-
Who we are
-
School Trip Camps
-
Vacation Camp
- Blog
Who we are
School Trip Camps
Vacation Camp
If you are lucky enough to stay at our Tour de Buis, Domaine de Damian, Château d’Aine or Étoile du Matin site, find our counselor’s favorite gems nearby !
or just a train ride away...
When you think of France, you think of Paris, right? The city of lights sure is iconic and one of the most remarkable places to see. But guess what? The rest of France has some serious hidden beauty waiting to be explored if you're prepared to venture out of the Parisian bubble.
If you're taking that extra step and planning to travel to the 'real France', here are some top cities and villages to put on your itinerary!
Lyon is the third-largest city in France and a destination full of charm and character. It’s beautiful scenery has charmed plenty of our counselors ! Crossed by two rivers and home to an outstanding park, Lyon is the perfect place to enjoy a long walk by the water, a shopping day in your favorite local shops and immerse yourself in a cultural experience as there are plenty of museums there to learn about the french culture.
Here is a little guide to help you organise the best day-trip in Lyon : https://thethoroughtripper.com/things-to-do-in-lyon/
Auvergne is often called France’s very own Middle-Earth, yep ! Clermont-Ferrand is snuggled among mountains and volcanic landscapes. It’s the place to go if you enjoy nature as Puy de Dôme will offer you a breathtaking panoramic sight of the surroundings or, if you’re more of a big-city person, enjoy a long walk along the old streets in order to reach it’s beautiful gothic cathedral.
Here is a little guide to help you organise the best day-trip in Clermont-Ferrand : https://www.auvergneslow.com/que-faire-clermont-ferrand/
We are still in the beautiful scenery category but with Grenoble this time ! Located in the heart of Les Alpes, this place has been elected « Capitale Verte de l’Europe » in 2022. Think of anything : cozy cafés, cable cars floating above, parks, shops, adventure… it’s waiting for you just outside it's corner. Grenoble can offer you a welcoming trip with both water and mountain landscape, it’s litteraly a walkable postcard !!
Here is a little guide to help you organise the best day-trip in Grenoble : https://www.franceguide.info/auvergne-rhone-alps/grenoble/
Now hop on the train, grab a croissant on the way and you’ll fit just fine !
Just an 18 minute train ride out of Lyon is a real French gem. This beautiful town is totally worth a visit. Check out the ancient Roman ruins and amphitheatre that really take you back in time, all the while enjoying a glass of wine at one of the cute cafes surrounding the ruins. Further down towards the river is a beautiful church that will take your breath away.
Make sure you visit the park here and take a stroll along the river. There are also lots of cute craft shops and local clothing boutiques for a spot of shopping. All this is located right near the train station so it's super easy to see the whole place in a day. The river has got to be one of the best places in France to enjoy a stunning sunset so try to put that on your itinerary!
Still in the Bourgogne region, Macon is also around a 40 minute train ride out of Lyon. The river here will impress any one on any day. On the weekends, and sometimes through the week, there is an awesome market that takes place on the banks. Grab some local produce to fill up your belly while you explore the rest of the Macon.
Everything in Macon is really central, making it easy to walk. On your way down from the train station towards the river, you'll pass plenty of cool shops as well. Macon is an ideal to place to pick up some picnic supplies from a supermarket and find a patch of green grass along the river...afternoon complete!
In picture perfect Provence is the quaint town of Manosque. The train station is central here, but really you'll want to have a car for the day. Manosque is your starting point to exploring unbeatable landscapes of fields of red poppies and bright yellow sunflowers.
Take a day trip to the Gorge de Verdon from Manosque and you'll struggle to believe your eyes at the wonders before you. A day of climbing, hiking, and probably stumbling across a watering hole along the way to cool off in the hot Provence sun. This is the region of France to make the most of the glorious nature around you!
Gorgeous Provence never disappoints. Here is a town that sits right on the lakeside of the massive Lac de Sainte Croix. This amazing lake has picturesque views all around. There are great hiking trails around the region.
A scenic town, Sainte Croix is located at the bottom of a hill. It has a beautiful lakefront with grassy areas to enjoy. There are many water activities on offer. The town has many delicious restaurants with stunning views.
