When visiting France, it’s customary to check out Paris, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, and Lyon, but there’s so much more to France than these major cities. France has everything from mountains and countrysides to rocky coasts, and instead of visiting major cities, it’s time to travel like the locals do and check out France’s small towns. These are the spots worth checking out.
Île de Ré
This 32-mile island on the Atlantic, located off the west coast south of Normandy, has salty marshes, oyster beds, and bike paths. There are many small villages on Île de Ré, which have their own beaches, atmospheres, seafood restaurants, and seasonal markets, which can be discovered by biking through vineyards.
Alsatian Wine Route
The Alsatian Wine Route consists of around 70 small villages across the 170 kilometers from Strasbourg to Colmar. The route has pastel-hued timbered houses, 12th-century churches, and flower boxes hanging from window sills. The best time to visit is during Christmas since there are bright lights, sleigh bells, and Christmas markets.
Îles d’Hyères
Instead of heading to Cannes and Antibes, for crystal clear water, head to one of the Hyères Islands which is located offshore between Toulon and Saint-Tropez. Nature and hiking lovers can’t get enough of the island of Port-Cros and the five soft-sand beaches of the Porquerolles are ideal for snorkeling and sunbathing.
Méribel
This ski resort in the Tarentaise Valley in the French Alps is located in the center of three valleys. Méribel is a family favorite because it has beginner trails and it has a more down-to-earth feel than its neighboring resorts.
