On the roads of France The English Channel, the Atlantic coast, Provence

Day 4 Saint-Malo

In the northeast of Brittany, at the mouth of the Rance, Saint-Malo looks out towards the Channel Islands. Its legend was forged at sea, shaped by tales of privateers, from Jacques Cartier to the famous Surcouf. Originally built to protect the city, the ramparts that now surround the old town make it a stronghold of French heritage. Inside the walls, cobbled streets, grand shipowners’ houses and artisans’ workshops seem to have captured the passage of time, and continue to fascinate children and adults alike.
Already planned - A sailing cruise in Mont Saint-Michel Bay. With the mountain in sight, we board an old sailing ship and set sail, for real. The captain calls on his young sailors during manoeuvres - this involvement brings powerful maritime sensations and a sense of pride.
Not to be missed -Take a detour to the Cité d'Alet, at the gates of Saint-Malo, where you’ll find the remains of the ancient Gallo-Roman city, Vauban’s fortifications, the 39-45 Memorial, and the Solidor Tower, surrounded by small boats. Also visit the Sculptured Rocks of Rothéneuf and their strange world, inhabited by figures from another era, telling the legend of the Rothéneuf family - privateers, pirates, and nobles.

Day 5 Saint-Malo - Carnac

Head south to Brittany and the Gulf of Morbihan. A true inland sea bordered by coastal paths, medieval villages, half-timbered houses and megalithic monuments, the gulf offers landscapes where land and water merge beneath an unmatched light. Settle in for two nights in Carnac. Your hotel faces the ocean and boasts one of the best locations in the resort. A feature that the balcony of your room expertly highlights. A gentle way of life and well-being are the essence of this stay. That is why the spa includes, among other features, a sensory shower, a steam room, a sauna and an overflow jacuzzi. The restaurant offers an awakening of the senses: first taste, with its delicious and refined cuisine, then sight, with sweeping views over Quiberon Bay.

Day 6 Carnac

Still an unsolved mystery for historians, the astonishing alignments of menhirs at Ménec, Kermario and Kerlescan - more than 3,000 in total - have made Carnac famous. But this pleasant seaside town in southern Morbihan attracts more than just enthusiasts of megalithic sites. It stretches along the Atlantic coast with beautiful fine sandy beaches - some family-friendly, some secluded, others wilder - nestled between Quiberon Bay and the Gulf of Morbihan, often lined with early 20th-century holiday homes.
On your itinerary - Morbihan aboard a sailboat. An inland sea dotted with around 40 islands, the Gulf of Morbihan is home to landscapes where land and sea blend. On this beautiful day of sailing, set course offshore to approach the highlights of Houat, Hoëdic and Belle-Île-en-Mer.

Day 7 Carnac - Île de Ré

Continue south along the Vendée coast to Île de Ré, the jewel of the Charente archipelago. We are staying there for two nights in Ars-en-Ré, just a short walk from the village square. The accommodation, close to the port and in a quiet area, overlooks the bell tower and flower-filled gardens. You have your own little house there and can enjoy the amenities, including the heated pool. Inside, the stone walls, old wooden furniture and a few contemporary touches give the venue a timeless charm.

Day 8 Île de Ré

A favourite destination for lovers of unspoilt nature and cycling, Île de Ré stretches its elongated shape opposite La Rochelle. Connected to the mainland by a long bridge accessible by car, it is home to charming low houses adorned with hollyhocks, dune-edged beaches, salt marshes, and is known for oyster farming. Be sure to visit the ports of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, Ars-en-Ré, La Flotte and the Phare des Baleines, which offer views over the Pertuis sea.
Things to see and do - explore the island by bike. Flat and perfectly laid out, the Île de Ré is a little paradise for cyclists. You discover villages, dunes, vineyards and salt marshes at the pace of your pedalling.

Day 9 Île de Ré - Montignac

You veer away from the coast heading for Dordogne. A two-day escape - just enough time for an adventure amid the Périgord countryside and its medieval villages. Stay for two nights in Montignac, in the heart of the Périgord Noir, just steps from the Lascaux Caves and a few kilometres or miles from Sarlat-la-Canéda. Your accommodation is a former 17th-century townhouse, classified as an historic monument. The building blends stone with old wooden floors, alcoves with terraces. Each room here is unique and beautifully preserves period features - doors, handles, wooden floors, marble fireplaces - evoking the art of living and the elegance of a bygone era. When it comes to gastronomy - such an important part of life in the Périgord region - the restaurant highlights local produce, paired with a fine selection of wines. As for the tasting location, you can choose between the vaulted rooms with blonde stone walls and the terrace, which opens onto the village.

Day 10 Montignac

The charming village of Montignac is the gateway to the Périgord Noir, named for the many holm oak forests that give this part of the Dordogne its dark appearance. Sarlat-la-Canéda is its capital. The opportunity to visit this medieval city with its timeless charm, and to wander through its cobbled streets lined with shops and stalls dedicated to the dining arts. The region is, in fact, renowned for its gourmet terroir - from foie gras to truffles, of course, as well as figs and walnuts.
On your itinerary - your tickets for Lascaux IV. The visit takes place in two stages: the first focuses on the replica of the original cave, while the second, an immersive experience, reveals the secrets of the site through museography and scenography.
Optional - Cruise along the Dordogne.

