France Vs Nordic Countries

Why France Is Still the Go-To Place for a Holiday Vs Nordic Countries?

There have been lots of changes to travel trends post-Covid, as holidaymakers are on the hunt for new experiences and new destinations. 

Destinations that perhaps we wouldn’t have considered ten years ago - Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland  are now increasingly popular as travellers seek out attractions such as the Northern Lights and activities such as cross country skiing. The tourism market in the Nordics is expected to grow in the next few years, but it’s interesting to see that Spain and France remain consistently at the top of the popularity list for Brits.

Why do we think France remains so popular as a holiday destination for both families and couples, and not just the tourist hot spot of places like Paris and Nice, but in a wide variety of other resorts across the country? 

The answer partly lies in that fact that France remains good value for money as a holiday destination, but also that France is so varied. The north of France is so different, both culturally and environmentally to the south coast for example, and places like the Gorges du Verdon and the French Alps are a unique experience in themselves.

Value-for-Money Experiences

Despite the fluctuations in the exchange rate, the euro offers a fairly good value for money. The French are currently experiencing the same cost of living issues as we are seeing in the UK and certainly the cost of diesel and petrol is not quite as cheap as it used to be! But eating out still tends to be cheaper, and quality of food tends to be higher in tourist resorts, compared to the UK. Check out this blog by FerryGoGo on eating out in France and other countries across Europe.

And in comparison with holidays in places like the Nordic countries or even against the USA at the moment, France is really competitive for value when visiting for a holiday.

The Nordics are a great place to live with higher than average earnings and a well-regarded welfare state model but this comes at a cost, which may come as a slight shock to those that are visiting the country on holiday. Everything from holiday accommodation to eating out is 

We have written blogs before on getting the best value for money on a family holiday in France, but the highlights here are that the cheap costs of camping combined with the freedom of self catering offers a great value for money experience.

High-Quality Accommodation

Holiday parks and campsites have traditionally been seen as the lower end of the market when it comes to holiday accommodation, compared to hotels and gites in France. 

However, with the soaring popularity of these ‘hotellerie de plein air’ (hotels in the open air), there has been lots of investment into making the mobile homes super family friendly and kitted out with all mod cons.

Siblu offers camping accommodation that has been compared to high quality modern apartments. With two or three separate bedrooms, the main bedroom usually being en-suite, a comfy living room and a stylish kitchen that opens out on to a terrace, these home-from-homes are a far cry from the caravans that we may remember from our own childhood. 

There are a variety of ranges to choose from as well, from our budget range with the Essential to the high-end larger holiday homes called the Sérénité. Selected campsites also have glamping options such as safari tents and cabins.

Cost-Effective Dining Options

One of the best parts of a Siblu holiday home is the outdoor terrace and garden, complete with dining furniture and BBQ (where local restrictions allow). Meals suddenly have an element of freedom about them, eating out in the open, enjoying the warm weather and the natural surroundings.

With the BBQ, eating becomes fun and easy. It’s worth visiting the local market for fresh produce and a local fish shop for the catch of the day, especially in seaside resorts. Fresh French baguettes, croissants and other pastries will be sold either on site or at a local bakery, perfect for a breakfast treat.

A fresh croissant from the local bakery can’t often be topped, but to save a bit of cash head to a local supermarket and buy in bulk and simply reheat on the day. Our old favourites Lidl and Aldi are popular in France for a great value shop, as well as the French supermarkets Super-U and Auchan. Leclerc tends to have big superstores for the best choice of food, you can easily get lost for a couple of hours examining all the delicious produce in here!

Eating out tends to be a bit cheaper in France than in the main cities in the UK. As with anywhere it’s probably best to avoid the most touristy spots. Ask our Siblu teams at reception for top tips on good restaurants, there are hidden gems everywhere that will offer unique dining experiences and top quality fresh food. 

Free and Low-Cost Attractions

France particularly suits family holidays for the amount of places to visit that don't have to break the bank.

Of course you have the fantastic beaches - with over 3,000 miles of coastline it's easy to find uncrowded spots to relax and play! And such a variety of beach - from rocky outcrops and little coves, perfect for rock pooling and snorkling, to endless stretches of golden sand. As you know, with a simple bucket and spade it's easy to entertain children for the entire day on a French beach.

The towns and villages are also great places to visit for free. Take Concarneau - the medieval walled city in south Brittany, where you play on the walls and turrets, the quaint streets of St Tropez, the Roman amphitheatre in Saintes. Plus there are plenty of free attracctions such as several D-Day museums with interactive displays and the historic Mont St Michel, both in Normandy.

Unique Experiences Without the Crowds

Local Festivals and Events

When you’re not relaxing on the beach or having fun at the pool on the holiday park, then it’s good to get out and about and discover the region in which you’re staying. And it’s good to know about the free festivals that happen all over the country at different times, here’s some highlights.

The European Musuem night happens in May all over France. For one night only, museums are lit up and open between 6pm and midnight on the closest Saturday to 18th May. There are special activities such as a torch-lit rour, screenings, fireworks and live music.

If you’re into your sports fitness, then the Bay of Mont Saint Michael in Normandy offers a wow factor destination for a marathon! This event which welcomes 5,000 runners from all over France takes place at the end of May. For an arguably more interesting running event, then check out the Medoc Marathon in the south of France which takes place in September. The marathon runners on this route are invited to replenish their strength with wine, oysters and foie gras and the path is also lined with orchestras and entertainment provided by the locals who come to enjoy a day out!

Every year in early June, the Joan of Arc Festival in Reims is a weeken-long event which brings the middle ages to life. There’s family activities plus events such as introduction to handling medieveal weapons! 

