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Local France
3 hours ago
- Local France
How to holiday like the French
The French have a bit of an international reputation for enjoying a good holiday. In truth, employees in France don't get any more time off work than their counterparts around Europe, with a fairly average 25 days of annual leave for full-time employees. Some workers, especially those in the public sector, do get a bit more via a nice little system known as RTT days . But in general, most French employees don't actually spend two full months at the beach every summer, even though it can feel as though the whole country shuts down in August. READ ALSO : Factcheck: Do French people really take off the entire month of August? But when the French are on holiday, they fully throw themselves into the experience. Here are our tips for holidaying like a Frenchman or Frenchwoman. Advertisement Holiday in France France has a massive tourist industry, representing 10 percent of its GDP, and around 70 percent of those tourists are French. Although the French do of course travel the globe, they also appreciate their own country, especially in the summer when it's a part of the culture to spend at least a few weeks in another part of France - commonly at the beach, in the countryside or in the mountains. Advertisement Some parts of France that are especially popular with the French don't seem to have the same recognition with international tourists, especially the island of Corsica, the Vendée département in western France or the Île de Ré, Île d'Oléron or other islands off the west coast. But many French tourists also go to areas like the Riviera or Brittany that are popular with foreign tourists. As summers in France get hotter, heading to the cooler air of the mountains - the Pyrenees or the Alps - is becoming more and more popular, and these areas are increasingly set up for summer tourism with activities including cycling, hiking, extreme sports and boating on offer. Use pont days We mentioned that French employees don't get more annual leave than their European counterparts, but they are smart at maximising their days off. The principal method for this is 'pont' days - this happens when a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or a Thursday. The worker then uses a single day of their annual leave to create a four-day weekend, which can be used for a trip away. There are 11 public holidays per year (or 13 for those in Alsace-Lorraine), and there's a good chance that at least a couple of them will fall on either a Tuesday or a Thursday. Over the summer, there are two - July 14th for the Fête nationale and August 15th for Assumption. This year they fall on a Monday and a Friday, so no summer pont opportunities, but still a nice long weekend. Roads and railways are usually very busy around public holidays, especially if they offer a ' pont ' opportunity. French workers take the art of the pont seriously - every year around January 1st French newspapers (and The Local ) run articles explaining how to take your annual leave to give you the maximum amount of time off. Have a second home This might require a lottery win, but many French people take off to their second homes for a few weeks over the summer. This doesn't necessarily mean they are super wealthy. France's inheritance laws coupled with the social model means that many people inherit a house from their parents, which they may decide to keep and use as a second home. Advertisement If you start chatting with French friends about their holiday plans, it's not unusual to discover that they are travelling to a second home that either they or someone in their family owns. If you're lucky, they might take you with them. READ ALSO : Explained: Why so many French people have second homes Holiday in summer (and also at Christmas, perhaps in February and over several 'pont' days) Holidays at Christmas, around public holidays and sometimes in February (ski season) are popular with the French, as the annual calendar of traffic warnings shows, but the summer holiday is culturally important. In fact almost 40 percent of people tell pollsters that they can't afford an annual holiday at present, but it's common for people to have some kind of trip away in the summer, even if it's just to visit relatives. Many offices and businesses close completely for a couple of weeks in August to allow their staff to take time off, while it's common to see small independent shops such as boulangeries closed with a notice on the door explaining that the owner is away on holiday. There are plenty of people who do work over the summer though - the 3 million people who work in the tourist industry, for a start. Advertisement Do not answer work messages Every year, jokes circulate on social media that take basically the same format. "American out-of-office message: I am taking a half day off to have kidney surgery, but I will be available on my email and cell throughout and will answer your messages as quickly as possible. "French out-of-office: I am out of the office until September. I will not be checking messages" This is perhaps a slight exaggeration (some lucky Americans get a whole day off for their kidney surgery), but it