France in photos: Where have our readers travelled this year?

Planning travels for when the lockdown is over? Get inspired by some of these photos sent in by FPN readers.

1. Back in October Lara and Alan Gatling visited Périgueux while they were househunting in Dordogne, snapping this shot of a pretty square strewn with festive garlands. Anyone who regularly frequents Dordogne will no doubt be familiar with Périgueux, which has existed since Neolithic times and was an important Roman centre – some Roman architecture, including the remains of the amphitheatre, can still be seen. If you haven’t visited before, it’s definitely one to add to the list. The town boasts pretty streets lined with spectacular medieval houses, and hosts a range of markets and festivities throughout the year.

2. Jennifer Armstong sent us this serene photo of Évian-les-Bains from her trip last summer, with Lake Geneva sparkling in the foreground. If you’re thinking of heading to the Geneva area, plan in a visit to the spa town of Evian, known as the ‘Pearl of Lake Geneva’. With stunning views over the lake, Belle Époque architecture and of course the famous thermal spa, it’s the perfect place for a relaxing Haute-Savoie day trip.

3. In November last year Bob West submitted this stunning photo of sunset over Bormes-les-Mimosas, a commune in the Var department. As the name suggests, it’s one of the most flowery towns in France, and every year in Feburary (mimosa flowering season) the town comes to life and colour with the Grand Corso du Mimosa festival. Perfect if you want to experience Provence sunshine without the clamour of seaside resorts, Bormes-les-Mimoasa is a stunning gem of a town perched on a hilltop, full of winding streets and gorgeous views.

4. If sun-baked Provence is on your wishlist, another place to consider is pretty Villefrance-sur-Mer, one department over from Bormes-les-Mimosas, in Alpes-Maritimes. In December, Jeanette McConnel sent us this photos from her trip to the area the summer before, and it had the FPN team seething with jealously! Considered one of the most charming towns on the already very charming Riviera, Villefranche-sur-Mer is just a short train ride away from the bright lights of Nice and Monaco, yet retains the feel of a little fishing village.

5. Reader Kinnie Kelly sent us this fabulous photo in January, of a stream of vintage cars outside Château de Hautefort in Dordogne. Not only is the château a magnificent place to visit, with it’s well-maintained formal gardens – the town of Hautefort is also a great base to explore some of Dordogne’s best attractions. There’s pretty Excideuil 12km away, Terrasson with its famous Jardins d’Imaginaire 18km away, and the Lascaus caves 23km away.

6. If you’ve explored the areas of France most often frequented by Brits and are looking for somewhere new to visit, why not Auxerre, the capital of the Yonne department in Burgundy. In March, Jack Lambert sent us this photo of pretty timber-framed houses in the city, which also features a bustling marina, beautiful old town centre, and a fabulous festival held every March dedicated to local produce, principally Burgundy wine. Sounds like our kind of place!

7. Also in March, we received this breathtaking shot of Mont-Blanc in Haute-Savoie, just as the sun was setting. It was captured by Richard Witt from his apartment in Praz de Lys, one of the two villages in the Praz de Lys/Sommand resort. As well as offering exceptional 360-degree panoramic views, the area offers 29 ski slopes, a range of restaurants and shops, and plentiful accomodation. It’s also on the more affordable side, so great for family holidays.

8. Our final photo pick of this round-up comes from Andy Chaplin, who submitted this photo for the recent April issue of FPN. Andy had us all yearning for some sunshine with this beautiful shot of the beach at Èze-sur-Mer, taken from the hilltop village of Èze, in Alpes-Maritime. A good option for an early-autumn holiday thanks to the glorious climate, the picture-perfect village is full of artisan shops clustered on stone streets, and surrounded by lush vegetation. Time to get Googling!

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