Experience the charm of a French summer

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Do you know how to say summer in French? – Here is the answer:

  • été
  • L’été
  • Un été
  • Les étés
  • Des étés
  • En été

Do you know where to go and what to do during your holidays in France?

There are so many places and it’s difficult choose? That’s ok, read the article until the end and you’ll have SPECIFIC informations to make it clear in your mind.

I’m your French teacher, on this blog you can read +200 articles to learn French.

Summer in French

Summer means happy times and good sunshine.

Brian Wilson

Discovering the charm of French summers

Summer is very long awaited in France, this is the time of the year when we enjoy it the most.

The climate and weather patterns in France during summer

Summer begins in June and ends in August. The weather changes depending on where we are:

  • The north of France
      • The temperatures are mild and the nights a little cold. It rains irregularly. In general, it is a great season to discover the beautiful landscapes of the coast and the beaches. We find an oceanic climate all along the coast.
      Some regions to visit:
      • la Normandie
      • la Bretagne
  • The central region
      • It is a temperate climate, it is warm and the nights are mild. In the capital, on hot days, you can enjoy walking along the Seine and cooling off on the terrace of a cafe.
      Some regions to visit:
      • la région parisienne
      • le Centre-Val de Loire
  • The south
      • It is hot and dry, the days are sunny. Sometimes the temperature exceeds 30 degrees celsius. The evenings are mild to warm, it’s perfect for going out to eat with friends and enjoy outdoor festivals.
      We find a mediterranean climate in:
      • la Provence
      • la Côte d’Azur
  • Mountains
      • The temperatures are cooler there, especially in the evening.
      • les Alpes
      • les Pyrénées
  • Atlantic coast
      • Temperatures range from moderately warm to hot. The days are sunny and the evenings mild and pleasant.
      We find an oceanic climate in:
      • la Gironde
      • la Vendée

    Typical French summer activities

    Here are some known activities practiced during the summer in France:

  • Seafood tasting
      • It is a very popular activity for the French and tourists. To do on the Atlantic coast.
      • les huîtres (oysters)
      • les moules (mussels)
      • les coquillages (shells)
      • les crustacés (crustaceans)
  • Wine tasting
      • Explore the wine regions and discover new wines.
      The regions:
      • la Bourgogne
      • Bordeaux
      • la vallée de la Loire
  • Picnic
      • The French like to have a picnic, it’s a summer tradition: on the banks of la Seine in Paris, on a beach, in the gardens of a castle, etc.
  • Markets
      • Spending time in the open-air markets. Buy summer vegetables and fruits, local products (culinary specialties, crafts).
  • Les feux d’artifice du 14 Juillet (Fireworks on July 14)
      • This is la fête nationale française, People come out of their homes to see the fireworks. In some cities there are concerts and parades, in a festive atmosphere.
  • Le tour de France
      • It’s a bike race. It is the most famous sporting event of the summer. We can follow the different stages that take place in different regions of France, and therefore discover different landscapes.
  • Outdoor cinema
      • We can attend movie screenings in the parks. In general, the films shown are classics. Perhaps you will see films that rocked your childhood.
  • Swimming
      • The French love to go to the beach in the summer, whether in the south or on the Atlantic coast.
  • Hiking
      • Hiking in the mountains is one of the favorite activities of the French.

    Watch this video to know the activities to do in le Bassin d’Arcachon.

    Exercise
    What is your favorite activity? Tell us in the comments.

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    Visit France: French festivals

    In the summertime, when the weather is hot, you can stretch right up and touch the sky.

    Mungo Jerry

    French summer culture and traditions

    Festivals and celebrations unique to France

    Here are the parties that can be attended during the summer in France:

  • La fête de la musique (le 21 juin)
    Amateur and professional musicians play in the streets and bars.

