I Live in France-Here Are 7 Spots Are Where the French Actually Vacation in Summer

"Provence and the French Riviera may be the summer calling card for les touristes, but the French save those spots for shoulder season, when the crowds and temperatures die down."

"Summer signifies les grandes vacances, when the French take off parts of July and the entire month of August to flit to their country homes or the coast."

"In a place as diverse as France, each region feels like you've stepped into a new country."

"From rustically beautiful islands to villages best explored on a bike, here is where-and how-to vacation like the French this summer."

Provence and the French Riviera attract tourists in summer, but locals prefer these regions during shoulder season for fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Summer is marked by les grandes vacances, when many French people take time off to visit country homes or coastal areas. France's diverse geography offers a variety of experiences, making each region feel unique. With extensive travel experience in France, there is still much to explore, and discussions about summer holiday plans begin by late May, focusing on rustic islands and bike-friendly villages.

Read at Travel + Leisure