8 French Regions You Need to Visit After Paris
I love Paris (you’ll get no “Paris is overrated” commentary from me, that’s for sure), but there is SO much more to France than just the capital.
And once you’ve experienced Paris’ many charms and are ready to explore more of the country, there is incredible beauty and variety waiting for you in every corner of France.
From north to south and east to west, these are 8 of the most beautiful, interesting, and unique regions that you simply must visit in France.
1. Alsace
Where Is It: Alsace is in northeastern France, right along the German border, between the Vosges Mountains to the west and the Rhine River to the east.
What Makes It Unique: Alsace has a different feel from the rest of France, as the buildings, food, and culture have been strongly influenced by its long history with Germany (Alsace has traded hands between France and Germany nearly half a dozen times over its history).
While just about everywhere in France is incredibly charming, Alsace really does feel like a fairytale come to life. The cities and villages are filled with colorful, half-timbered houses, cobblestone lanes, and overflowing flower boxes in the warmer months.
Rolling foothills and vineyard-covered valleys fill the countryside – this is one of France’s most esteemed wine regions. The area is also famous for its Christmas markets, which are some of the best in Europe.
Major Cities: Strasbourg is the capital and biggest city, known for its massive Gothic cathedral, canals in the Petite France neighborhood and riverside charm.
Colmar is filled with storybook streets, painted houses, and canals winding through the old town.
Great Small Towns: Riquewihr and Eguisheim are two of the most popular Alsacian villages – unbelievably adorable, with the most charming half-timbered, colorful buildings, and surrounded by vineyards.
Kaysersberg and Ribeauvillé are close by and equally charming, with castle ruins on the hills above. Bergheim is quieter and less touristy but just as pretty.
Regional Cuisine: The food in Alsace leans hearty and comforting, with dishes like tarte flambée (a thin flatbread with cream, onions, and bacon) or choucroute garnie (sauerkraut with sausages and pork). You’ll also find plenty of bretzels sold in bakeries all over the region.
2. French Riviera
Where Is It: The French Riviera is a subset of the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region in southeastern France, stretching along the Mediterranean Sea from Saint Tropez up to the Italian border.
What Makes It Unique: Called the Côte d’Azur (Blue Coast) in French, the French Riviera absolutely *sparkles.* The region is full of turquoise beaches, craggy coastline, and hidden coves. Palm trees dot the seafronts along colorful villages and warm-hued towns reminiscent of Italy.
Riverfront promenades are plentiful, as are ports home to luxury yachts in cities like Cannes, Saint Tropez, Antibes, and Monaco (which, yes, is actually a separate country, but feels right at home in the Riviera).
Hot weather, perfect for sunbathing in summer, and very mild winters make the Riviera an attractive year-round destination.
Major Cities: Nice is the capital of the French Riviera and is a beautiful city. Cannes is also very large and often attracts more celebrities. Antibes is still a big city, but with a slightly smaller, cozier feel and somewhat fewer tourists.
Great Small Towns: Villefranche-sur-Mer, just outside of Nice, is colorful and delightful. Eze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence are quaint hilltop villages full of the most adorable, winding, cobblestoned lanes. But, Menton is my favorite; I love its vibrant old town, numerous gardens, and idyllic beaches.
Regional Cuisine: The Riviera has great cuisine. Salade niçoise, often consisting of tuna, eggs, and anchovies over greens, is a Riviera classic. Don’t skip trying socca, a chickpea flour pancake cooked in a wood-fired oven, or pissaladière, a caramelized onion tart with anchovies and olives.
3. Provence
Where Is It: Provence is located in the southeastern corner of France, west of the French Riviera. It stretches from the Rhône River down to the Mediterranean, but includes primarily inland cities.
What Makes It Unique: Provence is where you can find that classic southern France vibe. Rolling vineyards, warm hilltop villages, and stone houses accented with pastel shutters fill the countryside.
You can find all kinds of landscapes in Provence, from the ochre cliffs of Roussillon, to the limestone peaks of the Alpilles mountains, to the marshlands of the Camargue, to the endless fields of lavender stretching as far as the eye can see in summer.
