For many tourists, the iconic Parisian landmarks overshadow visiting the rest of France. Despite being one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, much of France remains off the international tourist map. Granted, this is likely because the most visited parts – Paris, the Alps, the Loire châteaux, the French Riviera, the Dordogne– are captivating enough for most people. But there are dozens more towns and cities just waiting to be discovered…
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Here’s a selection of the best, under-the-radar French towns and cities to visit on your next holiday to France. However, that these five places are just the tip of the iceberg: France has an amazingly rich and diverse historic heritage, and a range of different natural environments. All we can add is: bon voyage!
Brioude, Auvergne
Located in south-central France, tiny Brioude, is one of the country’s most attractive and interesting small towns. Packed with art and history, the old town grew up around the imposing 12th-century Basilica Saint-Julien, which stands on the site where the Roman centurion Julian was martyred. This beautiful basilica is one of France’s larger Romanesque churches – with well-preserved Byzantine-style medieval frescoes, decorative stonework and a 16th-century pebble-mosaic floor (the largest in France).
In summer, the streets and small squares surrounding the basilica come alive with bustling cafés, restaurants and art and craft shops. The town arts centre, in the renovated medieval Deanery, exhibits a major 20th-century artist each summer. With its historic centre, galleries and lace-making museum combined with surrounding natural beauty, it’s a good choice to experience the French countryside.
How to get from Paris to Brioude
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Colmar, Alsace
For anyone visiting Strasbourg or the German side of the upper Rhine valley, Colmar is worth a detour. Located 50 miles (80 kilometres) south of Strasbourg, this historic city lies at the edge of the Alsace wine area and has a very different feel to most other French cities.
In summer, stroll through the Little Venice neighbourhood, where brightly-coloured half-timbered houses in the Alsatian style line the quays beside the river Lauch. Here, as in much of the old town, there are craft shops and stalls, bars selling local beers, and Winstubs with local wine and traditional Alsace cuisine. Little Venice gets even prettier on December nights, when it sparkles with lights as the picturesque location of Colmar’s great Christmas Market, one of France’s biggest and best.
Colmar was the birthplace of Frederic Bartholdi, who designed New York’s Statue of Liberty, and the Bartholdi museum is one of several in town. However, Colmar’s most impressive museum is the Unterlinden Museum, which has a major collection of art and artefacts from the Middle Ages to modern times, and is one of the best in France.
How to get from Strasbourg to Colmar
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Saint Germain-en-Laye, Paris region
Discover provincial France almost without leaving Paris. Located at the western end of the RER A metro, Saint-Germain-en-Laye is 30 minutes from the Champs Elysées by direct train, and a fantastic day trip from the capital.
The classic French country town was the birthplace of King Louis XIV. When you emerge from the RER station you’ll be greeted by the fine Renaissance chateau that was once the royal residence and is now France’s National Archaeology Museum. Across the road is the old centre of Saint Germain, where narrow pedestrian streets are flanked by buildings builtin the local white stone. Here you’ll find bustling markets on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday mornings, as well as a museum dedicated to the composer Claude Debussy, who was also born here.
Make sure you save some time to explore the château’s extensive grounds, which run along a ridge overlooking the Seine. From the esplanade of the classic French 17th-century gardens, you’ll enjoy incredible views back onto Paris.
Catch the RER from Paris to Saint Germain-en-Laye
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Bayeux, Normandy
Two and a half hours from Paris by train, Bayeux in Normandy also shows small-town France at its best. With around 14,000 inhabitants, this historic town has oodles of charm and plenty to interest the passing visitor. See the almost 950-year-old Bayeux Tapestry (depicting the Norman conquest of England) and a 11th-century cathedral with fine Norman arches and a vaulted apse. Stroll the historic streets lined with ancient half-timbered houses typical of Normandy to the nearby town museum and art gallery with fascinating collections.
Bayeux’s other great attraction is that it is the centre for the Normandy Beaches. As well as the town’s Battle of Normandy museum, Bayeux is the departure point for guided tours of the 1944 Normandy D-Day landing beaches. Start your tour here, rather than in Paris, to ensure get a guide with plenty of local experience.
How to get from Paris to Bayeux
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Annecy, Haute-Savoie
Not a big city nor a ski resort, Annecy is less well-known than many other alpine destinations, such as Chamonix and Courcheve. However, Annecy has plenty to offer visitors in both summer and winter.
Known as the Venice of the Alps, as it sits between Lake Annecy, the river Thiou and the Canal du Vassé. Annecy Castle towers over the stone and slate roofs of the historic centre, which is home to a number of museums and galleries. Follow the network of narrow, pedestrian-only streets to the quays beside the river Thiou, which throng with eateries offering local specialities like fondue Savoyarde and raclette.
In summer, take a boat onto Lake Annecy to admire the spectacular Alpine scenery that surrounds the town. In winter Annecy is a fantastic base to discover local ski slopes – the family resort of La Clusaz is 31km to the east – yet hotels and restaurants in Annecy are cheaper than in the ski resorts.
How to get to Annecy from Lyon
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Andrew Rossiter has lived and worked in France ever since graduating from the University of Edinburgh with an MA (Hons) in French. He founded About-France.com, a website dedicated to travel and tourism information about France.
5 delightfully under-the-radar French towns you need to visit, was originally published 20 August 2018.