The Best Weekend Getaways from Paris

While Marseille is now home to several spectacular museums and a burgeoning dining scene, the bulk of your visit should be spent by the sea. As of last year, Les Calanques- limestone sea cliffs and Fjord-like inlets - are considered a national park. Visitors and locals alike hike to reach the water where they’ll inevitably spend the day sunbathing. But for more adventurous types, the rocky coastline between Marseille and Cassis offers world-class rock climbing. As the wife of a rock climbers, I’ve been traveling to Marseille ever since I’ve lived in France. We’ve met climbers from all corners of the earth who travel through France’s internationally-venerated parks and forests to pursue their passion. For me, it’s all about the view. Photo: Lindsey Tramuta

It’s safe to say there’s nothing in the world quite like this magical island, topped by a medieval monastery that rises out of the bay like a heavenly apparition. It’s said that, early in the 8th century, a bishop in nearby Avranches was visited by the archangel Michael, who told him to build a church atop an island out to sea. From 966 onward, the dukes of Normandy, supported by French kings, oversaw the development of a major Benedictine abbey on Mont St-Michel. Massive buildings were added throughout the Medieval period, and the abbey became a renowned center of learning, attracting some of the greatest minds in Europe. To access this UNESCO World Heritage site, you must park in an off-site lot and take a shuttle or walk over a footbridge. Recent improvements have made the process much easier, but you should expect crowds in most seasons, as Mont St-Michel is the third most-visited monument in France. After touring the abbey, head to La Mère Poulard restaurant for the signature omelets and butter cookies. There are also several hotels on the island, though most visitors tend to spend the night elsewhere.

Undoubtedly one of the most popular vacation spots in France, Nice attracts people from all over the world, and although the beaches tend to get especially crowded during the summer, the scenery is absolutely gorgeous anytime of the year. What I enjoyed most was just strolling around this lovely old town, taking in the gorgeous view of the coastline from la Colline du Chateau, and devouring exquisite meals at one of the many fine restaurants. Watching the sunset and listening to the street performers on la Promenade des Anglais was a wonderful way to end the evenings.

While most people visit Brittany for crêpes, sea air and historical landmarks, I’ve got my eye on Peuples et Nature à La Glacilly, the largest open-air photography festival in all of France. This year it celebrates its 10th anniversary and will likely attract some 2 million visitors, passionate about photography and the work of international photographers. Their work addresses ethical and environmental issues as well as questions of sustainability. The festival runs through September 30th and is definitely worth a stop should you find yourself in or near Brittany in early fall!

The Marqueyssac Gardens in the Périgord region of France are not only the most visited in the region but among the most reminiscent of a fairytale landscape. Perched on a hill overlooking the Dordogne valley, Julien de Cerval’s topiary masterpiece from 1866 features some 150,000 boxwood trees pruned to resemble the rolling hills below, and 6 kilometers of shaded trails divided into 3 circuits, each leading visitors to a Belvedere lookout for an awe-inspiring view of the river 130 meters below. Not-to-be-missed: Thursday evenings at sunset when over a thousand candles are placed throughout the gardens for what can only be described as a magical experience.