  • La fête nationale (le 14 juillet) : to commemorate the Revolution of 1789.
  • Les rencontres d’Arles (de juillet à septembre): it is a festival of photographs.
  • Le festival d’Avignon (en juillet): this is a theater festival.
  • La nuit des étoiles (fin juillet): it’s an astronomy festival.

    • Summer culinary delights in France

    Summer in France gives pride of place to typical dishes, it is an opportunity to discover or rediscover the good dishes of the soil.

  • Summer markets
      • They are the place to buy fresh seasonal products.
      Fruits:
      • les pêches (peaches)
      • les abricots (apricots)
      • les oranges (oranges)
      • les fraises (strawberries)
      • les cerises (cherries)
      Vegetables:
      • les tomates (tomatoes)
      • les courgettes (zucchini)
      • les concombres (cucumbers)
      • les aubergines (eggplants)
  • Barbecues
      • We eat de la viande (meat), des sausicsses (sausages) and des légumes (vegetables) grilled.
      We can add:
      • de la charcuterie (cold cuts)
      • du fromage (cheese)
      • du pâté de campagne (country pâté)
  • Ice cream and sorbets
      • The ice cream parlors offer several flavors.
      Here are examples for ice cream:
      • vanille (vanilla)
      • chocolat (chocolate)
      • yaourt (yogurt)
        Here are examples for sorbets:
      • du melon
      • de la framboise (raspberry)
      • du citron (lemon)
  • Aperitifs on terrace
      • On summer evenings, the French like to have drinks on terrace, usually with friends.
      • Un verre de vin blanc (a glass of white wine)
      • Un cocktail
      • Une bière (a beer)

    Exercise
    Tell us in French in the comments which is your favorite food from the list above, and why? I will correct if necessary.

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    • Talk about summer holidays

    Planning your French summer getaway

    Choosing the perfect French summer destination

    This can be a decision that is not easy because, in France, there is a diversity of landscapes and temperatures. Here is some information to help you make the best choice:

  • What kind of experiment do you want to do?
      • Relaxing at the beach
      • Visit small typical villages
      • Doing sports
      • Visiting museums
      • Etc.
  • Which region do you like the most?
      • The PACA region
      • La Bourgogne (Burgundy) and its wine-growing landscapes
      • The Pyrenees and their mountains
      • The south west and its waves for surfing
      • Etc.
  • What is your budget?
      • The most touristic regions are the most expensive.
  • Is the place easily accessible?
      • Public transport VS renting a car.
  • And obviously the climate

    • Accommodation and travel tips for summer visits

    Here are tips to make your stay more enjoyable:

    • Accomodation
      • Book your rental before leaving
      • Choose the type of accommodation you prefer
        • A guest room
        • An apartment
        • A house
        • A villa
        • A hotel
        • Etc.
      • The place
        • Close to the beach
        • Close to the city center
        • Etc.
    • Travel
      • Choose your routes in advance: use travel apps
      • Public transport VS rent a car

    Watch this video to know where to travel in France!

    The most beautiful islands of France
  • L’île de Ré
  • L’île d’Oléron
  • L’île de Noirmoutier
  • L’île de Porquerolles
  • Les îles de Lérins
  • L’île de Batz
    • Click here → Premium French Course
    French beaches

    Everything good, everything magical, happens between the months of June and August.

    Jenny Han
    Les saisons (seasons)

    Printemps (spring)
    Eté (summer)
    Automne (autumn)
    Hiver (winter)

    Embracing French lifestyle during summer

    Summer fashion and style in France

    How do the French dress in the summer?

  • Light outfits
      • Linen and cotton are breathable materials, so they are commonly chosen.
      • Summer dresses
      • Light skirts
      • Shorts
      • Light shorts
      • Etc.
  • The visual of the clothes
      • Sailor stripe
      • Floral patterns
      • Etc.
  • Other:
      • Hats, caps
      • Sunglasses
      • Light scarves
      • Sandals
      • Sunglasses
      • Etc.
  • Soft colors

    • Learning French summer etiquette and language

    Know the basics of politeness in French to facilitate your interactions with the natives during your summer holidays. I am dealing here with politeness in general, it is not related to summer specifically.

