Ultimate Guide to France: 8 Must-See Places Beyond Paris

The best places to visit in France aren't all in Paris - in fact, some of the country's most unforgettable experiences are a short train ride from the capital. France is the most visited country on Earth, yet most travellers only scratch the surface, missing lavender-streaked hills, medieval island abbeys, fairytale wine villages and Alpine peaks that rival anything in Switzerland. The best time to visit is late spring (May to June) or early autumn (September to October), when the weather is warm, the crowds thin out and the markets are overflowing with seasonal produce. Here are eight must-see places in France that deserve a spot on your bucket list.

Provence: Lavender Fields and Hilltop Villages

Provence is the France of daydreams, and it lives up to the hype. From late June to mid-July, the Valensole Plateau and the fields around Sénanque Abbey turn a vivid purple as the lavender blooms - arrive at sunrise to have the rows almost to yourself. Spend your days hopping between the perched villages of the Luberon, like ochre-red Roussillon, Gordes and Ménerbes, and time your visit for a morning market such as the famous Sunday market in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Don't leave without trying ratatouille, tapenade and a chilled glass of Provençal rosé on a shady terrace. Avignon, with its vast Palais des Papes, makes an excellent base with fast TGV links.

The French Riviera: Nice, Èze and the Côte d'Azur

The Côte d'Azur has drawn artists, film stars and sun-seekers for more than a century, and Nice is the perfect place to start. Stroll the Promenade des Anglais, lose yourself in the pastel lanes of Vieux Nice, and grab a socca (a crispy chickpea pancake) from the Cours Saleya market. Hop on the cheap coastal train or bus to explore the medieval hilltop village of Èze, glitzy Monaco and pretty Villefranche-sur-Mer, all within 30 minutes. Art lovers should visit the Matisse and Chagall museums in Nice, or the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Visit in June or September for warm seas without the peak-summer crowds.

Mont-Saint-Michel: Normandy's Island Abbey

Rising from the tidal flats between Normandy and Brittany, Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most breathtaking sights in Europe. This rocky island is crowned by a Gothic abbey that has drawn pilgrims for over 1,000 years, and its winding Grande Rue is lined with half-timbered houses. Stay overnight on the island or nearby to experience it after the day-trippers leave - watching the abbey light up at dusk is magical. For a real adventure, join a guided barefoot walk across the bay at low tide, but never attempt it alone as the tides here are among the fastest in Europe. Try the famous fluffy omelette at La Mère Poulard, then combine your trip with the D-Day beaches and Bayeux Tapestry nearby.

Loire Valley: The Land of Fairytale Châteaux

Known as the Garden of France, the Loire Valley is home to more than 300 châteaux, and exploring them by bike is one of the best things to do in France. Chambord, with its double-helix staircase often attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, is jaw-droppingly grand, while Chenonceau elegantly spans the River Cher on a series of arches. The Loire à Vélo cycle route follows the river for hundreds of kilometres on quiet, flat paths, linking châteaux, vineyards and villages. Base yourself in Amboise or Tours, visit Leonardo's final home at Clos Lucé, and pair a picnic of goat's cheese with a crisp glass of Vouvray or Sancerre.

Chamonix and Mont Blanc: The French Alps

For mountain drama, nothing in France beats Chamonix, the adventure capital sitting at the foot of Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest peak. Ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car to 3,842 metres and step into the glass-floored "Step into the Void" box for a truly stomach-dropping view. In summer, hike the Grand Balcon Sud trail to Lac Blanc, where the Mont Blanc massif reflects perfectly in the water, or take the rack railway up to the Mer de Glace glacier. Winter brings world-class skiing and the legendary Vallée Blanche off-piste descent. Refuel with a bubbling tartiflette or fondue savoyarde after a day in the mountains.

Lyon: France's Food Capital

Lyon is France's gastronomic heart and one of its most underrated cities. Eat at a traditional bouchon, a cosy Lyonnais bistro serving hearty dishes like quenelles, saucisson brioché and praline tart, and browse the gourmet stalls at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse. Explore Vieux Lyon's Renaissance lanes and hunt for its secret traboules - hidden passageways that weave through buildings and courtyards. Climb or ride the funicular up to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière for sweeping views and nearby Roman amphitheatres. If you can, visit in early December for the Fête des Lumières, when the whole city glows with light installations.

Colmar and the Alsace Wine Route

Colmar looks like it was lifted from a storybook, with half-timbered houses painted in candy colours and flower boxes spilling over the canals of Petite Venise. It's the jewel of the Alsace Wine Route, which winds through some 170 kilometres of vineyards and villages such as Riquewihr, Eguisheim and Kaysersberg. Alsace's unique blend of French and German culture shows up on the plate, from tarte flambée and choucroute garnie to kugelhopf cake. Sample crisp Riesling and Gewürztraminer in family-run cellars, and visit the hilltop Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg for views over the Rhine plain. From late November, Colmar's Christmas markets are among the prettiest in Europe.

The Dordogne: A Hidden Gem of Southwest France

The Dordogne, also known as Périgord, is a hidden gem of castles, cliffside villages and prehistoric caves. Paddle a canoe down the Dordogne River past La Roque-Gageac and Beynac, two of the most beautiful villages in France, with medieval châteaux looming high above the water. Nearby, the Vézère Valley holds some of the world's most important prehistoric art - visit Lascaux IV for a stunning replica of the 17,000-year-old cave paintings, or Font-de-Gaume to see the real thing. Wander the golden stone streets of Sarlat-la-Canéda during its Saturday market, where truffles, walnuts and duck confit take centre stage. It's the perfect slow-travel escape from the busy tourist trail.

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