Visiting France in July

July is a popular month to visit France – and with good reason. Whilst the sun generally lacks the opressive intensity that can be found further south in Spain or Italy, it still gives France more than its fair share of beautiful summer days.

The wide, sandy beaches provide the perfect place to soak up the rays, whilst the outdoor market stalls groan under the weight of locally grown produce. And of course on the 14th July all of France stops to celebrate the national holiday, Bastille Day

French Beach Holidays in July

When most people search for their summer holiday they automatically look for somewhere with a good beach and sparkling sea. This isn’t surprising, given that there are few things more attractive on a sunny day than lounging around on the sand and then cooling off in the sea; and France really surpasses expectations with the amount of gorgeous beaches it boasts. Some, like the Côte d’Opale near Calais are only 2 hours away from London – by car! The short distance really takes the stress out of travelling and leaves you with even more time to spend lying on the beach without a care in the world. If you are a real sun lover, than consider Marseilles, in the South of France – not only does it have a Mediterranean climate and features over 20 small, secluded beaches, it’s a real haven for shoppers as the local fashion industry goes from strength to strength.

French Romantic Breaks in July

For a romantic beach holiday, check out the pink coast of Brittany’s Côte de Granit Rose, where a rare pink rock colours the entire coastline. If the beach isn’t quite your scene but you still want the romance, a quaint countryside cottage might be the way to go; by shopping at local markets and cooking ‘at home’ you’ll save money and garner some valuable alone time. Other romantic alternatives include horse riding holidays, wine tasting or perhaps even cookery lessons for couples!

French Activity Breaks in July

If you’d rather a more active holiday, France offers rock climbing, canoeing and kayaking, mountaineering and mountain biking – not for the faint of heart!

July School Holidays in France

French schools break up at the beginning of July and remain closed until early September. This applies to all three academic zones.

French Public Holidays in July

Saturday 14th July is Bastille Day, the National Holiday held every year on the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress during the French Revolution. Festivities start in the morning, on the Champs-Élysées avenue in Paris in front of the President of the Republic, and fireworks light up the sky once night falls. It is definitely worth a watch, but bear in mind that there will be very large crowds. Of course Bastille Day is also celebrated across the rest of France as well, with noteable celebrations in Cannes and La Rochelle.

Average Temperatures in France During July

The average temperatures across France during July are:

In Paris the average temperature is around 75 Fahrenheit or nearly 24 degrees Celsius.
In the South West the average temperature is 83 Fahrenheit or almost 28 degrees Celsius.
In Provence the average temperature is 84 Fahrenheit or almost 29 degrees Celsius.
In Corsica the average temperature is 84 Fahrenheit or almost 29 degrees Celsius.

Events and Festivals in July

July is a great time to visit one of the many outdoor markets which take place in towns and villages across France. Each market is often an event in itself, mixing shopping, food, and culture with a healthy dose of cafe life. And wherever you holiday in France you'll never be far from a market.

If you enjoy music, consider attending the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence in the South of France; this festival has been running since 1948 and is aimed at promoting new talent. Whilst in the south of France you could also visit the stunning Cannes fireworks festival which starts on the 14th July, Bastille Day.

If you have an interest in history, head to the Somme for a battlefield tour, where July sees the anniversary of the famous first World War battle. Whilst you’re there, take some time to visit the Somme Red Fruit Fair that takes place in early July, in Noyon. The fair is attended by over 20,000 people who shop at the stalls selling (as the name might suggest) all manner of red fruits, including strawberries, raspberries, cherries, loganberries and currants. A prize is awarded at the end of the day for the best display, and to add to your entertainment the streets are roamed by street performers, circus acts and musicians.

Tour de France 2012

July sees the world's greatest cycle race take part - the annual Tour de France. The Tour de France 2012 begins with the Grand Depart in Liege on 30th June and concludes in great style on 22 July at the Champs d'Elysee in Paris. The three week race will be made up of 21 stages and will cover just under 3500kms. Highlights will include the Col de Galibier in the Hautes Alpes, which will be climbed twice, a winding route through the Cantal in central France ending at St Flour, and some big climbs in the Pyrennees from Pau to Lourdes.

Holiday Accommodation in July

The French tourist season in July is buzzing with tourists and the natives themselves on holiday. This does mean that accommodation and travel prices can be at their highest, so to grab a bargain head over to our last minute availability and accommodation special offers.