Dark chocolate, physical activity and travel are often associated with reduced stress and anxiety. We'll handle the sports and travel if you take care of the chocolate!
Here's a whole range of holidays that are sure to tempt you. Discover new sports during your sports holidays or breaks, or indulge in your favourite sports.
This is it, you've decided! Physical activities and adventure await. Still, going on a sports holiday requires at least some preparation and organisation. You've got to plan everything out: going as a family or sending the kids off to summer camp, choosing the destination and activities, whether you'll go for a weekend or a longer holiday…
Where to begin? Where to look? Here are 4 tips to help you find the right information quickly and easily.
Did you know that tourist offices are your best friend when it comes to ensuring a successful holiday or sports break? They are there to guide you and help you in your search for destinations or sporting activities in their area.
They can provide you with all the verified information available about your holiday destination. Would you like clear, precise information on the sports on offer there? Don't hesitate to get in contact with them!
💡 Looking for a cycling adventure? Some tourist offices offer services tailored to cycle tourism. You can recognise them by the Accueil Vélo logo in the practical information section of their page.
Among other things, they will tell you " where to find bicycle hire or repair outlets, as well as tourist and leisure sites suitable for cycle tourism in their area".
Good to know: also look for professionals who display the Accueil Vélo logo. You can find them on the internet or by the logo displayed at the entrance to their establishment. They are located less than 5 km from a cycle-touring route. They have all the equipment you need to look after your bike, including secure bike sheds and repair kits. They can also provide you with services tailored to cycling tourism: luggage transfer, washing and drying clothing, bike hire and cleaning, and more.
It takes time to organise a sports holiday. There are lots of details to think about! But if, like me, you're caught up in the demands of everyday life, you don't have the time to plan everything. Here's a tip: contact travel agencies. They're your partner in crime.
Some even offer you a 100% personalised trip with a range of packages tailored to your situation: short breaks, family sports breaks, trips off the beaten path...
💡 Have you thought about having Decathlon Travel organise your trip? You can find a sports holiday to suit your tastes, whether you're travelling solo, with your family, as a couple or with friends.
They also offer trips fully accessible by train. And if you want to experience unforgettable moments while taking part in low carbon sporting activities, think cycling, kayaking, hiking and the like. You're spoilt for choice! Your dream holiday is now within reach.
Want to take surfing or climbing lessons? Sports clubs can also be a valuable source of information on sporting activities in a given region. This means you can find all the events relating to the sport you're interested in.
Did you know that travel blogs are a great resource when it comes to organising a trip? They offer tons of recommendations and tips to help you organise your holiday right. Some help you plan your entire trip from A to Z.
💡 Facebook Groups
Looking for inspiration on where to go or what sports to do in a particular region? Check out Facebook groups and other social networks! You can find a wealth of information and advice from travellers, and chat to them about their experiences!
Don't know what to do or where to go, but are determined to do sport? Are you leaning more towards the mountains than the sea for your sporting holidays?
The first step before choosing your holiday: choose the destination. It can be a real headache. It's not always easy to get everyone to agree.
If you need more details to guide your choice, start by asking yourself the right questions:
● Vamos a la playa? Looking for a holiday in the sun?
● Would you like to breathe in the fresh air in a magnificent setting while discovering new activities?
● Want to rediscover the countryside and reconnect with nature?
Once you've made your decision, let our article be your guide.
You love the sea: you swear by Poseidon, the Greek god of the seas and oceans.
Diving
If all you ever wanted to do was discover the wonders of the underwater world, then try scuba diving! It's never too late to start.
Did you know that a clinical study called Divhope has been studying the benefits of diving as a treatment for victims of post-traumatic stress since 2017?
A team of doctors and researchers have demonstrated the benefits of this activity in the fight against stress. The results were conclusive: those who took part in the study all fell below the threshold for pathological stress.
Calm, serenity, fulfilment. Imagine immersing yourself in the crystal-clear waters around the Balearic Islands and exploring their rich flora and fauna. Or how about diving in the temperate, crystal-clear waters of Madeira to admire the black corals and observe the rarest monk seals in the world? With visibility in excess of 20 m, it promises to be a magical show.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, both destinations offer exceptional dive sites. If this is your first trip and you need some advice, read our dedicated article.
Snorkelling
Have you ever written out your bucket list, you know, that list of dreams we all have and would like to fulfil one day?
Between us, in first position on mine, I'm playing tennis against Nadal! In second place, I'd go snorkelling to swim alongside dolphins in the Sataya reef in Egypt or diving with the big sharks in the Red Sea. I get chills just talking about it! What's your unfulfilled dream?
If you're also fascinated by snorkelling, check out our dedicated articles. They explain everything you need to know from A to Z:
⇾ Why learn to snorkel?
⇾ Getting started with snorkelling
⇾ Snorkelling with your children
Fancy diving in Provence?
