Escape the January Blues? Plan your French Getaway
January 2026
Christmas is a distant memory, and the New Year festivities (and probably resolutions) are a thing of the past.
How about a little French adventure to blow away the cobwebs? A lovely long weekend or stretch it to something a bit more. Go solo, with your significant other or perhaps a bunch of friends and family?
But where to go in January? Check out our handy guide of brilliant things to do, cool places to visit, and invigorating vistas to refresh the soul.
A little something different
How about L’Alpe d’Huez Film Festival, January 19th – 25th 2026?
Hosted within the very popular ski domain of L’Alpe d’Huez in the French Alps, you could combine a taste of the mountains with a popular film industry event.
Not to mention the best way to eat traditional cheese fondue is surrounded by snow!
The super obvious
Indulge in some snow sports. The Alps, Pyrenees and Massif Central (best kept mountain secret!) all offer a wealth of activities.
Adrenaline seekers and those who prefer a moment of relaxation in a majestic setting will be thrilled by the fresh mountain air and the awe-inspiring views. Husky rides, open-air hot tubs, snowshoeing, traditional sauna houses & spa towns (Vichy is one of the largest spa towns in France – thermal spa treatments can be perscribed by Doctors in France so they must be good for you!), paragliding, bobsleigh experience on an actual olympic bob sleigh run (La Plagne), snowy horse back excursions, ice climbing, igloo building, and obviously the time honoured sports of skiing, ski touring and snowboarding.
Pack your woolly hat and a warm pair of boots, and off you go!
UNESCO city breaks and Beaux Village tours
As of 2025, there are 54 UNESCO World Heritage sites in France, and that number includes some truly spectacular cities.
The medieval town of Provins is a mere day trip from Paris, or head to the south west and consider a visit to the Historic fortified city of Carcassonne (indulge in the warming cassoulet stew while there for an extra special treat). The city of Nice offers a great option on the south coast or Mont Saint-Michel in the North.
The term ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’ is a French national classification awarded to the Most Beautiful Villages in France. It’s a converted title and features some stunning places all over the country. The collection has some super road trip ideas to visit multiple villages over a single adventure. Road trip anyone?
https://www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org/fr/
Food & Wine experiences
How about learning how to cook some of the French regional specialities with professional chefs? Château de l’Epinay is offering a non-residential cooking class in Saint-Georges-sur-Loire this month – or perhaps indulge in a wine, cheese & honey pairing experience in Saint-Emilion (Gironde). January is also host to the annual truffle festival in Sarlat (Dordogne).
Culture
France is well known for its museums and art galleries.
If the weather is less than favourable, these offer a superb way to while away the days immersed in history. Punctuate it with a long lunch featuring the plat du jour (the plate of the day – normally seasonal produce to create a dish selected by the restaurant for a very good price), followed by an espresso. Bliss!
Have you been to The Picasso museum in Antibes, The Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux or the Anthropology and Science Museum (Musée des Confluences) in Lyon?
Alternative Travel
Let’s think outside the box for a moment – Have you ever toured Paris in a classic car? You could!
Enjoyed dinner while cruising down the Seine? Why not? Experienced the grounds of the Palace of Versailles by ebike? Completed a scavenger hunt around Bordeaux on a trotinette?
Now is your chance!
Experiences
Ghost hunt in Beaune, Escape room in Marseille, Honey tasting in Buzet, go-karting, microlite, quad tours…the list is endless and the opportunities as diverse as your imagination.
Take out a map, close your eyes and pick a spot with your finger to explore.
Final thoughts
The joy of visiting France in January is the blissful quiet — a rare moment when the country slows down and reveals its most authentic self. With the peak‑season crowds long gone, you’re free to wander at your own pace and savour the France that locals love.
Winter brings its own magic. The people, heritage, culture, food and architecture shine through whatever the weather decides to do. A rainy day becomes a pleasure when you’re sipping a café crème with a warm pain au chocolat, watching village life unfold while you wait for your vintage Citroën 2CV to whisk you off on a guided tour of Bordeaux’s old town or a stroll through a Provençal village.
And then there are the markets and brocantes — the beating heart of real French life. These year‑round gatherings are filled with colour, character and seasonal produce, offering a true taste of France in winter. The weekly markets, especially, are a joyful reminder that spring is already on its way.
So why not make this January one to remember? Escape the blues, embrace the calm, and rediscover the simple pleasures of France in its most peaceful season.
From your Holiday Homes in France Team
x
