When it comes to France, Paris may seem to have it all. However, although it’s the most renowned, I’ve found that Paris is far from the only place worth a visit in France.
There are plenty of places with a rich heritage, breathtaking architecture, fantastic food, top-quality wines, and more.
You won’t want to miss any of these spots if you can help it.
Let me share about my visit to France, and what I discovered!
Mont St Michel
Mt St Michel is a tidal island located in Normandy, France. I reached it by taking a 3-hour, 50-minute train ride from Paris, which offered beautiful scenery.
Once I arrived, I accessed the island itself with a walk that was roughly 1.25 miles long and took plenty of pictures of the lovely, lush landscape along the way (I went in late spring, a great time to enjoy the various flora).
Mont St Michel has been dubbed the “Wonder of the West,” for so many reasons, including:
- A gorgeous Abbey, a renowned center of learning with some of the most talented manuscript illuminators
- A breathtaking view of the sapphire waters of St Michel bay
- Exquisite architecture
- Charming streets
- Rooms to stay overnight on the hill up to the abbey
Nice
I’d be remiss if I didn’t include my travels to Nice in this list.
It’s absolutely one of the most incredible places to visit in France outside of Paris.
In fact, it’s considered only second in popularity to Paris city. Why?
Nice has heaps to offer!
- Nice is said to get 330 days of sunlight a year!
- Art museums, such as Mussee Matisse and the Chagall Museum.
- Stunning architecture, including churches.
- Seafood and other delicious food. This includes Salad Niçoise, a world-famous salad that’s best in Nice (where it’s made traditionally).
Parc Asterix Theme Park
If you’re looking for some of the best places to visit in France outside of Paris, you need to look no further than the Parc Asterix theme park!
I took a short plane ride from Paris and then a bus from there to reach the park, but the ride was not unpleasant.
Once you enter the theme park, there are a variety of rides and food stops that immediately catch the eye.
After all, there’s a reason that this theme park brings in a whopping 2 million visitors a year!
This park has an Asterix theme, based on a cartoon character known for a comedic take on French history.
There are plenty of rides for folks big and small, and plenty to keep adults occupied.
Roller Coasters in Parc Asterix Theme Park
I am a big fan of roller coasters, so I was particularly excited to see what coasters this park had to offer. I was not disappointed!
When it comes to roller coasters, Parc Asterix is chock-full!
- Ozlris – If you’re a roller coaster fan, you’ll absolutely want to stop by (my favorite) the enormous, wild Ozlris. It has exhilarating heights and drops that are sure to meet your roller coaster expectations (and more).
- Next, we have the fast-paced Goudurix! With twists and turns that are sure to set your heart racing. It’s ideal for any thrill-seeker!
- The pegasus express is also a crazy ride; it’s, quote, “the most spine-tingling” roller coaster in the park!
- Tonnerre De Zeus. Another classic coaster!
- The Oxygénarium. A breathtaking ride that is not to be missed!
Of course, this park isn’t only made up of roller coasters.
If you’re a thrill-seeker, you should also stop by the Menhir Express, a log luge that ends with a 13-meter drop.
It took my breath away. Parc Asterix is said by some to be second only to Disneyland (which brings in a whopping 10 million a year!).
The plus side of being the second-most popular means that the lines are shorter – yet there are still so many rides and attractions to try.
Don’t forget to get some food – the workers are quite friendly, and patient if you mainly speak English – and stop by the relatively new 4D theater!
Loire Valley
Located in the idyllic Loire River, Loire valley is easily accessible from Paris by train, only 1 and ½ miles away.
This makes it a highly convenient location for travel! Loire Valley is best known for its variety of fine vintages, including white, sparkling, rose, and more.
These are grown in the verdant Loire Valley, where plenty of seasonal sunlight ripens the grapes to perfection before they’re made into top-quality sparkling wine, rose, classic red, and more…. (Sparkling is my personal favorite, but the rose wine also has an exquisite bouquet and flavor!)
Take a quick look
Castles and Chateus to Visit in Loire Valley
The second-most noteworthy aspect of the Loire Valley is its architecture, which includes castles and chateaus, and which is nothing short of stunning.
Here are some of the most popular – several of which I’ve visited!
- The Chenonceu Castle. While it’s beautiful in and of itself, the Chenonceu Castle is most popular for its chateau, which combines both Gothic and Rennaisance styles to gorgeous effect. Definitely worth stopping for!
- The Royal Fortress of Chinon. The famed residence of Henry II. He had the castle built himself, and it’s well worth a look!
- The Castle of Langeais. King Francois, I created the Castle of Langeais as a hunting lodge, and it ended up arguably the most renowned Chateau in all of Loire Valley. The architecture is just magnificent, especially during the golden hour!
- The Royal Castle of Ambois. Used by the royal family for many years, the Royal Castle of Ambois has a classic, French Renaissance look!
These are just a few of the best castles and chateaus in Loire Valley.
There are a few more, including the Château du Rivau, the Fortress of Montbazon, and the Château Gaillard!
Boredeux
Boredux France is a wine hotspot, with plenty of wine experiences (and more) to offer!
If you’re a wine aficionado, then Boredeux is sure to be on the top of your travel list.
I took a cruise on the River Garonne that included a glass – and a bit more – of fine wine.
It was lovely watching the water while sipping the fine, locally-made wine, and I enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere greatly (a nice change from the hubbub and travel and the city).
Along with cruises, Bordeaux offers:
- Wine tasting at various bistros.
- The renowned Royal Castle of Ambois. This has 18 exhibits you can peruse with a glass of wine, nice and leisurely.
- A variety of cafes.
- Restaurants.
…and other great locations where you can sample wine.
They also have a great selection of seafood, including some truly succulent crab. In summation, Bordeaux is truly home to any wine-lover!
Final Words
As you can see, there are plenty of places to visit in France outside of Paris. My visit was a riot of new and life-changing experiences.
You can enjoy a variety of architecture and food, visit bars, sample some of the best wine in the world, take a cruise, visit a castle, chateau, or abbey, you name it.
You can even let loose with a visit to Asterix de Parc, and ride a roller coaster!
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