France tops the list among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It boasts of great culture, history, and entertainment.
However, when choosing places to visit in France, many people immediately think Paris—the capital of France. But, there are numerous amazing places to explore in France outside of Paris. This is what we will be showing you in this article.
Read on to see our top 10 places in France outside Paris.
Best Places to Visit in France Outside of Paris
Here are some of our favorite places to visit in France besides Paris.
1. Normandy
Situated in the Northwestern region of France, Normandy has a significant story that changed the course of France’s history which is why it is top on our list of best places to visit in France outside Paris. The place is known for its pivotal role in the D-day landings during World War II. Its beaches like Omaha and Utah Beaches are a solemn reminder of the Allied Invasion.
Moreover, the city has a breathtaking view of lush landscapes, sandy beaches, green scenery, and apple orchards.
Things To Do in Normandy
Here are some fun things you can do in beautiful Normandy:
- Cycle to the iconic Mont Saint-Michel which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and marvel at the medieval architectural buildings.
- Enjoy the delightful cuisines Normandy has to offer such as creamy cheeses like Camembert, apple-based products like cider, and seafood from the coast.
- Picnic at Beaches like Utah and Omaha, and experience the fresh seaside atmosphere.
Popular Places to Visit in Normandy
- Mont Saint-Michel
- Giverny
- Honfleur
- Le Havre.
2. Bordeaux
Bordeaux is next on our list of the top places to visit in France outside of Paris because of its historical sights. It is known for its 18th-century architecture which includes neoclassical buildings, grand squares, and boulevards.
We recommend you spend three days in this city, to explore this magical city which is the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region located along the River Garonne, Southwest of France.
Bordeaux is also a well-known wine-producing region. The city is surrounded by hundreds of vineyards and wineries.
However, we love how walkable this city in France is, and using the metro line is easy.
Things To Do in Bordeaux
Here are a few ways you can explore the city of Bordeaux in France:
- Take fun day trips to Saint Emilion to explore the rich historical landscape.
- Visit the Sunday Market at Quai des Chartrons that takes place every week and enjoy the shucked oysters served with bread, butter, and a glass of wine.
- Enjoy incredible coffee at Books & Coffee situated at Grosse Cloche de Bordeaux and take in the view of Grosse Cloche.
- Stroll along the Garonne River during the daytime and rent a bicycle to further explore the city.
- Taste some local wines in Le Bar à Vin located on the ground floor of Maison du Vin de Bordeaux.
Popular Places to Visit
- Saint Emilion
- The Medoc Wine Region
3. Provence
Provence is another lovely place to visit in France. Situated in the southeastern part of France, it lies in the Provence-Alpes-Cote-d’Azur department of France.
The city is best visited during the spring and fall months when the beautiful lavender fields bloom and the landscape becomes lush. Provence is known for its historic towns like Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Cassis, and more, and the best farmers’ market.
A car is recommended here, so you can go around the area easily.
Things To Do in Provence
Among the things we recommend to do in Provence include:
- Taking part in the famous gastronomic dining experience in the region.
- Visit the hilltop villages of Luberon like Gordes, Roussillon, and more.
- Lounge on the great beaches of Cassis, a coastal town along the Mediterranean.
Popular Places to Visit in Provence
- Avignon
- Aix-en-Provence
- The Luberon (Gordes, Lacoste, Roussillon, Bonnieux)
- Cassis.
4. The Loire Valley
Situated in the heart of France is The Loire Valley, a region of incredible beauty and historical significance.
One of the reasons why this region is on the list of our top places to visit in France outside of Paris is because of its magnificent architectural buildings and lush vineyards producing some of the country’s finest wines.
To get the best out of your visit to the fairytale place, you must rent a car as the area has a limited transport system.
Things To Do in The Loire Valley
Here are some fun things to do in The Loire Valley:
- Take a trip to fortified towns like Chinon and Amboise.
- Sightseeing of impressive castles such as Château de Villandry, Château de Chambord, Château d’ Azay-le-Rideau, and Chateau de Chenonceau.
Popular Places to Visit in The Loire Valley
- Amboise
- Tours
- Chinon
5. French Riviera
The French Riviera, also known as Cote d’Azur is located in the Southeast of France along the Mediterranean Sea. It is renowned for its coastlines, great beaches, and Mediterranean climate.
The region houses glamorous cities like Monaco, Nice, and Cannes known for their high-class restaurants and vibrant nightlife. Other smaller towns like Eze, Menton, and Antibes, are also worth visiting.
With its stunning coasts and luxury, the French Riviera is considered one of the most visited areas in France, hence, planning your visit around the late spring or early fall is best to avoid the crowds.
Things To Do in The French Riviera
Highlighted below are fun things to do in this luscious city in France:
- Dine in one of the world-class restaurants in Nice, Monaco, or Cannes.
- Lounge on the beaches and enjoy the natural breeze of the Mediterranean Sea.
- Hike to the Alpes-Maritimes.