You’ll find bustling markets and Roman ruins galore, as well as plentiful vineyards and olive groves.
Major Cities: Marseille is the capital of Provence and is a vibrant, multi-cultural city. Aix-en-Provence, my favorite big city in the region, is full of fountains, squares, markets, and beautiful streets.
Avignon is known for its impressive half-bridge, historic papal palace, and medieval walls. In Arles, you can find multiple Roman ruins and strong Van Gogh ties.
Great Small Towns: Gordes and Roussillon are two of the most famous hilltop villages, and they’re both stunning. Lourmarin is a little quieter, but full of charm. Les Baux-de-Provence, perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop, is home to castle ruins and sweeping views.
Regional Cuisine: Provençal food is fresh, simple, and full of flavor – think tomatoes, garlic, olives, and herbs. You’ll find ratatouille (a stewed mix of summer vegetables), bouillabaisse (a traditional fish stew from Marseille), and tapenade (a salty olive spread) on many menus.
4. Occitanie
Where Is It: Occitanie is a large region in southwest France, bordered by Provence to the east and stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Pyrenees Mountains along the Spanish and Andorran borders.
What Makes It Unique: Occitanie combines Roman ruins, medieval towns full of charming stone buildings, quaint canals, dramatic hilltop villages, colorful coastal spots, and lively cities, all in one region.
It’s a great region to explore if you’re after southern France charm without the biggest tourist crowds. It has some of France’s most fascinating historic sites and beautiful countryside, but with a quieter, more local vibe.
Major Cities: Toulouse is the biggest city in the region, and its red-toned brick buildings give it the nickname La Ville Rose. Closer to the coast is Montpellier, a walkable university town. And Nimes is home to an impressive array of Roman monuments.
Great Small Towns: Carcassonne is probably the most famous town in Occitanie, with its massive walled citadel (the largest in western Europe). Albi‘s enormous huge brick cathedral, riverside garden, and laidback ambiance make it a big hidden gem in France.
Rocamadour is unforgettable — a vertical village built into the cliffs. And Cordes-sur-Ciel is an adorable hilltop village with a charming old town.
Regional Cuisine: This part of France is known for hearty food, especially duck. Cassoulet is one of the signature dishes: a slow-cooked stew with white beans, sausage, and duck confit. Along the coast, expect anchovies, mussels, and grilled fish.
5. Normandy
Where Is It: Normandy is located along France’s northern coast. It includes both inland countryside and a long stretch of coastline along the English Channel
What Makes It Unique: Normandy has a little bit of everything: dramatic cliffs, half-timbered towns, rolling farmland, and some of the most important historical sites in France. The region played a major role in World War II, and visiting the D-Day beaches and memorials is both powerful and humbling.
But there’s more than just history here. You’ll find peaceful riverside villages, colorful harbor towns, and sweeping views of the sea. And of course, the iconic Mont Saint Michel rising out of the bay is one of the most unforgettable landmarks in France.
Major Cities: Rouen is the capital of the region and full of Gothic churches, half-timbered buildings, and ties to Joan of Arc. Caen is another major city, home to a well-known WWII memorial and a castle built by William the Conqueror.
Great Small Towns: Honfleur is one of the most charming towns in Normandy, with its old harbor, narrow streets, and quaint buildings. Bayeux is home to the famous Bayeux Tapestry and is close to several D-Day sites.
Etretat has dramatic white cliffs and a scenic beach, while Veules-les-Roses is a quiet coastal village with flower-lined cottages.
Regional Cuisine: Normandy is known for its apples, so expect plenty of cider and calvados (apple brandy), along with apple tarts and dessert, and Camembert cheese, which originated here. Seafood, such as the fan-favorite moules-frites (mussels and fries), is popular along the coast.
6. The Alps
Where Is It: The French Alps stretch across the south-eastern side of France, near the borders of Switzerland and Italy.
What Makes It Unique: The Alps are home to some of the most dramatic landscapes in France, with jagged peaks, alpine lakes, and villages tucked into valleys below towering cliffs.
Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in western Europe, is here, along with world-famous viewpoints like the Aiguille du Midi and hiking trails like Lac Blanc.
