France is a country of huge diversity in terms of landscapes, weather, gastronomy and architecture. There is much more to France than its larger, more popular cities like Paris, Lyon and Strasbourg – though all wonderful in their own right. In this blog post, you’ll find 10 unique destinations in France that will rekindle your love for this amazing country; whether you’re a fan of history, food, or adventure, we’ve got something for you.
1. Corsica
Corsica is a stunning island in the Mediterranean sea off the coast of southern France. It has French and Italian roots with three official languages Corsican, French and Italian due to the island's rich history. The island once belonged to the Genoese family, however, Pasquale Paoli – a respected statesman and Corsican native – ended the rule in 1755. Then in 1768, it was given to the French by the Genoese and officially became a French province in 1789.
The main village of Ajaccio is located at the southwest side of the island which hosts the Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, the museum of Fesch and the Place of Foch which has a market open every day from morning until noon. Further north, Bastia is another stunning village to visit with unique neighbourhoods such as the historic core of Terra Vecchia and Terra Nova, the Museum of Bastia and the old port. Corsica has some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Palombaggia beach near the old port (Porto-Vecchio) is a must-see, with stunning blue waters and white sand beaches. Corsica was also home to famous figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon’s family home, Maison Bonaparte, is now a museum that you can visit on your trip located in Ajaccio.
Corsica is also a great location for a road trip; ensure you have lots of time on your hands because there are plenty of places to stop! Visit the marine park of Cap Corse and Agriate, filled with rich biodiversity and a variety of scenic views. Corsica advocates for slow tourism, relaxing and enjoying your time without rushing to see all the sights. The gastronomy of Corsica includes countless recipes with chestnuts, and varieties of meat, including the famous Corsican lamb.
For more activities and places to see in Corsica, visit their official tourism website.
2. Molène, Bretagne
Those wishing for a peaceful and tranquil vacation should go off the west coast of Brittany in Northern France to the island of Molène, a remote island “where time stops.”. There are almost no cars in Molène, nearly a fully walking or public transport-oriented island. To get to this serene island, you can take a boat from Conquet or Brest. It is located in the Mer d'Iroise Biosphere Reserve which has been protected since 1988 by UNESCO and hosts a large biodiversity of large colonies of sea birds, basking sharks, bottlenose dolphins and the gray seal. The island is filled with a history of shipwrecks due to its location, the most famous of which being the Drummond Castle, an English ship that sank in 1896 with over 200 lives lost. You can visit the museum and cemetery dedicated to this tragedy.
Nearby, there are some other islands you can explore as a day trip like Ouessant or Ushant in English. Ouessant is larger than Molène and filled with many activities including exploring the island by bike or by minibus, countless hiking trails, exploring the streets of the city, and many beaches to enjoy. It also has five lighthouses – three on land and two at sea – to discover. There are plenty of tours by boat that can take you around the nearby islands or to visit the Pierre Noires lighthouse out in the sea of Iroise. Make sure to try the iconic crêpes of Brittany while in the area! For places to stay, more activities and information on booking boat tours, take a look at the tourism website for Ushant and Molène.
3. Arrière-pays Varois, Provence
Between Nice and Marseilles lies the Arrière-pays Varois located within the department of the Var in the Provence region. With many stunning inland villages hidden within the hills filled with trees.
Here we’ll list three we think will be to your liking. Firstly, Collobrières, a medieval town famous for chestnuts and the cork industry. The gothic style church of Notre-Dame des Victoires and the Pont Raoul Calvi built in the 12th century are some sights worth seeing within the town. Nearby, there are hiking trails in the Massif des Maures – a mountainous forest with huge biodiversity surrounding Collobrières. While in the town, make sure to try their chestnut ice cream.
Next, Aiguines, a small village known for its honey, lavender and truffles. There is the 17th-century Aiguines Castle that you can visit, alongside the Notre-Dame of Aiguines and the Church of Saint-Jean which date back to the middle ages. Try to visit on a Tuesday morning when the market is open to try their traditional products. Nearby the town there are the Gorges of Verdon, often referred to as the Grand Canyon of France, which is ideal for activities like kayaking, rafting, rock climbing or hiking.
Finally, Entrecasteaux, a village considered a historical monument with 16th-century houses lining the streets and the church of St Sauveur. Make sure to visit the castle which was built in the 16th century, it has been beautifully kept and restored by the locals.
