Tour de France
The world’s most famous cycle race makes July a travel experience for spectators too. Mountain towns, small villages and stage-finish towns come alive when the peloton passes through.
Official information: Tour de France
July and August are high season in France. That means warmth, life, festivals, beach days and long evenings – but also more traffic, higher prices and a need to choose your destination more wisely.
These are the months when France is truly on holiday. The coast fills up, the mountains come alive as summer destinations, the villages put on markets and music, and major events such as the Tour de France and 14 July leave their mark on the whole country.
The question is not whether France is good in July and August, but where you should go to strike the right balance between sunshine, experiences and breathing space.
July works well for festivals, the Tour de France, Provence, the Alps and classic beach days. August has more of a holiday feel, especially in the coastal areas and at the most popular destinations.
If you want to avoid the most intense crowds, look towards the mountains, smaller towns, the interior, Brittany, Normandy, parts of the Loire and the lesser-known corners of southern France.
This page is designed as a practical seasonal guide. It combines travel suggestions, regular events and advice on when to book, where to stay and what to look out for.
Here are the events that make this period especially interesting for travellers. Some dates are fixed, others change from year to year. Always check the organiser’s own website before booking your trip.
The world’s most famous cycle race makes July a travel experience for spectators too. Mountain towns, small villages and stage-finish towns come alive when the peloton passes through.
Official information: Tour de FranceA military parade in Paris, fireworks, firemen’s balls and local celebrations across the whole country. A wonderful evening to spend in a French town or village.
Official information: France.fr – Bastille DayTheatre, performing arts and culture in one of the most atmospheric towns in southern France. Book your hotel early.
Official information: Festival d’AvignonA major Celtic cultural festival with music, parades and Breton identity. A good reason to make Brittany your summer destination.
Official information: Festival Interceltique de LorientFrance is a big country, and the right destination depends on the weather, opening hours, your interests and how much you want to move around. These suggestions are particularly well suited to this period.
Brittany is one of the best choices in high summer if you want coastline, food, sea breezes and slightly lower temperatures than in the south.
Annecy, Chamonix and the mountain areas offer lakes, hiking, cycling and cooler air. Perfect when the south coast gets too hot.
Provence is beautiful, but popular. Set off early in the day, stay somewhere sensible and use smaller villages as your base rather than the most crowded spots.
Corsica is fantastic in summer, but it takes planning. Book your ferry, car and accommodation early, and consider some of the lesser-known beaches.
Normandy can be a wise alternative for families who want coastline, history and milder weather than the Mediterranean.
If you want to make the trip more concrete, you can search for guided tours, tickets, excursions and activities for the period in question. Use this as a supplement to your hotel, train and your own itinerary.
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Provence, the Alps, Brittany, the Loire, Normandy and the Côte d’Azur can all work, but choose according to how well you cope with heat and crowds.
August is busy on the coast and in popular holiday areas, but smaller towns, the mountains and the interior can work very well.
Yes, especially the coast, the islands, popular cities and family hotels. Book early or choose lesser-known bases.
Events can change their dates, programmes and opening hours. Use these links as a final check before publishing or booking.
July and August are France at its liveliest. With the right base, a realistic plan and good timing, high season can deliver fantastic days – but it pays to choose your destination with more care than during the rest of the year.