The gorgeously numerous nation, which has impressed by centuries of influential writers, artists, and poets, contains big mountain ranges, acres of unspoilt countryside, and lengthy stretches of glowing shoreline. From my many France journeys, (and Paris apart), I’d like to share these beautiful spots…
1. Côte d’Azur
The glamorous area has transfixed many well-known guests over the many years (together with royalty, writers, and artists resembling Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse)! The beautiful coastal area often known as the French Riviera additionally transfixed me with its unbelievable magnificence – I noticed limitless glowing azure waters, a wide range of seashores from secluded coves to lengthy stretches of sandy shores, stylish coastal cities and crowd pleasing structure, from fairly Belle Époque villas to fashionable luxurious resorts.
The vibe right here was actually extraordinary; it’d sound cliché, however I’ve genuinely by no means encountered something fairly prefer it wherever else on the planet. To me, the environment struck the right stability – it was relaxed but glamorous, upscale but elegant and tasteful in each approach!
I found it alongside the Mediterranean coast, extending 115 kilometers (round 71 miles) from Menton close to the Italian border all the way in which to Saint-Tropez on the southeastern coast of the nation. It’s house to round 5,170,000 and is understood for its position within the improvement of recent artwork and movie, and the world-famous Cannes Movie Pageant.
I flew straight into Good Côte d’Azur Airport and stayed for a dreamy week. I spent my time exploring the glitzy metropolis of Good the place I noticed the well-known Promenade des Anglais, took a coastal drive to Monaco and noticed the ultra-glam Monte Carlo On line casino, found the arty charming medieval village Saint-Paul-de-Vence, relaxed on the beautiful sandy seashores of Saint-Tropez, sampled the glittery nightlife and seafront eating places in Cannes and found the quaint, picturesque village of Èze, Gourdon, Menton and Vence.
Location: Southeastern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Spring and Fall (to get pleasure from nice climate with out the summer season crowds).
Actions on supply: Seaside rest, coastal climbing, visiting artwork galleries, and exploring glamorous cities like Cannes and Good.
Lodging: Lodge Le Negresco (Good), Domaine du Mas de Pierre (Saint Paul de Vence), and Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat.
We will ebook your journey hopping round France’s lovely locations by way of our free, top-rated journey planning service!
2. Provence
A area in southeastern France bordering Italy and the Mediterranean Sea, the spectacular Provence countryside deserves a point out.
Head for the Luberon space (situated within the coronary heart of the Provence area). Right here, you’ll discover essentially the most stereotypical rural Provence surroundings – beautiful landscapes crammed with seemingly limitless lavender fields, lush olive groves, undulating vineyards, and fairly historic hilltop villages dotted with shutter-board homes.
Make sure you additionally embody journeys to the picturesque villages of Gordes, Baux-de-Provence, St. Rémy, and the dazzling walled metropolis of Avignon. Lengthy lazy days and alfresco lunches washed down with loads of wine await you on this rural stylish paradise!
Location: Southeastern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Late Spring (for lavender fields in bloom and preferrred climate for exploring).
Actions on supply: Visiting lavender fields, exploring hilltop villages, wine tasting, and climbing within the Luberon area.
Lodging: Benvengudo (Les Baux-de-Provence), Château de Valmer (La Croix-Valmer), and Le Mas de la Rose (Orgon).
An space of excellent pure magnificence in Europe, the Loire Valley can also be affectionately referred to as the Backyard of France. The valley spans over 280km and is situated in central France’s lovely center stretch of the Loire River.
It’s crammed with a lot culturally and traditionally necessary structure that it has earned itself the standing of a World Heritage web site.
Some of the visited areas within the nation, it’s recognized for its giant assortment of fairytale-esque chateaus and mansions, breathtaking landscapes, and some of the placing rivers in Europe. This can be a tranquil bourgeois paradise that you just gained’t need to depart, I promise!
Location: Central a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Spring and Fall (for delicate temperatures and exploring castles with out the summer season warmth).
Actions on supply: Visiting historic châteaux, wine tasting, river cruises, and exploring gardens.
Lodging: Château de la Bourdaisière, Domaine des Hauts de Loire, and Château d’Artigny.
Colmar is a picturesque city within the Grand Est area of northeastern France, near the border with Germany. It’s outstanding for its picturesque structure and wealthy tradition.
Colmar has many beautiful gems, however I believe one of many prettiest in Little Venice is the place the scenic Lauch River flows by way of the city.
