Whether you’re planning a trip to France or you already live here and are looking for ideas for the summer break, here are our suggestions for exploring some of the country’s best off-the-beaten track attractions.
There’s a reason that France is the most-visited tourist destination in the world – because it’s awesome.
OK, the full explanation is more complicated than that, but one of the reasons that it is popular is the variety on offer – you can have a seaside holiday, head to the mountains or chill out in the country. You can visit museums and galleries in cities like Paris, chateaux in the Loire Valley or vineyards in the south.
Then there’s the incredible food and drink and general dedication to what the French call l’art de vivre.
So yes, there’s plenty to love – but we have some tips for truly getting the most out of a French summer trip, whether you’re coming here on holiday or you’re already in France and want some ideas for day trips.
Overcrowding
Due in part to the aforementioned geographical spread, France doesn’t have the same over-tourism problems as Spain and has, so far, escaped the tourism related protests of its neighbour.
There are, however, some tourist hotspots that are definitely over-crowded.
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According to the French tourism ministry, 80 percent of visitors go to the same 20 percent of the country – and it’s running a campaign asking people to consider out-of-season holidays, or visiting somewhere different.
Now we’re not dissing any of the spots on this list of most-crowded places – sites like Mont-Saint-Michel and the Calanques are famous for a reason. But often there are nearby alternatives that are just as good but less well known, and therefore less crowded.
READ ALSO: 10 alternatives to France’s overcrowded tourist hotspots✎
Pre-booking
Due to overcrowding, there are now some places that must be booked in advance, and others – especially natural sites – that have imposed a cap on visitor numbers.
So if you’re planning a visit, check out first whether it is necessary or advised to book in advance. There’s nothing more disappointing than setting your heart on an experience only to find that it’s fully booked.
READ ALSO: Visiting France: What activities and places do I need to reserve in advance?✎
The same applies to popular restaurants, especially in cities. This is a trend that seems to have accelerated since the pandemic, but more restaurants now require booking in advance.
Most restaurants have online booking options, but they often send you a confirmation email a couple of days in advance in order to hold your reservation, which you will need to reply to or confirm, so keep an eye on your inbox (and spam folder), as you don’t want your reservation to be cancelled.
Beaches
The seaside is a popular destination and France has a good variety of coastline, from the sunny Mediterranean to the wilder Atlantic coast with popular surfing centres like Biarritz up to the cooler temperatures of the Channel coast resorts.
But you should be aware that it’s not a case of ‘everything goes’ on French beaches, there are actually rules covering everything from shell collection to sexual activity, dog-walking to sun loungers.
READ ALSO: Sand, smoking and sex: The rules of French beaches✎
New this year is a total smoking ban on beaches, part of an extension of the previous indoor smoking ban to outdoor areas including parks, beaches and bus shelters. Exactly how well enforced this new law – in place since July 1st – is another question.
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France has a decent number of nudist beaches and even a few designated nudist resorts – outside of these areas it’s not usual to go naked, although being topless on the beach is fine. Conversely, if you are in a nudist area, it’s considered polite to strip off or – if you are not comfortable with going naked – move to the non-nudist section of the beach.
Once you leave the beach, being topless is not recommended for men or women, in fact some towns even impose fines on beach-goers who don’t slip on a top once they’re in the town centre or restaurant area.
Camping/ camper vans
If you’re not a fan of hotels then you might be thinking of taking a camping holiday, or going in a camping car (camper van).
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France has a huge variety of campsites ranging from the basic (a field with a space to pitch your tent) to the luxurious sites that offer restaurants, swimming pools, leisure facilities and sometimes even chalets to sleep in. Be aware, however, that wild camping is in most circumstances not allowed – so you will have to either reserve a pitch on a campsite or come to a private arrangement with a landowner.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The rules and options for camping in France✎
It’s the same deal with camper vans – in most cases you need to park up at night on a dedicated site, although some towns set aside a space for campers, or make a private deal with a landowner.
READ ALSO: Essential tips for your campervan holiday in France✎
Road trips
A good way to see some of the more off-the-beaten track sites is to take a road trip.
READ ALSO: 6 tips for the perfect French summer road trip✎
And don’t forget France’s beautiful villages – they may not be tourist sites in their own right, but the country has some truly stunning villages. In fact there is an annual TV show called Le Village préféré des Français in which French people vote for the best village in the country.
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The shortlist for this competition provides some great ideas for finding a stunning and traditional rural location.
READ ALSO: 14 of the best villages in France – according to the French✎
Train journeys
If you’re deep into La France profonde you will likely need a car, as public transport can be patchy, but towns and cities are well connected via France’s impressive high speed rail network.
Comfortable, (mostly) reliable and very fast, the TGV trains are a great way to see the countryside and they can whisk you the 700 kilometres from Paris to Marseille in a little over three hours.
Then there are the slower trains through scenic areas which are a tourist experience in their own right.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: 7 of the most beautiful train journeys in France✎
And don’t forget the expanding network of night trains, if you want to make your journey part of the holiday.
READ ALSO: 8 French night trains to take this summer✎
Food and drink
France has, on the whole, pretty good food. But the top tip for any traveller is to eat local – try the various local specialities and traditional dishes in each part of France that you visit and you can be more or less guaranteed a good eating and drinking experience.
We’ve put together a few foodie maps of the local dishes to try around France.
If you’re still looking for ideas, head to our Discover France section which is packed with ideas for holidays, day-trips and things to do and see in France, plus practical information for holidaymakers.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