Day 11 Montignac - Arcachon

Head due west to reach the Aquitaine coast. Pine forests and sandy beaches stretch as far as the eye can see, while oyster farms and the Dune of Pilat share Arcachon Bay. You will spend two nights in Andernos-les-Bains, facing the town of Arcachon on the other side of the bay. Your small, intimate hotel is arranged around a pretty garden with an inviting pool. Your room features natural colours and materials. Polished concrete on the walls, designer features, contemporary furniture. The bar awaits, ready to serve a sophisticated cocktail, a local beer or a glass of wine, all while you take in views of Arcachon Bay.

Day 12 Arcachon

In the heart of the Landes de Gascogne, Arcachon Bay is a vast bay where the fresh waters of the Leyre mix with the wild waves of the ocean. The town of this name feels like a chic, lively resort. People love to stroll along the seafront, the Thiers pier and the harbour; to explore the Winter Town with its 19th-century villas, the Mauresque Park and the belvedere; taste local oysters; enjoy the casino and beaches; climb the Dune of Pilat.
Already planned - Arcachon Bay aboard a “pinasse”, a traditional wooden boat from the region. We set off on a boat trip along Bird Island and its “cabanes tchanquées” - wooden cabins on stilts typical of Arcachon Bay - then past the Cap Ferret peninsula, fishing villages and oyster farms.

Day 13 Arcachon - Biarritz

Continue your journey south to reach the Basque Country and Biarritz, where you’ll be staying for two nights. Perched above Miramar Beach, this elegant hotel has not always been an accommodation venue. First an aero club, then a garage for luxury cars during the Belle Époque, and later simply a garage, it has undergone one of the most successful renovations. Your room is decorated in a neo-retro decor - a blend of raw materials and designer furniture. At the restaurant, you’ll find a friendly bistro atmosphere with tapas, sharing plates and other timeless dishes that showcase terroir produce: Basque cured meats, regional cheeses and Landes terrines, among others.

Day 14 Biarritz

The Basque coast is a region with a distinct identity. Hendaye, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Bidart, Biarritz, Guéthary - these cliffside towns follow on from one another up the coast. On the agenda? Chic relaxation: surf or laze on the beach, then move to a pretty terrace, read or put the world to rights, stroll among the stalls of local markets.
On your itinerary - surf lessons on the Côte des Basques. To blend in with the Biarritz scene, it’s best to have a surfboard under your arm. But it is just as important to know how to use it. Here is a practical course at one of the city’s most popular spots, offering ideal conditions for those starting out, or looking to improve their skills. The waves will no longer hold any secrets for you.
To see and do - Climb the Col des Trois Croix and its oratory. Allow about an hour to reach the summit on this trail, which is part of the GR10. Despite the climb, the walk can be managed by all and, is, above all, very enjoyable. At the summit: three crosses, as well as old Basque graves, some dating from the 17th century, and an uninterrupted view of the mountains and the village below.

Day 15 Biarritz - Carcassonne

We leave the Atlantic behind and set course for the other side of the Pyrenees. Stopover in Carcassonne, an impressive medieval city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stay for one night within the city walls. The hotel boasts a prime location, right next to the Basilica of Saint Nazarius. The decor is harmonious and elegant. The interior evokes both the Neo-Gothic style and the spirit of the Art Deco movement of the 1920s. The restaurant offers contemporary terroir cuisine with a sunny touch, served beneath the impressive beams of the dining room or on the scenic terrace. The spa and the pool are there to guarantee a combination of well-being and pleasure.

Day 16 Carcassonne - Les Baux-de-Provence

Continue heading east to reach Provence and your stop for the next two nights: the village of Les Baux-de-Provence. Settle in for two nights in an authentic Provençal farmhouse, in the truest sense of the word, with sun-soaked old stones, the shade of umbrella pines, bees buzzing around the lavender, and that gentle way of life unique to the South.

Day 17 Les Baux-de-Provence

The village, recognised as one of the most beautiful in France, has been carefully restored. Perched atop a rocky spur overlooked by a medieval castle, it is a true open-air museum with 22 listed attractions. Here, there are no cars. Everything is explored exclusively on foot, inviting you to take your time and wander through the typically Provençal cobbled streets.
On your itinerary - Les Carrières des Lumières. As its name suggests, the visual show at the Carrières des Lumières takes place in former stone quarries, just outside of Les Baux-de-Provence. Quarried since Antiquity, white Baux limestone - used especially to build the village and the castle- was extracted here until 1935. In 1959, captivated by the beauty of the place, Jean Cocteau decided to film scenes from his film The Testament of Orpheus there. It was in 1977 that they officially became a medium for artistic expression, and in 2012 they were renamed “Les Carrières des Lumières”. This is a unique place for an immersive experience in art and music, with projections of works by the greatest painters - Van Gogh, Cézanne, Gauguin and many others.
Optional - Visit to an organic olive grove.

Day 18 Les Baux-de-Provence - Return journey