5 Places to Travel in France That You’d Regret Not Visiting

Planning your travel in France? In no particular order, here are the first of our five can’t miss destinations in the most visited country in the world. Pretty exciting title, non? Make yourself a bucket list. You may not have time for all five at once (if you do – you’re our hero!) but France is a country that deserves to be visited, and celebrated, more than once. Or as they say in French – plusieurs fois. 🙂

1. PARIS

Of course, no list of places to travel in France is complete without the city most associated with French culture. Dripping with history and diverse cultural influences, Paris is packed with little surprises and perfect for explorers. Wander around this 100% walkable city (smaller than you may think!) and you will fall in love with it day after day. There are more than enough sites here to plan your entire trip around, and the well-designed métro system makes seeing everything a breeze (if that’s what you’re after). And as with any cosmopolitan city, there is a constant stream of events and festivals for you to enjoy. And importantly, the food is fantastic – it is the capital, after all! Our offices are based out of Paris, so we may be a little bit biased, but Paris truly is as magical, and as romantic as they say. 🙂

Iconic Paris. Left to Right: The Sacré Coeur in Montmartre; the Eiffel Tower from the Tuileries view

Left to right: Pantheon in the glorious Quartier Latin; Otherworldly Parc des Buttes Chaumont

2. MARSEILLE

Located in the deep southeast, multicultural Marseille still fights a reputation of being a dangerous city. This hasn’t stopped its unique heritage and beauty from drawing in French and foreign visitors alike. The second largest city in France, Marseille is still a favorite of visitors, and for good reason. With thousands of north African immigrants, heavy waves of Greek and Italian immigration in the 1900s, and plenty of internal immigration from other parts of France, Marseille’s cuisine is defined by its myriad mediterranean influences. Try pastis, an anise-flavored liquor native to the region, and bouillabaisse, a delectable stew filled with different types of seafood. No matter what you choose to try, the food here is something to write home about. Marseille is also a port-town – it used to be a central commercial site of the French empire – and so it has an enviable location on the Côte d’Azur. If you are hesitant about Marseille, check out our safety travel tips.

Left to right: View of Marseille including the hilltop Notre-Dame de la Garde; Calanque de Sugiton

3. GASCONY (Gascogne) REGION AND BORDEAUX

Ok, So we’re kind of cheating. We get to fit more into our list of top places to travel in France  if we list regions. We’re OK with that. Gascony is worth cheating for. Gascony is an area located in the southwest region of Midi-Pyrénées, France – just on the border with Spain. The pace of life is much slower here, where beautiful rolling hills and mountains make up the backdrop. Many consider Gascony to be home to some of the best cuisine of France, which isn’t so hard to believe when foie gras is native to the area. Even better, the world famous Bordeaux is considered to be a part of the Gascony region – include it in your itinerary and soak up as much wine as you can. The local ethnic group are descendents from the Basque people, of Spain and southern France, although most do not speak the dialect. The area is becoming more and more frequented by tourists, to the chagrin of locals. Be sure to show your thankfulness and respect by blending in with local life – taking things slowly, trying to speak as much French as you can – and people wil be more open to you.

Left to right: View of Marseille including the hilltop Notre-Dame de la Garde; Calanque de Sugiton

4. CORSICA (Corse)

Packed with beaches, mountains, natural beauty – Corsica is nothing short of paradise. Located to the southeast of métropolitan France, this mountainous island on the Mediterranean Sea is actually closer to Italy. Under Genovan rule until the French took control in the 1750s, the island has Italian and French influences, as well as a local dialect and a nationalist movement. The best way to get to Corsica from mainland France via roadtrip is also the most charming. Leave your car in Nice, Marseille, or Toulon and take the TGV ferry for a couple of hours, arriving at your choice of a handful of Corsican towns. Enjoy the fantastic local food, take a few hikes, and go for a nice scuba dive. Hang around with locals, and maybe start to consider whether or not you can afford to move here. 🙂

Left to Right: Lavezzi Islands in Corsica; Ajaccio, Corsica

5. MONT SAINT MICHEL (Normandie)

With a population of 44, this island commune off the coast of the Normandy region in Northern France holds an ancient monk’s monastery which has served as a center of worship and pilgrimage for centuries. The abbey sits atop a hill and boasts stunning views and architecture complete with fortified walls. Mont Saint Michel is a UNESCO World Heritage site rife with history. Although you can proabably only devote a day to this beautiful island, it is absolutely worth a visit and a convenient side trip from Paris.

Mont Saint Michel has been home to its defining monastery since the 8th century

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Thanks for reading our first top five recommendations for travel in France. Update your bucket lists, and stay tuned as we add more destinations for you to discover!

Happy Travels!