As I sweated by means of the crowds on the Rouen Armada in June 2023, it hit me: possibly the Paris Olympics wouldn’t be everybody’s cup of tea. The warmth and chaos made me understand loads of of us would possibly desire to skip the crowds and excessive costs. I’ve checked out all of the distinctive experiences and locations I’ve been to in France over the numerous years and have narrowed my record all the way down to 10 of my favourite, hidden gems in France (exterior of Paris). These are those that I strongly advocate you go to if you happen to’re on the lookout for locations off the crushed path.
**This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks. This implies if you happen to make a reserving, I do earn a fee on every sale without charge to you. It helps assist the operating of this web site and I do recognize your assist.**
What cities in France are internet hosting Olympic occasions?
Apart from Paris, Marseille, Lille, Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, Good, Saint Etienne, and Versailles may even be internet hosting sporting occasions on the Olympics between July 28-August 11, 2024.
10 Hidden Gems In France
A. Coastal Retreats
1. Les Calanques
Whereas many individuals take a ship cruise to see the Calanques within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Area (that are inlets with limestone cliffs), you’ll get the perfect expertise and photographs if you happen to take a hike. The turquoise waters of the Mediterranean are beautiful. There are three calanques and the primary is simple to get to. The opposite two are more difficult however definitely worth the effort. I’m not an skilled hiker however I did all three.
Take a look at my publish right here:
What It’s Wish to Hike The Three Calanques de Cassis
2. Etretat
There are a lot of picturesque seaside cities alongside the coast of Normandy and the one which shouldn’t be missed is Etretat. The alabaster cliffs alongside the coast are breathtaking and if you happen to take the Route des Abbayes drive to and from Charles de Gaulle airport to Etretat, you possibly can move by many spectacular church buildings, reminiscent of Abbaye de Jumièges.
Take a look at my posts right here:
TRAVEL RESOURCES
Reserving.com and Expedia: are the businesses I exploit for locating lodging.
VRBO: is tremendous for reserving residences and homes.
AutoEurope: is the one automotive rental provider that I’ll use–with the perfect costs, and they’ll refund the distinction if the worth goes down.
Trainline: gives a straightforward option to e-book practice tickets.
Get Your Information and Viator: Each supply excursions, metropolis playing cards, tickets, airport pickups, and so many different stuff you’ll want at your vacation spot.
Orange SIM Card-this is the corporate I exploit after I need a bodily SIM card
Airalo eSIM-offers eSIMS and get nice critiques
3. Ile de Ré
2.5 hours north of Bordeaux and off the coast of La Rochelle is the island, Ile de Ré, an idyllic retreat with sandy seashores, seafood, and small villages, like Saint Martin, scattered all through the island. I did an tour from La Rochelle, rented a motorcycle as soon as on the island and cycled round the entire island in a day. No hills, a delicate breeze and wonderful surroundings. Once I did my experience, it was late June and hardly another vacationers had been on the bike path.
Take a look at my publish right here:
A Information To Biking On Île de Ré
B. Unbelievable Websites Off the Crushed Path In France
4. Rochers Sculptés
A really distinctive gem in Brittany and one of the distinctive locations I’ve ever visited is Rochers Sculptés de Rothéneuf, situated simply north of Saint Malo Rocks had been chiseled into 300 faces and animals by a deaf and mute abbot within the late 1800s.
I visited these sculptures throughout my 6 days in Brittany, a area which is far totally different from France’s different areas because it has a robust Celtic heritage. It is best to make sure you bask in some oysters, buckwheat galettes (crepes), cider and the candy Breton cake, kouign amann when you’re there.
Take a look at the Sculptured Rocks and extra about Brittany in these posts right here:
5. Gouffre de Padirac
Gouffre de Padiric isn’t only a gem, it’s a diamond within the tough! Positioned within the Lot division of the Occitanie area, this cave is an extremely distinctive place in France. I strongly advocate a go to to Gouffre de Padirac and make sure you e-book your tickets prematurely. As I wrote in my publish, it’s like a journey to the centre of the earth—- “an immense cave system with spectacular rock formations and a subterranean river the place you possibly can take a ship ride-103 metres under floor.”
Learn the publish right here:
Gouffre de Padirac: A Fascinating Cave That’s Value A Go to
C. Charming Villages and Cities
6. Rocamadour and Saint-Cirq Lapopie
What I loved most about these two beautiful perched villages within the Lot division of the Occitanie area had been the beautiful views and exploring the villages on foot. There was plenty of medieval structure and historical past, and in Saint-Cirq Lapopie, cobblestone streets.
Learn the publish right here:
Finest Perched Villages In The Lot: Saint-Cirq-Lapopie and Rocamadour
7. Les Plus Beaux Villages de France In The Aveyron Division
The Aveyron Division within the Occitanie area is usually known as “France profound” (deepest France). One can journey by means of numerous picturesque villages of Aveyron and through my journey to the world, I visited 6 of probably the most lovely villages of France (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France): Belcastel, Brousse-le-Château, Estaing, La Couvertoirade, Najac, and Peyre. You’ll uncover so many hidden gems within the south of France.
You’ll be able to examine these villages and the area in these posts:
D. Escape to the French Countryside
8. Auvergne Division
Within the Massif Central in central France, do discover the chain of dormant volcanoes (Chaîne des Puys) within the space, situated 10 kilometers away from the city of Clermont-Ferrand both by taking the cog practice as much as the highest of Puy de Dome or by mountain climbing up/down.
Learn extra concerning the volcanoes right here:
Volcanoes In France?
9. Dordogne Division
Uncover prehistoric caves, medieval castles, and gastronomic delights within the Dordogne countryside (within the Nouvelle-Aquitaine area). For my Journey #33 to France, I used to be based mostly in Sarlat and Beynac-et-Cazenac [Post: Two Weeks In The Dordogne], and a real hidden gem within the Dordogne was to take a scorching air balloon experience over the Dordogne river and the Vallée des Châteaux passing by lovely villages and castles, like Château de Beynac.
You’ll be able to examine what it’s like on this publish:
Take A Scorching Air Balloon Experience in The Dordogne-Périgord
10. Pyrénées-Orientales Division
One of many causes I headed to the Pyrénées-Orientales division of the Occitanie area throughout my 2 months in France was to take a experience on the Little Yellow Practice, Le Petit Practice Jaune. I received a seat in an open carriage and was in a position to absorb the panoramic views of the Pyrenees mountains and made just a few stops alongside the best way to do some exploring.
Examine this well-known practice and its journey right here:
Journey On The Little Yellow Practice
My Plans
I don’t need to go to the Olympics in Paris or any metropolis in France that’s internet hosting an Olympic occasion. However, I nonetheless need to go to France this summer season. So I plan to enterprise into the Hautes-Pyrénées area of Occitanie for some mountain climbing in early July.
I encourage you to discover the wide-ranging and enchanting areas and hidden gems in France past the Olympic host cities and away from the crowds and warmth. You’ll see that the nation has one thing for each traveler’s style. These looking for tranquility within the countryside, coastal adventures, or the attraction of quaint villages will discover it in France.
Searching for extra inspiration and concepts or simply don’t need to go to France in the summertime? Take a look at these different posts:
Pin to your favorite board on Pinterest
