James
An excellent run for a new PPL is to work yourself down the west coast of France to San Sebastian which is tucked just round the corner in northern Spain. That way you are over low ground and have loads of airfield bolt holes to jump into.
If you cross the channel around the isle of white you can then fly down the coast with a good view of the channel isles off to your right.
Picking up the coast again to the west of Nantes and calling in at La Rochelle you can then fly for miles very low level along the beaches to San Sebastian in Spain. That is a memorable run which every PPL should do at some time.
On this you have coastal features all the way easy airspace and as stated loads of alternatives.
Once in San Sebastian you can either head back or if your feeling good proceed on down through Spain to North Africa.
Take care and know your limits even if you push them now and again
Pace