14 Surprising Locations You Might Not Know

Are you all the time looking out for brand new locations to discover? Do you shudder on the sight of lengthy strains and tour buses? Dislike going the place everybody has gone earlier than?

These 14 magnificent locations are liked by the French however not big on the overseas vacationer circuit.

But.

I am going to wager there’s at the least one you do not know… At the very least I am going to have the ability that can assist you uncover one thing new!

Whenever you go to France for the primary or second time, sure sights are must-sees:

However that is usually all, since France is massive, and time, sadly, shouldn’t be elastic.

For those who’ve seen all the usual sights or if you wish to discover my nation in a different way, listed here are some non-touristy issues to do in France.

Effectively, much less touristy, in any occasion!

1. The Beaujolais area – it is not simply wine!

Most of us are not any strangers to Beaujolais – however you might know the wine, not the area. But Le Beaujolais is pleasant and so near Lyon it could be a disgrace to overlook it.

You may have loads of alternative: the vineyards, the wilder inexperienced areas, the Pierres Dorées (golden stones) and the city heartland.

In fact if you happen to’re an oenophile, you may be doing what you may to pattern its 10 vintages, like Brouilly or Chénas or Saint-Amour.

However past the wine tradition, I just like the arrière-pays, the backcountry, notably the nook referred to as Les Pierres Dorées and its villages of ochre-coloured stone and slim streets. I’ve a selected weak spot for the quaint village of Oingt (pronounced just like the WA in wagon, consider it or not), which additionally occurs to be on the record of the most lovely villages of France.

The attractive village of Oingt, one in all my favourites

Two enjoyable issues about Oingt that make a go to right here nicely price it: at Christmas, everybody decorates their home windows with mangers, and every September, the village hosts the worldwide barrel organ pageant (or organ grinders, if you happen to want). Each occasions are distinctive. 

A bit of later in autumn, it is time for the Beaujolais Nouveau, and the remainder of the 12 months, nicely, plain Beaujolais should do.

The closest prepare station is in Villefranche-sur-Saône, with frequent trains from Lyon that take half an hour or so. 

2. The ochre hills of Roussillon

For those who like the concept of ochre within the Pierres Dorées, you may love the Ochre Path within the village of Roussillon, within the Lubéron area of Provence, not too removed from Avignon.

The village has been dwelling to quite a lot of famous writers, which tells you one thing about its attraction, and wonderful as it’s, the village shouldn’t be why we’re right here.

Close to Roussillon are hills of the deepest ochre, an explosion of color attributable to iron oxide within the floor, which mixes with the native clay and sand. The world is usually often called the Colorado of Provence.

The ochre was mined commercially into the Twentieth century, with 20 vegetation in operation at its peak. The commerce died out with the appearance of chemical dyes and right this moment, a single plant produces ochre, largely to be used in nice arts. The scarring on the earth stays, nonetheless.

You’d assume you had been in one other a part of the world somewhat than in Provence, would not you?

The ochre’s when and why stay a bit mysterious, though there are, after all, some legends that encompass it (as is the case in a lot of the Luberon). Listed below are two of the commonest.

Means again when the gods dominated the earth, Titans tried to overcome Provence however had been saved at bay by native populations. In retaliation, the Titans constructed a large fireplace rocket in a cave. It spewed its fireplace upon Roussillon, leaving the bottom a deep ochre. (You may see the color mirrored on the partitions of Roussillon as nicely.)

The opposite is a medieval legend that includes the Girl Sermonde, whose husband found she had a lover. He killed the lover, dismembered him, and cooked him up in a stew he served as much as his spouse. When she realized the reality, she threw herself from the cliffs of Roussillon. Since then, her blood has stained the hills.

Strolling round these hills, I would somewhat go for the primary legend…

The Ochre Path is a straightforward and enchanting stroll that takes you from the village by means of a former quarry and woods. Beware, although, there are many steps so you could have the ability to climb them.

Bear in mind, that is ochre, so attempt to not put on white – and do not attempt to take any ochre dwelling with you. The authorities are strict! To keep away from the crowds, skip summer season however if you happen to can not, at the least goal for sundown, when it is cooler and most of the people have gone dwelling.

To succeed in Roussillon, the closest prepare stations are in Apt or Cavaillon, and if you would like to get a way of what Roussillon was like earlier than it turned in style, learn Village within the Vaucluse.

3. Medieval historical past in Cathar nation

Cathar nation: Carcassonne lit up at evening

Cathar Nation shouldn’t be fairly undiscovered France, particularly if you happen to’ve learn any Kate Mosse books, however let’s be trustworthy, the majority of holiday makers to southern France head for Provence or the Riviera. Nonetheless, the various novels set right here at the moment are making the area rather more in style, so finest go to sooner somewhat than later to get to know one of many nation’s most traditionally fascinating areas.

