Relax in the sprawling Parc Floral de la Source, home to several beautifully landscaped thematic gardens including Alpine Garden, Meadow garden and the vibrant butterfly house. Enjoy their varied programme of live events over the summer months, from live music to open-air film screenings. 

Uncover the rooms upon rooms of classic and contemporary masterpieces in the Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Orléans, one of France's oldest provincial museums. 

Visit Nantes' impressive cathedral (slated to partially reopen in 2023 after a fire), and some of its smaller churches - the neo-Gothic Basilique Saint-Nicolas and the Église Sainte-Croix are both well worth a visit. 

Take a day trip to Clisson, a small, romantic town, with a Tuscan air. Walk along the riverside and visit the Chateau de Clisson.

Visit the shop of Patrick Roger, the famous Parisian chocolatier, who takes the art of chocolate to another level. Marvel at his sculptural creations and taste some of France’s most unusually flavoured and exquisitely crafted chocolate.

Wander through Montmartre and make the climb up to the famous Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Be sure to linger over the spectacular view at the top; at sunset, you'll get the best light as the sun dips below the city skyline.

Take a trip out to the Jardin Albert Kahn and immerse yourself in orchards, rose gardens and forests that combine French, Japanese and English garden design. They were originally created by banker Albert Kahn before the Wall Street Crash, after which he lost his bank and his fortunes – including this garden.