15 Fun Destinations in France for Young Adults

Looking to party? Relax? Discover the French landscapes? There’s something for everyone in these destinations, perfect for young adults and students in France.

 

French Riviera

To party and to discover the south of France, head to the French Riviera.

In summer, book in advance to take advantage of the best prices. Opt for a rental in Nice. This way, you can easily visit Cannes or Saint-Tropez.

In Saint-Tropez, eat at the Pearl Beach, an affordable seaside restaurant. Fillet of sea bass, king prawns, scallops… you will be able to enjoy a full and varied menu.

Later, rest at the Bouillabaisse beach, near Pearl Beach, or go to the Pampelonne beach, one of the most famous beaches in Saint-Tropez.

In Nice, take a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais. While you are there, take the opportunity to walk in the city center and the colorful alleys.

Explore the landscapes by boat, starting from €22 per person.

Enjoy the view of the sea at the Farago on the Roof and taste their delicious cocktails: Antidot, Farago Mule or Sangria de Cava, a specialty of the restaurant.

In summer, you can enjoy the festivals. In Cannes have fun at the Plages électroniques, in a Beach Party atmosphere. Tickets cost from €50.

In the evening, you can have fun at the Calypso Club. This nightclub will make you dance all night long to Latin music.

 

French Basque Country

You are sporty and want to enjoy the sun? Go to the French Basque Country.

If you enjoy surfing, spend a few days in Hossegor. For amateurs, go to Hossegor – La Nord. The surfable waves can reach up to 6 meters. If you are a novice, opt for Hossegor – La Sud where the waves are less dangerous.

You can rent surfboards at affordable prices. Hossegor Surf Club offers several prices including €12 for 2 hours, €30 for a day, and about 10 euros for the wetsuit.

Discover a typical sport of the Basque Country during a Basque pelota lesson (French website). Expect to pay €25 per person for 1.5 hours.

Try to cook Basque dishes during a workshop (French website), starting from €40 per person.

You can also enjoy yourself without spending. Take a walk in Biarritz to see the Rocher de la Vierge (Rock of the Virgin Mary), admire the landscapes at the Chambre d’Amour, in Anglet, and watch the sunset on the beach. You can also discover Espelette and its red and white houses.

 

Nantes

In Nantes, a city of art and history, you will have the chance to visit many places and to discover many activities.

Take advantage of the Nantes Pass: €45 for 72 hours. Several activities are offered with this pass such as the Machines de l’Île, the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, as well as public transport or little train visits.

Discover the Machines de l’Île, a project combining the worlds of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci. Maybe you will have the chance to see the Grand Eléphant.

To draw out the pleasure, visit the Jules Verne Museum. Discover objects that belonged to him and some of his original works.

In the evening, go to the Hangar à Bananes (French website), a former warehouse of 8,000m2 in size. Here, you will find restaurants, bars, and a gallery dedicated to contemporary art.

Have fun at the Cantine du Voyage. A real playground with its table-footballs and its skate ô drome.

Dance at the Warehouse (French website), an impressive nightclub of 3,500m2. This nightclub hosts concerts and shows, and it is decorated with party themes.

 

Rennes

While it has a rich historical heritage, Rennes is also a city where people know how to party.

During the day, visit the city center and explore the half-timbered houses. Admire the City Hall and the Opera House -the smallest one in France. To discover the interior of the opera house, make use of the guided tours.

Go and see the Portes Mordelaises gates, one of the only vestige of the city ramparts. Take part in a 1.5 hour guided tour to discover their history. Book in advance.

Go to the Lices Market, the second-largest market in France. Almost three hundred local producers are present. Taste a local specialty, the sausage galette, composed of a buckwheat galette and a grilled sausage.

Before leaving, discover the Brocéliande Forest (French website), the birthplace of many legends. Discover the Monteneuf standing stones (French website), witnesses of the prehistory times, and the Tomb of Merlin (French website).

In the evening, go to the Rue de la Soif (drinker’s alley). It is a street where there is a bar every 7 meters. Try the P’tit vélo, the emblematic bar of the city. The drinks are very affordable and there are many different atmospheres in the place.

You can also go to the bar Le Baratin (French Facebook page). A rock atmosphere, a large choice of drinks and pleasant bartenders… it is another must-see of the Rue de la Soif.

 

Lille

If you want to avoid seaside destinations, go to Lille, near the Belgian border.

First, visit the Grand’Place, the heart of the city. Stroll around in the Vieux Lille and admire the pretty Flemish-inspired buildings.

