The most beautiful places in France
The second most popular overseas holiday destination among British travellers (after Spain), France really does have something for all travellers. And while it’s more than twice as big as the UK, it also has a smaller population, meaning there’s much more space to enjoy yourself in (and less crowded roads, motorways and trains to get around on).
France has the perfect region for everyone – which is why we've rounded up our favourite France holidays to feature something everyone will love, from gorgeous coastal resorts and blissful islands to bustling cities, from national parks and reserves filled with thrilling outdoor pursuits to world-class art and architecture.
You might head for an alpine lake or be lured by a river beach, you might discover modern metropolises that are busy greening themselves for the 21st century and beyond, or you may be tempted by splendid châteaux, cathedrals and other great reminders of bygone eras. But perhaps the best thing about France is that you don’t have to choose – it’s all there for the taking in fantastic destinations in every corner of the land.
And anywhere you decide to go, you’re guaranteed the fabulous cuisine that is so much part of the reason people come back to France time and again.
Whether you're looking to travel by Eurostar or drive, there's a city, coastal spot or beautiful countryside to be explored. From Bordeaux to Lille and Provence to Marseille, these are the best France holiday destinations to discover on holiday.
Bordeaux
At the heart of one of the world’s most revered wine-growing regions, this rapidly evolving river port draws oenophiles but also those who love French gastronomy and culture in general. Perhaps its main sight is the immense and wonderfully interactive Cité du Vin, but part of the charm of Bordeaux is just discovering its districts - including hip Chartrons - and its riverside on foot or by bike.
You’ll be rewarded for your amblings by architectural glories in styles ranging from Gothic and neo-classical to contemporary, by art and history museums galore, and of course by wine estates including the bijou Chateau les Carmes Haut-Brion within the city limits, with a spectacular modern wine cellar by Philippe Starck. Bordeaux is also a fantastic French destination to reach by train, less than six hours from London by Eurostar and TGV.
Where to Stay: The best Bordeaux hotels range from boutique urban boltholes to wine estates offering dining in the midst of the vines. Some have Michelin-starred restaurants and some even have grape-based spa treatments. Try the chic Mondrian Bordeaux, which opened recently.
Alternatively, you can explore Bordeaux on a gourmet river cruise in the autumn with celebrated chef Raymond Blanc.
Provence and the Côte d’Azur/French Riviera
A vast and varied area, the South of France (the historic province of Provence, which is now largely equivalent to the modern-day Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region/Région Sud) embraces everything from the North-African-inflected city of Marseille and glam, yacht-filled resorts such as Nice, Cannes and St Tropez to tiny timeless villages lost amid rugged countryside scented by local herbs.
Provence and the Côte d’Azur are perfect for anything from a long weekend in France to a full-on holiday, and the weather is mild enough even in February to make this a great pick for a winter break. It’s also easy reached by Eurostar and TGV.
Where to stay: The best Provence hotels are inspired by surrounding nature, whether it’s lavender fields or Mediterranean beaches, and many have great restaurants showing fresh produce including fish fresh from the fishing boats – some holding Michelin stars. See also our round-up of recommendations in the laidback Riviera resort of Antibes with its cobbled streets, 16th-century ramparts and Picasso museum. Try La Place Boutique Hotel, located in the old town of Antibes.
Loire Valley
Dating from its 150 years as home to the French court, the castles of the Loire Valley are so impressive that this entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Among the most breathtaking are Chenonceau straddling the Cher river, and the almost ridiculously opulent Chambord, the biggest, including a famous open double-helix staircase said to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci.
But the landscapes of the Loire Valley are spectacular too, from the wide swathe of the River Loire itself to the vast old hunting forests full of stags and wild boar, and there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, including boat cruises, canoeing, cycling along the river banks, and exploring local cave homes.
How to visit: Country Living's tour of the Loire Valley takes in several extravagant châteaux, magnificent cathedrals and abbeys, and lush gardens.