4. Vichy et sa région Auvergne
Vichy is a spa and resort town located in the Auvergne region in South-East France. It is considered a UNESCO world heritage site under the Great Spa Towns of Europe. It was also during the Second World War, the capital of Vichy France which was occupied by Germany. Explore the stunning architecture of the villas built in the 20th-century in the main streets of Vichy. While in the city, visit the Great Thermal Establishment, a beautiful building built between 1899 and 1903 in the neo-Moorish style. It was the first spa establishment built in the city. The outer dome is covered in colourful tiles that can be seen from afar.
Nearby, about 15 kilometers from Vichy is the Fortress of Billy which was a military fortress from the middle ages in the 12th and 13th centuries for the Bourbons. Another day trip from Vichy for nature lovers would be the Gorges of Sioule, a stunning hiking trail around an hour outside of the city by car. Some other activities include kayaking along the river or visiting the beautiful Couvigny castle that overlooks the gorge.
Vichy’s region of Auvergne has much to offer. Including ancient castles, volcanic mountains, stunning churches, unspoiled valleys and forests and beautiful villages. Some highlights to visit would be:
- Blesle – filled with half-timbered houses, a beautiful Roman-styled church and picturesque streets.
- Volcano Park of Lemptegy – where you can explore a 30,000-year-old volcano.
- Clermont Ferrand – boasting historical and cultural landmarks such as the Notre Dame du Port Basilica.
For detailed information on what to see and do in Vichy and Auvergne, visit the Vichy Tourism Website.
5. Villefranche sur Mer, Côte d’Azur
Just east of Nice is the resort town of Villefranche sur Mer, an Idyllic city on the French Riviera. It is a popular destination for cruise ships due to its many tourist destinations and its prime location on the Mediterranean. There are plenty of historic sites to explore, including the citadel of Saint Elme built in the 16th century to defend the city. It has housed four museums, a conference center, an open-air theater, gardens and the Town Hall. Within the base of the Citadel lies the Museum of Volti opened in 1981, which hosts the sculptures of Antoniucci Volti who lived in the city in the 1900s. There is also the Roman-style Chapel of St Peter, the patron saint of fishermen. There is stunning artwork on the roof of the chapel done by Jean Cocteau in 1956. Don’t forget to taste the iconic Provence-Côte-d’Azur gastronomy such as truffles, Niçoise salad and many varieties of aïoli. Don’t forget to enjoy the scenic views and stunning beaches of the city. To get to Villefranche sur Mer, you can take the train or bus from Nice or Cannes.
For more information on activities and accommodation, visit the Villefranche sur Mer tourism website.
6. Théoule sur Mer, Côte d'Azur
Another stunning city on the Côte d’Azur would be Théoule sur Mer, less than an hour to the west of Cannes. The impressive natural landscapes include fine sand beaches and unique red rock coves that can be explored. The city hosts water sports such as water skiing, windsurfing, catamaran and wakeboarding. It lies in the Esterel nature reserve with many hikes to do around the city and in the nearby hills.
From Théoule sur Mer, make sure to take a visit to the Île Sainte Marguerite, a gorgeous island just a 15-minute ferry ride away from Cannes or an hour and 15-minute ferry ride from Théoule sur Mer. On the island is Fort Royal which was a state prison and held many famous prisoners including the Man in the Iron Mask, a political prisoner during the reign of King Louis XIV, whose true identity is unknown. The island is ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, swimming and snorkelling, making it the perfect summer destination.
You can either go to Théoule sur Mer as a day trip from Cannes or stay in the beautiful city itself and make your way to Cannes at your leisure. There is also a navette maritime Esterel from Nice with several stops that you can take to arrive in Théoule sur mer. For more information on housing and activities, visit the Théoule sur Mer tourism website.
7. Côte Bleue, Provence
The Côte Bleue in the southern Provence region is located just to the west of Marseille. It is a series of small towns which are a popular destination for locals to avoid the busy city. Some popular destinations include Redonne, Madrague de Gignac, Sausset-les-Pins and Mejean.
A large part of the Côte Bleue is within a marine protected area which hosts immense biodiversity of flora and fauna including a variety of corals, cetaceans (such as dolphins, porpoises and whales) as well as various bird species. It has also been the setting for several movies by French directors Marcel Pagnol and Robert Guédiguian.
