Paris is often the primary cease for many travellers to France and infrequently the spotlight of the journey as a result of there may be a lot to see. Nonetheless, there’s extra to France than simply Paris. Whether or not you’ve been as soon as or a number of instances, you could be questioning the place to journey in France after Paris. On this put up, I share 5 areas I’ve personally visited that make good subsequent stops.
The place to journey in France after Paris: 5 Nice Areas to Discover
When you’ve explored the highlights of Paris, it’s time to see what else France has to supply. In case you’re questioning the place to journey in France after Paris, these 5 areas give fully totally different experiences — from fairy-tale castles and prehistoric caves to beautiful coastlines and historic villages.
1. For Gorgeous Châteaux Near Paris: The Loire Valley
The Loire Valley may be very straightforward to get to. You may take a practice (ie. to Blois or Excursions); nonetheless, having automobile makes it a lot simpler to discover the realm and uncover numerous châteaux. There are lots of on this area and it’s the structure, gardens, and landscapes which can be so spectacular. A substitute for driving could be to do a motorcycle tour. Straightforward to do as the realm is flat!
Some châteaux are state owned and managed and a few are privately owned however are open to guests. Some have been restored to their former grandeur (full with interval furnishings) and others are, let’s assume, extra rustic—-yet nonetheless price visiting.
Highlights Of The Loire Valley
- Iconic châteaux corresponding to Chenonceau, Chambord, Villandry (for its gardens), and Azay-Le-Rideau. I’ve written extra about visiting the Loire Valley, together with particular châteaux and issues to do, on this detailed put up: 14 Actually Distinctive Châteaux within the Loire Valley.
- Fly in a sizzling air balloon
- Cycle alongside the Loire Valley rivers
- Attend a night sound and lightweight present at a château
- Keep in a single day in a château
2. For Color, Markets, and Outside Life: Provence
What’s the attraction of Provence? The sunshine, the colors, outside dwelling, the markets and the hilltops cities. Whereas I often keep within the Vaucluse, a few of my favorite day journeys from Provence take me into the neighbouring Gard.
The Loire Valley has châteaux to go to and in Provence it’s the picturesque villages (many are hilltop) that it is best to go to. corresponding to Gordes, which I contemplate one of the vital lovely hilltop villages in Provence.
Provence is dotted with villages price visiting, lots of them hilltop cities with vigorous weekly markets. (Don’t miss L’Isle sur la Sorgue’s Sunday market).
Highlights In Provence
- Uncover the sunshine and landscapes that impressed artists corresponding to Van Gogh, notably in Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
- Artwork Exhibitions at Carrières des Lumières, Fondation Maeght and Fondation Vasarely
- Quite a few outside actions, together with straightforward climbing, at Pont du Gard, La Forêt des Cèdres, and Le Colorado Provençal
- Lavender fields in season (June-August)
- Roman and medieval websites, from amphitheatres (Arles, Orange, and Nimes) to fortified hilltop villages (Chateau des Baux de Provence)
- Seasonal festivals celebrating wine, agriculture, and native traditions (ie. Saint-Remy-de Provence’s Fête de la Transhumance)
3. For Sluggish Journey, Villages, and Prehistory: Dordogne
Prehistoric caves, outside markets, quiet, lovely villages, and the countryside. That’s what involves mine after I consider the Dordogne, a 5.5 hour drive southwest of Paris. That is an space of France the place you’ll be able to actually decelerate, spend a whole lot of time open air, and actually benefit from the surroundings….which is what I did after I stayed within the space for two weeks (Try my put up, “Two Weeks In The Dordogne: Sarlat and Beynac-et-Cazenac”).
Highlights In Dordogne
- Outside actions: biking (take the Voie Verte from Sarlat), kayaking on the Dordogne river, previous lovely villages and châteaux, or fly over the realm in a sizzling air balloon.
- Outside markets-especially in Sarlat (foodies will love the gastronomy right here: foie gras, walnuts, truffles, cheese, contemporary native vegatables and fruits).
- Immerse your self within the historical past of the area: go to châteaux (ie. Château de Beynac, Château de Castelnaud, Château des Milandes) and prehistoric caves (some are the true factor (Font-de-Gaume) and a few are replicas (Lascaux IV) however all are fascinating).
- Close by excursions (1 hour from Sarlat): discover the perched village (an pilgrimage web site) of Rocamadour or go to an enormous chasm/cavity with an underground river at Gouffre de Padirac.
If this slower, outdoor-focused type of journey appeals to you, I share rather more element about biking, kayaking, villages, and prehistoric websites within the put up about my two-week keep within the Dordogne.
4. For Coastal Walks And Sea Air: Brittany
I headed to Brittany numerous years in the past to run a half-marathon that completed at Mont-Saint-Michel. It turned out to be the proper excuse to discover the area, and on this itinerary I share the highlights of my 6-day go to. You don’t should run a race to get pleasure from Brittany. Its shoreline, historic cities, and slower tempo make it effectively well worth the journey. Right here’s the put up: 6 Days In Brittany.
Highlights In Brittany
- Go to the well-known abbey of Mont-Saint Michel-consider visiting as soon as the crowds have left. The expertise is sort of totally different!
- Step again in time in these lovely villages: Rochefort-en-Terre, Dinan, and Saint-Suliac
- Discover the coast:bask in consuming contemporary some oysters (Cancale), visiting the walled metropolis highlighted within the novel, “All The Gentle We Can’t See” (Saint-Malo), being awestruck by the sculptures carved into the facet of a cliff by a blind monk (Rochers Sculptés in Rothéneuf), and wandering across the medieval city positioned on the Gulf of Morbihan (Vannes)
- Stroll alongside the ramparts of castles corresponding to Château de Saint-Malo, Château de Fougères, and Château de Josselin.
- Escape into the world of King Arthur at Broceliande Forest (Foret de Paimpont)
- See some historical past: the well-known prehistoric standing stones (megaliths) at Carnac.
5. For Off-The-Crushed Path France: Aveyron
The Aveyron is probably my favorite space of France. Why? It’s quieter, much less visited, and I can actually practise my French as a result of hardly anybody (I encountered) spoke English! Being so rural, you’ll encounter a whole lot of cows (and cheese!) and fairly villages. The markets are glorious and spotlight meals which can be you’ll fall in love with.
You may examine all my the reason why I maintain returning right here: My Return To Aveyron-La France Profonde: Why You Ought to Go to.
Highlights In Aveyron
- See villages which have been designated the MOST lovely villages of France (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France)-in Aveyron there are 11 of them.
- Villages with distinctive traits (ie. just like the one clinging to the sting of a canyon -Bozouls)
- Bask in distinctive meals to the realm (ie. aligot and discover the Roquefort cheese caves.
- Get open air and revel in nature and surroundings just like the Millau Viaduct, highest bridge in Europe
- Be taught extra in regards to the historical past of the realm not simply in museums but additionally in attics! (at Le Grenier de Capou).
In case you’re questioning the place to journey in France after Paris, these 5 areas are all glorious decisions. Take into consideration the way you wish to journey: extra lively, extra cultural, or slower-paced and rural. France provides all of that—simply in very other ways.
Pin to your favorite board on Pinterest
