One of the most appreciated holiday destinations in the world, France is renowned as the home of some of the most visited cities in Europe. From a weekend getaway in the magical City of Lights to an exciting trip through the southwestern countryside, the country boasts countless prime locations, which makes it an acclaimed travel hub for any visitor. However, if you prefer to enjoy your vacation away from the tourist crowds and the city’s chaos, France will not disappoint you. Be ready to discover unique off-the-beaten-track destinations that range from hidden fairytale towns to concealed sea resorts and picturesque mountain villages; read further on our guide and unveil our favourite lesser-known destinations in France.
Rouen, Normandy
Located in Rouen’s historical centre, the Gros Horloge, dates back to the 14th century and is among Europe’s oldest astronomical clocks.
A fascinating medieval town only one hour by train from Paris, Rouen is the perfect destination for an alternative one-day trip in Northern France. The capital of the beautiful Normandy region and an important port city on the river Seine, Rouen offers unique attractions and landmarks attesting to its rich historical past. Start exploring the city from its beautifully-preserved Old Town, characterized by a maze of quaint cobbled streets lined with the typical half-timbered houses dating back to the 14th century. Head to Rue du Gros Horloge and admire one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Rouen’s astronomical clock, also known as the Gros Horloge, was built between the 14th and the 16th centuries and, together with Prague’s astronomical clock, is among the oldest mechanisms in Europe. Its facade features a golden sun with 24 rays on a starry blue background, each representing an hour of the day and a black sphere indicating the moon phases.
A short walk through the historical centre will bring you to the Notre Dame Cathedral of Rouen, a Gothic architectural masterpiece among the oldest in Europe, and the emblematic Church of St. Joan of Arc, dedicated to the sanctified Maid of Orléans, burnt at the stake in Rouen after being accused of witchcraft. Admire the iconic 16th-century stained glass windows retrieved from the Church of St. Vincent after its destruction during the Second World War.
Other highlights include the Fine Arts Museum of Rouen, hosting a rich collection of masterpieces ranging from the 16th to the 19th century, the Gothic Palais de Justice, hosting the Parliament of Normandy and the High Court of Normandy, and the nearby Square Verdrel, a 9,000 m2 public garden created by Émile Beaucantin during the Second Empire and inaugurated in 1863 by the then-mayor of Rouen, Charles Verdrel.
Carcassonne, Occitania
La Cité, Carcassonne’s perfectly preserved medieval citadel, is one of the most scenic castle complexes in Europe and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Located on a hilltop in southern France’s Languedoc area in the pleasant Occitanie region, Carcassonne is a lovely destination for a weekend getaway or a one-day trip from nearby Toulouse. Mainly known for its majestic medieval Citadel, La Cité, Carcassonne is among France’s most magical destinations, boasting a timeless charm that will make you feel like a fairytale. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fortified town includes the magnificent Château Comtal with its ramparts, built in the 12th century, numerous watchtowers, double-walled fortifications, and the imposing Gothic Saint-Nazaire Cathedral, dating back to the 13th century. The Lower City (called ‘la Ville Basse’) is the most modern and residential area of the town and features numerous landmarks, including the Cathédrale Saint Michel de Carcassonne, the 14th-century Old Bridge (le Pont Vieux), connecting the old and new parts, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, home to an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and decorative arts from the 17th to the 20th century.
With its evoking atmosphere and out-of-time aura, Carcassonne offers the perfect setting for filming fantasy or period movies, such as 1997’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and the more recent TV series Labyrinth. Here, you can check out other fascinating film locations in Europe.
Pau, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
The stunning Boulevard des Pyrénées in Pau runs for almost one kilometre, offering scenic panoramic views of the Pyrenees and the city.
The lively town of Pau, the capital of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, is among France’s most underrated yet alluring destinations. The second-largest city in the region after Bordeaux, Pau is around 50 kilometres from the Pyrenees, allowing easy travel to southwestern France and Spain. Start discovering the city’s highlights with a walk on the central Boulevard des Pyrénées; the scenic lane stretches for approximately 750 metres and overlooks terraced gardens cascading down the valley side, offering spectacular panoramic mountain and city views. The boulevard connects the Parc du Beaumont with the Château de Pau (a castle museum and the birthplace of King Henry IV of France and Navarre) and marks the southern boundary of the town centre. From its centre, near the Place Royale, you can take the Funiculaire de Pau and descend to the bottom of the valley to reach the town centre and Pau railway station.
