Hi all,

We are in the early stages of planning a return trip to France for next July. We have been to Normandy, Burgundy, Dordogne, Provence, Cote d'azur and the Loire on previous trips. Our girls will be 12 and 14. We will be seeing relatives in Paris and Brittany for the previous 2 weeks but I'm looking to add one week in an area with nice beaches, some culture and and enjoying local foods. Corsica would be more difficult to get to as we would need to fly. But everything I have read about the island (l'ile de beaute) sounds wonderful! My husband is leaning towards staying on the mainland and maybe checking out the Basque country (Biarritz, Pau, etc). We like beautiful countryside, country drives, hikes and beaches so both areas seem to offer that! Does anyone have any views in terms of which area is more of a must-see?

Thanks in advance!

I can't compare the two since I haven't been to Corsica but we did an extensive driving tour through the Basque country and I think given your interests and your girls' ages you might enjoy it. I think the area between the coast starting near Bayonne and going all the way to Auch, etc. is really nice. I think like the Dordogne that it is an area where you get a lot of tourist "bang for your buck"-lots of pretty vistas and things to visit in a relatively small area. My husband is French and his cousin has retired in a small village called Sare which is lovely and we like both Pau and Auch a lot. If you want to get kind of a "mixed" sea and country visit, then you could come into Bordeaux and then visit the Pyla dune area before driving down and inland through the Basque area. And if you will be coming south from Brittany there are lots of good beach choices from Nantes south-La Rochelle, the Royan area, etc. And Bordeaux itself is a wonderful city these days to visit.

Just one thing to note-our French friends who have their daughter in engineering school in Pau mentioned that the freeway in that area is most expensive freeway in France, so that is is just something to think about if you will be driving.

Hah! Just reading Paul Theroux's Pillars of Hercules, his complete travelogue of the Med Coasts, including stops in Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily (am just along the northern coast of the Sea still). Based on his travels, I'd pick Basque. And agree, if you've never been to the wonderful city of Bordeaux, continue down to there.

thank you both! Sounds like I will have to read that Paul Theroux book as well!

I'm a huge fan of Paul Theroux's Pillars of Hercules, but it's been ages since I read it, and Bordeaux, if it figures into the book, has undergone an amazing transformation in the past 10 years since Alain Juppé became mayor, so anything Theroux says about Bordeaux may be out of date by now. That said, I agree with everything jpie has said (and I live in the Dordogne and spend a fair bit of time on the Basque coast). Haven't ben to Corsica yet, but plan to get there.

Corsica is a special place, with probably some of the best beaches, swimming, in Europe and would certainly fulfil all of your wants.

It does get busy; however, during French school holidays.

I haven't been to Basque Country yet but have been to Corsica twice. It's a really special and rustic place. The beaches and food are amazing. We rented a cute little house in Farinole. We did it through Airbnb but you can book directly for better prices and they have different types of accommodations. It's called Casa Louisa, also known as Residence Pancrazi. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. There's a beach a 2 minute walk away with a Genoese Tower above it- they are all over Corsica and so beautiful. Nonza is nearby and is a cute little town. We drove all over the island, even to Bonifacio which is a long day trip, but so worth it.

We spent a week in Corsica this past June ... Calvi and L'Île-Rousse. The beaches are fantastic as well as the culture ... especially L'Île-Rousse. The town square surrounded with Sycamore trees, benches, bistro tables, the market - it was absolutely delightful. We'd planned for this as we flew into Marseille with round trip flights to Calvi via Air Corsica. It really depends on how much you like the beach. One thing - it's not uncommon to see some nudity on the beaches. All in all - we'd go back to Corsica anytime.

Ciao ... Dorm

Thanks, all.

Husband is very keen on Corsica now. Looking at maybe flying into either Ajaccio and making our way to Calvi or vice versa. The kids really want some beach time as well!

If you're feeling adventurous, consider a day trip to Desert de Agriates. Start early, as it would be a day long trip, and you have to make sure to bring at least towels, sun screen, water and snacks. There is a restaurant at the beach but limited in the menu. Once you get to the beach you will understand.
From L'ile Rousse; head east to "Casta". At the hotel U Santu Pietru rent a slot for the Jeep ride to the Agriates. Do not, under any circumstances, think you can drive your rental car to the beach!!! We rode with "Sabine" - quite an interesting lady who drives the jeeps; has lived on Corsica for 30 something years; herded goats - et al.

We found the Agriates to be a hi-lite of our trip - we anchored in Calvi and our week in Corsica was absolutely delightful!!

Ciao - Dorm