France is a hot favourite for travellers to Europe, and for good reason. Grand buildings and iconic architecture, croissants, sun-dappled cafes, wine, fascinating history – and the list goes on. But the third-biggest nation in Europe offers so much more than the entrancing City of Light.
Here are five places to visit in France that aren’t Paris.
Provence
Think fields of lavender swaying in the breeze, so many charming villages locals have become oblivious to their beauty, pristine streams, and dramatic rocky coastline. This is Provence, the region in the south of France that stretches to the Italian border, and sweeps along the Mediterranean Sea to the Rhone River.
The biggest city in Provence is Marseille, which is a great base to explore the countryside, reach the stunning beaches and swimming spots hidden in The Calanques, and travel to other cities such as Arles and Avignon.
Côte d’Azur
The Côte d’Azur, known in English as the French Riviera, is actually part of Provence – but deserves a mention of its own. Home to seaside resort cities such as Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez, there’s a reason this stunning coastline edged with sparkling blue sea has developed into one of the most popular destinations in France.
The area boasts up to 330 days of sunshine per year, so if you are looking for a place to kick back, relax and soak up some rays, this is for you.
Mont Saint-Michel and Normandy
The island commune of Mont Saint-Michel is located in the historic province of Normandy, which was part of German occupied France during World War II. The area is steeped in history that extends far further back than the 20th century, but as it was home to battles that formed a crucial turning point in WWII, it’s difficult not to think of the more recent events that occurred here when exploring the lush green countryside and haunted beaches.
Mont Saint-Michel itself is a bucket-list item for everyone – no doubt you have seen photos of the majestic island topped by an abbey, rising out of the shallow bay, which earned its place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. At low tide it is accessible by foot, while high tide surrounds the island with water, keeping it safe from would-be intruders as it did throughout the Hundred Years’ War.
Strasbourg and Alsace
The Alsace region offers sleepy villages amid pristine countryside, some of the best Christmas markets in the world, its own style of cuisine mixing French and German influences due to the province’s position near the border, and some of France’s best white wine producers.
The economic and cultural capital, Strasbourg, is well worth exploring, particularly around Christmas time. The city’s markets have been voted the best in Europe more than once in recent years, and the extensive maze of stalls make it easy to see why.
Bordeaux
While Bordeaux refers to both the city and the greater area around the metropolis, it is best known for wine production, which has taken place here since the eighth century. Driving – or getting someone else to – the winding roads through hot, dry countryside, popping in to various wineries to sample the very best local products, is the perfect way to spend at least one day on your French adventure.
Courtney Gahan is an Aussie serial expat, traveller and freelance writer who has bartered with Moroccan marketeers, seen the sun rise at Angkor Wat and elbowed her way through crowds on NYE in NYC. Currently based in Amsterdam.
