The world’s top tourist destinations have been getting a little crowded. From tourists feeling like “sweaty sardines” in Italy’s prettiest village to new crowd controls in Athens, some top holiday hotspots are feeling the pressure.
France, the world’s top tourist destination, recently launched a campaign to encourage tourists to visit lesser-known parts of the country.
Luckily for British tourists, there’s an incredibly beautiful French island that very few Brits visit.
The travel expert team at Home2Go identified one of France’s best-kept secrets using search data. Noirmoutier, an island in the Bay of Biscay, is a destination that it seems that only French people know about.
A Home2Go spokesperson said: “Amongst French holidaymakers, Noirmoutier is the 63rd most searched destination in France.
“In contrast, it stands at 511th when looking at searches from British tourists. The charming tidal island in the Vendee is known for the Passage du Gois, the stunning beaches and cliffs of Bois de la Chaise, and pretty villages such as Le Vieil.”
Known as the ‘Island of Mimosas’, Noirmoutier enjoys a mild climate all year round with average temperatures of nine degrees in January. This means mimosas are able to flower all year round.
The island is mostly visited for its stunning natural beauty, characterised by forests and beaches.
There are over 50 km of hiking trails while the island’s long sandy beaches are the perfect place to relax in summer.
The island is famous for shellfish digging and children will love hunting for oysters, winkles and clams on the beach.
While it’s possible to stay on the island, Noirmoutier is also reachable on a day trip from Nantes, which is an hour and a half’s drive away.