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Going on a home exchange holiday doesn’t necessarily commit you to a two-week stay. You might want to get away for a long weekend. In which case, it’s obviously best to choose a flight to a destination that’s only a few hours from home.
The south of France is around two hours away from London. To many people, the south of France conjures up images of Nice, Cannes, expensive yachts and perma-tanned blondes walking tiny dogs, but there’s a lot more to it than that. To the south-west, for example, lies the famous medieval walled city of Carcassonne.
Except that…it isn’t. It’s famous, yes, but the impressive fortifications around the city, though looking decidedly medieval, were mostly built during the nineteenth century. Much of what lies within, though, is considerably older. There’s much to see here, but it’s best to plan your visit during the spring or autumn, as in the summer Carcassonne can get very crowded.
France’s most famous bridge?
Also worth exploring is Avignon, famous to generations of British schoolchildren through the song ‘Sur Le Pont d’Avignon’. You can still see some of the original bridge (most of it was swept away by floods in 1668) and very impressive it is too. But just as interesting are the city’s buildings and architecture. The Notre Dame des Doms is the imposing cathedral, dating from the 12th century. It would be even more imposing were it not dwarfed by the much larger Palais des Pape (the Palace of the Popes) nearby. A succession of popes made Avignon their home in the 14th century, causing all sorts of ructions with Rome. For an exceptional collection of Renaissance paintings, visit the Musée du Petit Palais.
Get an appetite for Lyon
Further north lies Lyon, France’s third city and its gastronomic capital. It’s also little more than 100 minutes away by plane (from London) and, as it has a population close to half a million, it’s easily feasible for a house exchange over a long weekend.
There’s plenty to see and do in Lyon, with not everything revolving around food and drink. Lovers of ancient history will find lots of interest in the Roman ruins on the hillside near the Fourviere Basilica including an impressive Roman amphitheatre. The Museum of the Resistance is worth exploring if you’re interested in our all-too-recent history, but after a few hours in this former Nazi headquarters you may be in need of some big open spaces. In which case, head for Parc de la Tête d’Or. It’s the largest urban park in France and includes a boating lake, a zoo, plenty of sporting facilities and even a miniature train.
Gastronomes are spoiled for choice in Lyon but a special mention must be made of Chokola on the rue d’Austerlitz. This half shop/half workshop is a must for all lovers of the sweet stuff. Part of the place is even made out of chocolate!
You can’t go far wrong in the south of France. Why not just grab a map and a pin and see where you end up?
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