Other notable local attractions include the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Pau, showcasing a selection of artworks from the 15th century onwards; the Gothic cathedral église Saint-Martin de Pau, close to the Château de Pau; and the Museum of the Resistance and Deportation on rue Despourrins, showcasing many items that represent life during the Nazi occupation in France. The region’s mild climate and the natural landscapes surrounding Pau make it a perfect spring or summer getaway.
If you want to discover other European cities to visit this spring, read our dedicated guide.
Divonne-les-Bains, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
The Lac de Divonne in Divonne-les-Bains is an ideal stop for a relaxing afternoon and offers a cycling/hiking path and a quiet beach.
With a strategic location in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in Eastern France, right on the border with Switzerland, the lovely spa town of Divonne-les-Bains is the ideal gateway to the Jura Mountains and the enchanting Lake Geneva. Renowned for its thermal baths, world-class golf course, and casino, Divonne harmoniously combines the peace of its Alpine landscapes with modern attractions and events all year round. Explore the town on foot to discover local treasures in the quaint shops, unwind with a fresh drink at one local cafe, and taste some regional specialities in the many restaurants crowding the Grand Rue. This central street also hosts a Sunday market offering fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, prepared foods, bread, and flowers. A paradise for nature lovers, Divonne boasts its own (artificial) lake, the Lac de Divonne, featuring a beach and a scenic cycling/walking path.
Situated around 20 kilometres from Geneva, Divonne-les-Bains is only a short drive from Gex, the gateway to the natural preserve Réserve Naturelle de la Haute Chaîne du Jura, and from Versoix, home to the Favarger chocolate.
Évian-les-Bains, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
The spa and resort town of Évian-les-Bains is renowned for its thermal sources and for hosting Europe’s largest themed casino.
Approximately one hour from Divonne-les-Bains, on the opposite bank of Lake Geneva, lies the captivating spa and resort town of Évian-les-Bains. The city is located in the Haute Savoie department in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and, similar to Divonne, serves as a gateway to Switzerland and the Alps.
Conceived as an elite wellness resort, today Évian is home to the homonymous mineral water brand, the exclusive Evian Royal Resort and the largest themed casino in Europe featuring several areas dedicated to table games and slot machines, three restaurants and bars, dinner shows, and regular events. Discover the local cultural and artistic heritage by admiring its architectural landscape, which includes buildings and landmarks ranging from the Middle Ages to the Belle Époque; one must-see is the ancient thermal baths in the Palais Lumière, now converted into an exhibition space and housing the Evian Media Library and Congress Centre.
Other remarkable landmarks include the Parc and Villa Dollfus, the former royal residence Château des Comtes et Ducs de Savoie; the "Jardins de l'eau du Pré Curieux", a charming wetland garden that you can access only by boat, and the funicular, a rare piece of European railway heritage and one of only three surviving listed funiculars from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Nantes, Pays de la Loire
Situated on the banks of the Loire River, Nantes has historically been a vibrant centre for both the shipping trade and contemporary artistic innovation.
The last stop of our journey through France's off-the-beaten-track destinations is Nantes, the marvellous capital of the Pays de la Loire region. Boasting a rich historical past as a harbour on the Loire River and an industrial centre, the city has become one of the country’s most creative hubs and an ideal option for a weekend getaway. It is renowned for its enthralling modern installations that melt harmoniously with the urban Neoclassical and Art Nouveau architecture, attesting to Nantes' wealthy artistic heritage.
One of the most notable local attractions is the Machines of the Isle of Nantes park; set on the Île de Nantes, a former shipyard area converted into a creative district, the park showcases impressive mechanical animal machines inspired by the writings of the Nantes-born novelist Jules Verne and the works of Leonardo da Vinci. The most renowned – and hard to miss- constructions are the Great Elephant (Grand Éléphant), a 12-metre high, 48-tonne mechanical animatronic, and the sea-themed Carousel of the Marine Worlds (Carrousel des Mondes Marins).
Continue your journey into the local art scene by visiting the Musée d'Arts de Nantes, which hosts masterpieces ranging from the 13th century to the present day, and the majestic Château des Ducs de Bretagne, one of the most emblematic landmarks and the former seat of the Dukes of Brittany.
Other unmissable highlights include the beautiful Place Royale, showcasing majestic Neoclassic buildings, the elegant Place Graslin around the Théâtre Graslin, the Neoclassical shopping arcade Passage Pommeraye, and the Jardin des Plantes botanical garden, boasting an extensive collection of flora and Art-Nouveau greenhouses.
Do you want to discover other off-the-beaten-track locations in Europe? Read more in our travel guide.