*A week along France’s Mediterranean Sea at Palvas-les-Flots*

After our unforgettable time exploring the medieval fortress of Carcassonne, we hopped on a train (and thankfully kept all our belongings this time!) and headed east to Palavas-les-Flots. We were craving a change of pace—some sunshine, salt air, and a taste of France’s Mediterranean coast—and this charming seaside town felt like the perfect fit.

Palavas-les-Flots is a unique little destination, perched on a narrow strip of land between the Mediterranean Sea and coastal lagoons. Water surrounds you on both sides, fishing boats drift through canals, and life slows down to the rhythm of the calm ocean waves. Exactly what the three of us were looking for.

We settled into a tiny Airbnb a couple blocks from the main beach—emphasis on tiny. Our bunk beds squeezed into a small room, and my bed doubled as the living room couch during the day. It was small but it worked perfectly for our week of seaside living.

And for this stretch of the trip, remember it was just me and the boys. Chip had flown back to the U.S. for work, while we decided to stretch our European adventure a couple weeks longer visiting Carcassonne, Palavas, and another jaunt in Paris.

A week full of surprises

Our days in Palavas quickly fell into a blissful routine: beach, swim, repeat. The boys spent hours building elaborate sand creations (you’ll see those in the video!), while I rotated between beach workouts, swimming, and soaking up the sun.

But what we thought would be a quiet beach week turned into something much more exciting.

One afternoon, as we lounged on the sand, the sky suddenly came alive. Jets roared overhead, twisting and looping in perfect formation. At first, we had no idea what was happening—but after chatting with a local, we learned we were watching the Patrouille de France rehearsing for an air show the next day. We had front-row seats right from our towels.

The following day, the town buzzed with energy. We wandered the boardwalk, where tents and exhibits were set up, and even got to chat with pilots and crew members. By 3 p.m., the beach was packed, and we joined the crowd, spreading out our towels for the main event.

What followed was nothing short of mesmerizing—precision flying, jaw-dropping aerial acrobatics, and trails of blue, white, and red smoke painting the sky in France’s colors. It felt surreal to be there and a part of something so special.

The very next evening, we discovered there would be a massive fireworks show on the beach in celebration of Assumption Day, a major Catholic holiday observed in August that commemorates the belief that the Virgin Mary was taken up into heaven. In France, it’s often marked with festivals, celebrations, and—apparently in Palavas—an unforgettable fireworks display.

After another perfect beach day, we cleaned up, had a relaxed dinner at our Airbnb, and headed out for the evening. Our first stop was Luna Park de Palavas, a lively summer carnival glowing with lights and energy. The boys rode rides, devoured cotton candy, and had multiple rounds of bumper cars. Reid even braved his first roller coaster—he mostly loved it.

As the sun began to set, we made our way to the beach and found our spot in the sand. What followed was one of the best fireworks shows I’ve seen in years—burst after burst lighting up the sky, including playful emoji-shaped fireworks that had everyone cheering. The show went on and on, each display more impressive than the last.

We couldn’t believe our luck. Somehow, we had landed in Palavas during the most exciting week of the entire year.

Later in the week, we broke from our usual routine of cooking and decided to enjoy a night out. We wandered through local shops before settling in for dinner at Pizza Margo—where the burrata pizza absolutely lived up to the hype. From there, we rode the Transcanal, the world’s shortest chairlift that glides over the canal—short, quirky, and surprisingly charming—just as the sky turned golden at sunset.

From Palavas to A Surprise Airbnb in Paris (With Eiffel Tower Views)!

After a week of sun, sand, and unexpected celebrations, we felt completely recharged. Palavas-les-Flots had given us exactly what we didn’t even know we needed—a mix of rest, spontaneity, and unforgettable moments. But our time in the south of France had come to an end, and it was time for our grand finale.

Paris was calling.

One evening in Palavas, I casually checked Airbnb to review our upcoming stay in Paris. I almost couldn’t believe what I saw—an incredible apartment with Eiffel Tower views had just opened up for our exact dates. Just days before our arrival. I messaged the host immediately, and sure enough, there had been a last-minute cancellation. Even better? It was now heavily discounted. Within minutes, I canceled our original booking and secured the new one.

Just like that, our Paris experience was about to become something entirely different—and a whole lot more magical. Read ALL about that here.