The Best Places to Visit in the South of France by Overnight Ferry

Everyone from Queen Victoria to Emperor Napoleon III holidayed at this glitzy seaside resort in its 19^th-century heyday. Today, the elegant coastal villas, sweeping seafront walks, and golden sands still pull in the crowds each summer, along with the balmy temperatures and world-class surf.

If you tire of beach days and water sports, check into one of the area’s renowned thalassotherapy spas for a day of R&R, watch a game of Basque pelote, and sample the region’s delicious Basque cuisine.

One of Europe’s most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites, Lourdes makes an impressive inclusion on any southern France itinerary, regardless of your religious beliefs. Once you’ve soothed your ailments with holy water, visit the magnificent Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, peek inside the sacred Grotto of Massabielle, or join a moving candlelit procession.

The town sits pretty at the foot of the Pyrenees mountains, so there are plenty of opportunities to hike, bike, and explore the surrounding hills. Start with a ride on the Pic du Jer funicular and drink in the views from the hilltop Château Fort.

With miles of golden sandy beaches hemmed in by the coastal pines of the Landes forests, it’s easy to find a slice of seaside paradise around Arcachon Bay. Explore the resort town of Arcachon with its neighbourhoods named after the four seasons, climb the Dune du Pyla, Europe’s highest sand dune, then hop aboard for a cruise around the bay, stopping to sample the region’s famous Arcachon oysters.

The forests and beaches of the Cap Ferret peninsula and the vineyards and chateaux of Bordeaux are all within a short drive, making this the ideal basecamp for exploring.

Whether you check into a boutique hotel in the heart of the city or rent a gite amid the vineyards, Bordeaux is the historic and cultural epicentre of southwest France. Spend time admiring the UNESCO-listed monuments of the city centre, which is brimming with shops, markets, and museums, then escape to the surrounding countryside to discover France’s largest wine region.

Wine-tasting tours, chateaux visits, and leisurely bike rides through the vineyards are all on the agenda around Bordeaux. Don’t miss the medieval hilltop town of Saint-Émilion and the Grand Cru wineries along the Route des Châteaux in the Medoc region.

The Pink City of Toulouse – so-called for its rose-hued architecture – is the gateway to the south. From here, it’s easy to head south into the Pyrénées, take a day trip to the tiny country of Andorra, or visit historic French towns like Castres, Carcassonne, and Albi.

In the city itself, highlights include the grand Place du Capitole, the Cité de l’Espace (Space City) (a must for fans of aviation and aeronautics), the scenic Canal du Midi, and the show-stopping Trail of the Giants.

The sprawling wilderness of the Pyrénées National Park forms France’s mountainous final frontier, hugging the Spanish border. With plenty of tranquil campsites and rural gites dotted around the park, this is the place to bring your campervan or caravan along with your hiking boots and a sense of adventure.

Miles of hiking and mountain biking trails provide activities suitable for the whole family, while seasonal activities include rock climbing, skiing, and water sports at one of the many lakes.