Gorgeous half-timbered homes line either side of the river, and I’d advocate taking a ship journey by way of this part of the city for a stupendous deal with.
The city’s structure is historic and postcard-pretty, and highlights of visiting Colmar embody the Outdated City, the Pfister Home, Route des Vins, Koighus, the Dominican Church, and Saint Martin Church.
Location: Northeastern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Spring (for blooming flowers and fewer vacationers).
Actions on supply: Strolling excursions by way of the medieval outdated city, visiting museums, and wine tasting in Alsace.
Lodging: Hôtel Le Maréchal, La Maison des Têtes, and Hôtel Saint-Martin.
The birthplace of champagne is a classy spot with wine path vacationers, and it’s a beautiful, laid-back, and tranquil vacation spot.
Champagne-Ardenne, situated northeast of the nation, has miles of Champagne path routes, pristine and scenic countryside, medieval chateaus, and vineyards stretching so far as the attention can see.
Go to the area’s capital, Troyes, for its spectacular artwork and structure and Reims, for its well-known cathedral and huge community of underground wine cellars.
Location: Northeastern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Fall (for the grape harvest and wine tasting).
Actions on supply: Champagne winery excursions, wine tasting, and exploring historic cities.
Lodging: Domaine Les Crayères (Reims), Château de Fère, and Royal Champagne Lodge & Spa.
A video on our journey to France (with drone footage)…
6. Giverny
Giverny is a riverside rural idyll situated on the borders of Normandy in northern France (solely an hour’s drive from Paris). It’s most well-known for being the birthplace of impressionism.
The small village was as soon as Claude Monet’s cherished nation retreat, and now his postcard-pretty pink shutter-board home and exquisite nation gardens are open to the general public.
Planted by Monet himself, the walled water backyard (which impressed so a lot of his well-known work) options white and purple wisterias, water lilies, weeping willows, bamboo, and the enduring inexperienced Japanese bridge!
Location: Northern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Spring (to see Monet’s backyard in full bloom).
Actions on supply: Touring Monet’s home and gardens, strolling excursions, and visiting close by villages.
Lodging: Le Jardin des Plumes, Lodge Normandy, and La Dime de Giverny.
The Dordogne (which lies to the southwest of the nation) is an exceptionally picturesque place that for my part will please even essentially the most discerning of travellers!
The area’s lengthy roads and rivers wind by way of unspoiled pastures, spectacular gorges, charming medieval cities and villages of wealthy historic heritage. It’s additionally very well-known for its prehistoric cave work within the Vézère Valley, like these in Lascaux Cave.
Go to the sacred pilgrim’s monuments en path to Santiago de Compostela, pattern the native wines nonetheless produced by lots of the chateaus, and discover the traditional fortified cities, such because the visually placing Beynac-et-Cazenac.
Location: Southwestern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Fall (for lovely landscapes and delicate climate for out of doors actions).
Actions on supply: Canoeing on the Dordogne River, exploring prehistoric caves, and visiting medieval castles.
Lodging: Château des Vigiers, Les Glycines, and Le Moulin du Roc.
Burgundy is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot in east-central France. It’s famend for producing among the world’s finest wines. The area can also be tranquil, with a pristine pure surroundings and dozens of picturesque villages to discover.
Burgundy is a historic space house to a lot of Europe’s most spectacular Romanesque buildings, together with the Fontenay Abbey and Basilica of Vezelay. There are additionally many beautiful castles to discover, together with my favourites, the magnificent Chateau d’Ancy le Franc and Chateau de Cormatin.
One of many area’s most spectacular pure belongings is Morvan Nationwide Park, situated within the coronary heart of Burgundy. It has greater than 1,000 sq. miles of pristine wilderness and is a wonderful location for tenting or climbing.
Location: Central-eastern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Fall (for wine harvest season and winery excursions).
Actions on supply: Wine tasting, biking by way of vineyards, visiting historic monasteries, and exploring small villages.
Lodging: Hôtel Le Cep (Beaune), Château de Gilly, and La Côte Saint Jacques & Spa.
Strasbourg is situated proper on the border between Germany and France, and it’s a fashionable stop-off for exploring Luxembourg and Belgium.
I really like that the well-known and scenic heritage metropolis has each nations’ charming traits and cultural flavours.
It’s a picturesque and romantic place with an brisk buzz, well-known for its riverfront half-timbered homes, gothic cathedral, and evident fondness for flowers!
