1. Alsace towns sprawling with vineyards
The Vosges Mountains is encompassed by a sprawling trail of pretty vineyards, lined with secret towns Colmar, Berghaim, Obernai, Zellenberg, Eguisheim, Riquewihr, Ribeauville and Kaysersber, the hidden beauties of France. In the towns of Alsace, canals and castles pop out from unexpected places, between the gorgeous houses and quaint restaurants housing tables draped with the delights of French cuisine. For those looking for a winter escape, we recommend that you start at the town Comar; Explore the Christmas market that takes place on Sundays. To discover towns that are fusions of French, German and some Swedish influence, book a flight to Paris, book a flight to Strasbourg or book a flight to Basel.
2. The little towns of the Côte d’Azur on the French Riviera
Nice, Marseilles, Cannes, and St. Tropez of the Côte d’Azur region are popular holiday destinations in France. Yet wander off the beaten track and you will find the most beautiful towns: Eze, St. Paul de Vence, Mougins, Antibes, and Grasse. Famously known as Picasso’s home town, St. Paul de Vence, brought in a confluence of artists back in the 20th century, making it an art hub with an abundance of art galleries. Another popular spot that drew in artists from afar is Mougins. A medieval, small town resting atop the Cannes hills known for its Michelin-starred restaurants and historic stone houses lined with palm and olive trees.
Perched on a hilltop, the pretty, small town Eze is nestled on the French Riviera, between Nice and Monaco boasting panoramic views of the Mediterranean, colorful foilage and sumptuous cactuses. Grasse with stunning views of the glittering Cannes bay is also a world-leading location in the production of perfume. There are perfume-making courses in which you can make your perfume from fruit and flower essences of your choice. Antibes is another delightful town with castle walls that overlooks the sea. The streets are lined by historic stone walls, ceramics shops, and little restaurants. To visit these quaint towns, book a flight to Cannes or book a flight to Nice.
3. Lavender fields of the Provence towns
The delightful Provence towns are filled with the scent of lavender in July and August and lined with red and ochre-colored buildings framed by the azure blue sky. The meandering cobblestone streets line the pretty towns of Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Sault, Gordes, and Roussillon.
Aix-en-Provence is the larger and more urbanized of the bunch, nevertheless, it remains unspoiled and has retained its rural spirit with must-see fountains and bazaars. Arles, one of the main cities during the Roman Empire, was an arena in its time that branched out into a town. On the outskirts of the Luberon Mountain lies the Roussillon, decorated by colorful shuttered houses and narrow streets overlooking beautiful lilac lavender fields. At Sault and Gordes you can find a variety of lavender-scented products from lavender honey and lavender ice cream.
4. Other unique French towns
Outside of the prominent regions, there are plenty of independent towns to visit in France. Espelette, Avignon, Etretat, Chamonix and Annecy to name a few. Espelette, in the Basque region, is a town famous for its red peppers. The houses lined with dried peppers make for great photography. Pepper production is the sustenance of the town, and besides its traditional more common use it is also utilized for starters, desserts, chocolate, and biscuits. Avignon, situated on the Rhône river within the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur also known as the PACA region, is a walled medieval city, listed along with Palais des Papes on the UNESCO World Heritage list with the Pont St. Bénézet bridge. Situated on the shores of Normandy, you may recognize Etretat landscapes in the paintings of Claude Monet. Visit the famous White Cliffs of Falaise Aval. Take a scenic route down pathways that remain from World War Two, and see the Notre Dame de la Garde chapel.
Chamonix is a popular winter destination near the Mont Blanc mountain making for a great skiing holiday. Situated on the outskirts of the mountain, you can feast on French cuisine the restaurants and cafes that line the streets.
Near Chamonix, on the lakeside lies the Annecy, famous for its canals and chocolate shops. See the Palais de I’Isle, and visit the Lovers Bridge. Book a flight to Geneva to reach Chamonix and Annecy.