The Cathars had been a purist Christian group energetic within the area round Carcassonne between the Twelfth-14th centuries. They had been thought-about heretics by the Catholic Church and persecuted to the demise by the Albigensian Campaign and the Inquisition, their devoted usually burned on the stake.

To defend themselves, they constructed a sequence of fortresses, the ruins of which pepper the inexperienced hilltops of Cathar nation, with winding rivers and rural vistas as a backdrop. Probably the most distinguished ruins embrace such well-known remnants as Lastours and Peyrepertuse, however the metropolis of Carcassonne is the best-known Cathar stronghold, and a superb place to begin for this journey.

You’ll be able to think about what Peyrepertuse seemed like in its heyday

If you would like to know extra concerning the Cathars, listed here are some books, each historic and fiction. Or you may contact the native vacationer workplace.

4. The Camargue’s pink flamingoes

As soon as you have seen the Camargue, you may always remember it: it’s a distinctive place of empty white sands, wildlife, the sound of flamenco guitars drifting by means of the light nights…

This space is way liked by the French however is a kind of off the overwhelmed monitor locations usually bypassed by overseas guests. 

The Camargue is an enormous wetland within the southwestern nook of Provence, across the mouth of the mighty Rhône River and dotted with ponds and lagoons. It’s thick with wildlife, with wild horses and bulls dwelling in freedom among the many many chicken species. For those who experience horses, it is a excellent place to let free.

Wildlife recognizing within the Camargue – pink flamingoes are solely the start

The spotlight of wildlife recognizing is certainly the overwintering pink flamingoes. A few of these flamingo “flamboyances” (sure, that is what you name a bunch of flamingoes) can quantity within the tens of 1000’s.

An exquisite place to identify wildlife is the Pont de Gau Ornithological Reserve, particularly within the early night, when the skies burst into oranges and pinks.

Or drive up and down the little roads of the Camargue across the city of Saintes Maries de la Mer. Annually, numerous teams of Roma converge right here in Might from throughout Europe on a pilgrimage to venerate their Black Madonna, Sara.

The closest metropolis you may attain by prepare is Arles, from the place you may catch a bus to Saintes Maries or maintain it easy by taking a small group tour. Or if you happen to’re driving, you may go to the Camargue as a part of this 10-day south of France highway journey.

5. Les Gorges du Tarn, wild and fantastic

The Tarn is Europe’s longest and deepest gorge, positioned someplace between Toulouse and Lyon and to the north of the Millau and its big viaduct.

You’ll be able to select between having fun with the pure side of the gorges – the climbing, the mountaineering, the canoeing or kayaking – or the tradition and traditions of medieval occasions, from the vineyards of Les Vignes to the charming village of Sainte-Enimie, listed as some of the lovely villages in France.

Wherever you flip on this beautiful area, you may be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views – and you will be hard-pressed to run into a variety of different individuals. However that is hidden France, rural France at its finest and you have to a automobile.

The wild great thing about the Gorges du Tarn

6. Le Pays Basque, oh so completely different

Here is to one of many extra uncommon locations in France.

You’ve got in all probability heard and possibly even visited “the opposite” Basque nation over the Spanish border, however how nicely have you learnt the one in? The complete Basque area has seven provinces, and three of these are in France.

The area has two environments. The primary is coastal, with lengthy sandy seashores and wild surf, which begins within the metropolis of Bayonne and stretches all the way in which to the border with Spain.

Lovely previous Basque homes of Bayonne

That is an space of subtle resorts and cute fishing villages, all shut sufficient to at least one one other to go to all of them. Saint-Jean-de-Luz continues to be an energetic fishing port however a historic necessary metropolis − that is the place Louis XIV married the Infanta Maria Teresa of Spain. Within the metropolis of Biarritz, you may run into rich dowagers sharing park benches with barefoot surfers ready for the following wave. That is town made well-known by Empress Eugénie, the spouse of Napoleon III, who within the nineteenth century constructed a summer season home there, attracting a big slice of European royalty.

The inside of the Basque nation is totally completely different, with its rolling inexperienced hills and its timbered Basque homes and distinctive tradition.

Typical Basque home within the village of Espelette, with Espelette chillies hanging out to dry on the façades

This area’s meals can also be particular. You could have already run into Basque cooks in different components of the world however they know their produce and their cooking. In a rustic identified for its meals, this area has a few of the finest.

There’s a particular ham discovered nowhere else, Bayonne is understood for its goodies, the smoked Espelette chilli comes from the village of, nicely, Espelette, and I may go on concerning the meals on the threat of getting to tug out some cooking utensils and get to work.