It additionally makes a wonderful base for these wishing to go to the close by Black Forest or the River Rhine.
Location: Northeastern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Winter (for its well-known Christmas markets).
Actions on supply: Visiting the Strasbourg Cathedral, exploring Petite France, and river cruises alongside the Rhine.
Lodging: Hôtel Régent Petite France, Hôtel Les Haras, and Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile.
Corsica is a surprising island within the Mediterranean simply off the coast of southern France. It’s a fashionable vacationer vacation spot recognized for its many pristine seashores, unbelievable surroundings, and harbour city resorts.
Greater than 1,000 km of shoreline surrounding Corsica gives guests loads of boating and swimming alternatives. The Mediterranean local weather is a serious drawcard, with the climate heat sufficient to benefit from the water all yr spherical.
Probably the most lovely spots to go to in Corsica embody the seashores of Désert des Agriates (white sand and crystal clear blue water), the Perched villages of l. a. Balagne, Scandola Nature Reserve, the Gorges of Restonica & Tavignano, and the Fortress city of Bonifacio.
The Lavezzi Islands, situated between Corsica and Sardinia, are additionally value visiting.
Location: Southeastern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for having fun with the seashores and climbing the coastal trails).
Actions on supply: Mountaineering, seashore rest, visiting historic cities, and water sports activities like crusing and diving.
Lodging: Hôtel La Villa (Calvi), Casadelmar (Porto-Vecchio), and Lodge & Spa des Pecheurs (Cavallo Island).
A rich suburb of Paris, Versailles is a vital administrative centre and a proud vacationer attraction.
It’s most well-known for its chateau, the vastly grand and ornate Palace of Versailles, which as soon as housed France’s kings (together with the ill-fated Louis XVI and his spouse Marie Antoinette).
Each the stainless palace and manicured gardens are extraordinary. The palace presents a superbly preserved perception into the lives of 18th-century French royalty earlier than the beginning of the legendary French Revolution.
Location: Northern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Spring (for exploring the gardens and palace with out giant crowds).
Actions on supply: Touring the palace and gardens, attending musical fountain reveals, and visiting the Corridor of Mirrors.
Lodging: Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace, Hôtel Le Louis Versailles Château, and Hôtel d’Angleterre.
The French Alps are most likely finest recognized for his or her up-market ski resorts, however the area can also be house to some very engaging cities that make for beautiful locations to go to in each summer season and winter.
One which stands out is Annecy, often known as the ‘Venice of Savoie. ‘ This beautiful and romantic metropolis is interspersed with small canals and has a postcard-pretty 14th-century Chateau.
With its distinctive central point of interest, the backdrop of gorgeous mountains, and a surprising Outdated City house to cobbled streets, winding canals and pastel-coloured homes, Annecy is without doubt one of the most photogenic I’ve ever been to!
Location: Southeastern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for lake actions and exploring the Alpine surroundings).
Actions on supply: Boating on Lake Annecy, biking, exploring the outdated city, and climbing within the surrounding mountains.
Lodging: Les Trésoms Lake and Spa Resort, Hôtel Le Clos Marcel, and Impérial Palace.
13. Mont Saint-Michel and the remainder of the Normandy area
Second solely to the Eiffel Tower as France’s best-loved landmark, Mont St-Michel is a rocky, peaked island linked by a causeway to northwest France.
It’s an imposing sight amid sprawling sandbanks and highly effective tides, however the heritage web site is mainly celebrated for its distinctive Gothic-style Benedictine abbey.
Straight beneath the grand monastery is a medieval village with winding streets dotted with small homes and memento outlets. You also needs to spend a number of days exploring the remainder of Normandy, because it’s such a fairly area.
It has historical past and luxurious inexperienced landscapes, aside from dry-stone farmhouses, chalk-white cliffs, half-timbered buildings, and picturesque chateaus. The traditionally necessary web site of the Normandy Touchdown seashores and the well-known Bayeux tapestry are additionally situated right here.
Location: Northwestern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Spring and Fall (for fewer crowds and cooler temperatures).
Actions on supply: Visiting Mont Saint-Michel Abbey, strolling the tidal flats, exploring WWII websites, and having fun with coastal walks.
Lodging: La Mère Poulard, Le Relais Saint-Michel, and Hôtel Vert.
Brittany is a coastal area crammed with jagged coastal cliffs, sandy seashores, quaint coastal fishing villages, majestic chateaux, and dozens of medieval cities simply ready to be explored.
