A weekend away

There's always something to do in Nantes, the ducal capital of Brittany! The super trendy Le Lieu Unique, located in a former biscuit factory, gives rhythm to the local cultural life, with festivals and avant-garde events organized around the arts, dance, literature and theatre. You can also go there to enjoy a drink or sit down to eat in a décor to be found nowhere else. But Nantes is also the gateway to Brittany. The medieval quarter of Bouffay, only a stone's throw from the castle, offers diners a choice of restaurants serving delicious crêpes and cider. The same district also boasts a rich student night life and a host of designer boutiques. More traditional tastes will want to stroll the dense shopping street of Rue Crébillon. Visitors with children can rent bikes and set off to explore the Loire Estuary, dotted with monumental sculptures by a group of artists from June to September 2007.

The just-as-lively student town of Montpellier, located on the Mediterranean coast, seduces visitors by the beauty of its magnificently renovated old town, where fashionable boutiques vie with gourmet restaurants. Be sure to stop by the recently renovated Fabre Museum, which houses a renowned collection of paintings by the modern artist Pierre Soulages, as well as great 19th-century French artists. To rest your feet, opt for the Place de la Comédie, an immense pedestrian-only esplanade overflowing with cafés. The city boasts an exceptional cultural diversity, including two operas and a famous modern dance centre. Before your visit, don't forget to take a look at the events calendar at the tourist office's website!

Montpellier's southeastern neighbour, Aix-en-Provence, definitely holds its own. Once known as the "small Versailles" for its profusion of townhouses, the city offers visitors an ideal setting bathed by the warm Provençal sun. Among the old town's narrow, interlacing streets and alleyways, traditional restaurants serve delicious terroir cuisine. As for culture, the Pavillon Noir, home to the ballet company of Angelin Preljocaj, offers dance lovers a top-quality programme.

To the east, Strasbourg has been given fresh impetus by the recently-inaugurated TGV high-speed train line. Under the shining sun, discover a city that's particularly enjoyable to explore by foot, with a stroll through the Petite France neighbourhood bordering the river and cathedral. In the Saint-Etienne quarter near the cathedral, restaurants and interior design boutiques attract a fashionable clientele. The nearby Modern Art Museum offers works by a vast panorama of modern artists. Take advantage of your visit to enjoy a drink at the museum's terrace café, with its panoramic view. To go for a walk in a particularly trendy part of town, amble over to the Krutenau, full of life in the evening. During the day, step aboard the Atlantico barge, moored at the Quai des Pêcheurs. Enjoy the architecture of the neighbourhood housing the European institutions, or go for a bike ride along the banks of the Rhine River. If you'd like to attend a show, La Laiterie, located in a former factory, is a cultural centre with an especially eclectic programme of events.

Another key stop, this time in northern France: Lille. Until August, a special exhibition honours the painter Philippe de Champaigne (1602-1674) at the Palais des Beaux-Arts, one of France's richest fine art museums. The French capital of Flanders boasts a charming old town, Le Vieux-Lille, home to luxury boutiques, especially in the Rue Grande Chaussée, Rue Basse and Rue de la Monnaie. The trendy boutiques are to be found in the nearby Rue de la Clef. Looking for interior design ideas? Then visit the Esquermoise district. On Sunday morning, be sure to visit the colourful Wazemmes market and enjoy a drink at one of the square's many cafés. The students have set up headquarters in the Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino, where bars serving the many regional beers are legion. Food lovers will be delighted with the city's traditional brasseries, bistros and restaurants serving Flemish specialities.

Author: Aurélia Bollé