12 Beautiful Places in France That Are Not Paris

You’ll never hear us say Paris isn’t worth visiting. It’s a fascinating city with beautiful architecture, historic landmarks, rich culture, and delicious cuisine. However, once you’ve done the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre, and everything else Paris has to offer, it’s time to explore other parts of France.

Besides Paris, France has countless towns and cities with medieval architecture, history, vibrant houses, and pristine beaches. You’ll be amazed by the country’s variety. In this article, we’ll show you 12 beautiful places in France that aren’t Paris to give you a better understanding of what’s on offer. These are the places in France you simply don’t want to miss.

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Annecy

France has many beautiful places, but Annecy is arguably one of if not the most beautiful. Offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy Parisian streets, Annecy is a picturesque town tucked away in the French Alps. Located in southeastern France, this beautiful town sits on the Thious River alongside Lake Annecy.

Therefore, travelers are treated to an exciting combination of breathtaking natural scenery and traditional French architecture. In Vieille Ville (Annecy Old Town), you’ll find winding cobblestone streets lined with quaint French cafes, traditional pastel-colored houses, and canals. Meanwhile, the medieval Château d’Annecy sits above the town, offering the best views. Popular activities in Annecy include hiking, kayaking, and exploring the Old Town.

Nice

Nice is a lovely seaside city along a large bay in the Mediterranean Sea called the Baie des Anges. With gorgeous Mediterranean weather, scenic beaches, and a city loaded with things to do, it isn’t somewhere you want to miss. Founded by the Greeks and later a vacation retreat for the European elite, Nice is now a popular summer vacation destination.

Offering an excellent mix of small-town charm, big-city life, and relaxed beach vibes, you’ll spend most of your time in Nice walking along the beaches, visiting museums, eating French food, and shopping in the designer shops. Popular attractions in the city include Colline du Château, Port Lympia, Musée Masséna, and Plage Publique De l’Opéra.

Menton

If you’re looking for a completely different experience from the one you get in Paris, visit Menton. Menton is a vibrant French Riviera town on the French-Italian border. Unlike Paris, Menton isn’t filled with world-famous historic landmarks and large crowds. Instead, it’s a relaxed coastal town much-loved for its charming stretch of coastline, beautiful beaches, and colorful buildings.

Offering tourists the opportunity to take things slower, this seaside town is packed with French charm and beach vibes. You’ll likely spend most of your time exploring the town, drinking wine at upscale restaurants, shopping in boutique shops, and sunbathing on the beach. Highlights in Menton include Old Port of Menton, Les Sablettes Beach, and Val Rahmeh-Menton Botanical Garden.

Bordeaux

Surrounded by hundreds of world-class wineries and vineyards, Bordeaux is best known for its winemaking tradition, making it an exciting destination for wine connoisseurs. However, while sipping fine French wines all day is great fun, there’s lots to like in the city, too. Bordeaux is a beautiful and historic city with many similarities to Paris.

Like in Paris, you’ll be greeted with traditional French architecture, historic landmarks, and lively squares. Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux, Grosse Cloche, and Place de la Bourse are fine examples of the city’s architecture. Bordeaux is also a big hit with history and art lovers, as it’s home to many museums and theaters. This includes the National Opera of Bordeaux, La Ciudad del Vino, and Bassins des Lumières.

Carcassonne

If you love medieval history, Carcassonne is the best place you can visit in France. This hilltop town in southern France is famed for its medieval citadel, La Cité. The citadel is a sight to behold, featuring multiple watchtowers and double-walled fortifications dating back over 700 years.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Carsassone’s fortifications protect a vast medieval castle, Château Comtal, built in the 12th century and still standing strong today. You’ll also find beautifully preserved landmarks inside the fort, such as the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, the Museum of the Inquisition, and Porte Narbonnaise. Outside the fort, the city of Carcassonne is also worth exploring. You’ll find many cafes and restaurants, a large market, and museums here.

Toulouse

Dubbed the “Pink City” or “La Ville Rose” because much of the city is constructed with bright pink bricks, Toulouse is one of the largest cities in France. As the capital of France’s Occitanie region, too, there’s no shortage of things to see and do. Start at Vieux Quartier (Old Quarter), where you’ll find a mesmerizing collection of 15th-century buildings with breathtaking facades.

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Other notable attractions in the city include the Saint Sernin UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Capitole de Toulouse building, and Théâtre du Capitole. Toulouse is also a lovely place to stroll along the Garonne River, which runs through the city and offers scenic views and a handful of places to sunbathe.

Mont Saint-Michel

Straddling the border of Normandy and Brittany in northern France, Mont Saint-Michel is a fairy-tale-like island abbey. Loved by photography enthusiasts worldwide, this tidal island lies approximately half a mile (one kilometer) off France’s northwestern coast at the mouth of the Couesnon River. Incredibly, it only covers 17 acres (7 hectares) of land.