You can also enjoy the benefits of diving or snorkelling in a geographical gem that's sure to seduce you.
Head to Provence to dive in the pristine waters of the Golden Isles, where you'll discover a colourful underwater world. In Marseille, you can explore both the exceptional flora and fauna and the marine treasures of the Côte d'Azur!
Kayaking
Did you know that this year canoeing and kayaking made it into the top 10 most popular sports in France ? So why not try them out? Whether you're sea kayaking or river kayaking, the thrill is the same!
Vast expanses, breathtaking landscapes and forests as far as the eye can see.
Canyoning, trail running, paragliding…
Why not (re)discover the mountains from a different angle? We'll set the scene. There's something for everyone!
⇾ Paragliding
⇾ Discover canyoning
⇾ Motivating your children when hiking
Skiing, snowshoe trekking, mountaineering
How about an expedition to France's "Far North"? Grab your poles and your showshoes set out to discover some magnificent scenery!
Whether in the Alps, the Pyrenees or the Jura mountains, you'll find a touch of Scandinavia à la française that's sure to delight you. Armed with your snowshoes, you'll discover landscapes of unspoilt beauty and can even try your hand at snowshoe trekking.
Have you ever tried cross-country skiing?
It's a type of skiing that doesn't require lifts. Cross-country skiing is an excellent endurance sport for all, whether you're a beginner or an experienced skier. You can do it on flat or hilly terrain, on your own or as a family with your children.
In this podcast, Maëlle explains how she got into the sport and lists all the benefits she has discovered. She also explains how she introduced her children to it.
Looking for a complete change of scenery surrounded by unspoilt wilderness? Throw on a down jacket, gloves and hat and set off in the footsteps of Canadian trappers.
We promise you a world of silence and wide open spaces, packed with emotion.
If you're passionate about hiking but want to push your limits even further, try mountaineering! You can learn this sport in a small group by choosing a course adapted to your level. The summits are calling!
The simplest pleasures are the best! Grab your bikes and rediscover nature outings as a family. It's a chance to share unforgettable moments while enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the countryside.
Why not combine a stay in the countryside with a train journey for a more environmentally-friendly trip?
Camp out or head to a bed and breakfast, taking only the necessary on the luggage rack or in your saddlebags. Young and old alike will be delighted!
↪ Rediscover the countryside by bike
↪ Discover all-terrain cycling
↪ Planning your all-terrain cycling holiday
Experience unforgettable moments on a shoestring budget without having to travel to the other side of the world - that's the micro-adventure concept. Disconnect from everyday life and set off on an adventure!
You can go for a walk in the forest, hire a tent and camping equipment in just a few clicks and set off on a camping trip in the wild.
Hiking, cycling, climbing, road-tripping - the list is long and it's all up to you. Adapt it to suit your own tastes.
Alone or with friends or family, excitement and thrilling experiences are guaranteed!
↪ Family micro-adventures
↪ Preparing your micro-adventure
↪ 10 ideas for micro-adventures
There's nothing like cycling to help you discover new horizons. Ride along France's cycle paths and discover the most beautiful landscapes!
Take the Vélodyssée, the cycle route that runs from Brittany (Roscoff) to the Basque coast (Hendaye) with the Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop. Discover the châteaux of the Loire or explore Brittany's spectacular coastline by bike!
There are plenty of other routes you can follow to discover the wonders of our regions by bike.
Do you dream of horse-riding, riding across vast green plains, through dazzling landscapes or along the beach?
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, there are plenty of horse riding holidays to suit all levels. From horse riding on the high plateaux of Vercors to the introductory horse riding courses in Corsica, there is a wide range of options.
For you, holidays are all about family. You would never dream of going on a holiday on your own.
You want to create memories together with your children and share unforgettable moments. But you just can't get everyone to agree on which sports to do?
Multi-activity holidays are the answer. Choose from a wide range of sports holidays to suit young and old alike: Kayaking, mountain biking, canyoning, hiking, trekking, climbing and skiing are just some of the activities that can be enjoyed depending on the season.
Don't have the time to plan your trip and want to take some of the stress of organising your stay off your shoulders? Travel stress free with Decathlon Travel.
You are guaranteed to enjoy the best sporting adventures with your family, your partner or your friends, with tailor-made trips to suit your needs.
Decathlon Travel is made up of adventure travel specialists and partners chosen with the greatest care for their local and sporting expertise and their commitment to sustainable tourism.
↪ Hauts-de-France
↪ Loire Valley
↪ Eastern France
↪ New Aquitaine
With all these exciting sports holidays, are you still craving chocolate?
A keen walker, I've been delighted ever since I combined my two passions: reading and walking. You'll see me in the gym on my mat with my tablet for hours of escapism.
Source: DivHope clinical study conducted by the AP-HM hyperbaric medicine team, 2017.