I like to recommend visiting the world to benefit from the genuine tradition, unbelievable surroundings, scrumptious meals, and a soothing, laid-back environment.
Alongside Brittany’s shoreline are dozens of gorgeous locations to go to, together with the cliffs of Pointe du Raz, Cap Fréhel, and the Crozon peninsula.
The seashores are additionally a serious drawcard, with Ploumanac’h, Morgat, and Quiberon being the most well-liked. When you head inland, you may go to Brocéliande forest, parish closes, or the unbelievable megalithic standing stones at Carnac.
Location: Northwestern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for the very best seashore climate and exploring the shoreline).
Actions on supply: Coastal hikes, visiting medieval cities, having fun with native seafood, and exploring historic lighthouses.
Lodging: Castel Beau Website, Hôtel Le Brittany & Spa, and Hôtel Oceania Saint-Malo.
Lyon is the nation’s second-most necessary metropolis after Paris. It’s a historic metropolis with a wealthy tradition and exquisite structure. The UNESCO World Heritage metropolis is house to among the world’s most treasured historic ruins, Roman buildings, and medieval buildings.
Lyon is situated on the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône Rivers, which is scenic and one purpose it’s a romantic vacation spot.
Lyon’s many slim, winding streets and historic buildings improve its romance. There are dozens of gorgeous locations inside Lyon, however we beloved the atmospheric Quartier Saint-Jean due to its medieval buildings and cobblestone lanes.
The Place Neuve Saint-Jean can also be a must-see. It’s a picturesque sq. with many outlets and conventional eating places — the right location for a romantic dinner.
Different beautiful spots in Lyon embody Colline de la Croix-Rousse (a historic neighbourhood constructed on sloping streets), Presqu’ile District (beautiful structure and city squares), and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere.
Location: Southeastern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Fall (for the Fête des Lumières and delicate climate for metropolis exploration).
Actions on supply: Exploring the outdated city (Vieux Lyon), visiting museums, having fun with gastronomy excursions, and strolling alongside the Rhône and Saône rivers.
Lodging: Cour des Loges, Villa Maïa, and InterContinental Lyon – Lodge Dieu.
Rhône-Alpes is a stupendous area situated within the southeast of the nation. Its numerous panorama contains mountain ranges (together with the well-known Mont Blanc), winding canyons, light valleys dotted with a whole bunch of farms and vineyards, and its dormant volcano, the Puy-de-Dôme.
It isn’t simple to explain the unbelievable and tranquil fantastic thing about this nation’s pure surroundings, so I’d say it needs to be skilled first-hand to be appreciated!
There are dozens of spectacular areas to go to, together with Gorges de l’Ardeche — a collection of winding gorges in Ardèche. Lake Geneva is one other must-see location if you’re visiting the area.
It’s a huge pure lake shared between Switzerland and France. It’s the right location for boating, swimming and water snowboarding within the hotter months.
One other considered one of my favorite areas is Les Pertes de le Valserine — a tranquil river stroll in Bellegarde sur Valserine. It showcases the area’s pure magnificence, together with its diverse wildlife. Rhône-Alpes can also be house to many charming cities and cities. They embody Lyon (Rhône), Grenoble (Isère), Saint-Étienne (Loire), Valence (Drôme), and Chambéry (Savoie).
Location: Southeastern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Winter (for snowboarding and winter sports activities within the Alps).
Actions on supply: Snowboarding within the French Alps, climbing, mountain biking, and exploring alpine villages.
Lodging: Les Fermes de Marie (Megève), Hôtel Fitz Roy (Val Thorens), and Lodge Koh-I Nor (Val Thorens).
Auvergne is a singular area situated within the nation’s centre. Now a part of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the panorama in Auvergne has been formed by historic volcanoes right into a collection of mountain ridges, craters and valleys known as the Chaîne des Puys. The panorama is dramatic, spectacular, and really tranquil.
It’s a slow-paced a part of France, house to many ski resorts, farms, and nation cities. As a result of this space is generally rural, there are a number of areas of pristine pure magnificence to get pleasure from.
Auvergne’s volcanic previous is clear, with substantial craggy rock outcrops and ample pure scorching springs. The area’s largest metropolis, Clermont-Ferrand, additionally showcases the area’s volcanic historical past properly.
The most suitable choice for viewing the area’s spectacular mountains is the Panoramique des Dômes, the youngest volcano within the Chaîne des Puys. Its excessive viewing platform presents guests unbelievable views.
