Many people move house to France to enjoy a better quality of life, and a large percentage choose to settle in a seaside location to live either in walking distance, or at the very least, a short drive away from the beach. Fortunately France has just over 2,000 miles of coastline, and whether you are moving to Brittany or Normandy on the North Coast, Poitou-Charentes on the Atlantic Coast, or the French Riviera, bordering the Mediterranean, there are some wonderful beaches to explore.
If you enjoy being out on the water and have already organised your removals to France, you will be looking forward to trying out some of the wonderful sports or leisure activities, or simply relaxing with a book on the beach. Fortunately, there are plenty of water based activities in France and here’s our pick of the best:
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Sailing – If you are moving house to France and love freedom of being out on the water, sailing is a fantastic sport to take up. Whether you want to enjoy the beauty of the French scenery from the lakes or rivers, or simply want to explore the coastline and discover new beaches and coves, there are sail schools all over France. And, if you have your own yacht, you will have a pick of marinas to moor it on. Among them is the glamorous Riviera, or the attractive marina of St Malo in Brittany, which is a great base for exploring the North Coast – and you can even head for lunch on one of the British Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney or Sark. Another is La Rochelle in Poitou-Charentes, one of the country’s sailing capitals; its vast marina is set to extend to become the largest in Europe.
Jet-Skiing – Jet-skiing, which has been likened to motor-biking on water, is a fun, adrenalin fuelled activity. You can hire one from one of the beaches, or if you like the sport enough, you can invest in your own jet-ski and whizz around the coast or stop off at some of the deserted, hidden beaches that can only be accessed on the water. Some of the best places for jet-skiing in France are the areas popular with tourists, such as Poitou-Charentes, and again, the Cote d’Azur. Jet-skiing will suit those who love the beauty of the coastline and want a thrill ride.
Diving – Diving is a great sport to take up as you will see the marine life at first hand and, if you are an experienced diver, you can get even more adventurous and explore ancient shipwrecks. It is recommended that May to November are the best months to go diving in France and there are a host of opportunities for divers of all levels. While the Lot Valley area offers some great places for cave diving, the Mediterranean offers the chance to see coral reefs, wrecks and caverns. For wrecks dating from the two world wars, the coast of Southern France offers some amazing diving opportunities.
Surfing – Whether you are seven years old or seventy, surfing is a fantastic sport to take up. If you try it and enjoy it, it’s guaranteed to get you hooked, and you’ll soon be investing in your own surfboard, wet suit and wax and checking the local tide tables. There are surf schools aplenty in France and among the best areas to go surfing include the Atlantic Coast from Bordeaux to Biarritz. If you need to brush up on your French, in Biarritz you can take niche courses that combine French lessons with surfing!
Kayaking and Canoeing – You don’t have to head to the coast to go kayaking or canoeing, there are also opportunities to try the sport on some of the country’s rivers or lakes. The Dordogne River, for instance, is an ideal spot for this, and you can even combine it with other adventurous activities such as rock-climbing, hang gliding or mountain biking. If you are a lover of the great outdoors, you can admire the stunning scenery as you cut through the waters in your canoe.
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Hamiltons Removals are specialists in removals to France and we also offer UK removals, European and worldwide removals. Just click on the link below to find out more information about our services.
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