We’d love to hear about your favourite city, town or village in la belle France. We’d like to steer away from the huge draws like Paris, Lyon and Marseille, and focus on smaller characterful gems that dot the country – places such as Honfleur in Normandy, with its colourful harbour that inspired Claude Monet; or the hilltop village vibe of Aix-en Provence; or the cobbled streets and canals of Annecy.

Tell us what you saw and did that made it special – maybe it was a lovely place to stay, a brilliant family restaurant, the architecture or a local festival – with websites and prices where appropriate.

If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words that will be judged for the competition.

Keep your tip to about 100 words

The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet, will win a £200 voucher to stay at a Sawday’s property – the company has more than 3,000 in the UK and Europe. The best tips will appear on the Guardian Travel website, and maybe in the paper, too.

We’re sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition.

The competition closes on 5 October at 9am BST

Have a look at our past winners and other tips

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