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Summer in France

… the "grandes vacances" - the big holiday ...

MARTINA NICOLLS

Aug 19

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Every July and particularly August the French enjoy their summer vacation. Paris is quieter as the French take their “grandes vacances” (big holiday) out of the capital city and head to the sea, mountains, or countryside.

Where do they go? Within France, the French spend their summer vacation at the Atlantic coast, the Mediterranean, the Alps and Pyrenees, or villages in between. The Atlantic coast offers wild beaches and sailing in locations such as Brittany and Vendée. The Mediterranean, such as Provence and Côte d’Azur are good for sunshine and glamour. The Alps and the Pyrenees are for those who like cool air, hiking, and lakes. Many families also return “home” for a few weeks, such as to the village of grandparents or a family cottage for traditional reunions.

This year, I followed the tradition in my own way. I traveled to visit Aunt Jeanne in Romilly, Normandy, in the north of France. Her cottage garden is full of roses and lavender, apple trees and cherry trees, and two cats. Normandy in summer is a few degrees cooler than other places, especially this year as the south of France experienced a heat wave.

For the French, summer is not just about travel; it’s about work-life balance, as they spend time with family and friends, resting and relaxing. Summer in France is about the French “art de vivre” (art of living) in a faraway location, right in their own garden, on their apartment balcony, or at the temporary urban beach areas along the river Seine.