Paris in winter is as pretty and picturesque as ever. The snow-ladened city, glistening amidst the snowflakes, is a postcard-worthy sight you can only see during this time of the year. But don't think that its capital city is the only pretty place in France during this time of the year. In winter, when most of the country gets covered in beautiful blankets of snow, there are other destinations here that can rival Paris. Not only that, but they also offer unique adventures and memorable experiences that you likely won't find in the French capital. Here are a few worth noting.
The French Alps
Winter in France often automatically means one place: The
French Alps! In this beautiful mountainous destination, you truly get to experience the best of the season. From playing winter sports to warming yourself up with a cup of hot chocolate by the fire, not to mention the incredible views you'll get to see from here, the French Alps during winter is something else. Just make sure to pack as many layers as you can because this is probably the coldest place on this list!
Nice
Although Nice is a great place to spend winter in, it's the best when it's near the end of the season. Particularly around the end of February. Why? Because it's around this time where Nice holds its annual winter carnival, a two-week extravaganza! It's pretty similar to Venice's
Carnavale or New Orleans's Mardi Gras celebrations. Among its many exciting attractions, the carnival's '
Bataille des Fleurs' (Flower Parade) is a definite must-see! Local Nice artists crafts opulent parade floats and costumes for the performers, each more dazzling than the next.
Marseille
Marseille, the famous port city in southern France, is the perfect place to escape the winter cold. It's relatively warm here during this time of the year. In fact, it's really only in December that the temperature reaches its lowest. But come January and the rest of the winter season, this place brightens and heats up as the Mediterranean paradise that it is. Even in February, where other parts of France and Europe are experiencing the coldest peak of winter, you can go to the beach or go sailing in your yacht here in Marsailles. Sounds delightful, doesn't it?
Alsace
Sometimes, winter can get a little too cold that you'd prefer some distractions to help you forget about it all. And if Paris, despite its world-famous beauty, isn't enough anymore, there's always Alsace! From the timbered houses to the gorgeous canal-side sceneries, this eastern French region looks straight out of a storybook. Its old-world charm is second to none and some parts of the destination almost look like a scene from a
Disney movie. Add that with the place's delicious local delicacies and you'll instantly forget about feeling cold in winter here!
Menton
Get ready to have a healthy dose of vitamin C because if you go to Menton in winter, you'll be experiencing its local
Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival)! Since Menton is the largest provider of lemons in the entire European continent, they always have enough of the citrus fruit to last an entire two-to-three-week event. There's even a parade where floats are made entirely out of lemons and oranges, each more amazing than the next. You might have to bear with drinking lots of lemonade all throughout the festival though but, at least, it's a unique winter experience you won't find anywhere else!
Saint Tropez
If you're not into snow that much but you won't mind a cool breeze, then
Saint Tropez is a great place to escape to. It rarely snows in this Mediterranean paradise but it does get cooler than normal. Though you won't see its famous sunny weather and tropical appeal, you'll still get the high-class treatment that this place is known for. From
chartering yachts to enjoying haute seafood cuisine by the sea, spending wintertime here is far from what you'd normally do in Paris and the like. It's the ultimate French winter vacation spot!
Cannes
The same goes for
Cannes as well! The worst the weather can get in this cinematic coastal city during winter is cloudy. But snow? You won't see a single snowflake here! What you will see, however, are fewer crowds since most tourists come here for the warm weather and winter doesn't give you that. This time of the year is the off-season for tourists in Cannes so if you want to explore the city, you can do so as you please. It's even possible that just
one day will have you doing a lot already!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Corsica
And finally, there's
Corsica! Located near Italy, this is also now of the sunnier parts of France during winter. It's the best place if you want to spend the season on all sorts of adrenaline-pumping adventures. While in other parts of France, you're probably too cold to do anything during winter, here in the mountainous region of Corsica, you can go hiking, rock-climbing, swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, and more. Even its relatively cooler weather isn't so cold that you'll freeze to death when you go outside. It rarely snows here!
There's a lot more to France than Paris, especially during winter. During this very cold season, you might want to venture off into other parts of the country. You'll find that there are lots of places that offer all kinds of winter wonderland throughout France.
Whichever ever warm French destination you go to, you can enjoy your stay better here if you got a
luxury home!
