The fourth largest city in France, Lille is often an underrated holiday destination although it has a lot to offer to all kinds of tourists. Some must-sees you cannot miss during your stay in Lille certainly include the magnificent Grand Palais, a post-modern architectural masterpiece regularly hosting massive conferences and major concerts, and the city’s fabulous fine art museum Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille, located in the elegant square Place de la Republique and featuring a varied and refined collection of Impressionist and neo-classical artworks. While strolling in the streets of the restored Old Town, lined with modern cafes and dining venues and an abundance of fashion boutiques, be sure you pay a visit to Lille’s cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille, a stunning monument dating back to the 19th century displaying and astonishing play of light through its metal and marble facade. The amazing square Place du Général-de-Gaulle, crowned by the Column of the Goddess and its imponent fountain, is one the city’s main landmarks and hosts the ancient stock exchange building, la Vielle Bourse, a gorgeous Spanish-style construction with arches and an interior courtyard where booksellers set up shop.

Due to its temperate oceanic climate, Lille is a perfect holiday destination during spring and summertime. In the warmest months, you can make the most of your stay in Lille enjoying the many open-air cafes and dining venues and get a taste of some local flavours trying specialties such as delicious waffles - or gaufres - made with vanilla from Madagascar or the Belgian influenced traditional Moules-frites, a main dish of mussels and fries. If you plan to visit Lille in September, make sure you stay are the city during the first weekend of the month for the world famous kermess Braderie de Lille, one of the largest gatherings in France and the biggest flea market festival in Europe. The Braderie is also surrounded by live music events, a colourful fun fair, an increased catering with lots of mobile stands through the city offering exquisite fusion street food, a half-marathon that precedes it, and is plenty of chances to party all night in the city and in its many bars.

Strasbourg’s cultural scene and lively nightlife offer plenty of opportunities for entertainment to all kinds of travellers. The city’s magnificent cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, is a world-famous example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture and a must-see when you visit the city. Other architectural gems include the five-naved hall church Église Saint-Thomas, featuring an astonishing example of Gothic glorious art with its cupola and chapels, and the Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame hosting decorative and fine arts from the Upper Rhine that date from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. During your stay in Strasbourg make sure you do not forget to visit the Parlement Européen, located in the modern Quartier Européen and consisting of five buildings whose main structure, the Louise Weiss building, was inspired by Roman amphitheaters. La Petite France, Strasbourg’s most picturesque and well-preserved district, will entice you with its narrow streets filled with outdoor restaurants and quaint shops and its charming canals, making you long for to your next visit to the city.

Strasbourg is a perfect holiday destination at almost any time of the year. In spring and summertime, you can make the most of your stay enjoying a cruise on the Ill River and exploring the surrounding Alsatian villages, or visiting one of the many city parks including Parc de l'Orangerie, located at a short distance from the Parliament, and the beautiful botanic garden Jardin Botanique de l’Universite de Strasbourg. If you want to avoid large crowds and discover Strasbourg’s sites during a calmer period, we suggest you plan your stay in low season, from April to June or in October, when you can easily explore the city’s treasures without contending them with mass tourists.

Emerging on the banks of the Garonne River, Toulouse cityscape will impress you at first sight with the peculiar pinkish shades of its buildings- not a coincidence that the city’s nickname is La Ville Rose. The city is definitely not lacking cultural and historical attractions to offer, featuring museums that explore the universe, , science and nature, and art collections ranging from prehistory to the gothic period up to Impressionism. No matter what the reason of your stay in Toulouse is, you will always by drawn back to Place du Capitole, the beautiful central square in front of the city hall. To get a glimpse of the city’s history, venture inside the Capitole to admire the frescoes on the ceiling of the Salle des Illustres, and the heartwarming images in the Salle Gervais the ancient town hall’s wedding chamber featuring allegories of love dating back to the 19th century. Saint-Sernin Basilica is another must-see for all arts and history lovers: listed by UNESCO, it is one of the largest Romanesque churches in Europe and displays magnificent sculptures and paintings from the 12th century. Other great sites to visit in Toulouse include Musée Saint-Raymond, the urban archaeological museum, and Cité de l’Espace, an amazing theme park entirely about space exploration that will make you recapture your childlike sense of surprise.

The town’s mild Mediterranean climate, a close to limitless assortment of culinary specialties, the friendly hospitality of the local people and the majesty of its architecture make Toulouse an ideal holiday destination in all seasons. When visiting in spring or summer, do not miss the chance to stroll in the beautiful Jardin Japonais, the town’s elegant Japanese Garden, inspired by the gardens of Kyoto, and to walk or ride on the tow path along the marvelous Canal du Midi, another UNESCO recognized site. An alternative way to explore Toulouse is taking a boat cruise on the Garonne River passing by some of the town’s most notable monuments, including the solemn dome of the Hôpital de La Grave and the famous Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in the city. At any time of the year, you can relax in one of Toulouse’s numerous dining venues, restaurants, and bistros line in the streets of the city centre and will tempt you with many local and national dishes such cassoulet, a traditional bean stew and an emblematic Toulouse recipe, and the Tarte aux Noix, a delicious nuts dessert pie.

With its eclectic nature and plenty of attractions and activities to offer, Bordeaux is a great holiday destination for all travellers. Arts enthusiasts will be delighted by the abundance of museums and monuments they will find in Bordeaux: a must-see during your stay is the iconic Place de la Bourse, the stunning central square dominating the Garonne River and displaying a magnificent example of classical French architectural art of the eighteenth century. One notable hallmark of the square is the Mirroir d’Eau, a giant walkable reflecting pool in front of Place de la Bourse very popular among tourists and an excellent spot for pictures. Do not forget to pay a visit to Bordeaux’s cathedral, Cathedrale St. Andre, a masterpiece of Gothic art that offers the fantastic opportunity to view the city from its bell tower, Tour Pey Berland. The Musee D’Art Contemporain will delight you with its extensive collection featuring works by Keith Haring and Georges Rousse, while the whole Old Town area, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, will intrigue you with its blend of past and modernity.

Thanks to its mild climate and its cultural and architectural attractions, Bordeaux is an excellent year-round holiday destination. If you visit in the summertime or during the warmest spring months, you will have the chance to enjoy some of the nicest beaches in Western France: the coastal area, called Cote d’Argent, includes gems like Lacanau-Océan beach, a renowned surfing destination surrounded by spectacular golden dunes and a pine forest, and the beautiful Pereire Beach, located in the Arcachon Bay at a short distance from Bordeaux. While staying in the city with no time restrictions, you cannot miss a wine tours in one of the famous wineries outside of the immediate urban area and taste the true spirit of the region’s specialty. During autumn or wintertime, you can make the most of your stay visiting the numerous museums (a special note goes to Vinorama, a talking wax museum that chronicles the history of Bordeaux wine) or simply enjoying the great luxury dining and shopping venues along the popular pedestrian shopping street Rue Sainte-Catherine.