In Mont Saint-Michel, a gravity-defying abbey stands tall above a charming French village. The abbey has been a Christian pilgrimage site for centuries, so take a tour and explore it. After that, stroll around the village, admiring the impressive architecture and coastal views. Keep an eye out for the old Town Hall.

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Saint-Émilion

Saint-Émilion is a medieval city just 30 minutes from Bordeaux. Located in the heart of Bordeaux, a famous wine region, this stunning area is known for its medieval village, UNESCO-certified vineyards, and Europe’s largest monolithic church carved out of rock. While spending the whole day in Saint-Émilion drinking wine can be tempting, the fascinating village has much to see.

Every square is filled with history and traditional architecture. The 8th-century cobblestone streets are a joy to walk, and the thousands of vines surrounding the village create unforgettable scenery. Attractions you shouldn’t miss in Saint-Émilion include the Monolithic Church of Saint-Emilion, Cloître des Cordeliers, and Château Ambe Tour Pourret.

Strasbourg

Thanks to its location on the France-Germany border, Strasbourg offers a fantastic mix of French and German culture. The capital of France’s Alsace region, this city is a beautiful place to escape with your partner, especially if you enjoy romantic river walks, world-class food, and a relaxed atmosphere.

While the entire city offers beautiful architecture and many shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants, the two highlights in Strasbourg are the Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame and the Petite France Quarter, the latter of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both of these locations display impressive architecture. With its half-timbered houses and postcard-perfect waterways, the Petite France Quarter is especially beautiful.

Colmar

Another city in northern France with beautiful architecture, French charm, and many things to do is Colmar. Nestled in the heart of Alsace’s wine region, this vibrant city is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe, and it’s not hard to see why. The colorful houses of the Little Venice District and the picturesque canals are breathtaking.

When you’re not traveling along the canal by boat or getting lost down the narrow streets lined with French-German buildings, shop in the luxury boutiques, enjoy French cuisine, and admire historical landmarks like Maison Pfister, St Martin’s Church, and Ancienne Douane. Don’t forget to explore the city at night, too, as it comes to life with bright lights.

Gordes

With a population of less than 2,000, Gordes is one of France’s most beautiful small towns. This hilltop town sits in the foothills of the Monts of Vaucluse, offering panoramic views of the French countryside, epic sunsets, and access to the lavender fields in the Provence region.

Hiking is popular in Gordes, but the town is best known for its medieval architecture and historical landmarks. Therefore, when you’re not exploring the town’s gorgeous landscapes, you’ll find yourself admiring historical landmarks and learning more about the area. Points of interest in or around the town include the 12th-century Sénanque Abbey, Les Caves du Palais Saint-Firmin, and Village des Bories.

Chamonix

Chamonix is a world-famous resort area in Eastern France close to the border of Switzerland and Italy. Located in the French Alps at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest summit in France, this lively resort is adored by outdoor enthusiasts. Everything from hiking and climbing to skiing and paragliding is popular in Chamonix.

If you’d prefer to take things slower, take one of the cable cars to the top of one of several peaks in the area. Aiguille du Midi offers impressive mountain views, while Pointe Helbronner provides panoramic views across vast glacial fields. If you’re a serious explorer, you could tackle the Tour du Mont Blanc hike, a 112-mile (180-kilometer) trail that starts and ends in Les Houches near Chamonix.

Cassis

Cassis is a charming fishing port known for its stunning cliffs and crystal-clear waters along the Mediterranean coast in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. This picturesque town is a must-visit destination for those looking to experience the French Riviera without the crowds of more popular destinations.

Spend your days exploring the famous Calanques, a series of rocky inlets perfect for hiking, swimming, and boating. In the town itself, wander through narrow streets lined with pastel-colored buildings, dine at waterfront restaurants, and taste the local white wines for which Cassis is renowned. Key highlights include the Calanque d’En-Vau, Cap Canaille, and the Cassis Market, held every Wednesday and Friday.

Lille

Situated in northern France near the Belgian border, Lille is a city known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and lively cultural scene. As the capital of the Hauts-de-France region, Lille has Flemish and French influences, evident in its buildings and bustling squares.

Explore the Grand Place, the heart of the city, where you’ll find the striking Vieille Bourse, a former stock exchange with an ornate Renaissance façade. Visit the Palais des Beaux-Arts, one of the largest art museums in France, and enjoy the dynamic atmosphere of the Wazemmes Market. Lille’s old town, Vieux-Lille, is a maze of cobblestone streets filled with boutique shops, cafes, and historic landmarks, making it a great area to stroll and soak in the city’s unique charm.