emjharts

I am re-asking my previous question as it seems many places on the South coast of France appear to be very expensive and very busy in July.

Therefore, as we are also driving can anyone help with places or regions from mid to south of France that they recommend for a July holiday?

We are in our mid thirties and so are looking to stay in a town or lively village with some night life, i.e. bars as opposed to clubs!!! With plenty of nice restaurants but more at local prices than tourist prices and also somewhere that is within easy driving distances of other places to visit. We will be looking at renting privately so no need to suggest hotels or anything but we would be looking for regions that do get quite hot in July as if it is inland then we would be booking a place with a pool!

any ideas would be great, thanks!

Chatter Static

To be fair anywhere south of Paris is expensive and busy in the summer, Every Gite owner puts their prices up for July and August unless it is an absolute caca hole

http://www.homelidays.com

dmu

Hi, as suggested by two of us on your other thread, the P.O. (Pyrénéés Orientales) would fit the bill.
There's Cap d'Agde on the Hérault coast that might suit, with all the scenic beauty inland within an hour's drive, and Pézenas, a bijou of a town, and the Old Towns of Béziers and Montpellier to visit.
The coastal towns in the P.O., Aude and Hérault are cheaper than in the PACA, but all things being relative, will not be cheap. If you want "local" prices, then stay in one of the towns inland, about 40 km from the coast. Google "Languedoc-Roussillon" for ideas....

cjm

Thought you'd get a few more responses. Summer highs in mid-twenties in Vendée. Very popular with French with lots of holiday homes as drive from Paris and Rennes not too bad. Dutch and Belgians also love it. Plus Brits. Resorts are lively with bars and restaurants aplenty. Further south you might like to check La Rochelle. Hard to fault. Shopping, bars, restaurants in abundance. As to rental costs, all sea linked towns are pricey in summer. Money and choice?

DKP

Anywhere in the Southern regions in France is expensive in July and August.

This is the time of school holidays, and it is when Gite owners expect to make some money, naturally.

I would also agree that probably the best value for money will be the Pyrénéés Orientales. This is a wonderfully diverse area, and you have beautiful beaches, and a strong Spanish influence if you travel around the towns closer to Perpignan.

Have a look at Ceret, Millas, Thuir, and Prades. Le Racou for the beautiful beach - but in July nothing is "cheap".

Have fun!