Day 3337 (Tuesday) 28th July 2026
This is Castellar, a hilltop village with a flavour of Italy.
Tucked away on a rocky spur overlooking Menton and the Bay of Garavan, Castellar offers an exceptional view. While its narrow streets and chapels draw visitors to the medieval quarter, its hiking trails offer spellbinding vistas. A stronghold of the Lascaris-Vintimille family, the village has long experienced a turbulent history, which has contributed to its robust character. Its orange-yellow facades, arched passageways, Baroque-style palace, fountains and 19th-century lavoirs (wash-houses) are filled with charm.
and this is Eze.
It was pretty hot again today and we went into Nice for our weekly kebab. There were no benches in the shade and we had to sit in the kid’s park in a fairly shady spot. We watched the kids playing and wondered where they got their energy from. As we were leaving Huw saw this beautiful plant and looked it up when we got home.
Sago palm is a common name for several plants which are used to produce a starchy food known as sago. Plants called sago palm include:
Cycas revoluta, (king sago palm), native to Japan and widely cultivated as an ornamental plant and popular houseplant. This species is a significant cause of poisoning in pets, in which ingestion of even a few seeds may be fatal.[1]
Cycas rumphii, (queen sago palm), native to southeast Asia
Cycas circinalis, (queen sago palm), native to India
Metroxylon (true sago palms), a genus in the palm family (Arecacea) native to Southeast Asia.
Summer Road Trip to France 2026: Must-Visit Destinations and Events.
Planning a summer escape to France in 2026? There’s no better way to explore the country than by car. From scenic coastal routes and rolling vineyards to mountain lakes and historic towns, a French road trip gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace and discover places many tourists miss.
Whether you’re heading for Provence’s lavender fields, the beaches of the Riviera, or the vineyards of the Loire Valley, driving through France offers unforgettable scenery and endless opportunities to explore.
Here are some of the best places and events to include in your France road trip for summer 2026.
1. Normandy – History, Coastlines and Seaside Towns
Drive time from Calais: Approximately 3.5 hours
Normandy combines rich history with beautiful coastline, making it one of the easiest and most rewarding regions to visit from the UK.
Explore the famous D-Day Landing Beaches, visit the breathtaking Mont-Saint-Michel, and enjoy classic French seaside resorts such as Honfleur and Deauville.
Summer is also perfect for sampling Normandy’s seafood, cider and Camembert cheese while enjoying scenic coastal drives.
Event to Catch:
Festival Beauregard – 2 to 5 July 2026
Held in Hérouville-Saint-Clair near Caen, this popular music festival brings together major international and French artists in a relaxed parkland setting.
2. Loire Valley – Fairytale Castles and Vineyard Routes
Drive time from Calais: Approximately 5.5 hours
The Loire Valley is ideal for a relaxed summer road trip filled with castles, riverside villages, and vineyard landscapes.
Visit iconic châteaux including:
Château de Chambord
Château de Chenonceau
Château de Villandry
The region is also famous for wine tasting, cycling routes, and riverside picnics.
Top Tip:
Take part of the scenic Loire à Vélo driving and cycling route, which follows the Loire River through some of France’s most picturesque countryside.
3. Dordogne – Medieval Villages and Riverside Adventures
Drive time from Calais: Approximately 8 hours
The Dordogne remains one of France’s most popular summer regions for families and food lovers alike.
Explore medieval towns like:
Sarlat-la-Canéda
Bergerac
Périgueux
Enjoy canoeing on the Dordogne River, prehistoric caves, bustling local markets, and some of the best traditional cuisine in southwest France.
The rolling countryside also becomes especially beautiful in summer, with sunflower fields and golden landscapes across the region.
Event to Catch:
Félibrée Festival – July 2026
This colourful Occitan cultural festival changes location each year and celebrates regional traditions with music, dancing, costumes, and parades.
4. Provence – Lavender Fields and Mediterranean Charm
Drive time from Calais: Approximately 10 hours
Summer in Provence is one of the most iconic French road trip experiences.
Drive through lavender fields in bloom during late June and early July, explore lively Provençal markets, and relax in Mediterranean towns such as:
Aix-en-Provence
Cassis
Bandol
Gordes
The combination of sunshine, vineyards, hilltop villages, and coastal scenery makes Provence a summer favourite.
Event to Catch:
Avignon Festival – 4 to 25 July 2026
One of Europe’s biggest arts and theatre festivals, transforming the historic city of Avignon into a huge open-air performance space.
5. The French Alps – Lakes, Mountains and Cooler Summer Escapes
Drive time from Calais: Approximately 9 hours
If you prefer cooler temperatures and alpine scenery, the French Alps are perfect during summer.
Popular destinations include:
Annecy
Chamonix
Lac du Bourget
Megève
Summer activities range from hiking and cycling to paddleboarding and swimming in crystal-clear mountain lakes.
Event to Catch:
Fête du Lac d’Annecy – 1 August 2026
Europe’s largest lake fireworks display combines music, lights, and water performances in one of France’s most spectacular summer events.
Travel Smarter with an Emovis Tag
An Emovis Tag (often referred to historically as the Sanef Tag) is an electronic toll collection device designed for drivers to easily pay tolls and navigate motorways across several European countries, including France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. It is particularly popular with UK motorists driving their own vehicles in continental Europe
Driving in France during summer is one of the best ways to explore the country, until you reach a busy toll booth.
An Emovis Tag allows you to:
Skip toll booth queues
Use dedicated Télépéage “T” lanes
Avoid cash and card payments
Travel more smoothly during peak summer traffic
Enjoy automatic monthly billing
The tag is delivered directly to your UK address before departure, helping you start your holiday stress-free.
Order Your Emovis Tag Before You Travel
Whether you’re heading for the coast, the countryside, or the mountains, an Emovis Tag makes driving in France quicker and more convenient.
Avoid unnecessary delays and enjoy more time exploring France this summer.
Book your tag today: Emovis Tag UK Subscription Page
Ready for Your French Summer Adventure?
From Normandy’s coastline and the castles of the Loire Valley to the lavender fields of Provence and the lakes of the Alps, France offers unforgettable road trip experiences in every direction.
Pack the car, plan your route, and get ready to discover the best of France in summer 2026.
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