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From pink beaches to charming southern-French towns, a holiday in France is something you’ll never forget. While much of France is well-trodden we’ve researched 5 awesome places that are off-the-beaten-track. Here are our top picks:
1. Côte de Granit Rose
Feast your eyes upon the Côte de Granit Rose, a stunning pink-granite beach in Brittany, northern France. There are only three places in the world that have this type of pink rock, with the other two places being in China and Corsica. On the Côte de Granit Rose, giant pink granite boulders line the coast, and you can see tiny houses squeezed between the rocks. It has turquoise water and fine sand beaches — making it the perfect place for a relaxing holiday.
2. Yvoire
Yvoire is a stunning Medieval town that sits on Lake Geneva in southern France. The town looks like something out of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and has tiny winding streets lined with beautiful floral window-box displays. The town has over 700 years of history, including fortified gates and a 14th-century castle that you can explore. If you’re looking for a less-well-known, quaint French town, this is the place for you!
3. Gorges du Verdon
The dramatic river canyon of the Gorges du Verdon is located in the heart of the French Alps. The canyon features crystal clear, turquoise waters. It’s Europe’s deepest canyon — at 700 meters deep and a length of 25 km — making it a perfect place to explore by kayak. If you’re into sports you can also do rock climbing, paragliding, and rafting.
4. Anglet
If you’re looking for something a little different than you should check out the French-Basque town of Anglet. The town lies in the Pyrenees mountain and is surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes and unique Basque villages. The Basque culture is unique and very different from traditional French culture — each village has its own dialect. Why not hire a car and explore the windswept French Basque coast?
5. L’Isle-Sur-la-Sorgue
L’Isle-Sur-la-Sorgue is known as the ‘Venice of France’ thanks to its winding canals and colorful houses. The town lies on the Sorgue river and the water weaves through its ancient streets. Travelers love its dinky markets, second-hand dealers, and antique shops. It’s also known for a great art scene, with mansion houses that have been converted into galleries. Be sure to check out the famous Mansion Rene Char, which exhibits artworks from the likes of Maugin and Dufy.