Sure, Paris is a beautiful city to visit. But don’t forget about the rest of France! If you take the time to travel around the country, you’ll discover amazing cities like Annecy, Nice or Versailles. Here are some cities or regions of France worth the trip!
What to visit in France?
France might be a small country (it is smaller than Texas!) but it has some of the richest culture, architecture, food and history in the world. France has existed since the Iron Age (around 50 BC), so yes, a lot has happened since then. The food, the buildings, and the landscapes all tell the story of this picturesque country. Even though it was quite hard to limit this list to only 12 places, we’ve rounded up some of the most beautiful places in France you can visit if you’re planning on vacationing in France anytime soon.
Paris
Obviously, Paris is on this list. First of all, it is the capital of this country and second of all, there are a lot of things to do and see here. The Arc de Triomphe, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, strolling by the river Seine, the Eiffel Tower, The Luxembourg gardens, The Pompidou centre, etc. the list could go on and on! There is so much to see. The city is beautiful any time of year but spring and fall are a great time to go because there are fewer people and it’s not too hot. Enjoy getting lost in the cobblestoned streets, sipping a café au lait in a coffee shop, and people-watching in the beautiful Bois de Boulogne. In Paris, you will find the most beautiful places in France!
Colmar
Colmar is in the Alsace region near the German border. The beautiful renaissance half-timbered buildings and cobblestone streets will really transport you in another world. You’ll feel like you are in a Disney movie. You can canoe on the canal, visit the Gothic Saint-Martin church, various museums and the Roesselmann Fountain. Alsace is a wine region so if that’s something you’re interested in, we recommend you visit different vineyards around this provincial town (via the Alsace Wine Route). If you are there during Christmas time, they have a beautiful Christmas market you will surely enjoy.
Val d’Isère
Val d’Isère is a town in the French Alps bordering Italy. It is a typically French ski resort. Ski fanatics will enjoy the numerous ski runs. You can even ski during the summer! If you prefer cycling, you’ll be happy to know there are numerous cycling routes. There are tons of other winter activities to do like: ice climbing, tobogganing, snowshoeing, ice driving, etc. There is a great nightlife so you can enjoy a nice glass of wine after your long day on the slopes or in the mountains. This is not the most cultural destination but if you’re a real athlete and love to move and see beautiful mountains and valleys then you’ll really enjoy this place.
Nice
Ahhh, the French Riviera! A beautiful place to soak in the sun, to play in the waves and to enjoy some nice fresh seafood. This is one of the most popular destinations for artists looking for inspiration and for the European and world elite, the seaside town is a real jewel. If you’re looking for a little bit of culture in between tanning sessions, look out for the Matisse museum, the modern and contemporary art museum, and the Marc Chagall museum. From Nice, it’s easy to go to Cannes, Monaco and Saint-Tropez which are all great beach destinations. This is a place to relax and to enjoy all that nature has to offer.
Annecy
Annecy is a beautiful town in the southeastern part of France. The beautiful old town has cobblestone streets, winding canals (like in Venice), and pastel-coloured houses. It’s another magical medieval town. It’s totally worth it to cycle around the bluest lake you’ll probably ever see in Europe, you can also stroll along the canal to shop and see the sights, there’s a fresh food market on Sundays so you can pick some fresh produce for a lakeside picnic. There are beautiful churches to see for some medieval architecture and paintings. This is a town you can easily see in 1-2 days but enjoy strolling around and breathing in the fresh, fresh air!
Provence
Most beautiful places in France are in the south of France. Provence is near the Italian border and close to the Mediterranean Sea. You’ll enjoy the diverse scenery: olive groves, vineyards, alps, plains, forests, and fields. A landscape for every type of person! Provence is a region so we suggest you rent a car and start exploring the many little towns. Our favourites are Gordes (beautiful castles and lavender fields), Avignon (incredible medieval chapels, churches and a true culture hub), and other historical towns like Venasque, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Roussillon and Uzès.
Saint-Tropez
“Do you Do you Do you Saint Tropez?” The iconic song by the French sex symbol of the 60s, Brigitte Bardot, will forever stay in your head. Saint-Tropez is part of the French Riviera but is one of the most iconic and loved places in all of Europe. It was THE place to be for the international jet set crowd of the 60s. When the movie Et Dieu…créa la femme (And God Created Woman) turned this tiny fishing village into the biggest celebrity playground. The nightlife is incredible and the port town is a gem. Look out for mega yachts parked in the marina, and enjoy people watching on the beach-front restaurants. You won’t be disappointed!
Loire Valley
Are you looking for beautiful places in France with great castles? The Loire Valley is the paradise of French castles. You can rent a car or bikes and pedal in front of tons of beautiful estates formerly owned by the French aristocracy (some still own them!). This was the noble’s playing grounds. Everyone who was anyone had a château in this fertile area. Some of the most famous and most expansive castles and homes you must visit are: Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau, and Château d’Azay-le-rideau. This is an enormous Unesco World Heritage Site that you need to see. It’s easy to get here from Paris since it’s relatively close. There are amazing vineyards to visit to taste some of the best French wines.
Giverny
Giverny is in Normandy, on the Seine river North of Paris. If you’ve ever seen one of the most acclaimed French painter Claude Monet, then you will recognize this green paradise. Claude Monet was born in Giverny and lived and worked there all his life. He was constantly inspired by nature. You can visit his home and gardens, the Fondation Claude Monet museum and the Musée des impressionnismes. It’s an easy train ride from Paris but you can also take a bus or rent a car if you prefer. You can see everything in one day (unless you feel inspired and start painting yourself!) so a full day should do.
Versailles
“Let them eat cake!”…Marie-Antoinette’s most famous words (that, unfortunately, got her killed). This mega castle was built for the Sun King (King Louis XIV) who moved his court from Paris to Versailles. The grounds are huge, the castle is out of this world and…there’s a million tourists that come here every day! We HIGHLY suggest you go there the earliest possible unless you won’t get to see much. There are over 700 rooms, more than 60 staircases and more than 1,200 fireplaces! Wow! Some of the highlights are the hall of mirrors, the King’s and Queen’s apartments, and the gardens.
This is one of the most beautiful places in France. And it is very easy to get here from Paris by train or bus.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is near the German border and is one of the most beautiful towns in the world. It sits on the edge of the Bassin de la Citadelle, the Rhine river and the Alsace canal so you’re always near water. This is another Disney-like town: cobblestone streets, The cathedral, the half-timbered and colourful buildings are so romantic. The world renown University of Strasbourg is worth a look. It’s the second biggest university in all of France and dates back to the 16th century. Visit the small and big islands by bike or walk around if you prefer going slower. Grab some fresh bread, cheese and some wine and head to the Parc de l’Orangerie for a little break under the sun.
Burgundy
If you love wine then you go to Burgundy. It’s a rule of life. This is the birthplace of French wine. Honestly, if you’re not a fan of wine or you’re not interested in its history or how its made then don’t bother going. This is a place to learn about wine and to enjoy tasting it (let’s be honest, that’s the best part). Since Burgundy is a region, we suggest you rent a car or bikes (don’t drink and drive people!) to visit the various vineyards. Taste some Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Chablis, Beaujolais…the list goes on! It’s great when beautiful places in France are also places with great wines and food. Visit Dijon (yes, that’s where that mustard comes from) and the other picturesque Medieval and Renaissance towns.
Do you know other beautiful places in France?