I personally stayed on the great Volca Lodges, which presents eco-friendly glamping type lodging with scorching tubs on the balconies overlooking the spectacular countryside (pictured above).
Location: Central a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for climbing and exploring the volcanic landscapes).
Actions on supply: Mountaineering volcanic landscapes, visiting thermal spas, and exploring historic villages.
Lodging: Les Célestins Vichy, Château de Codignat, and Hôtel Radio.
The south of France has a well-deserved popularity for being a surprising spot! The area encompasses the French Pyrenees, together with the beautiful Pic du Midi de Bigorre, Cirque de Gavarnie, and Néouvielle Massif.
The mountains are beautiful, with many valleys and foothills to discover. Beautiful our bodies of water embody Lake Gaube, Lac de Genos, and Bethmale Lake.
The lakes in Midi-Pyrénées are unbelievable for tenting and climbing. There are numerous charming villages to discover, together with Conques, Rocamadour, and St-Bertrand-de-comminges. Toulon is the biggest metropolis within the area, filled with artwork, tradition, and unbelievable structure.
Location: Southwestern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Spring (for delicate climate and exploring the countryside).
Actions on supply: Exploring medieval villages, climbing within the Pyrenees, and visiting native markets.
Lodging: Hôtel de la Cité Carcassonne, Château de Mercuès, and Hôtel Le Relais Montmartre.
Languedoc is a historic coastal area in southern France. It stretches from Provence to the Pyrenees Mountains and the border with Spain. This a part of France advantages from a heat Mediterranean local weather and has a pristine pure surroundings.
It is without doubt one of the most geographically numerous areas within the nation, with wetlands, mountains, sandy seashores, and arid stretches of land close to the southern border.
The shoreline has many unbelievable seashores and bustling cities resembling Montpellier and Nîmes. Venturing inland, you’ll discover the wild nation of the Grands Causses and Cévennes. Heading south, the panorama turns into drier, and the Spanish affect turns into extra obvious.
I’d extremely advocate exploring Pont du Gard (a Roman aqueduct), the Cap d’Agde seaside resort, Cité de Carcassonne (a medieval citadel), Gorges du Tarn, and Château de Quéribus (a ruined fort within the commune of Cucugnan).
Location: Southern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for seashore actions and coastal walks).
Actions on supply: Wine tasting, visiting Roman ruins, seashore actions, and exploring Cathar castles.
Lodging: Château Les Carrasses, Domaine de Verchant, and Hôtel du Château (Carcassonne).
Typically known as the Grand Canyon of Europe, it’s a 25-kilometer lengthy and 700-metre-deep pure canyon situated in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in southeastern France.
Gorges du Verdon is called after the great inexperienced water of the Verdon River (“vert” is French for inexperienced).
This unbelievable pure gorge has been attracting vacationers to the area for the reason that mid-Nineteenth century and remains to be extraordinarily fashionable. Right here, you may kayak, go canoeing, go for a canyon stroll, hike and even go for a ‘water stroll.’
Location: Southeastern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Summer time (for water sports activities and climbing).
Actions on supply: Kayaking, climbing, mountaineering, and swimming within the turquoise waters.
Lodging: La Bastide de Moustiers, Hôtel & Spa des Gorges du Verdon, and Auberge des Salles.
Situated within the French Riviera on the Mediterranean Sea, Good la Belle, because the locals comprehend it, receives 4 million vacationers yearly. It’s a beautiful and chic metropolis the place the gorgeous and the well-heeled hand around in droves.
Aside from its charming, quaint streets of Outdated City, the (pebbly) seashore, advantageous motels, beautiful boutique and panoramic views, it’s well-known for the favored Carnival de Good, which I’d extremely advocate attempting to time your go to round for those who can (it takes place February to March).
When right here, I’d additionally extremely advocate taking a day journey to Saint Tropez and glitzy Monaco. Alternatively, you may keep native and take advantage of the seashore and the city. Promenade des Anglais is a good choice if you wish to have a stroll or a jog!
Location: Southeastern a part of the nation.
Greatest time to go to: Spring and Fall (for nice climate and to keep away from the summer season crowds).
Actions on supply: Strolling alongside the Promenade des Anglais, visiting museums, seashore rest, and exploring the outdated city.
Lodging: Hyatt Regency Good Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Le Negresco, and Hôtel La Pérouse.