In winter, this is one of the top places in Europe for skiing, with major destinations like Les Trois Vallées and Chamonix drawing travelers from all over. In summer, travelers can enjoy scenic trails, green hillsides, and glacier-fed lakes perfect for hiking.
Major Cities: Lyon isn’t in the mountains, but it’s often considered the gateway to the French Alps, and is known for its food, Roman ruins, and beautiful old town.
Annecy, set on a turquoise lake with mountain views in every direction, is one of the most stunning small cities in France.
Great Small Towns: Chamonix sits at the base of Mont Blanc and is one of the best places for hiking, skiing, and soaking up mountain views. Megève feels more polished and upscale, while Val-d’Isère and Yvoire, on Lake Geneva, are charming places to explore.
Regional Cuisine: The Alps is all about Haute-Savoie cuisine — expect lots of melted cheese, potatoes, and cured meats.
Fondue (melted cheese served in a pot with bread for dipping), raclette (melted cheese scraped over potatoes, charcuterie, and pickles), and tartiflette (a baked dish of potatoes, reblochon cheese, onions, and lardons) are local staples.
7. Loire
Where Is It: The Loire Valley is located in central France, stretching along the Loire River between Orléans and Angers. It’s one of the most popular day trip and weekend destinations from the capital.
What Makes It Unique: The Loire Valley is best known for its châteaux, and there are a lot of them. These aren’t hilltop ruins or fortified castles; they’re lavish Renaissance homes with sculpted gardens, turrets, and moats.
But there’s more to the region than castles. The Loire is also known for its peaceful countryside and charming towns, all of it slower-paced and easy to explore.
Cities and Villages to Visit: Tours is the largest city in the region, full of half-timbered buildings, and makes a great home base. Amboise is smaller and has a royal château and ties to Leonardo da Vinci.
Montrésor is tiny but picturesque, with quiet lanes. Chinon is known for its medieval center, and Saumur has a white-stone château and is surrounded by vineyards.
Best Châteaux to Visit: Château de Chambord is the biggest and most famous, with sprawling towers and a grand staircase. Château de Chenonceau spans a river and is easily one of the most photogenic in France.
Château de Villandry is known for its incredible gardens, while Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is smaller, elegant, and beautifully reflected in the water that surrounds it.
Regional Cuisine: The Loire Valley is filled with fresh produce, goat cheese, and river fish. You’ll see dishes like rillettes (shredded paté), tarte tatin (upside-down apple tart), and chèvre chaud (warm goat cheese) salads on menus across the region.
8. Nouvelle Aquitaine
Where Is It: Nouvelle-Aquitaine is a large region in southwestern France that stretches from the Atlantic coast inland and down toward the Pyrenees.
What Makes It Unique: This region has a huge range of landscapes and experiences, from beaches and pine forests on the Atlantic coast to medieval villages and prehistoric sites further inland.
You can visit the Dune du Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe, or explore the famous Lascaux caves with their prehistoric art.
It’s also one of France’s top wine regions, home to Saint-Émilion, Médoc, and Pomerol. Add in oysters on the coast and foie gras in the countryside, and it’s a great destination for both food and wine lovers.
Major Cities: Bordeaux is the capital of the region, filled with 18th-century architecture, riverfront paths, and excellent wine bars. Biarritz, farther south along the coast, has great beaches and a laid-back surf scene.
Great Small Towns: Sarlat-la-Canéda has golden stone buildings and a great weekly market. Arcachon is a coastal town known for oysters, unique architecture, and beach boardwalks. Saint-Émilion is a hilltop wine village surrounded by vineyards and wine caves, perfect for a tasting or two.
Regional Cuisine: Some of Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s most beloved dishes include duck, foie gras, and black truffles. Seafood, especially oysters, mussels, and fresh fish, are of course prominent along the coast.
Canelés are a delightful treat from Bordeaux. And of course, the area around Bordeaux is France’s top wine region, and reds from Saint-Émilion and Médoc are premier.
The Wrap Up
While this isn’t an exhaustive list of every amazing region in France, each of these destinations is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for somewhere memorable to explore after Paris.