Taste typical northern dishes, such as the welsh: a Welsh croque-monsieur made with melted cheddar cheese, at the Les Compagnons de la Grappe restaurant (French Facebook page).

Try new activities. From ax-throwing (French website) to the augmented reality karting circuit 30 minutes from Lille, there is no end to the surprising activities.

Make the most of your stay by visiting the Cambier brewery (French website), where you will discover the steps of making homemade beer.

In the evening, go to the nightclub Le Network (French website). Several styles are proposed: electro and pop music.

 

Vannes

Do you want to party during the summer? Visit Vannes and then go to the Vieilles Charrues Festival.

First, visit the city by little train to discover its history in 30 to 50 minutes.

Discover La Cohue (French website), the Vannes Fine Arts Museum. Admire the works of Pierre Buraglio, Geneviève Asse and Eugène Delacroix, among others.

Admire the Gulf of Morbihan during a hike or a boat trip. Discover the 180km of walk paths, the numerous islands and the birds that live there.

At 1 hour from Vannes, you will find the Vieilles Charrues festival (French website), which has hosted artists such as Black Eyed Peas, The Chainsmokers, or Christine and the Queen.

The one-day ticket is available starting from €48. Expect to pay €137 for three days. If you do not want to spend more money, go to the free 17-hectare campsite (French website), reserved for pass holders with a tent.

 

Bordeaux

Are you looking for a fun trip with your friends? Discover a new way to travel which is both cheap and original, and rent out an RV.

Roadsurfer offers you different models. For example, the Surfer Suite has 4 beds, a camping kitchen, and an outdoor shower. Enjoy it starting from €105 per night during the low season.

Stroll around Bordeaux along the quays of the Port de la Lune and on the famous Pont de pierre. You also should try the Bordeaux specialty pastry: the cannelé. It’s best to try it at La Toque Cuivrée (French website). It costs between €0.40 and €0.75 for one.

Go to the Cité du Vin, for €25. Travel through the 3,000m2 to explore wine. Enjoy a drink on the Belvedere, on the 8th floor of the building.

Go around the Bordeaux vineyards. Visit the Saint-Emilion village and its vineyard. Along with a guide, enjoy a private visit, starting from €30 per person. Book in advance.

With your RV, do not hesitate to leave the main roads to see the numerous castles of the territory.

 

La Rochelle

At La Rochelle, you will find things to keep you busy during your stay, and also things to have fun.

Discover the old city and its arced streets. Visit the three towers of the city. The Lanterne tower, a former prison, the Chaîne tower, and the Saint-Nicolas tower, which protected the city from a coastal invasion.

Expect to pay €11 for the visit. To avoid waiting, buy priority tickets.

Visit the La Rochelle Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in Europe. Observe the 12,000 different species and enjoy the shark aquarium. Buy your ticket online to benefit from a €2 discount, so the ticket will cost you €18.

In the evening, see the lighting of the old port and the craft market (French website).

Take a break at the Dock Café (French website), a restaurant which is ideally located along the quay. You will have the occasion to taste charcuterie, cheese and tapas.

The city hosts festivals all year round, including the Francofolies Festival in July (French website). This festival welcomes many French artists and tickets cost around €50.

 

Val Thorens

Perfect for both skiing and partying, go to Val Thorens.

Visit Lac de Tignes and discover a new activity, ice-diving, starting from €110.

Go to the Grande Motte glacier, it is 3,656 meters high. Perfect for skiing, you can go there by snowdrop or cable car.

At the end of the day, have fun at La Folie Douce where DJs offer concerts at the end of the afternoon!

In the evening, go to Malaysia (Facebook page), the city’s unmissable nightclub that can accommodate up to 2,500 people. Enjoy its large dance floor until the end of the night.

 

Honfleur

This time, head to the north in Honfleur. There, you will have the opportunity to relax in peace, by the sea.

Visit the Vieux Bassin (French website), the city’s port. Admire the houses of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Walk around the market on Place Saint-Catherine and discover local products and fisheries. Taste local cheeses and cider of the region.

Visit the Marine Museum, a former church, and check out ship models and marine exhibitions. You can also visit the Ethnographic Museum. There, you will see typical Norman interiors and old prisons.

25 minutes from Honfleur, check out Deauville and its sales establishment Elie-de-Brignac, the most important French thoroughbred sales agency.

