Where to Travel in France After Paris: 5 Regions I Recommend

Paris is usually the first stop for most travellers to France and often the highlight of the trip because there is so much to see. However, there’s more to France than just Paris. Whether you’ve been once or several times, you may be wondering where to travel in France after Paris. In this post, I share five regions I’ve personally visited that make perfect next stops.

Where to travel in France after Paris: 5 Great Regions to Explore

Once you’ve explored the highlights of Paris, it’s time to see what else France has to offer. If you’re wondering where to travel in France after Paris, these five regions give completely different experiences — from fairy-tale castles and prehistoric caves to stunning coastlines and historic villages.

1. For Stunning Châteaux Close to Paris: The Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is very easy to get to. You can take a train (ie. to Blois or Tours); however, having car makes it much easier to explore the area and discover various châteaux. There are hundreds in this region and it’s the architecture, gardens, and landscapes that are so impressive. An alternative to driving would be to do a bike tour. Easy to do as the area is flat!

Some châteaux are state owned and managed and some are privately owned but are open to visitors. Some have been restored to their former grandeur (complete with period furnishings) and others are, shall we say, more rustic—-yet still worth visiting. 

Highlights Of The Loire Valley

• Iconic châteaux such as Chenonceau, Chambord, Villandry (for its gardens), and Azay-Le-Rideau. I’ve written more about visiting the Loire Valley, including specific châteaux and things to do, in this detailed post: 14 Truly Unique Châteaux in the Loire Valley.
• Fly in a hot air balloon
• Cycle along the Loire Valley rivers
• Attend an evening sound and light show at a château
• Stay overnight in a château

2. For Colour, Markets, and Outdoor Life: Provence

What’s the attraction of Provence? The light, the colours, outdoor living, the markets and the hilltops towns. While I usually stay in the Vaucluse, some of my favourite day trips from Provence take me into the neighbouring Gard.

The Loire Valley has châteaux to visit and in Provence it’s the picturesque villages (many are hilltop) that you should visit. such as Gordes, which I consider one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Provence. 

Provence is dotted with villages worth visiting, many of them hilltop towns with lively weekly markets. (Don’t miss L’Isle sur la Sorgue’s Sunday market).

Highlights In Provence

• Discover the light and landscapes that inspired artists such as Van Gogh, particularly in Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
• Art Exhibitions at Carrières des Lumières, Fondation Maeght and Fondation Vasarely
• Numerous outdoor activities, including easy hiking, at Pont du Gard, La Forêt des Cèdres, and Le Colorado Provençal
• Lavender fields in season (June-August)
• Roman and medieval sites, from amphitheatres (Arles, Orange, and Nimes) to fortified hilltop villages (Chateau des Baux de Provence)
• Seasonal festivals celebrating wine, agriculture, and local traditions (ie. Saint-Remy-de Provence’s Fête de la Transhumance)

3. For Slow Travel, Villages, and Prehistory: Dordogne

Prehistoric caves, outdoor markets, quiet, beautiful villages, and the countryside. That’s what comes to mine when I think of the Dordogne, a 5.5 hour drive southwest of Paris. This is an area of France where you can really slow down, spend a lot of time outdoors, and literally enjoy the scenery….which is what I did when I stayed in the area for 2 weeks (Check out my post, “Two Weeks In The Dordogne: Sarlat and Beynac-et-Cazenac”).

Highlights In Dordogne

• Outdoor activities: biking (take the Voie Verte from Sarlat), kayaking on the Dordogne river, past beautiful villages and châteaux, or fly over the area in a hot air balloon.
• Outdoor markets-especially in Sarlat (foodies will love the gastronomy here: foie gras, walnuts, truffles, cheese, fresh local fruits and vegetables).
• Immerse yourself in the history of the region: visit châteaux (ie. Château de Beynac, Château de Castelnaud, Château des Milandes) and prehistoric caves (some are the real thing (Font-de-Gaume) and some are replicas (Lascaux IV) but all are fascinating).
• Nearby excursions (1 hour from Sarlat): explore the perched village (an pilgrimage site) of Rocamadour or visit a giant chasm/cavity with an underground river at Gouffre de Padirac.

If this slower, outdoor-focused style of travel appeals to you, I share much more detail about biking, kayaking, villages, and prehistoric sites in the post about my two-week stay in the Dordogne.

4. For Coastal Walks And Sea Air: Brittany

I headed to Brittany a number of years ago to run a half-marathon that finished at Mont-Saint-Michel. It turned out to be the perfect excuse to explore the region, and in this itinerary I share the highlights of my 6-day visit. You don’t have to run a race to enjoy Brittany. Its coastline, historic towns, and slower pace make it well worth the trip. Here’s the post: 6 Days In Brittany.

Highlights In Brittany

• Visit the famous abbey of Mont-Saint Michel-consider visiting once the crowds have left. The experience is quite different!
• Step back in time in these beautiful villages: Rochefort-en-Terre, Dinan, and Saint-Suliac
• Explore the coast:indulge in eating fresh some oysters (Cancale), visiting the walled city highlighted in the novel, “All The Light We Cannot See” (Saint-Malo), being awestruck by the sculptures carved into the side of a cliff by a blind monk (Rochers Sculptés in Rothéneuf), and wandering around the medieval town located on the Gulf of Morbihan (Vannes)
• Walk along the ramparts of castles such as Château de Saint-Malo, Château de Fougères, and Château de Josselin.
• Escape into the world of King Arthur at Broceliande Forest (Foret de Paimpont)
• See some history: the famous prehistoric standing stones (megaliths) at Carnac.

5. For Off-The-Beaten Path France: Aveyron

The Aveyron is possibly my favourite area of France. Why? It is quieter, less visited, and I can really practise my French because hardly anyone (I encountered) spoke English! Being so rural, you’ll encounter a lot of cows (and cheese!) and pretty villages. The markets are excellent and highlight foods that are you’ll fall in love with.

You can read about all my reasons why I keep returning here: My Return To Aveyron-La France Profonde: Why You Should Visit.

Highlights In Aveyron

• See villages that have been designated the MOST beautiful villages of France (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France)-in Aveyron there are 11 of them.
• Villages with unique characteristics (ie. like the one clinging to the edge of a canyon -Bozouls)
• Indulge in unique foods to the area (ie. aligot and explore the Roquefort cheese caves.
• Get outdoors and enjoy nature and scenery like the Millau Viaduct, highest bridge in Europe
• Learn more about the history of the area not just in museums but also in attics! (at Le Grenier de Capou).

If you’re wondering where to travel in France after Paris, these five regions are all excellent choices. Think about how you like to travel: more active, more cultural, or slower-paced and rural. France offers all of that—just in very different ways.

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