7. The Forez: artwork and historical past and mountains

The Forez positively qualifies as one of many extra hidden locations in France: it is not close to any extremely frequented vacationer spot and it’s discreet, stunning and stuffed with custom.

The area is punctuated by plains (the Plaine du Forez)  which are bordered by mid-level mountains break up broad open by deep gorges.

Whereas nature right here is placing, so is tradition. The Forez is filled with beautiful medieval villages and weird museums that replicate previous traditions combating to outlive, from hat making to cart constructing.

One in every of my favourite locations in all of France is positioned right here: the Bâtie d’Urfé, a Sixteenth-century chateau in Saint-Étienne-le-Molard, which has a novel Renaissance grotto depicting gods fabricated from sand and sea shells (the chateau itself can also be fairly a gem).

The distinctive Renaissance grotto of the Bâtie d’Urfé

The Forez is within the Loire département, however not the identical Loire because the one with the chateaux − that is département quantity 42. (France may be complicated − I can consider a dozen locations referred to as Loire!)

A superb base is Montbrison, a small however engaging city that holds France’s prettiest market.

8. Puy de Dôme: for volcano lovers

Do you want volcanoes?

For those who do, the Puy de Dôme awaits. It is not very removed from the Forez and it, too, is unquestionably France off the overwhelmed monitor.

For those who look throughout the pure rock formations, you may see a wonderfully aligned chain of dormant volcanoes that make up the Chaîne des Puys, you may marvel if you happen to’re even in France – however then, range is the one fixed on this nation, is not it?

That is very best climbing territory, whether or not from the underside of the volcano to the highest or, for the much less athletic, from the ultimate cease of the little prepare you may experience from Orcines – you continue to must hike however just for quarter-hour versus 1.5 hours. Select one in all two paths to stroll all the way in which up, the Chemin des Muletiers (Mule Path) or the Chemin des Chèvres (Goat Path).

Close to-lunar landscapes within the Puy de Dôme

As soon as on the prime, you may spot the Temple of Mercury, one in all France’s many Gallo-Roman ruins, which sits incongruously subsequent to a contemporary microwave relay station. A extremely criticized restoration mission partially conceals the ruins behind a contemporary wall, including to the science-fiction like aura of the positioning.

To completely fulfill your volcano fetish, drop by Vulcania, a theme park solely devoted to volcanoes.

You’ll be able to attain Clermont-Ferrand by prepare, and in summer season there is a shuttle to the volcano, however once more, you may be higher off with your individual automobile. For transportation choices, get in contact the vacationer workplace.

9. The Jura mountains

Wanting outward from the Jura, we will see Lake Geneva beneath and the Mont Blanc within the distance

For those who’re a downhill skier and go to France in winter, there’s each likelihood you may head straight for the Alps. However if you happen to’re a cross-country fanatic, or a snowshoer, then the Jura Mountains are for you – decrease, flatter, with broad open areas and much fewer individuals.

The Jura goes nicely past snowboarding, with a number of lovely villages, uncommon museums (toys, eyeglasses, pipes and the Laughing Cow, to call just some). The area can also be dwelling to fantastic cheeses, together with my all-time favorite, Comté, fairly delicate when it is younger however highly effective when it is aged. It additionally produces the well-known Vin Jaune, or yellow wine.

From early spring (typically later, relying on snow), this turns into a hikers’ paradise.

The surroundings is nordic, or Canadian, as you would like, as you make your method by means of the timber and alongside mountain lakes, the right out of doors expertise in a lovely, quiet setting. The simplest strategy to get right here is thru Switzerland, from Geneva. However… you may want a automobile!

10. Hidden France: seashores of the Cotentin

The seashores of the Cotentin are big and sometimes empty

The Cotentin peninsula in northern France shouldn’t be precisely offbeat France, however it’s actually much less visited than different seaside websites. Some are among the many most lovely in France and are far much less crowded than most, with broad expanses of nice sand and placing pure surroundings.

Whereas everybody you understand rushes south to the Riviera, you may laze round on stretches of near-empty sands…

Listed below are just some of the very best Cotentin seashores:

• Biville, with its big sand dunes
• Sciotot, an endless size of yellow sand
• Surtainville, even longer
• Portbail, one of many loveliest villages
• Jonville, the prettiest seaside you may discover on the east coast (those above are all on the western aspect)

In fact this being Normandy, you too can stay up for fantastic dairy merchandise, seafood and loads of historical past. 

The prepare will get you so far as Cherbourg however after that, you may want a automobile.

