France has welcomed fans from far and wide to take to the stands for a whole month of footie fever (10th June – 10th July), playing host to Euro 2016! Whether you want to explore once the game is over, or are more interested in the shops than the sport, there’s more to the host towns than just their stadiums. Discover the best of what each city has to offer and set yourself up for a scorcher!
Marseille
Unfortunately England didn’t quite make the win in Marseille, but there’s amble opportunity to soak up the Mediterranean sun once the games are done. A visit to this busy, vibrant and multicultural port city, whose claim to fame is that it’s the oldest in France, is sure to satisfy sport lovers all the same. The ornate Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde cathedral is the number one tourist spot for its stunning city views, and you can escape the crowds at the lovely Calanque de Morgiou inlet.
Paris
The city of love will be alive with festival spirit this month, however there’s plenty more to fall for, than the football. Fashion lovers can potter around the city’s chic shops and galleries, look out for the Louvre and Tuileries District, Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysees and more. Take the chance to have a stroll in the stunning Luxembourg Gardens and check out the quirky boutiques and trendy neighbourhood restaurants of the Marais district.
Bordeaux
Once you’ve taken the time to see Nouveau State de Bordeaux, the stunning 43,000 seater stadium completed in the summer 2015, the main city of southwestern France is a familiar name to wine lovers of the world. As well as the chance to enjoy a wine tour, Bordeaux, with its stunning restaurant and café-packed Old Town, is the perfect place to dine in style as you admire the views. Place de la Bourse with its magnificent 18th century façade and the exquisite Water Mirror that reflects it is the top sight to tick off.
Lyon
Lyon is the gastronomic capital of a country that prides itself on its cuisine, so you can expect to dine like royalty here! Fans can flock to the Place Bellecour to watch the matches on the big screen and enjoy an evening of entertainment, food and drink, but for those wanting to watch something different,it’s also the birthplace of cinema, so a visit to the Musee Miniature et Cinema is a must. The Parc de la Tete d’Or is a fantastic park with boat rides and a zoo, and the cobbled streets of Vieux Lyon (the old town) are perfect for wandering off the beaten track and discovering great places to shop, eat and drink.
Saint Denis
The main draw of this Parisian suburb, 10km north of Paris, is the Stade de France, which will be hosting the Euro 2016 opener and final. However, this medieval town is also home to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis, the burial place of 75 kings and queens. The Rue de la Republique and Rue Gabriel Peri are the main shopping areas, and there’s a diverse selection of restaurants to choose from at cheaper prices than central Paris!
Lille
Anyone familiar with Belgium will notice Lille’s Flemish influences as they explore the atmospheric streets of Vieux-Lille, famous for its excellent bars and bistros (known by the locals as estaminets). If you don’t have seats in the state-of-the-art Stade Pierre-Mauroy, fans can head to Francois Mitterand Place to watch the games on the giant screen. Spend time exploring the city’s thriving art scene, and the cultural jewel in crown is the enormous Palais des Beaux-Arts. If you’ve got kids in tow, don’t miss the small but free zoo.
Nice
With its sun-soaked Mediterranean setting and glamorous feel, you’ll have more than a nice time in Nice! As football lovers aim for the Allianz Riviera, the multi-use stadium also home to the Musee National du Sport (National Sports Museum), others can make the most of the markets, shops and cafes of the Old Town. The Promenade des Anglais is a stunning spot for a sunset stroll, or why not climb or take the lift up Castle Hill to be rewarded with incredible Riviera views?
Saint-Etienne
This football-loving city’s history as a coal mining hub means its 90s indie band namesake is more famous to us Brits, but there’s still plenty to see and do here. For those waiting to watch England’s last group game against Slovakia, a relaxing cruise ride down the Gorges de la Loire is sure to calm some nerves. There’s also a fantastic Planetarium and Modern Art Museum to enjoy.
Toulouse
So good they named a sausage after it! This large city in southwest France is nicknamed the Pink City, not because of its pork delicacy, but thanks to the warm-coloured terracotta bricks used in many of its historic buildings. Fans will feel at home when visiting the city’s stadium nicknamed “Little Wembley”, before spending an evening in the stunning Basilque Saint-Sernin – its surrounding restaurants are a must-visit and the public bike hire is a great way to see the scenery of the Garonne River.
Lens Agglo
This former colliery town located 28km from the northern city of Lille is not a well-known name on the tourist trail, but thanks to its stadium, it will become famous this summer! Lens can also boast the Louvre-Lens Museum, an outpost of the world famous Louvre Museum in Paris (but without the huge queues!), opened on mining wasteland in 2012. Also, the War and Peace History Centre provides a fascinating insight into the history of World War One.
No comments:
Post a Comment