It’s back to school, are you already stressed? Le Routard prescribes a good dose of zen, tranquility and authenticity to quickly put you in the green and prepare well for autumn. No need to go far, France is full of places where it is good to relax. From the Iroise Sea to the peaks of the Alps, passing through the pine forests of the Landes and the villages of Balagne, here are 10 destinations to savor for a month of September full of serenity.

Crozon Peninsula – Finistère

In the far west of Brittany, a long granite promontory in the shape of a cross juts out into the Iroise Sea south of Brest. It is the Crozon peninsula, a piece of wild land with steep cliffs, barrens and deserted beaches. Nothing better than such a landscape for superb walks.

The Crozon peninsula offers the face of an authentic Brittany. It opens with the rounded hill of Menez-Hom (330 m) whose panorama projects onto the meadows and steeples of these arid lands, among the wildest in Brittany. Then, the points and the capes follow one another, from the high cliffs of the southern coast on the bay of Douarnenez, to the north coast on the harbor of Brest.

To the delight of hikers, the GR34, customs trail, goes up and down along the coasts allowing you to observe, with a little luck, the red-billed crave, the crested cormorant, the northern gannet or even the gray seal.

Brocéliande Forest – Ille-et-Vilaine, Morbihan

The Brocéliande forest. A name that stirs the imagination even if, in fact, it is called “Paimpont”. Very real, it straddles the Ille-et-Vilaine and the Morbihan. Brocéliande, which would have served as a backdrop for the episodes of the Round Table, amazes the child who lies dormant in each of us. Its charm, full of mystery, is sure to seduce you, with its fabulous green and red shale soils, its magnificent ponds, its dishevelled trees and the scent of humus that invades the woods…

By hiking in the heart of its greenery, we embark on the footsteps of King Arthur, Merlin, the fairy Viviane, listening to Breton legends during storytelling walks.

Departure from the village of Paimpont then head for the Comper lake and its castle, then towards Tréhorenteuc and its strange Grail church, without forgetting the famous Val-sans-Retour.

Creuse, the valley of the impressionists

It is a valley located in the north-west of the Creuse department, crossed by two rivers, the Creuse and the Sédelle, which make their way between small gorges. This most bucolic setting appealed between the 1850s and 1920, the impressionist painters and in particular Claude Monet.

The sites to see have everything to satisfy lovers of getaways that rhyme nature and culture, starting with the village of Crozant, anchor for artists who were enthusiastic for the Creuse valley. Remains of the Crozant fortress, there are mainly ruined towers. The site, which has an extraordinary cachet, extends over a rocky hill whose point is rounded and bordered by the Creuse and Sédelle rivers, which meet at its base.

Born in the department to which it gives its name, the Creuse river continues its course in that of Indre. Painters have also set up their easels in and around Argenton-sur-Creuse and Gargilesse where you can extend your stay without difficulty since these pretty towns are close to Crozant and Fresselines. The first is nicknamed “Venice of Berry”, while the second has been labeled “Plus Beau Village de France”.

Cantal mountains – Auvergne

Rest assured, these volcanoes are very wise. In fact, it was originally a single volcano 70 km wide … Today, the collapse of the cone and the erosion of the primitive massif have left summits like lead du Cantal (1,858m) or puy Mary (1,787m) to name a few.

Many valleys radiate around, alternating woods and pastures bordered by hedges, separated by large plateaus. Here, nature reigns supreme and this country of breeding, cradle of cantal cheese, is also a great land for hiking.

Take advantage of your stay to make a stop in the beautiful villages of Murat or Salers, and do not miss to admire the superb Romanesque churches of the region (Virargues, Chalinargues, Alagnon, Moissac)

Northern Aveyron, around Conques

Another wonderful destination to go green and stir up your greed. Rough and soft at the same time, Aveyron, land of character, delights lovers of nature and heritage.

Off the beaten track, a piece of land attaching North Aveyron deserves attention, the great steppes of the Aubrac to the charming villages of the Lot Valley, the mild Marcillac valley to the “chaos” of Causse Comtal.