Portbail, within the Cotentin

11. Le Bassin d’Arcachon: sea and oysters

On the different tip of western France, the Atlantic seashores proceed with the Bassin d’Arcachon. Elements of this area might not precisely qualify as ‘off the overwhelmed path’, particularly the Dune du Pilat, Europe’s highest.

However you may not be accustomed to the tiny villages that dot the perimeters of Arcachon Bay, a few of them fishing in the identical method they’ve for hundreds of years and the easiest way to get pleasure from this space is to go there for a seafood lunch – an ideal place for oyster tasting.

Oysters of the Bassin d’Arcachon, each of their crates, and on the platter!

You’ve got obtained Cap Ferret, with its lighthouse (and breathtaking view if you happen to can haul your self the 258 steps to the highest).

And I really like l’Herbe, a picturesque village full of oyster farmers – and loads of alternatives to pattern the native produce. Attempt La Baraque à Huitres, Émile et Une Huitres, or Ô Canelon.

When you’re round Cap Ferret, you may soak up an unusual however pleasant sight: the Algerian chapel, the very last thing you’d anticipate finding right here. Learn extra about it on Instagram by clicking on the photograph beneath.

It might have been a non-public chapel, however townspeople had been allowed to attend providers right here as a result of the closest ‘actual’ church was a harmful boat experience away…

The chapel might make you’re feeling you have left the nation, however the oysters will carry you proper again.

You may get right here by bus from Bordeaux nevertheless it takes ceaselessly – plus you may want a automobile to get round from village to village. A superb time to go to is the autumn, the start of oyster season! And fewer crowds…

12. Corsica: some of the offbeat locations in France?

Journeys to Corsica are massively in style among the many French, particularly to go to the coastal capitals of Ajaccio and Bastia. However what of the Corsican inside?

This wild land of rugged mountains and perched villages is French, with an Italianate twist that makes it uniquely Corsican. 

It is a journey for highway lovers, for whom twisty mountain driving is extra pleasure than ache – it is actually the one strategy to discover the island’s inside.

Monte Cinto within the distance

As soon as right here, you may climb Mount Cinto, the ‘roof of Corsica’ – just for the hardy, with its 12km path and 2700m altitude, which is able to take you two days there and again or, extra accessibly, Lake Nino, one in all Corsica’s most lovely (maintain your eye out for some wild horses).

The inside is dwelling to beautiful, conventional villages – Sartène, Moncale, Calacuccia, Corte… and plenty of extra, too many to record. This wild surroundings is in contrast to what you may see on the mainland, and you’ll roam round a lot of the inside with out bumping into busloads of vacationers.

The perched village of Corte in Corsica

13. Cultural delights within the Haute-Marne

This could be a area you have by no means heard of. I actually hadn’t till I really visited.

It sits between Troyes, Nancy, and Dijon, a bit to the south of the area as soon as often called Champagne (actually, it has a couple of champagnes of its personal).

Bodily the Haute-Marne is a rural space, bucolic in locations regardless of its industrial previous, with farms and woodland and rolling hills dotted with lakes.

However what I discover really fascinating on this a part of France is the historical past and tradition hiding behind such a benign façade. Well-known French ended up right here, both by delivery (Diderot) or by alternative (Voltaire and De Gaulle).

I found a lot about France’s historical past and literature right here: the area has France’s smelliest cheese, its most full city ramparts, France’s oldest lodge, an industrial historical past involving the whole lot from knife-making to Artwork Nouveau foundries, and a homage to a few of the most erudite minds of the Enlightenment.

An authentic copy of Diderot’s Encyclopedia, printed within the 18th century, which contained many of the information then out there to humankind

Tower and ramparts within the metropolis of Langres, Haute-Marne

14. Nancy, for structure and artwork lovers

It is so near Paris, but few worldwide vacationers ever go to.

For those who love Artwork Nouveau and Artwork Deco (you may discover each right here), then that is a kind of “finest hidden gems” that HAVE to be in your subsequent journey. It is a straightforward prepare experience from Paris, or if you happen to’re driving, you may mix it with a go to to the Haute-Marne above.

Nancy, dwelling of the fabulous Ecole de Nancy artwork motion, is among the finest locations in France for structure lovers: not just for its surviving early Twentieth-century work, however for its immense Place Stanislas, voted France’s favourite sq. a couple of years in the past and on UNESCO’s World Heritage Record.

One in every of many indicators of Artwork Nouveau throughout Nancy

The beautiful Place Stanislas at evening

Sensible info

• A few of these areas may be reached by prepare or bus, which you’ll reserve right here.

• Most areas are rural, nonetheless, so you might have to hire a automobile. Click on right here to check automobile rental costs.

• You’ll be able to examine costs and availability of inns in all these areas by means of reserving. com

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