Giverny
Now an an artists’ village with workshops, galleries and a re-creation of a historic artists’ studio, this Normandy beauty spot 75km north-west of Paris was home to Claude Monet for half his life, from 1883 to 1926, and provided inspiration for his iconic water-lily and Japanese bridge paintings.
Long a pilgrimage site among both art and plant lovers, it’s back in the limelight thanks to the film Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse. You can also see other sites in the surrounding Seine Valley that inspired Monet and his fellow Impressionists.
How to visit: Giverny is the focal point of our tour of Monet’s France and the Loire Valley, with wine tastings, palace tours and more.
Paris
From its Haussmannian boulevards to its great green spaces, the City of Lights is always a delight, no matter how many times you visit or with whom. There are too many sights to do justice to here, but among the highlights are the Jardin du Luxembourg with its sculptures, boating pond and puppet theatre, the Jardin des Plantes – botanical gardens housing three natural-history museums – and of course the Seine (a river cruise is a great way to take in several major landmarks including Notre-Dame cathedral).
Paris is also a glamorous destination for foodies and fashionistas, with some of the world’s best dining plus superb shopping everywhere from neighbourhoo boutiques and historic department stores to incredible fleamarkets.
Where to stay: Hôtel Madame Rêve has a beautifully nostalgic setting in Paris’ old central post office near the Louvre, a breathtaking decor of boiserie panels, golden velvet and 8m-high ceilings, and fabulous views from its top-floor restaurant and roof terrace.
Carcassonne
Lantern-lit night tours are just one of the ways to discover the fairytale-like medieval city perched up high in this hilltop town lording it over the Aude region of Occitania in south-west France. UNESCO-listed, this Cité Médiévale is said to be one of the world’s most well-preserved medieval ensembles, with 52 towers and two concentric walls creating 3km of ramparts to discover.
Carcassonne is also at the heart of of a major wine-growing region, with lots of small-scale vineyards to visit in the surrounding Greater Carcassonne area. You might also visit on a Canal du Midi cruise, as the iconic waterway passes through the town.
Where to stay: With just 19 rooms, suites and villas decorated in a classic style, this 19th-century townhouse built over the cellars of a Carolingian abbey is a family-run haven from the fray. Expect fine dining (don’t miss ‘Dieu le Fils’ cassoulet), a seasonal outdoor pool and a nurturing spa.
Alternatively, visit Carcassonne and experience Michelin-starred dining in the town during Country Living's fabulous Dordogne tour.
Nantes
Oozing creativity, innovation and cultural dynamism, this port city on the Loire River in western France has the unique attraction of the amazing Machines de l’Ile, a collection of giant mechanical ‘living machines’ based on the imaginings of Jules Verne, Leonardo da Vinci and others, some of which you can ‘test’ or even ride, including the 12m-tall Great Elephant and the Marine Carousel.
Jules Verne was born in the city, and there’s also a Musée Jules Verne with a multi-media trail. Another must-see is the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, including displays on Nantes’ role in the slave trade.
Nantes is also a very green city, with an evolving network of eco-friendly transport including new tram lines and green zones for pedestrians and cyclists. It’s also handy for the seaside in destinations including La Baule, Le Croisic and Noirmoutier island with its oyster huts.
Where to stay: The first five-star hotel in the area, a few minutes from the city centre, the Château de Maubreuil sits in a wooded estate with lovely gardens and offers a Cinq Mondes spa and superb dining.
Annecy
Pastel-painted houses lining the river and canal banks, winding cobbled alleys and array of green spaces make the ‘Venice of France’ a fairytale destination - especially in its Vieille Ville (Old Town). It also holds the rare Fleur d’Or (‘Gold Flower’) award from the national association Villes et Villages Fleuris (‘Cities and Villages in Bloom’).
Other highlights of this capital of the Haute Savoie region of south-eastern France are the Pont de l’Amour or Lovers’ Bridge, a wrought-iron affair with to-die-or mountain and lake views, and the Jardins de l’Europe – laid out by Henry I, Duke of Savoy-Nemours, with ginkgo bilboas, laricio pines, giant sequoias and a tulip tree. There’s also walking, cycling and lake-based water sports to enjoy.
