For a new adventure, just hop across the Channel

What are the very latest attractions for visitors to Britain's second-favourite destination? Rhiannon Batten finds out

Britons might have the odd fling with exotic destinations but, for many holidaymakers, France remains a long-term love affair. In 2006, nearly 11 million of us opted to experience l'entente cordiale first-hand, making France the second most popular overseas destination for British travellers, after Spain.

Figures aren't yet out for 2007, but the unofficial word is that even more of us crossed the Channel last year – some of them encouraged by the opening of the new Eurostar terminal at St Pancras and the TGV Est line. The launch of a range of new attractions, accommodation and tours throughout the country means there's little reason to change our Francophile habits just yet.

If you're looking for a fresh perspective on city breaks, Arras in Pas de Calais is a good place to start. Already a major destination for First World War battlefield tourists, it will become even busier from 1 March, with the opening of the Wellington Quarry: the Battle of Arras Memorial (00 33 321 5126 95; ot-arras.fr). There, in 1916, tunnels were dug to join up medieval chalk mines and form a 15-mile underground network which would be used in the Battle of Arras. One-hour guided circuits will cost €6.50 (£4.65) per person.

Further south, an added incentive to visit Carcassonne comes in the shape of 42 Rue Victor Hugo. This new boutique b&b has got two glamorous suites (00 33 4 68 25 14 08; 42ruevictor hugo.com), with rates starting at £450 for two people staying for three nights, including a three-course dinner.

In Toulouse, the latest attraction is a pay-as-you-go bike rental system, VélôToulouse (velo. toulouse.fr), which aims to have 2,400 bikes available from 253 different locations around the city by this summer; the first 30 minutes are free, and one to two hours costs €1.50 (£1.10).

In Nice, the recent opening of a new tram system (tramway-nice.org) means that the city is once again back to its chic self after years of disruption.

Biarritz is set to become a more popular city-break destination this summer thanks to two new flights from the UK – from Bristol with easyJet (0871-244 2366; easyjet.com) and Birmingham with Ryanair (0871-246 0000; ryanair.com).

For longer holidays, head deeper into the Pyrenees. Lourdes is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the appearance of the Virgin Mary, which made it one of the world's most important Christian pilgrimage sites and is holding special events (lourdes2008.com).

Further into the Pyrenees, in April, walking specialist Upland Escapes (01367 851111; uplandescapes. com) is launching new trips to the Couserans area. Prices start from £335 per person for three nights, including car hire, b&b, walks and packed lunches, but not international transport.

Tapping into a demand for more adventurous family trips, KE Adventure Travel (01768 773966; keadventure.com) is also introducing new "Pyrenean Playtime" multi-activity trips. Prices start at £745 per person (adults and children over eight) for seven nights, including accommodation, some meals and activities, but not international transport.

In a similar vein, activity holiday specialist Inntravel (01653 617906; inntravel .co.uk) has launched a dedicated families' programme for 2008, with options in eight European countries. Camping operators Keycamp (0844-406 0319; keycamp. co.uk) and Eurocamp (0844-406 0552; eurocamp. co.uk) have teamed up with children's activity holiday operator PGL to bring "Action Stations" to sites in Brittany and the Dordogne. Suitable for children aged seven and up, these include climbing, zip-wiring, trapeze, abseiling and archery; prices range from about £6 per person for a taster session to £40 for a 10-day pass.

More grown-up adventure can be had on Great Rail Journeys' (01904 521980; greatrail.com) new seven-day Heritage Trains of France tour, which takes in two vintage trains in the Alps and the Ardèche and costs from £895 per person, including first-class rail travel from St Pancras, transfers, accommodation, some meals and excursions.

For those looking for a more sedentary break, Hoseasons (0844-847 1170; hoseasonsvillas.com) has just launched a collection of 61 "Ultimate Villas", including a chic three-bedroom property in St Rémy de Provence, which comes with a stunning pool and a garden of olive trees, oleander and lavender. Rental costs from £899 for a week.

Serious foodies, however, should be prepared to eat on the run. Headwater's 01606 720199; headwater .com) new Gastronomic Walking in the Tarn holiday combine day hikes with gourmet dining from £557 per person per week, including half-board and Eurotunnel tickets.

Cox & Kings (020-7873 5000; coxandkings.co.uk) and Belle France (01580 214010; bellefrance.co.uk) are both launching six-night, boutique barging itineraries, based around sampling the best local food. The former takes place in Burgundy and costs from £2,345 per person, including flights, transfers and full-board, while the latter meanders through Provence and costs from £1,549 per person, including full-board and sightseeing, but not international travel.

One final way to imbibe some French culture in 2008? Excedo (0845-246 2666; excedotravel.com) is launching luxury, seven-night Rhône wine cruises, stopping off at some of the finest French estates. Prices start at £1,553 per person, including flights, transfers and full-board.