is true that there is very little culture of working or replying to messages while on holiday in France. A holiday should be an opportunity for complete disconnection, and French workers have the legal 'right to disconnect' . For this reason it's wise not to try and schedule important tasks in August, as it's highly likely that the person you need to deal with will be on holiday. Consider stripping off France has a thriving naturist scene and we're told that going nude in the summer is a very freeing experience. There are some nudist holiday camps if you want to fully immerse yourself in the experience, but there are also plenty of nudist beaches where you can get a nice all-over tan. It's best to stick to the designated nudist areas if you want to strip off fully, but going topless on the beach is generally OK anywhere. Once you leave the beach and head into town or to a bar or restaurant, however, you will be expected to cover up. Some towns even levy fines on topless men. READ ALSO : Can you go topless in French towns this summer? In fact, beaches themselves have quite a few rules - Sand, smoking and sex: The rules of French beaches Swim in the Seine If you're in Paris, why not take the chance to make history and have a swim in the Seine? After a massive clean-up operation, three bathing spots opened up in the river in Paris this summer, marking the first time that public swimming has been allowed since 1923. Swimming is only allowed in the designated areas - the swim spots are free and offer a changing area and lockers (remember to bring a €1 coin). The bathing areas can close, however, if pollution levels are too high - you can check if they are open here . Although also popular with tourists, it seems that Parisians are embracing the new opportunity too, and there are starting to be regulars at the swimming spots as locals take the opportunity to enjoy a part of their city that has been off limits for so long. Advertisement Drink Spritz and rosé, eat seafood France is a nation of seasonal eaters and drinkers. The classic drinks of the summer are the spritz - often Aperol but sometimes Campari or Saint-Germain - and rosé wine, although white is also popular. France has a growing beer scene with more and more people turning to craft ales, and many breweries are now offering alcohol-free versions for especially hot days. READ ALSO : Rosé, spritz and pressé: 5 things to drink in France this summer Food-wise, you'll see many French people tucking into seafood platters in the coastal areas, as well as salads and seasonal dishes. Picnics are also popular with French families, and you'll see some quite elaborate meals if you're in a French park or on a beach.
Local France
a day ago
- Local France
Holidays, road trips and being a good tourist: 6 essential articles for life – and vacations
Some might try to complicate things with reasoned explanations, but France is the most-visited tourist destination in the world for a simple reason – it's awesome. You can bask at the beach, head to the mountains or chill in the country. You can visit museums and galleries in cities like Paris or Bordeaux or Toulouse, or the chateaux in the Loire Valley, and the vineyards in the south. AND THEN there's the incredible food, the drink – and general dedication to what the French call l'art de vivre . Even so, we have some tips for getting the most out of a French summer trip, whether you're coming here on holiday or you're already in France and want some ideas for day trips. 7 ideas for your French summer holidays this year If you are planning a trip to France this summer and want to visit the tourist hotspots – and, let's be honest, who doesn't? – then you may want to start planning ahead of time. Several attractions, including natural parks and islands, have imposed limits on the number of people who can visit per day, in order to limit environmental damage from visits. Other popular sites have a limited number of tickets available per day, which means that reserving in advance is highly recommended to avoid disappointment. Here are some of the popular places to visit that require some advanced planning. Visiting France: What activities and places do I need to reserve in advance? Speaking of places to visit, the country's tourism ministry reckons 80 percent of tourists visit the same 20 percent of France. Advertisement This is a shame because it means some places are severely overcrowded, and there is plenty more to explore that's at least as pretty and surprising. Here are 10 suggestions to get away from the crowds this summer. 10 alternatives to France's overcrowded tourist hotspots Part of the appeal of a road trip in France is that you don't have to book ahead for train or plane tickets so you can be a little more spontaneous, but it's still worth planning a few things in advance. As with any road trip, it's obviously sensible to make sure that your vehicle is in good condition for the journey, and to have some idea of where you're going and how long it is likely to take. But then there are some specifically French issues that are good to take into account. Advertisement 6 tips for the perfect French summer road trip If you want to have the best possible experience in France – and avoid eye rolls, long lines and being told off by a stranger – then consider employing The Local's six rules and guidelines during your next visit. Essential advice for how to be a good tourist in France And, finally, this list isn't confined to the summer, or even to traditional tourist-related activities – but, while you're here, you might want to cross a few of these things… and maybe plan to do a few more next time. 21 things you should do in France at least once