Where to Stay: Hôtel Le Pélican occupies a former alms house transformed by star architect Christian de Portzamparc and offers lake and mountain views from many of its rooms and other spaces, which include a bistro and an artisan bakery. There’s also a seasonal outdoor pool with a pool bar.
Dordogne
The birthplace of art is so named for having some of the world’s oldest cave paintings, and while you can’t access the most famous caves, Lascaux, for risk of damaging their 16,000-year-old artworks, you can see reproductions of two of the cave halls at nearby Lascaux II and further reproductions in Le Thot – Centre d'Interpretation de la Prehistoire.
Once ruled by the British, Périgord – as the French know it – is still popular for its slower-paced of life, its rolling countryside dotted with lovely châteaux, and its amazing, if often very rich, food (this is truffle country). But you can work it all off by swim or canoeing in or the Dordogne, especially at Limeuil, with its river-beaches. You can also take a trip along the river in a traditional gabarre, seeing fabulous castles en route.
Where to stay: Le Clos 1855 is a luxury B&B near Limeuil with the option of fabulous dining on local products, plus an outdoor pool for the summer months.
Brittany
Lively festivals, beautiful beaches and incredible geological formations, record-breaking lighthouses, spiralling head-dresses (coiffes), record-breaking lighthouses, and even fairies (the shapeshifting korrigans of local myth)… The northwest corner of France is another world, although it shares a Celtic heritage with parts of Britain and many of its ancient sites were built by the same folk as Stonehenge.
Among must-sees are St-Malo, an ancient walled pirates’ city, the Côte de Granit Rose with its pinkish rocks carved by the elements, the wild, windswept island of Ouessant with Europe’s most powerful lighthouse and unique dwarf black sheep, and Carnac, the most important prehistoric site in Europe, with around 3000 menhirs older than Egypt’s pyramids, thought to have been a lunar observatory.
Where to stay: An icon and an institution dating back nearly 150 years, the Hôtel Barrière Le Grand Hôtel is a classic seaside hotel with views of the St-Malo ramparts and a spa with a pool, sauna and hammam.
Lyon
The capital of the Rhône-Alpes is one of the world’s great foodie cities as well as producing wonderful wines, and you’ll probably spend much of your time here eating and drinking everywhere from Michelin-starred Paul Bocuse to classic bistros (known locally as bouchons). Don’t miss the likes of hearty saucisson de Lyon sausage and salade lyonnaise with bacon, poached egg and croutons.
This was also home city to the Lumière brothers and there are carefully crafted mini and life-size film sets to behold in the Musée Miniature et Cinéma Lyon as well as cinematic-history displays at the Musée Lumière. Meanwhile, the shiny modern Musée des Confluences is the place to find out about local natural history and anthropology. It’s in the hip former docks area, beside La Sucrière – a contemporary arts space in an old sugar factory.
Where to stay: Intimate and unique, Villa Florentine is a Relais & Châteaux hotel with glorious panoramic views from its lovely pool terrace. Once a former convent, it also conceals a sybaritic spa and an upmarket restaurant showcasing local products such as Bresse poultry and pigeon.
Corsica
It’s not hard to fall in love with this French island perched out in the Mediterranean, clad in fragrant evergreen maquis and studded with ancient cork oaks and olive trees. Time seems to stand still here as you hike past rock roses, prickly pears and immortelles while red-tailed kites circle overhead.
Among the island’s most charming spots are the Balagne region with its hilltop villages including Montemaggiore and Pigna with their charming rustic architecture and authentic little bars serving fresh lemon and clementine juice from Corsica’s orchards. The bustling ports of Bastia, Ajaccio and Porto-Vecchio are all worth spending time in too, and the local markets are sensational.
Where to stay: A family-owned five-star in the Relais & Châteaux portfolio, the Grand Hôtel de Cala Rossa overlooks a vast sandy beach in the bay of Porto-Vecchio and includes a swanky Nucca spa.
More European ideas:
- The best hotels in the Dolomites
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