Where to Travel in France (Besides Paris!)

We don’t disagree with the statement, “Paris is always a good idea” — but we don’t necessarily agree with it either. France is full of so many beautiful villages and historic towns, and each deserves a spot on your travel bucket list. 

To prove it, we’ve rounded up some of the best cities to stay in besides the City of Light. Take a read through to discover seven more spots to visit (none of which are in Central France). If you’re going to fly all the way to this country, you might as well experience as much of it as you can!

• Bordeaux in Southwest France
• Nice in Southeast France
• Strasbourg in Northeast France
• Biarritz in Southwest France
• Dinan Northwest France
• Annecy Southeast France
• Aix-en-Provence Southeast France

There are a lot of good reasons to travel to France. For starters, it’s home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks and attractions — including beautiful cathedrals, historic museums and impressive bridges (have you seen Pont du Gard?!). That said, we’re willing to bet this country is also on your bucket list because of it’s delicious wines. We’re right… right?

If so, the city of Bordeaux is one of the best places to visit. In between glasses of sauvignon blanc and cabernet franc, explore by foot or bike. You’ll find something charming around every corner; this cultural hub located on the banks of the Garonne River boasts 18th-century architecture and gorgeous green spaces.

It’s also worth venturing outside the city, where rolling vineyards dominate the landscape. Bordeaux — along with Burgundy and the Champagne region — is where many of the world’s best vintages are produced. Don’t miss your chance to sip these wines where they’re made! Saint-Émilion, one of the nearby medieval villages, is also worth a day trip.

When you think of France, what comes to mind? We’re willing to bet you and most travellers picture world-class museums, designer boutiques and charming cafés — and you’d be right to do so! But you should also imagine stunning shores. The French Riviera (Côte d’Azur) has many pristine beaches, making it a must-visit destination for those who want to spend equal parts of their vacation soaking up the sun and experiencing the local culture.

In addition to being the largest city in the French Riviera, Nice is also one of the most affordable — especially compared to more famous places like the movie-star-studded Cannes, the F1-loving Monaco and the beach-club-and-private-yacht-laden Saint-Tropez.

Of course, affordable doesn’t mean boring! From strolling along the Promenade des Anglais and relaxing on Nice’s sandy beaches to watching the sunset at Colline du Château, there are plenty of ways to while away the time in this seaside town.

If you’re looking for a truly off-the-beaten-path destination in France, Strasbourg is it. This small town in the Grand Est region (formerly known as Alsace) has been controlled by both France and Germany throughout its history — and therefore has a unique culture and aesthetic. Seriously! Its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and other Renaissance architecture are practically begging for a spot on your Instagram feed.

We recommend you spend time wandering the narrow streets of Grande-Île de Strasbourg, an island (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) that lies in the centre of the city. There’s a lot to discover here, including the astronomical clock at Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, Musée Historique de Strasbourg and Place Kléber.

You might as well explore the rest of the Alsace region, too. It’s regarded as one of the best places to visit in France (outside of Paris) because of the many, many historic castles that lie within its borders. If you love seeing castle ruins and medieval towns, this is the spot to be.

Foodies, take note! Biarritz is one of the best places to visit if all you want to do on vacation is eat. This French city is located on the southwestern coast near Spain’s Basque Country — which has become one of the world’s top culinary destinations. As such, you can expect to feast on a ton of rich cuisine and Spanish-inspired dishes here.

Make sure to try Basque chicken and Basque cake. As you can probably tell by their names, both originated in this region. The former is like a stew, slow-cooked with tomatoes and Espelette peppers, while the latter is a biscuity custard-filled cake. Each is delicious in its own right. You’ll also get to enjoy plenty of seafood like oysters and chipirons (squid, often fried like calamari) since Biarritz is a seaside town on the Atlantic Ocean.

Dinan, in Northwest France, is a destination that looks as if it should be in a fairy tale. That’s because it didn’t suffer much damage during World War II, and is therefore still comprised of half-timbered houses with gabled roofs and 13th-century stone buildings. As such, arriving in Dinan is like stepping back in time to the Middle Ages — with a few additional amenities. 

Today, there are gorgeous hotels to stay in, Michelin-recognized restaurants to dine in and artisan shops to spend your money in. So go ahead and get lost! Wander from Rue du Jerzual to Rue de l’Apport and back again, and turn down every narrow street you find. Does shopping make you hungry? Take a break at one of the many local crêperies. 

Dinan is not just one of the best places to visit in Northern France, but one of the best places to visit in France. Period.

Pro tip: Take a day trip to Mont Saint-Michel. You won’t regret seeing this amazing island and its abbey (which was once an important pilgrimage site). 

If old-world charm is what you’re after, look no further than Annecy. This small city in the French Alps (nicknamed the “Venice of the Alps” because of its canals) is perfectly situated next to snow-capped peaks and a crystalline lake. It’s a quintessential mountain town and truly one of the prettiest places you can visit in France.

Given this French city’s close proximity to nature, you’d be remiss not to adventure outside the town. There’s something active and exhilarating to do in every season. Hike to the summit of Mont Baron or walk along the footbridge at Gorges du Fier in spring, waterski on Lac d’Annecy in summer, paraglide at Semnoz mountain in the fall and carve down the French alps in winter — the famous Mont Blanc is less than two hours away.

Have you ever set your screensaver to one of those random, pre-loaded images on your computer? You know… the photos of tropical beaches and majestic mountain valleys? Well, if you’ve ever opted for the picture of a lavender field, there’s a good chance it was taken in Provence.

The lavender fields in Southeastern France are absolutely breathtaking and attract tourists from all over the world. If you also want to frolic through these purple flowers, we recommend you stay in Aix-en-Provence. Not only is it a beautiful city, but the surrounding countryside is chock-full of these aromatic blooms.

The Terre Ugo lavender fields are the most easily accessible — just a short 15-minute drive from old town — but there are plenty more options if you’re willing to put in the kilometres. We recommend you check out Chemin des Lavandes, Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque and Plateau de Valensole. The latter is a particularly fabulous place.

Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie or a culture junkie, there’s a city in France worth visiting. Ready to plan an amazing trip to these top destinations? Check out our current deals or chat with a travel consultant today.