

It is well known that the French are masters of high-end cuisine in terms of taste, decoration, and variety. Therefore, it is not surprising that France has a large number (more than 600) of Michelin-starred restaurants spread throughout its territory, with the majority being located in the capital. This makes France a gastronomic paradise for food lovers.
 

KITESURFING IN FRANCE

The sport of kitesurfing originated in the northwestern region of France, where in the ’80s the brothers Bruno and Dominique Legaignoux were testing boards, skis, and different types of sails and kites without even suspecting that years later they would become the pioneers of the discipline. 

Today, France, benefiting from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean coast, is one of the  best spots in Europe for kitesurfing. Whether it’s on the French Riviera, the French Brittany, the Atlantic or the southwest area—you will find ideal long sandy beaches and favorable wind conditions to kitesurf everywhere. No matter whether you are a beginner or an expert, the spots will allow you to enjoy the sport. Some spots have flat, smooth-water surface, while others will allow you to have fun in the waves. If you prefer kitesurfing in shallow lagoons, you will find them in France, too. The majority of the spots are equipped with an abundance of kitesurfing schools, in case you need some lessons, tips, equipment or companionship. Some of the spots became prestigious due to world-class international kitesurfing competitions being held annually, gathering the best of the sport to showcase their skills.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO KITESURF IN FRANCE? 

The months of March to September are excellent for kitesurfing due to ‘’Le Ponant,’’ the southern thermal wind, which blows constantly and lightly. 
This wind can be found throughout the year but usually reaches its peak in spring and autumn.
In the summer, it can be similar to the thermal breeze which emerges at the end of the day. However, many beaches prohibit kitesurfing during July and August due to the crowded beaches. As a result, it is recommended to aim fortravel in  April/May or September/October.
In the winter months, big storms make the Mediterranean a place with a good amount of waves, although the weather might be chilly. 

WHAT ARE THE BEST KITESURF SPOTS IN FRANCE?

St. Pierre la Mer 

Located on the Mediterranean coast, Saint Pierre La Mer allows you to kitesurf along a huge, wild beach. A part of it is dedicated exclusively to water activities. This is great for beginners, as they can learn how to handle kites safely on the shore. For professionals, the beach offers waves when the wind is from the South. Besides, the spot hosts numerous kitesurfing competitions throughout the year, such as the Junior Kiteboarding Freestyle World Cup and the French Kite Boarder Cross Cup.

La Palmyre

The Charente coastline is full of great spots to practice kitesurfing. One of them is the cove of La Palmyre located nearby the city of Bordeaux.La Palmyre forms an enormous cove in which the sea rushes in at high tide, and when the tide is at its highest, you can kitesurf on a perfectly flat area of water sheltered from the waves by a long strip of sand.

Brest

Brest coast (in the North of Finistere) offers a multitude of beaches ideal for kitesurfing, and as it benefits from the influence of ocean currents coming from the Atlantic and the English Channel, everyone can find their own playground. Depending on the direction of the wind and tides, you can choose to kitesurf in various spots: Rade de Brest, Keremma, Goulven Bay, Dossen, Kernic Bay, and the Dunes of Sainte Marguerite. Most are freeride spots, which can turn into wave spots. 

Gruissan

In Gruisann you will find the weather conditions are ideal, the temperature mild, and the landscapes spectacular. Kitesurfers here will enjoy a 5 kilometer-long beach and strong tramontana winds. A good spot to fall back on when the tramontana blows a little too hard is Grazel. Sheltered by the massif of Clape and the island of Saint Martin, the airflow is less powerful than on the rest of the beach making the water shallow and flat, which is just perfect for beginners.

Almanarre 

Located just at the outskirts on Toulon,Almanarre is one of the most acclaimed locations in the south of France.The beach itself is 4 kilometers long and stretches west. The second official kite zone ("Mérou") is available in the Northeast of the peninsula. It is a perfect flat water spot for beginners if the conditions become too rough at Almanarre.

ABOUT THE COUNTRY

A Brief History of France

France has a long and eventful history full of major conflicts. It is important to distinguish between the late 18th and early 19th centuries and highlightNapoleon Bonaparte. He crowned himself as an Emperor of France in 1804 and built a vast Empire that led the continent. During the Empire of Napoleon I, the territories of France extended to the Russian border. Napolean dissolved the Holy Roman Empire to spread revolutionary ideals throughout Europe, and consequently, the world.
Later, World War I will be summarized as a war between France and its allies against Germany and its allies, which lasted from 1914 to 1918. 
During World War II, France and the United Kingdom declared war on Nazi Germany on September 3, 1939, under a treaty with Poland. France was defeated during the first part of the war which led to the northern half of the country being occupied by the Germans until close to the end of the war (1945) when the Allies recovered northern France. Today, France, being a semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with a number of overseas regions and territories, rises as one of the world's major powers with a strong cultural, economic, military and political influence in Europe and around the world.

Other Attractions in France

It’s impossible to talk about France without mentioning the capital of light, romance, and elegance—Paris. The variety of museums, palaces, famous landmarks, and lesser-known but still noteworthy places, restaurants, idyllic cafes, and bars hosting staggering live cabaret shows will leave any avid traveler speechless. Beyond Paris, Marseille is a charming city, partly because of its labyrinthine streets and street art. The Panier district is the most picturesque in the city. A large number of small craft stores and bars and restaurants also contribute to the charm of this area. Nice, located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by several hills,is the capital of the French Riviera. If you want to be active, you can hike along the cliffs while absorbing the magnificent views. A little further out of Nice, there are trails of different lengths. Some can take 3 hours while others take 5 hours. France is also home to some great surfing beaches. Especially in Biarritz, you can find waves for all levels and styles. The city’s beach waters are frequented each summer by international surfers of various disciplines. Throughout the year, the city hosts various surfing competitions and sporting events, including the oldest in Europe—the Maider Arosteguy surfing competition.

Getting to France

France has one of the best infrastructures in the world. Its international airports are well distributed throughout the country and provide direct access to many French regions and cities. France has many regional airports and a very extensive road and rail network if you wish to continue your trip and move around. There are many airports in France, however, the 3 most frequented are Paris-Orly, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, and Nice Côte d'Azur. Flights to France are cheaper during off-peak periods: spring and autumn.
International trains depart from the Channel ports and Paris to destinations throughout Europe. Eurostar operates direct high-speed trains from London to Paris and Brussels. It also offers direct service from London to Lyon, Avignon, and Marseille. InterRail offers unlimited first or second-class travel in up to 31 European countries. Travelers from the continent (Europe) can drive to France on major roads in almost any direction they wish.

Finally, France can be easily reached from the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel, and the Mediterranean, which means it has many seaports. Cruise ships make regular stops along the French coast with the Mediterranean coast being especially popular on the French Riviera. Brittany Ferries operates ferries from the South of England to the North of France, while In the Mediterranean, Corsica Ferries and Sardinia Ferries connect Sardinia and Corsica with Nice and Toulon.

USEFUL RESOURCES

• Visit France 
• Explore France 
• The Regions of France