Paris is undeniably beautiful. From the historic houses to the most romantic corners, there are so many places in this city that will grab your attention. But make no mistake! There's more to France than just its popular capital city. There's also the French countryside, for instance. Their provincial charms are unlike any other, not to mention offering up dreamy sceneries and idyllic atmospheres that you never would've thought were real. It's as if you walked straight into a storybook or something. They're that magical. And you ought to see these places yourself at least once in your life!
Annecy
Located along the banks of the lake of the same name, Annecy is an alpine town that's postcard-ready. From the timbered houses to the cobblestone streets, not to mention the serene waters of Lake Annecy, this place almost feels like it's from another world. Or rather, the world that was from centuries ago. With most of its old-world charm so perfectly preserved, you can easily forget all your troubles as you walk around and bask in its fairytale-like glory. Don't forget to take pictures too!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Chamonix
Though it's not that popular compared to other
French destinations, the charming town of Chamonix in the Rhone-Alpes region is perfect for spending a winter vacation. Winter sports reign supreme here, as the ski town is located to many snow-ladened mountains, not the least of which is the famous Mont Blanc. And speaking of Mont Blanc, the views of this mountain from Chamonix are out of this world! They're so breathtaking they almost seem unreal! And yet, if you scored a great
luxury rental here, you can see Mont Blanc every single day!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Colmar
Now, if Chamonix is a French countryside town worth visiting during winter, Colmar, the beautiful commune in the Grand Est region of northeastern France, is the best place to see during spring. When the flowers bloom here, you'd swear you transported to a storybook. The fanciful flora adds that final bit of fairytale magic amidst the timbered houses, the serene canals, and grand manors. What's most fascinating about Colmar is its beautiful blend of French and German architecture, especially since the Grand Est region is close to Germany.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Fourcés
In the Midi-Pyrénées, right smack at the heart of the French countryside, Fourcés is a relatively small and ever so tranquil commune that almost feels like it's in a world of its own. One that you might expect magic, dragons, and hobbits to exist. At first glance, doesn't this place look like it's set in a J. R. R. Tolkien novel? You can easily imagine hobbits singing songs in the pub, knights resting in an inn, and the like. It's just a shame that the once glorious castle that stood at the center of it all was replaced by tall trees.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Grasse
Thanks to bustling cities like
Cannes and
St. Tropez, it's easy to separate the French Riviera from the rest of the French countryside. After all, rural France doesn't exactly sound like the place you'd expect to see the rich and famous walking about. But be that as it may, there are still some parts of the French Riviera that show off provincial charms rather than serve as summer playgrounds for the world's elite. The beautiful town of Grasse is one of them. Known as the world's capital of perfume where many
French and international labels produce their scents, the place has both the Mediterranean vibe of the Riviera with the pleasant peace of the countryside.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Honfleur
In the port town of Honfleur, Normandy, a sailor's life is alive and well. Lined with charming country homes as far as the eye can see, the best place you can choose here is a home by the coast. Imagine waking up every single day with a view of calm waters, luxury yachts, and a bustling district down below. Sure, it can get pretty busy here, however, this is a side of the French countryside you wouldn't want to miss!
Source: MaxPixel
Loire Valley
If 'Beauty and The Beast,' both the fairytale and the
Disney films, were real, they probably took place in Loire Valley. This 280 kilometer stretch of botanical bliss by the Loire River in Central France is known for its idyllic provincial towns and nearby chateaus. Doesn't that sound exactly like the place where a beautiful village girl gets taken into a grand castle in the middle of nowhere by a princely beast? And certainly, the stunning
chateaus in this part of the French countryside certainly have a fairytale-like grandiosity to them!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
St-Guilhem-le-Désert
Along the banks of the beautiful Languedoc region of France, St-Guilhem-le-Désert is a medieval town straight from the history books! Its walled infrastructure, Romanesque architecture, and surrounding cliffs and forests further add to its storybook-like appeal. The best part about it is that most of the buildings here have been preserved from centuries ago. It's as if you traveled back in time the moment you step foot in St-Guilhem-le-Désert. So it's no surprise that the entire town itself is one huge UNESCO World Heritage site.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Fritz Geller-Grimm
Troyes
There are only two words you need to remember when talking about Troyes, the beautiful town and the former capital of the Champagne region: timbered houses. Although many of the other idyllic French countryside towns on this list have their own fair share of timbered houses, Troyes is practically made up of only that! So much so that you can easily make out the skeleton of the town's infrastructure just by looking at timber alone!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Zairon
Vézelay
What's so great about Vézelay, the medieval town in Burgundy, France, not to mention a UNESCO World Heritage site as well, is that its so entrenched with French history and tradition. In fact, the commune stands as one of the very few Christendom sites in the world. A rite of passage here is to climb up the hill to the church on top and pray when you get there. And after that, make sure you enjoy the view from up there too! It's pretty glorious!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The French countryside is a place unlike any other. From storybook-like towns to picturesque valleys, there are a lot of beautiful places here that you have to see at least once in your life! You'll never forget them once you see them in person.
