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Activity Holidays in France

Overview

France is a country with which almost every traveller has a relationship. The country of culture, the country of gastronomy, the country of world-class art and literature, an activity holiday in France is sure to last long in the memory, experiencing a culture as rich as France’s is not something that happens every day.

There’s a reason it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and it’s not just because of the Eiffel Tower (although it is pretty majestic).

There are wonderful local experiences to be had when you get off the beaten track in France. Some come to stroll the winding streets and the village square markets in Gascony and Provence, some come to follow the trail of great philosophers, historians and artists in Paris and Bordeaux, others are drawn to the country’s unusual geography with its long coastlines in Normandy, massive mountain ranges and breath-taking farmland vistas, and some come for the immense luxury of the French Riviera and Nice.

Whatever unique activity holidays in French or offbeat experiences you choose, it’ll be one you instantly pat yourself on the back for. And after combining cooking lessons with city tours, wine experiences with craft workshops in stunning countryside, you’ll find that they all complement each other as well as a freshly baked baguette, a deliciously gooey Camembert and a glass of exquisite red wine, and have you craving for more flavours of France.

Our most popular experiences

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  • 5% discount for 20th July date

    Portrait Painting Week In France

    6 Nights France

    Discover the South West of France where the Pyrénées meets the sea. Learn to paint in a relaxing environment with an e..

    Price from

    £1455 pp
    Take me there

  • Painting and Wine-Tasting in South France

    3 Nights France

    Taste local wines at the source and use the vineyards to inspire your artwork on this 3-night art & wine holiday in Fran..

    Price from

    £900 pp*
    Take me there

  • Jewellery Making Holiday

    7 Nights France

    Design and make your own unique pieces of jewellery on this 7-nights creative holiday; you can choose to work with glass..

    Price from

    £1635 pp*
    Take me there

  • Paint the South of France

    6 Nights France

    Indulge in delicious food, local wines, delightful sights and individual art tuition on this 6 night painting holiday in..

    Price from

    £1200 pp*
    Take me there

  • A Week of Yoga, Gastronomy and Culture in Provence

    6 Nights France

    Relax and unwind during yoga lessons then go discover yoga philosophy, nature and gastronomy in Provence and the Côte ..

    Price from

    £1364 pp
    Take me there

  • Painting and Drawing Holiday in the South of France

    7 Nights France

    Operating Dates 2024 25 May - 1 June 22 -29 June 19 - 26 August - NEW DATE The experience runs with a minimu..

    Price from

    £1000 pp
    Take me there

  • Horse Trekking Experience in the Pyrenees

    6 Nights France

    An unmissable horse riding experience that immerses you in the pastoral landscape that is the rugged Couserans region of..

    Price from

    £1264 pp
    Take me there

  • Comedy Writing Break in Gascony

    7 nights France

    What could be more energising and empowering than spending a week being creative, developing your comedy technique, disc..

    Price from

    £900 pp
    Take me there

  • Painting Holiday in South West France

    7 Night France

    Stay 7 nights in a beautiful French country house in a tranquil part of Gascony and combine studio sessions with paintin..

    Price from

    £1295 pp
    Take me there
    • View all
    • 5% discount for 20th July date

      Portrait Painting Week In France

      6 Nights French Pyrenees

      Discover the South West of France where the Pyrénées meets the sea. Learn to paint in a relaxing environment with an e..

      Price from

      £1455 pp
      Take me there

    • Painting and Wine-Tasting in South France

      3 Nights Nouvelle-Aquitaine

      Taste local wines at the source and use the vineyards to inspire your artwork on this 3-night art & wine holiday in Fran..

      Price from

      £900 pp*
      Take me there

    • Jewellery Making Holiday

      7 Nights Gascony

      Design and make your own unique pieces of jewellery on this 7-nights creative holiday; you can choose to work with glass..

      Price from

      £1635 pp*
      Take me there

    • Paint the South of France

      6 Nights Nouvelle-Aquitaine

      Indulge in delicious food, local wines, delightful sights and individual art tuition on this 6 night painting holiday in..

      Price from

      £1200 pp*
      Take me there

    • A Week of Yoga, Gastronomy and Culture in Provence

      6 Nights Provence

      Relax and unwind during yoga lessons then go discover yoga philosophy, nature and gastronomy in Provence and the Côte ..

      Price from

      £1364 pp
      Take me there

    • Painting and Drawing Holiday in the South of France

      7 Nights France

      Operating Dates 2024 25 May - 1 June 22 -29 June 19 - 26 August - NEW DATE The experience runs with a minimu..

      Price from

      £1000 pp
      Take me there

    • Horse Trekking Experience in the Pyrenees

      6 Nights French Pyrenees

      An unmissable horse riding experience that immerses you in the pastoral landscape that is the rugged Couserans region of..

