Relax by the Water in France: at the sea, by the river or lake

Famous for its beaches, Biarritz in the French Basque Country is about 4hr 30min from Paris. Here, you’ll find a rather unique marriage of a laid-back surf culture and upscale restaurants, spas and boutiques. Old world opulence aside, don’t miss its key attractions including the lighthouse, the Russian Orthodox Church with its glorious blue dome, the Casino with its fine art-deco ceiling, Place Sainte-Eugenie and more! Oh, the food is fabulous as well, and different to the usual French delights given its Spanish influence.

An island commune in Normandy in the north of France, Mont Saint Michel is a 5hr 22min train ride away from central Paris. Famous for its 11th century Romanesque Abbey Church, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 for its historical and cultural significance. Visited by more than three million people each year, Mont-Saint Michel was an important pilgrimage of faith during the Middle Ages, second only to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Should you go, the best time to visit is early in the morning before the crowds set in.

One of France’s most popular wine regions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bordeaux in the southwestern part of France Nouvelle-Aquitaine is just over two hours away from Paris. Described by Queen Elizabeth as “the very essence of elegance” during her last visit, this is where you can take a relaxing cruise along its three waterways (the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and the Gironde estuary), while indulging in some of their local award winning drops. Our advice is to visit during the harvest months in September and October when the weather is delightful.

Sitting pretty on the French Riviera, Nice is almost six hours by train from Paris and is a great base for visiting other nearby resort cities like Cannes, Antibes and Monaco. One of the most visited cities in France welcoming about four million people each year, this is where you’ll find year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, a lively atmosphere and delicious French and Italian fusion cuisine. Popular among artists and the ritzy crowds, you’ll also find that art museums abound in this region.

If you’re a nature lover, then you mustn’t miss Lake Annecy for this is where you’ll have the best time water-skiing, rowing, kite surfing, cycling, paragliding, climbing, hiking, canyoning and much more, against the stunning and verdant landscape. And for some history, check out the castles in the city of Annecy or get lost wandering along the canals of this “Venice of the Alps”. Less than 4hrs away from Paris, Annecy is also close to Switzerland, making a great stopover destination if you’re heading over to the Alpine country next.