Euronews
a day ago
- Euronews
These unique ice creams are a reason to travel to Europe this summer
Europe may be home to creamy Italian gelato and elegant French parfaits, but the continent's best ice cream isn't always the most obvious. From Lapland to the lowlands, local traditions come to life across Europe in unexpected ice cream creations. Think pasta-shaped sundaes, chewy, goat's milk cones that don't melt in the sun and a very special treat for breakfast – yes, breakfast. Here are five scoops of ice cream worth travelling for in Europe. Germany's spaghettieis surprise Don't be fooled: this isn't pasta. Spaghettieis is a playful German invention that mimics a plate of spaghetti. It's made with vanilla ice cream squeezed through a press to resemble noodles, then topped with strawberry sauce 'marinara' and white chocolate 'Parmesan.' The German treat was invented in 1969 by Dario Fontanella in Mannheim. While purists might want to visit his Eis Fontanella for the original version, the dish today has become a beloved classic and can be found across Germany. In Munich, locals still line up at family-run Eiscafé Sarcletti - a fixture in the city since 1879 - where you can order the nostalgic dish in a dozen creative variations. Sicily's brioche con gelato breakfast In Sicily, ice cream isn't just for dessert. Locals like to beat the summer heat with a brioche con gelato. For breakfast. A split, slightly sweet brioche bun comes stuffed with scoops of creamy gelato – or with granita on the side, if you prefer - and is often topped with whipped cream or nuts. The pairing may sound indulgent, but it's as common as espresso on the island. The tradition dates to the 1800s and reflects the Sicilian love of contrasts - hot and cold, soft and firm, rich and refreshing. Classic flavours like pistachio, almond and stracciatella (vanilla gelato with chocolate swirled through it) are perennial favourites. Brioche con gelato is usually served with a spoon, but you can eat it like a sandwich, too. You'll find it everywhere in Palermo or along the coast in towns like Taormina and Noto. For a classic, try Don Peppinu in Catania, where the pistachio brioche is legendary. Türkiye's chewy, resiny delight Dondurma isn't your average scoop of ice cream. Typically made with goat's milk, salep (orchid root flour), mastic (resin) and sugar, Türkiye's traditional ice cream is elastic, chewy and slow to melt. So much so that it's often eaten with a knife and fork. The treat dates back centuries to the Kahramanmaraş region in the southeast, but it's now ubiquitous across Türkiye, from village fairs to Istanbul's promenades. Vendors often put on a show, flipping cones upside down or pulling the ice cream like taffy to amuse customers. Some will even play a cat-and-mouse game with you, but rest assured that it's all for fun. Popular flavours include pistachio, chocolate and cherry, but you can get more adventurous with variations such as saffron almond, clotted cream and piney mastic. In Istanbul, head to Mado, a national chain that originated in the dondurma heartland and now serves up the classic Turkish treat in historic locations like Beyoğlu. France's frozen tribute to wartime loyalty Despite its name, café liégeois has nothing to do with the Belgian city of Liège. Originally known as café viennois, France renamed the dessert during World War I to honour the people of Liège for resisting German occupation. The drink-dessert hybrid features scoops of coffee-flavoured ice cream layered with chilled coffee and topped with a swirl of Chantilly cream – a fluffy, high-fat dairy cream often laced with vanilla. It's a decadent and refreshingly bittersweet pick-me-up. For a taste of the classic in a setting steeped in history, visit Café de la Paix. Located in what is now the Intercontinental hotel, the 19th-century institution overlooks the Palais Garnier opera house and is pure Parisian grandeur. Lapland's golden berry treat Sweet, tart and impossible to cultivate commercially at scale, cloudberries are one of the Arctic's most elusive treasures. These golden-orange fruits, found in the wild marshes and bogs in Sweden, Norway and Finland, are foraged in late summer and have long been a staple of Indigenous Sami traditions. Their fleeting season and remote habitat make them a prized ingredient for everything from jam to liqueur. But the real indulgence is cloudberry ice cream. In Finland's north, the Arctic Ice Cream Factory swirls the berries into creamy scoops best enjoyed after a trek across the tundra or under the midnight sun. Across the border in Sweden, the Brandon Lodge in coastal Luleå and the Grand-Hotel Stockholm have each created decadent scoops of the seasonal treat – the latter with the help of local ice cream makers Otto & Glassfabriken.