  • Greetings and politness
      • The French appreciate the efforts to communicate in their language.
      • Bonjour (good morning)
      • Bon après-midi (good afternoon)
      • Bonsoir (good evening)
      • Bonne nuit (good night)
      • S’il vous plaît (please)
      • Excusez-moi (excuse me)
      • Merci (thank you)
  • Non verbal greetings
      • Kisses on the cheeks (two or three depending on the region).
      • In a formal or professional context, we use our hands.
  • During meals
      • Stand up straight
      • Avoid putting your elbows on the table
      • The forearms visible, do not put them under the table
      • Take small portions to leave food for others
  • Respect the other
      • Avoid excessive physical contact
  • Punctuality

  • To order in a restaurant
      • Bonjour, avez-vous une table disponible pour deux personnes, s’il vous plaît ?
        (Hello, do you have a table available for two people, please?)
      • Un verre de vin rouge pour moi (A glass of red wine for me)
      • Je vais prendre un poulet avec des frites (I’m going to have a chicken with fries)
      • L’addition, s’il vous plaît (The bill, please)
  • Ask for a direction
      • Quel est le chemin pour aller à la plage depuis ici ? (What is the way to the beach from here?)
      • Quel est le chemin pour aller au supermarché ? (What is the way to the supermarket?)
      • Où se trouve la boulangerie ? (Where is the bakery located?)

    Exercise
    In your home country, how do you dress during the summer? Write it in French in the comments.

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    • Summer holidays photographs

    Immerse yourself in French summer landscapes

    Exploring the diverse natural beauty of French regions

    France is a very diverse country in terms of landscape.

  • North
      • Les Hauts-de-France
      • Les plages de la Côte d’Opale: large beaches, dunes and gigantic cliffs.
      • La baie de Somme: vast marshes, sandbanks, a very rich fauna and flora.
  • South
      • La Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
      • Les calanques de Marseille: many coves, many large cliffs, turquoise blue water.
      • Les gorges du Verdon: the largest canyon in France, magnificent blue waters and large cliffs.
  • East
      • Le Grande Est
      • Les Vosges: it is a mountainous massif composed of forest, lakes and many viewpoints.
      • La route des vins d’Alsace: hills, vineyards, very beautiful country villages. It is a land known for the production of a typical wine.
  • West
      • La Bretagne
      • La pointe du Raz: a grandiose cliff, this is the most famous viewpoint in the region.
      La Normandie
      • Le Mont Saint-Michel: it is a huge rock on which an abbey was built. The strength of the tides is impressive.

    Capturing the essence of French summer through photography

    Here are some scenes to photograph to capture the atmosphere of summer in France:

  • Les marchés de provence: fruits, vegetables, seeds, flowers, etc. show various colors.

  • Les champs de lavande: the rows of purple lavender that stretch as far as the eye can see.

  • Les plages de la Côte d’Azur: the discreet coves, the azure blue of the Mediterranean Sea. The seaside restaurants.

  • Les terrasses de café: the lively terraces where friends and lovers come to laugh and chat. The Haussmann buildings, the Sacré-Coeur.

  • Festivals: music and theater festivals, night markets, local festivals and fireworks.

    • To know more about les gorges du Verdon, watch it!

    Exercise
    What is your favorite region and why? … in French 🙂

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    French food

    La gastronomie est l’art d’utiliser la nourriture pour créer le bonheur.

    Theodore Zeldin

    Experiencing the culinary richness of French summers

    Indulging in regional summer delicacies and specialties

    Here are dishes that the French eat in the summer:

  • La tarte à l’oignon des Vosges: it is made with caramelized onions.

  • Les huîtres de Cancale: they come from the bay of Mont Saint-Michel. They are usually eaten with a squeeze of lemon and a glass of white wine.

