‘This is the France you dream of’: readers’ favourite travel discoveries

25.03.2024 - 12:56 / theguardian.com

Climbing towards the basilica from the river, we explored a zigzag of secret staircases and hidden courtyards in Lyon. These traboules are hard to follow, and so we had to look out for the metal plates that mark some of the entrances. There’s almost no direct way up from the river, but these routes, originally for the city’s silk workers, reveal charming back streets and private courtyards, into which visitors can stare. At the top, breathless, we loved the Basilique Nôtre-Dame de Fourvière. In the crypt we made another exciting discovery: a huge mosaic of the sea battle of Lepanto, a site we’d recently visited in Greece.
David Innes-Wilkin

On the last leg of our road trip to Jazz in Marciac we chanced upon Fons, in the Quercy black triangle. In a deep-sided wooded valley of chestnut and oak trees this medieval village was the France you dream of: a stone-and-timber village of pathways, with swifts and swallows nesting in ancient structures, and a bistro that’s the beating heart of this wonderful place. Aperitif in the market place under the Milky Way was the perfect way to sign off.
Damien Reidy

If you’re in the Charente-Maritime in the southwest ensure you spend a day south of Royan, where there’s a collection of quiet places to visit, all in close proximity. Start at the Régulus caves, a troglodyte site that has views of the Cordouan lighthouse and traditional fishing nets hanging from the cliffs. Then, walk south to the village of Talmont-Sur-Gironde and the imposing 12th-century Sainte-Radegonde church, which overlooks the estuary. The village is full of narrow, car-free streets and huge hollyhocks growing against the whitewashed walls. We had amazing seafood at Les Délices de l’Estuaire before heading to the archaeological site of Fâ .
Miles Smith

A visit to the Gouffre de Padirac cave is a must if you are in the Dordogne (between the Loire Valley and the Pyrenees). It’s an incredible place that can be explored by steps, or by getting a lift 103 metres down. Once there you’re taken on a magical boat ride on a river in the cave. The water is turquoise and the rock surrounding you is forever changing colour. You almost feel like you’ve entered a different world. I’d recommend visiting out of season when it’s quieter. There’s a small gift shop and cafe nearby.
Deanna

Guardian Travel readers' tips

Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will be featured online and may appear in print. To enter the latest competition visit the readers' tips homepage

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Looking for a grand hotel within reach of the airport at Nantes for our last night on holiday, we found Château Colbert in Maulévrier. It’s a mansion with a wonderful restaurant but, even better, has a