Popular Places to Visit in The French Riviera
- Nice
- Monaco
- Cannes
- Saint Paul de Vence
- Eze
6. Alsace
Another top place to visit in France outside of Paris is Alsace, located in Northeastern France. The region is influenced by French and German traditions as it is the Franco-German border.
Alsace is known for its distinctive culture, lush vineyards, and historic significance. Also, November and December in Alsace are full of activities as it is the time for its Christmas Markets. You can plan your travel around this period.
Things To Do in Alsace
- Drive around the famous cities of Alsatian – Strasbourg and Colmar.
- Visit the Strasbourg Christmas Markets and the Colmar Christmas Markets in November and December.
Popular Places to Visit in Alsace
- Strasbourg
- Colmar
- Obernai
- Kaysersberg
7. Champagne
If you’re a lover of exotic wines, welcome to the birthplace of the world’s most iconic wine, Champagne. Champagne is situated in the Northeastern part of France. Cities like Reims and Epernay serve as entrances to this wine paradise where visitors can explore historic wine houses and taste the beautiful wine.
Besides its wine tradition, Champagne has rich historical edifices like the Cathedral of Reims. Also, the scenic Marne River and Montagne de Reims Natural Park add to the city’s incredible ambiance.
Things To Do in Champagne
Some of the fun things to do in Champagne include:
- Wine-tasting tours around the Champagne wineries
- Trip to the Cathedral of Reims to explore the historic relics.
- Tour of the charming towns and villages in the Champagne region such as Châlons-en-Champagne and Epernay.
Popular Places to Visit in Champagne
- Reims
- Epernay
- Châlons-en-Champagne
8. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in Southeastern France is a place where historical landscapes and culinary delights meet. It houses an array of landscapes from the French Alps with world-class ski resorts to the lush vineyards of Rhone Valley. Most of the alp destinations in France are in this region like Mont Blanc.
Cities in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region include Lyon, Grenoble, and Annecy having a vibrant mix of art, culture, and gastronomic dining. Lyon is particularly known for its culinary charm.
We are big fans of Annecy due to its walkable streets and winding canals which lead to a turquoise-coloured lake.
We advise you to book 3 days out to enjoy the recreational activities and tasty dishes such as raclette and tartiflette in this region.
Things To Do in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
There are many recreational activities to engage in this region. They include:
- Skiing in the French Alps ski resorts.
- Dining in Lyon to taste healthy delicacies.
- Driving around the famous cities in the region – Lyon, Annecy, and Grenoble.
Popular Places to Visit in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Lyon
- Annecy
- Rhone Alps
- Vichy
- Grenoble
9. French Basque Country
French Basque Country is one of our top places to visit in France outside Paris due to its distinctive culture and traditions. In the Southwestern region of France is the vibrant Basque culture. From the use of the Basque language Euskera to lively musical displays, and traditional sports like pelota.
You can surf the beaches of Biarritz and enjoy the charming bay and delicious seafood cuisines of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Espelette red peppers are important ingredients in the region’s cuisine.
The Basque region also houses the historic city of Bayonne with its incredible architecture and annual Fetes de Bayonne festivities.
Things To Do in The French Basque Country
Fun things to do in this region include:
- Surfing the beaches of Biarritz.
- Food tasting in Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
- Hiking to the Pyrenees mountains and Atlantic Coast.
- Taking part in the annual Fetes de Bayonne festival in Bayonne.
Popular Places to Visit in The French Basque Country
- Pyrenees
- Biarritz
- Bayonne
- Saint-Jean-de-Luz
10. Languedoc
This is one of our favorite regions in France that is often overlooked. Languedoc-Roussillon, also known as Occitanie, is a region in the South of France that boasts a captivating Mediterranean coastline with sandy beaches and the Pyrenees mountains to the West.
With rich historical significance, the region features medieval treasures like the walled city of Carcassonne which played a pivotal role in the Cathar movement during the Middle Ages.
Languedoc is also known for producing a wide variety of wines due to the vineyard-covered hills surrounding the region.
The region is steep in culture, celebrated through the Occitan language, music, and festivals. Although the region is quieter compared to others, it is worth visiting.
Things To Do in Languedoc
Here are things you can do while visiting the quiet city of Languedoc:
- Explore the historic La Cite de Carcassonne.
- Take part in the cultural festivals.
- Picnic on sandy beaches around the Mediterranean.
- Visit the Saturday Farmer’s Market in Revel.
Popular Places to Visit in Languedoc
- Carcassonne
- Canal du Midi
- Nimes
Planning to Visit France?
We hope you have an idea of places to visit in France besides Paris from our list. France is a great place to visit with family and friends due to its historical, cultural, and culinary allure.
If you’re visiting soon, be sure to book your flight, accommodation, and tours beforehand, especially if you’re visiting places like Normandy, Bordeaux, and French Riviera. These places are one of the top places to visit in France outside Paris, therefore, they are relatively busy throughout the year with off-peak periods around late Spring and early Fall.
