I absolutely love Paris. I’m not one of these people who think it’s overrated. I think it’s great. The first time I went, my expectations were very low. Everyone told me that it was dirty, the people were rude and that I would hate it. I didn’t. I loved it. I definitely support anyone wanting to go to Paris, it’s a must do. However, there’s a lot of other places to see in France that I also loved. So go to Paris, but go to these towns in France too.
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Towns in France You Must Visit
Last time I was in France, I spent about two weeks going around the country. From the beaches of Normandy to the lavender fields to the crystal clear waters of the French Riviera, these were my favorite places we visited. All in all, we went to 19 different towns (plus Paris) and these are the top 5.
Etretat
Etretat is located in Normandy and its dramatic cliffs is what made me add it to my bucket list. These cliffs did not disappoint. I wanted to go to Normandy for a variety of reasons, mostly historical, but I also love the natural beauty. We only spent two nights in this town as it was on our way to Mont Sainte Michel, but I loved it more. I definitely recommend hitting up the sunrises.
Honfleur
Another town in France that we loved that is also in Normandy was Honfleur. We really only spent a couple of hours here but it was beautiful and I would definitely go back. The water reflections cannot be beat. It’s a super charming port town and a must for any Normandy bucket list.
Menton
Now it’s time to fly down south. I knew I wanted to spend time in the French Riviera but I didn’t really know much more than that. We based ourselves in Nice and were able to go a lot of places from there with a car, which I always recommend. Of all the beachy towns in France Menton was my favorite. It’s so colorful!
Valensole
Now it’s time to break away from the coast, I know it’s hard, but let’s see some beauty inland. These last two are my favorites of the trip! Valensole is the home of the lavender fields. If you can drive this area, I really recommend it. You can roll the windows down and smell the lavender. It’s really amazing and beautiful.
Be sure to time it correctly so that you get to see both the lavender and the sunflowers in bloom! June is your best bet.
Moustiers Sainte-Marie
Finally, Moustiers Sainte-Marie was my absolute favorite. We spent several nights here and I loved it so much I have entire blog post about seeing it and the gorge. This was the first place to be added to my France bucket list and it did not disappoint. The gorge is stunning and the town is a lovely place to just breathe for a few days. It’s also not as visited overnight so it’s quiet.
Final Thoughts on Towns in France
We drove all around France and flew from the north to the south. We drove up to Normandy from Paris and then flew down south. If you’re not into driving yourself, book a tour. Get out of the cities to really see the beauty of little towns in France. While I always think driving yourself is the best way to go, if you’re not comfortable with it, it’s completely acceptable to book a tour.
Hands down our favorite place was Moustiers Sainte-Marie. So much so, we spent an extra day there. We stayed 3 nights and it was the perfect little French village to breathe and relax.
Tours to Each of These Areas:
Normandy Tour
Riviera Tour
Gorges & Lavender Tour
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