Two big bank holidays in France occur on the 14th July ( French National day), and the 15th August (Assumption day). It’s good fun to be out in France during these holidays as all local villages and towns come to life with fetes, fireworks and concerts. Our teams on park always run special family events on park during these days, usually topped off with a firework display.

Exploring Lesser-Known Attractions

If you enjoy exploring attractions that are off the beaten track our top tip is to talk to one of our managers on park. Our reception team is there to help, but sometimes it’s worth asking to speak to a manager (if they are available!) as these people tend to have lived in the area longer and can provide you with more in-depth information about those places to visit that not many people know about.

There are some stunning places to eat, such as the quay side restaurants at La Tremblade, near our holiday park La Pignade in the Charente Maritime. These tiny seafood restaurants line the rustic waterway and you can watch the catch coming in as you’re eating your fresh oysters and crevettes.

Close to our Siblu parks in the Vendee, Le Bois Masson and Le Bois Dormant, is the area known as ‘green Venice’. This quiet inland nature reserve is  criss-crossed with little rivers; you can hire boats and spend a couple of hours in the solitude of nature, perfect for families and very relaxing!

In Brittany, close to our park Domaine de Kerlann is arguably the best creperie with the best view in south Brittany! Head to Pointe de Trévignon and to the café that overlooks the beach, and you’ll be able to enjoy a traditional Breton crepe, washed down with a great tasting local cider! Try the ‘complete’ crepe for a great savoury snack.

Natural Beauty and Outdoor Activities

National Parks and Natural Wonders

We are pretty confident that France compares brilliantly against any other European of Nordic country for natural beauty and outdoor activities. True, Denmark and Iceland are excellent destinations for the northern lights whilst Sweden and Finland offer some great winter sports, but France ticks the box for offering every type of sport available within one country!

The national parks such as the Parc National de la Vanoise and the Gorges du Verdon as prime spots for outdoor enthusiasts, offer a multitude of activities from hiking to mountain biking and various activities on the rivers. The Gorges du Verdon in the south east of France is perfect for river rafting and canoeing, this area being an hours drive from our Siblu parks on the south east coast.

Coastal Attractions

The French Riviera, known by the French as the Cote d’Azur is the south Mediterranean coast that incorporates Nice, St Tropez and Monaco. This whole stretch of coastline offers a huge variety of beaches, ranging from the pebby Nice to the beautiful soft sand of Frejus, and swimming conditions can vary in different locations. The beach close to Siblu park Le Montourey is Frejus, which features long stretches of sand with palm trees dotted about, is perfect for family holidays on the south coast. 

Scenic Drives: 

If you enjoy scenic drives and want to spend time in the car exploring the well-known regions of France, such as the Cote d’Azur, then firstly we recommend that you visit France outside the main holiday season, either May or June or September and October. Traffic during July and August, particularly on a Saturday which is the main changeover day for holiday accommodation in France, can be busy. 

For amazing views take the Route des Grandes Alpes which links Lake Geneva in the French Alps to the Mediterranean Sea. If driving from Calais and heading south, you can divert from the main motorway just north of Lyon to Geneva, then follow the route through the mountains down to the south coast, staying at our Siblu holiday park Le Montourey.

Or for something completely different, take to the coastal roads of Brittany. The pink granite coastline of northern Brittany offers stunning views across the English Channel, whilst the turquoise waters along the west and south Brittany are perfect for a rest stop and a swim. Stay at Siblu holiday park Domaine de Kerlann in Pont Aven for easy access to this beautiful region. 

Outdoor Activities for Everyone

Adventure Sports Opportunities 

As mentioned, France offers some amazing regions for adventure sports. You have every water sport you can think of on the coast and our holiday park La Reserve in the southwest of France of Landes, just south of Bordeaux is a great example of where you can try out water sports. This park has its own on-site lake, and you can hire small dinghy’s, paddleboards, windsurfs plus have a go at being towed on a banana boat! 

Our newest park in the Rhone Alps Les Rives de Condrieu has a spectacular setting for adventurous families, with Pilat and Vercors national parks nearby. You can take to the river on canoes or rafts, or enjoy a bike ride along the beautiful Via Rhona cycle path.  

If cycling is your thing, then head to the west coast, to the Vendee or the Charente Maritime. Both of these regions offer long, family-friendly cycle ways that cater to all skill levels. 

Sustainability Initiatives in France vs. Nordic Countries

France is taking a strong stance on eco-friendly practices to compete with Nordic countries’ sustainability efforts and the recent Paris Olympics was a great example of this. 

For the Olympics, they had some amazing initiatives, such as all venues being connected to the grid that provided renewable energy, creating 400km of new bike lines, installing drink fountains and using recycled materials for all the medals!

Siblu and Sustainability

Siblu has a strong plan called ‘Siblu for good’ (https://www.sibluforgood.fr) which outlines our commitments to the environment and the way we run our business. 

For example we think the preservation of natural areas and forests is integral to our campsites, with more 30,000 trees in our campsites. We have invested in tools for monitoring remote readings of drinking water consumption at each campsite with alert and analysis for responsible consumption, along with the development of water storage systems which can also be used to fight fires. 

We are experimenting with the reuse of washing and rinsing water for swimming pools: a system which allows water to be stored for reuse 3 times of the water used (being tested in the Pyrénées Orientales and Hérault).

All our holiday parks have recycling points on site, so all guests can easily recycle everything from cardboard to glass. 

And we are developing new mobile holiday homes with inbuilt solar panels which will make a real dent into the sustainability of the use of energy on our parks. 

So, it's interesting to see that new destinations such as the Nordic countries are becoming popular but we can see that countries such as France still offer an enormous amount to families looking for great holiday experiences. From great value, to free and low cost attractions and great sporting activities, it's easy to see why it remains one of the most popular destinations for family summer holidays.