      Price from

      £1264 pp
      Take me there

    • Comedy Writing Break in Gascony

      7 nights Gascony

      What could be more energising and empowering than spending a week being creative, developing your comedy technique, disc..

      Price from

      £900 pp
      Take me there

    • Painting Holiday in South West France

      7 Night Gascony

      Stay 7 nights in a beautiful French country house in a tranquil part of Gascony and combine studio sessions with paintin..

      Price from

      £1295 pp
      Take me there

    Best Time to Visit France

    Spring Summer Autumn Winter
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    Expect temperatures between 13 degrees in March and 18 degrees in May.

    As France warms up for the high season, expect the country to be in bloom, warmer weather and local produce, whilst accommodation prices and crowds slowly increase.

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    Expect temperatures between 20 degrees in June and 24 degrees in August.

    It’s hot all over, in the Alps there are hiking and rafting opportunities aplenty, and on the coasts the beaches swell with sun-worshippers, accommodation is at its most expensive.

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    Expect temperatures between 17 degrees in September and 8 degrees in November.

    As the crowds disperse, the cost of finding places to stay drops, and as the grapes are harvested and the days shorten, you might find the best deals at the most charming time to visit.

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    Expect temperatures between 5 degrees in December and 4 degrees in February.

    For the best deals on accommodation and a chance to see France at its most authentic and non-touristy, visit in winter. Of course, this isn’t the case for the Alps, where the ski season is getting underway and everyone heads for the slopes.

    Best Places to Visit

    Nice

    Welcome to a city of azure seas, pristine beaches, fresh Mediterranean cuisine and lifestyle to matc

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    Nice

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    Gascony

    Rolling hills bearing winding vineyards, Gascony is a region best savoured slowly.

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    Gascony

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    Normandy

    Windswept beaches, quiet village communities - there are wonderful experiences to be found in Norman

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    Normandy

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    Provence

    Travel along roads that wind their way through the hills of Provence to find truly offbeat experienc

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    Provence

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    Loire Valley

    Incredible chateaux, beautiful countryside, exquisite wine, all this & more in the Loire Valley.

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    Loire Valley

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    Bordeaux

    Historical & cultural hub in a region of world-class vineyards, Bordeaux is a rewarding destination.

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    Bordeaux

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    French Riviera

    Glitz and glamour await in a land where all pleasures & unique experiences can be found.

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    French Riviera

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    Biarritz

    Tucked away on the south Atlantic coast, France’s surf capital hides a number of offbeat experienc

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    Biarritz

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    Toulouse

    A picturesque maze of cobbled alleys reveals a city on the forefront of France’s cultural scene.

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    Toulouse

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    Paris

    What can be said that hasn’t been said already, the romantic capital of the world sits on the Sein

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    Paris

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    Nouvelle-Aquitaine

    A scene conjured up by gently ringing church bells & smells of boulangerie wafting through its stree

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    Nouvelle-Aquitaine

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    Lyon

    The culinary capital of France, if you’re a food lover, look no further than this charismatic city

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    Lyon

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    Brittany

    Fishing villages, stretches of deserted coastline & all the cheese and bread you can eat, sounds lik

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    Brittany

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    French Pyrenees

    Lesser visited than the Alps but still incredibly beautiful, authentic, and truly off the beaten tra

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    French Pyrenees

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    Top tips for visiting France

    Learn more about France

    19/02/2018

    French cookery | Spencer’s Normandy Pork Casserole recipe

    This tasty dish is a Normandy speciality and is as good as it sounds. Chef Spencer, our chef and host of fantastic cooking holidays and experiences in Normandy, France, chose this as one of his favourites of the many regional dishes to enjoy. Ingredients 50g (2oz) Isigny butter (or whatever... Read More »
    28/04/2020 Local Insights

    Meet Jo – our art host in France

    Last week, we met up with Jo (electronically, of course), who runs some of our painting and art holidays in France. She is a celebrated artist who is based in an intimate farmhouse in South West France that she renovated with her family over five years ago. She’s incredibly friendly... Read More »
    24/10/2019 Local Insights

    Meet Caroline, our jewellery making tutor in South West France

    Packing up and moving to rural France with four kids under the age of 7 and no knowledge of the language would seem a big step to most. But for PMC jewellery making expert Caroline and her husband Adam, it was a no brainer. Caroline remembers, “I always loved travelling.... Read More »
    23/01/2019 Features

    Your guide to France: what to eat and drink

    France is the epitome of food and drink, and you won’t go far without falling in love with something, as every region has a delicious speciality for you to try. And while the recipes may seem complex, it is the amazing, locally sourced, fresh ingredients that are the solid foundation... Read More »

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