This area of France is immensely historic. View some archeological ruins at Saint-Blaise dated from prehistoric times to the middle ages or at Saint-Chamas find the Pont Flavien – the bridge of Flavien – built in the Roman era around 1AD. Enjoy the picturesque ports of Niolon lined with ancient fisherman cottages and Carry-le-Rouet where you can sit, have a drink and enjoy the night market in the summertime. A popular delicacy in the area is sea urchins. Go kayaking, paddle boarding, scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing or even windsurfing in the Côte Bleue. For more information, visit the Côte Bleue tourism website.
8. Plateau du Bénou, Bearn
In the Pyrenees mountains near to the Spanish border lies the Plateau of Benou. It is one of 3 mountain valleys in Bearn in the Ossau Valley. It is 50km long and filled with farms and pastures for horses, cows and sheep. The Artouste train travel will take you on more than 10 km of the railway at 2000m altitude in 55 minutes with stunning views of the valley. The train will arrive at the lake of Artouste filled with various water activities and camp sites. There is also Castet Lake with boat, canoe, paddle board and mountain bike rentals. There are plenty of hikes in the area including the Turon of Tecouère, Stone Circles – where you can view an archaeological site – and the Peak of Escurets. You can also ride horses through the plateau from June to September which is a great way to see all the sights. In winter, you can sled and snowshoe all over the area. It is a perfect year-round destination with plenty to do in any season.
The plateau also has a rich history, with signs of prehistoric human presence during the iron age including human bones, charcoal, pottery and small tools.
9. Hossegor, Côte Ouest
Hossegor sits on the western coast of France not far from Biarritz. It is a seaside resort town well-known for surfing. The town is considered the European Surf Capital with two major surfing competitions taking place yearly including the Quiksilver Pro France which happens at the end of September. Some stunning surf spots include: la Gravière, la Nord, la Centrale, Les Culs Nus, la Sud and les Culs Nus.
Hossegor offers stunning nature nearby the city. The Barthes is a marshland that hosts three different nature walks to view the rare and varied flora and fauna of the area – such as cranes, hawkes and other marshland birds. The Landes which is the largest forest in Europe and vital to the economy through the tapping of resin and the lumber industry is also nearby. You can take a tour, camp in the designated sites, canoe on the rivers or stay in one of the beautiful holiday villages within the forest. The local lake, Lake Hossegor, which is a marine lake, hosts four beaches including the Chênes-Lièges, the Plage Blanche, the Plage du Rey and the Plage du Parc. They offer paddleboarding, walking tours, and water walking tours around the lake. There is something for everyone in Hossegor.
For more information, visit the stunning and hugely detailed Hossegor tourism website.
10. L'île de Porquerolle, Côte d'Azur
Located in the archipelago of the islands of Hyères is the Island of Porquerolles. Off the southern coast of France, it is an island with no public modes of transportation, only bikes or walking is permitted on the island. Take a visit to the Botanical Conservatory of Porquerolles, which manages 180 hectares of agricultural land including vineyards, rare varieties of olive trees, fruit trees and palm trees. It serves as a gene reserve for rare plant species of the area. As 80% of the island is a national park, Porquerolles hosts immense biodiversity and a variety of stunning scenery. The northern side is filled with cliffs, the middle with luscious greenery and forest, and the southern end almost replicates the Caribbean with its white sand beaches and crystal clear water.
From Porquerolles and the mainland Hyères, there are many options for day trips, particularly to the other islands of Hyéres in the archipelago. Take a trip to the island of Port-Cros, which is also a conservation area. Go on discovery walks of stunning nature that can be booked while on the island. There are also underwater trails with panels explaining the marine biodiversity of the area can be followed by snorkeling off the La Palud beach. Make sure to take a visit to Hyères on the mainland, it is a stunning village filled with history and delicious food. Visit the ruins of the Olbia archeological site, walk through scenic alleyways covered in flowers, or discover the town's stunning beaches.
France offers a multitude of diverse destinations that will rekindle your love for this remarkable country. Beyond the well-known cities, there are countless unique locations to explore, each offering its own charm and allure. Whether you are a nature lover, a history fanatic or a foodie at heart, France truly is a country that has it all. These 10 places exemplify the variety of landscapes and captivating beauty that France has to offer, ensuring a memorable and enchanting experience for all who visit.