The Lot valley is full of charming villages. A stage on the way to Saint-Jacques de Compostelle, Espalion is at the crossroads of Causse Comtal and Aubrac. Perched on its promontory, the Château de Calmont d’Olt overlooks the city. A few kilometers away, Estaing opens the Lot gorges. Another stage of the pilgrims’ path, this village is classified among the most beautiful villages of France with its Gothic bridge (XVIth), registered in the world heritage of Unesco since 1998, and its castle, classified Historic building in 1945. Last stage: Entraygues, a medieval village located at the confluence of the Lot and the Truyère.

Do not hesitate to push as far as Conques , with its exceptional Sainte-Foy abbey, built in the 11th century, and recognized as a masterpiece of Romanesque art. A rare moment.

The Landes, facing the Atlantic

Sand, sea, sun, pine forests as far as the eye can see. A good cocktail to attack autumn. Out of season, the Landes coast can be enjoyed in peace, and it’s a good time to reconnect with its beautiful and gentle nature.

The sandy beach of the coast stretches for 106 km, nestled behind the dunes and pine forests. In the north of the department, Biscarrosse and Mimizan are two prime destinations for a seaside and relaxing stay. On the program: walking and cycling in the forest and on the beach, discovering the large lagoon-colored lakes and tasting good local products.

Finally, we also really like Contis-Plage with its dunes and wooden houses, a charming village facing the ocean.

Sant’Antonino and the villages of Balagne – Corsica

Corsica out of season, what happiness! And Balagne, right next to Calvi, even more. This superb corner of Haute-Corse forms a mountain amphitheater open to the sea. Whichever route you take, you always end up getting lost in a sumptuous landscape.

Perched in the heights, the villages are delicious: Sant’Antonio, Pigna or even Speloncato, to name a few. Without doubt the most beautiful in Corsica, with their Romanesque chapels and tall welded houses.

La Balagne is obviously an incredible playground for hikers. From up there, the view of Calvi bay is incredible. And, out of season, tranquility prevails in front of the intense blue of the Mediterranean.

Saint-Véran and Queyras – Hautes-Alpes

One of the most beautiful corners of the Alps and certainly one of the most authentic. Located in Hautes-Alpes, Queyras seduces with its small typical villages (Saint-Véran, Milines, Abriès, Ristolas) and especially its mountain with preserved fauna and flora, protected by a natural park. A true paradise for hikers and lovers of tranquility.

Long isolated, Queyras extends over a main valley, that of Guil, and three annex valleys. All around, peaks culminating at more than 3000 m. Moreover, it is here that the highest town in Europe is located, Saint-Véran (2,040 m).

This splendid mountain village is among “the most beautiful villages in France”, with its traditional houses, its sundials, its church and its natural setting between mountain pastures and forest. Something to revitalize in beauty.

Bourget Lake – Savoie

“time suspend your flight, and you, auspicious hours! Hang your course “Difficult to find more relaxing and romantic than the Lake Bourget who inspired so Lamartine frequent visitor to the 19 th century! With its tormented reliefs, its changing and fantastic colors, Lake Bourget invites to rest, meditation and serenity.

Languid between the Bourget lake and the mountains, Aix-les-Bains combines all the characteristics of a spa town, with its casino, thermal baths, palaces, Belle-Epoque architecture and sovereign calm.

You have to climb to the Belvedere de la Chambotte to have an incredible view of this spectacular landscape, seeing on the other bank the silhouette of the Abbey of Hautecombe , chosen to house the necropolis of the princes of Savoy. The last king of Italy, Humbert II of Savoy, was buried there in 1983.

At the other end of the lake, a change of atmosphere in the picturesque village of Chanaz , which has preserved its traditional Savoyard architecture.

The Vosges of Saône, around the Thousand Ponds – Haute-Saône

Large spaces, lakes, coniferous forests, low density: no need to go to Canada to play the trappers and admire the colors of autumn! Direction a corner of France too discreet, in the Saône Vosges, between Territoire de Belfort and Haute-Saône.

A department where nature reigns, Haute-Saône will delight lovers of clean air or tranquility. From Belfort, you climb to the Thousand Ponds plateau. Located between the high valleys of Ognon and Breuchin, it includes a multitude of ponds of different sizes, of glacial origin or created by man. They extend over 220 km² in landscapes made up of meadows, peat bogs, moors and woods.

Nearby, Luxeuil-les-Bains is a small-town famous for its thermal baths where spa guests come to enjoy various wellness areas. Ideal for restoring health and disconnecting.