Best Places to Visit in France: Beyond Paris (Trust Me, I Learned the Hard Way)

My first trip to France, I spent all seven days in Paris.

Big mistake.

Don’t get me wrong – Paris is magnificent. But when I returned and ventured beyond the capital, I realized I’d barely scratched the surface of what France offers.

After five trips (and counting), I’ve learned that the real magic of France often lies in places where tourists don’t flock in droves. Let me share my favorite discoveries with you – including a few mishaps along the way that taught me the value of being prepared.

💡 Tip: Learn to say “Je ne parle pas bien français, mais j’essaie” (I don’t speak French well, but I’m trying). My terrible accent has opened more doors than perfect English ever did.

1. Provence: Where Time Slows Down

Provence feels like it was created specifically to make visitors sigh with happiness. The lavender fields, hilltop villages, and markets bursting with color are exactly as gorgeous as you’d imagine.

My best memory? Getting completely lost on back roads near Gordes and stumbling upon a tiny village celebrating their local wine harvest. I was immediately pulled into the festivities by an 80-year-old woman who insisted I try her homemade tapenade. We couldn’t understand a word each other said, but we laughed for hours.

Don’t miss:

• Lavender fields near Valensole (late June to July)
• Les Baux-de-Provence – a medieval village perched on a rocky outcrop
• Aix-en-Provence’s markets – especially the flower market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

My embarrassing travel moment: I rented a car to explore the region and promptly scraped it against a centuries-old stone wall in a village with streets designed for horses, not Peugeots. My travel insurance covered the $600 damage fee, saving my vacation budget from disaster.

💡 Tip: Provence in July is magical but crowded and HOT. I prefer early June or September when the weather is perfect and you’re not sharing those narrow village streets with a thousand other tourists.

2. The French Alps: Not Just for Winter

Everyone thinks of the French Alps as a winter destination, but summer might actually be the better season. The mountains transform into a paradise of wildflowers, crystal lakes, and hiking trails with views that made me repeatedly drop my water bottle in awe.

Chamonix became my unexpected favorite alpine town. Nestled beneath Mont Blanc (Europe’s highest peak), it’s a perfect base for adventures from gentle valley walks to hardcore mountain expeditions.

Don’t miss:

• The Aiguille du Midi cable car – my stomach lurched as it climbed nearly 9,000 feet
• The Mer de Glace glacier – shrinking fast due to climate change, sadly
• Alpine lakes – I swam in Lac Blanc and briefly lost feeling in my extremities (it’s snowmelt!)

My embarrassing travel moment: I twisted my ankle badly on a “simple” hiking trail and had to be helped down by a French family who spoke no English. The medical clinic visit cost €120, fully covered by my insurance. The embarrassment of being carried down a mountain by a man in his 60s? Priceless.

💡 Tip: Mountain weather changes frighteningly fast. I started a hike in sunshine and faced sleet 90 minutes later. Always pack layers and rain gear, even on clear days.

3. Alsace: France with a German Accent

Alsace feels like it belongs in a fairy tale. The half-timbered houses painted in pastel colors, vineyards rolling into the distance, and cuisine blending French and German influences creates a region unlike anywhere else in France.

The Wine Route (Route des Vins d’Alsace) became my favorite road trip – 170km winding through vineyards and absurdly photogenic villages. Riquewihr was so pretty it seemed fake, like a movie set rather than a real town where people actually live.

Don’t miss:

• Colmar’s Little Venice – more charming and less crowded than the real one
• Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr – the most perfectly preserved medieval villages
• Strasbourg’s cathedral and Petite France district – gorgeous Gothic architecture

My embarrassing travel moment: I confidently ordered what I thought was white wine in Strasbourg but received a glass of clear liquor that nearly took my face off – Alsatian eau-de-vie is NOT for casual sipping. The waiter laughed for about five minutes straight.

💡 Tip: Alsace is perfect for Christmas markets. I spent a magical December weekend hopping between Colmar, Strasbourg, and smaller village markets, drinking vin chaud (mulled wine) to stay warm.

4. The Dordogne: Prehistoric Wonders & Foie Gras

The Dordogne Valley feels like traveling back in time – not just decades, but millennia. With prehistoric caves, medieval castles perched on impossible cliffs, and villages that haven’t changed in centuries, it’s a dream for history buffs.

I spent a week kayaking the Dordogne River, stopping at riverside villages and picnicking with local cheeses and wines. The gentle current does most of the work, letting you focus on the dramatic limestone cliffs and castles above.

Don’t miss:

• Lascaux IV – the mind-blowing replica of prehistoric cave paintings
• La Roque-Gageac – a village built directly into a cliff face
• Sarlat’s Saturday market – the best food market I’ve experienced in France

My embarrassing travel moment: I rented a canoe without checking the weather forecast and got caught in a sudden thunderstorm. My phone was ruined despite my “waterproof” bag failing spectacularly. My insurance covered the replacement – all €900 of it – without question.

💡 Tip: The original Lascaux cave has been closed to the public since 1963 to protect the 17,000-year-old paintings. Don’t listen to locals who claim to know someone who can get you in – it’s impossible (and I tried).

5. Brittany: Wild Coastlines & Crepes

Brittany’s rugged coastline reminds me more of Ireland than typical French landscapes – all dramatic cliffs, crashing waves, and mysterious stone formations from ancient times.

