10 hidden gems in France you probably haven’t heard of

France is a country renowned for its rich artistic heritage, stunning and innovative architecture, and delectable local cuisine that varies across regions. From the historic landmarks of Paris to the picturesque villages in the countryside, it offers a diverse cultural experience. I bet each of you has dreamed about visiting France at least once in your life!

Paris has long been a top travel destination, with 15.6 million people visiting the City of Lights in 2013. Yes, the city is truly magical. Incredible views open from the top of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.

Wandering around Montmartre makes you feel lost in time, and you can’t stop having the feeling that you will run into Francis and Zelda Fitzgerald at the next corner.

Iconic Tuileries gardens are perfect for a Sunday stroll, and if you look for more green space, head to Bois de Vincennes. However, living and traveling around France for over a year made me realize – France is not all about Paris. There are way more jaw-dropping and unknown places to visit in France that you should have on your travel bucket list.

Here are 10 more lesser-known places to explore in France.

Besancon

You may not have heard of it, but the city has a long history dating back to the days of Julius Cesar. Today, you can still notice a few remains of the Roman presence – columns appearing here and there at the petite town squares and a few sections of the glorious amphitheater turned into a park.

Besancon is all narrow, crooked lanes lined with pinkish stone buildings dating back to the 16-18th centuries. The city’s skyline – perfect to watch from Fort Griffon – is all orange tiled rooftops, endless chimneys with a few pointed cathedral tops, peaking here and there.

You can’t miss visiting the Grand Citadel of Besancon – a UNESCO sight, overlooking the city from Mount Saint Etienne. The views are breathtaking, plus you can check out the local Zoo and Museum of Comtois household hosted there.

Fort de Joux

Did you know there are over 100 castles and châteaux scattered around Eastern France?

Fort Joux is one of my favorites! It’s huge, fairy-tale-like, and looks absolutely impregnable, overlooking the city of Pontarlier. It’s open for visiting from April to November. Be sure to take a guided tour, as the latest statistic says there were 3 travelers locked down in the basement last year, by accident 🙂

Colmar

I often heard that Colmar is named the most charming town in France. Well, I haven’t yet explored all of them, so I would just say Colmar is as fairy-tale-like as it looks in pictures.

Postcard-perfect half-timbered bright houses with flower pots hanging down from each second window will enchant you at first sight. Walk around the Petite Venice neighborhood or explore it by boat and settle in a cozy bistro afterwards to try Tarte flambée with a glass of local Riesling.

Looking for places to stay in Colmar, France? Visit Agoda for discounted hotel rates and hundreds of accommodation options in Colmar.

Lac de Chalain

Crystal clear alpine Lake, hidden among the sloppy Jura mountains. It’s a perfect summer getaway for those who’d love to embrace nature. There are plenty of incredible hiking trails around the area, with all sorts of water sports to enjoy and great fishing spots.

P.S. You can get a cozy double room in a lovely family-owned B&B for just 30 euros per night.

Cargèse, Corsica

If you think the best beaches in France are at the Côte d’Azur, I seriously recommend you visit Corsica first. Landscapes here are way more spectacular, and you can always escape the crowds by choosing to stay in a small town like Cargèse.

There are more secluded bays with amazing beaches around the area than you can imagine! Plus, they serve mighty fine fresh seafood here, fished early in the morning and served super fresh!

Ornans

Hometown of Gustav Courbet, whose works you’ve probably seen at the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, Ornans is often called the French Venice.

Colorful small houses lie so low on the banks of the river Doubs that they actually seem to be floating over the surface. Ornans is one of those small towns that catch the true French vibe.

La route de l’absinthe

My views may be biased, but I would dare to say it’s one of the most spectacular hiking trails in France (that actually ends in Switzerland!). You will walk through incredible emerald fields and hills, with views of Mont Blanc opening from the top on a sunny day. Along with many sights dedicated to absinthe, the region’s main drink is. Think fields of herbs, degustation points, and even former smugglers’ points.

Travel to Pontalier – the starting point of the route – in mid-July when they held a huge festival dedicated to the Green Fairy. But don’t drink too much as you’ll need to walk a lot in the next few days!

Saline Royale d’Arc-et-Senans

Saline Royale d’Arc-et-Senans

Another incredible UNESCO sight, just 35 km away from Besancon. The Grand Royal Saltworks was built in the 18th century by utopian architect Claude Nicolas Ledoux, who was obsessed with creating an absolutely perfect circular sight.

Unfortunately, the French Revolution started, and Ledoux could not complete the project. Nevertheless, Royal Saltworks still looks grand today as a perfectly planned semicircle, divided into perfect sectors, with gardens and distinctive buildings.

Peyresq

For those who love absolute serenity, Peyresq has a permanent population of just 3 residents and many vacant houses for rent. The village is hidden deep in the Alps, with marvelous views opening from your porch.

However, the place becomes lively with students during July and August, as there are properties owned by French and Belgian universities.

Lac Kir in Dijon

Dijon, the capital city of Burgundy and the mustard capital of France, looks like a mixture of Paris and Besancon to me, with some unusual details of its own.

After wandering around the old city center, head to the edge of town to have a glass of Burgundy’s special drink, Kir – white wine mixed with Crème de Cassis (blackcurrant liqueur), enjoying the perfect views of the huge, tranquil lake.

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