Stroll along the beaches and sit at the Bar de la Mer. You will have the opportunity to eat seafood and drink coffee while taking a break by the sea.

 

Annecy

Do you want to experience a sporty trip? Stay a few days in Annecy.

Nicknamed the Venice of the Alps, admire the colorful Italian-style houses or taste the Glacier des Alpes (French website) ice creams, elected 9th best ice cream maker in France… Fleur de lait, nougat, génépi, you will find more than 25 flavors to enjoy.

Continue your stay with a tour of the lake, on foot or by bike. To rent a bike, expect to pay €13 or €30 for one to two hours and between €24 to €54 for a day.

Jumps and slides, canyons, waterfalls… have fun canyoning. Take advantage of reduced rates by booking a pack of activities: €121 for the via Ferrata and the canyoning, €152 for the canyoning and the paragliding.

Enjoy the regional cheeses, such as Reblochon or Tome des Bauges.

 

Arcachon Bay

You cannot afford to go abroad, but you want to change of scenery? Stay in the Arcachon Bay.

Discover the Pilat Dune, the highest dune in Europe, at 106 meters of height. Climb its 160 steps. At the end of the day, admire the sunset on this Saharan picture.

Visit the Cap Ferret and climb the 258 steps of the Lighthouse to enjoy the view on the Pilat Dune and the conch of Mimbeau. Go there early in the morning or at the end of the day, when the sky changes color.

Take a walk in the villages and the oyster ports, such as the Mimbeau village. Once you are there, go to La Cabane du Mimbeau (French website). Taste their oysters, a specialty of the Arcachon Bay.

Before leaving, do not forget to check out the Ornithological reserve of Le Tech, where more than 300,000 birds pass through every year. Choose one of the two trails: 1.5km or 6 km and take a walk on foot.

 

Lubéron

Do you want to discover new horizons? Stay in the Lubéron and discover the Colorado Provençal.

Check out Gordes, a Provençal village, and then go and see the village of Bories and its stone constructions.

Visit the cellars of the Saint Firmin Palace, a semi-troglodytic site, and its Glass and Stained-Glass Museum. There, you will have the opportunity to see collections and discover the history of glass since its beginnings 7,000 years ago.

Admire the Lubéron lavender fields. Go at the foot of the Lioux cliff; it is perfect for a photo shoot.

Check out the Colorado Provençal, a former ochre quarry, with a free visit or a 1h30 guided tour.

Nearby, visit the Château de Lourmarin, the first Renaissance castle in Provence, built in the 15th century.

Visit the Wine arts and Crafts Museum of the Château Turcan and discover the process of making wine, from the vine to glass.

To discover the countryside, take a horse ride. Les Crins de Gaïa offers a 1h30 ride for €40, and a 2h ride for €50.

 

Loire Valley Castles

To discover the history of France, organize a visit to the Châteaux de la Loire.

Take the Châteaux E-Pass (French website) to avoid paying at each place. There are several options at various prices, including the CC pass at €31.50 to visit the two castles: Chambord and Chenonceau.

If you do not want to spend too much money, stay at the Yelloh Village which is ideally located at 30 minutes from the Château de Chenonceau, and 45 minutes from the Château de Chambord.

Visit the Château de Chambord, one of the largest castles in France, built at the request of Francis I. The castle has a total of 426 rooms, including 60 which are open to the public. From mid-September to mid-October, you can observe the stag’s bellowing.

As for the Château de Blois, it is characterized by its diversity of styles, since it was inhabited by 7 kings and 10 queens. Admire the medieval fortress, Louis XII’s gothic wing and Francis I Renaissance wing.

 

Coucoo Grands Chênes domain

Are you tired of studying and working? Recuperate out of your daily routine.

At 1 hour from Paris, discover the Coucco Grands Chênes domain (French website). Get away from social networks and seize the day. Alone or with your friends, discover tree houses in nature.

If you are going with your friends, choose the Cabane Cachette (French website). It is 6 meters high and can hold five people. It costs €620 for 3 nights, so only €124 per person.

If you are going alone or with a partner, choose the Cabane Imprenable (French website). It is 13 meters high. The sunset will light up your terrace every night. Expect to pay €475 for 3 nights, so €238 per person.

Several activities are proposed such as the Raray Golf (French website). As you stay at the domain, you can enjoy a 25% discount. You can also rent bikes and discover the Oise countryside and forests.

On-site, you can also enjoy gourmet baskets (French website) with local products (beans from Soissons, champagne) and massages (French website) starting from €65.