  • Le cassoulet au confit de canard: it is consumed in winter and summer. It consists of white beans, duck confit and sausages.

    • Learning to cook French summer dishes like a local

    Here are some ideas to learn how to cook:

    • Participate in cooking classes where you live.
    • Go to the markets and ask the peasants questions, to find out what the ingredients are for cooking the local dishes.
    • Make recipes with seasonal ingredients.
    • Enrich your dishes with fresh aromatic herbs.
    • Eat typical dishes with the locals to learn from them.
    The best typical food
    • Paris
      • Le croque-monsieur
      • Les chouquettes
    • Normandie
      • Le camembert rôti au four
      • Le poulet au cidre
    • Bretagne
      • Le Kouign amann
      • Le far breton aux pruneaux
    • Bordeaux
      • Le canelé
      • Les macarons
    • Côte d’Azur
      • La fougasse
      • La tapenade
    • Alsace
      • Le pain d’épice
      • Le strudel aux pommes
    Summer adventure

    Planning your French summer adventure

    Organizing outdoor sports and nature-based activities

    Here are some activities that you can do, in nature, in summer:

    • Hiking in the mountains (the Massif central, the Pyrenees, the Alps, etc.).
    • Cycling in the countryside.
    • Climbing in Drôme-Ardèche (Vercors or Chartreuse).
    • Paragliding on la dune du Pilat.
    • Surfing on the Atlantic coast.
    • Camping in the mountains or by the sea.
    • Aller à la pêche (Go fishing)

    Crafting the perfect itinerary for a memorable summer trip

    Here is an example of an itinerary, over 15 days, which offers to see the diversity of France:

    • Day 1 to 3 in Paris
      • Visit:
        • les Champs-Elysées
        • le Louvre
        • la cathédrale Notre-Dame
        • le musée Grévin
      • Walk in the neighborhoods:
        • Montmartre
        • le quartier Latin
      • Eat:
        • pastries in a cafe
    • Day 4 to 6 in Normandie
      • Visit:
        • Le Mont Saint-Michel
        • The landing beaches and discover more in depth what happened during the Second World War.
        • The beautiful and well-known city of Honfleur
    • Day 7 to 9 in Bordeaux and its region
      • To do:
        • Explore the wine regions and its magnificent landscapes
        • Taste among the best wines of France
        • Enjoy the typical food of the region
    • Day 10 to 12 in La Côte d’Azur
      • To do:
        • Enjoy the Mediterranean sun
        • Take a walk on la Promenade des Anglais
        • Visit the beautiful old town of Nice
    • Day 13 to 15 in la Provence
      • To do:
        • Go for a walk in the markets to see the colorful fruits, vegetables and flowers
        • Visit the picturesque villages
        • Go sunbathing at the beach

    Exercise
    What is the activity that you would like to do during your holidays in France? … in French in the comments.

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    FAQ for summer in France

    FAQ

    What are the must-visit places in France during summer?

    La French Riviera sur la côte dAzur
    Annecy
    La Corse
    Avignon
    La Dordogne
    Les Calanques de Marseille
    Lyon
    Biarritz
    Le Jura

    Can you suggest some summer festivals in France that I should not miss?

    Le festival d’Avignon
    Le festival interceltique de Lorient
    Le festival de Cornouailles
    Le festival de Nîmes
    La fête de l’Humanité
    Rock en Seine

    What is the French word for summer?

    The French word for ‘summer’ is l’été.

    Well done, you made it to the end!

    Tell what you think about the article in the comments.

    Thomas 🙂

    Resources

    https://www.lemonde.fr/m-voyage/article/2020/05/31/ou-partir-en-vacances-en-france-cet-ete-quarante-cinq-idees-d-escapades_6041313_4497613.html

    https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/23209179/train-travel-france-summer-under-one-pound/

    https://www.theguardian.com/travel/france+summer-holidays