The Pink Granite Coast became my favorite stretch, where massive rose-colored boulders create otherworldly formations along turquoise water. I spent hours scrambling over these rocks, feeling like I’d discovered another planet.

Don’t miss:

• Saint-Malo’s walled city – I walked the ramparts at sunrise, completely alone
• Île-de-Bréhat – a car-free island paradise accessible only by boat
• Crêperies everywhere – Brittany’s buckwheat galettes are the best savory pancakes on earth

My embarrassing travel moment: I tried ordering a crepe in my high-school French and somehow ended up with three – all with different fillings. The elderly owner found it so hilarious she refused to let me pay for the extras.

💡 Tip: Brittany’s weather is notoriously unpredictable. I experienced sun, fog, rain, and hail – all during one four-hour hike. Dress in layers and always bring rain gear.

6. Loire Valley: Château Overload

The Loire Valley is ridiculous – in the best possible way. Over 300 châteaux scattered along a picturesque river, each more extravagant than the last. It’s like France decided to concentrate all its fairy-tale castles in one convenient region.

I rented a bike and spent five days cycling between châteaux, vineyards, and perfect little villages. The flat terrain makes for easy riding, and there’s something magical about approaching these massive castles under your own power rather than by car or tour bus.

Don’t miss:

• Château de Chenonceau – the one that spans the river
• Château de Villandry – for the most elaborate gardens I’ve ever seen
• Amboise – both for its royal château and the smaller Clos Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years

My embarrassing travel moment: I accidentally locked my bike to someone else’s at Chambord and couldn’t find the owner. After two hours of panicked waiting, I had to call the rental company, who sent someone with bolt cutters. My travel insurance covered the €50 fee for their trouble.

💡 Tip: Visit Chambord first thing in the morning (it opens at 9am). I arrived at 9:05 and had the massive château almost to myself for an hour before the tour buses arrived.

7. Corsica: France’s Secret Mediterranean Paradise

Corsica feels like it should belong to Italy – both geographically and culturally – but this Mediterranean island is proudly French (just don’t tell locals they’re French; they’re Corsican first).

The diversity blew me away: snow-capped mountains, pristine beaches, ancient villages perched on cliffs, and forests filled with wild pigs. It’s like someone took the best bits of the Mediterranean and compressed them into one island.

Don’t miss:

• Bonifacio – a city built on towering white cliffs
• Les Calanques de Piana – red rock formations plunging into sapphire waters
• The GR20 hiking trail – if you’re brave (it’s Europe’s toughest long-distance path)

My embarrassing travel moment: I rented a scooter to explore the winding coastal roads and promptly ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere. No cell service, no gas stations for miles. A local farmer eventually rescued me, refusing payment but accepting my sincere attempt at singing “La Marseillaise” as thanks.

💡 Tip: Ferry schedules from mainland France become unreliable when the Mistral wind blows. My return trip was delayed by 19 hours, causing me to miss my flight home. Travel insurance covered the hotel and new flight – saving me over €400.

The Reality Check: When French Dreams Meet Complications

While France is generally safe and well-organized for tourism, things do go wrong. From my experiences and those of friends, here are the most common issues:

1. Transportation Strikes

French workers strike with impressive frequency and solidarity. During one trip, I found myself stranded when train workers went on a surprise 48-hour strike. My insurance covered the emergency hotel room and rental car I needed to make my flight home.

2. Medical Mishaps

French healthcare is excellent but not free for visitors. When my mom slipped on wet cobblestones in Lyon and needed an X-ray and treatment for a sprained wrist, the bill came to €290. Her travel insurance covered it entirely.

3. Theft Issues

Pickpocketing happens, especially in tourist areas. My camera was stolen from a café table in Nice when I looked away for literally 15 seconds. Insurance replaced my €750 camera within weeks of returning home.

4. Unexpected Closures

The French take their holidays seriously. I once planned an entire trip around visiting specific restaurants and shops in Provence, only to discover the entire region basically shuts down for much of August. Travel insurance covered my change of plans and rebooked accommodations in a different region.

When Do You Actually Need Insurance in France?

Based on my experiences (both good and cringe-worthy), here’s when insurance genuinely matters in France:

• When renting vehicles – Those narrow village streets and mountain roads are treacherous
• When visiting during strike-prone seasons (especially spring)
• When bringing expensive camera gear or electronics (I learned this one the hard way)
• When engaging in outdoor activities (hiking, skiing, water sports)
• When traveling during peak tourist season when replacement flights and accommodation are extortionately priced

While France has excellent healthcare, as a non-EU visitor, you’ll pay full price without insurance. My simple doctor’s visit for a respiratory infection in Paris cost €80 – not ruinous, but not pocket change either.

If you’re planning a French adventure (beyond Paris, please!), you can find appropriate travel insurance coverage here.

The Bottom Line: France Beyond the Obvious

France continues to surprise me after multiple visits. While I’ll always love Paris, the country’s true character reveals itself in lavender fields, vineyard-covered hills, craggy coastlines, and village markets where no one speaks English.

My advice? Rent a car, venture to at least one region on this list, and embrace the mistakes and mishaps – they often lead to your best stories and most authentic experiences.

Just make sure you’re covered when those charming narrow streets wreak havoc on your rental car’s side mirrors. Trust me on this one.

Which of these French regions is calling your name? Let me know if you want specific recommendations for any of them!