Spending Valentine's Day in France is a good idea. Paris is already known as one of the most romantic cities in the world but the rest of the country is just as lovely as well. There's the
French countryside, for example, especially towns like A B, and C. Don't forget the French Riviera too! Towns like A, B, and C scream romantic getaways. You couldn't have found a better country for Valentine's Day, that's for sure. They're beautiful destinations, serve great food, and have other fascinating qualities. What's not to love?
Albi
Known as the 'red town' in southern France, the medieval city of Albi is pretty extraordinary. It houses the imposing Cathedral Sainte Cécile, a
Unesco World Heritage site. From this incredible structure to the tree-filled Middle Aged town, you almost feel like you stepped into the Middle Earth of '
The Lord of The Rings' books and movies. Taking a stroll throughout this stunning city would be a great Valentine's Day date. And a memorable one at that too!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ MMensler
Annecy
Any city near the
French Alps is bound to be extremely romantic. Annecy is a good example! Located at the head of Lac d’Annecy (Lake Annecy), this alpine town is old-world at its finest. It reeks of renaissance influences, from the architecture to the overall layout of the city. And with the canals that flow throughout the town, Annecy is practically the Venice of France. It definitely lives up to the Italian city's romantic reputation too!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Blois
Any hillside town in France would make for a great romantic destination, wouldn't it? You can always expect great views in such a place. And what better way to spend Valentine's day in France than to enjoy the sights it offers? Even here in Blois, the hillside town in the Loire Valley. The views from here are spectacular. Moreover, Château de Chambord is only a 30-minute drive away from here. It's one of the country's
most beautiful châteaus and is definitely one to see with your special someone.
Source: Flickr.com/ Mike McBey
Cassis
Since Valentine's Day is during winter, the
French Riviera makes for a great destination. It may be cooler here during this time of the year, but it's still generally warm and sunny. Even here in Cassis, a coastal town that evokes provincial charm unlike any other. Think busy docks lines with yachts and great foodie hotspots. Or stone-filled beaches where you can get as much sun as you want. You couldn't have had a better Valentine's Day here than that!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ PJMarriott
Reims
A glass of champagne is an absolute must if you're spending Valentine's Day in France. And what better place to have it than in the Champagne region? Specifically in the beautiful town of Reims. The city is full of great sights to see, ranging from its own Notre Dame cathedral (that easily rivals the one in Paris) to the scenic vineyards nearby. And of course, the glasses upon glasses of authentic, high-quality champagne. What's not to love?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Colmar
From its timber houses to the flower-lined canals, Colmar is a storybook town that comes to life. As you stroll throughout the town, hand-in-hand with your partner, you can't help but be enchanted by all the old-world charms. Namely cobblestone streets and wooden cottages, as well as the beautiful flora that grows everywhere. You'd spend the entire Valentine's day on foot, looking at all the sights, taking pictures, and perhaps indulging in their local delicacies. Sounds like a great time, right?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Mont Saint-Michel
A medieval castle on its own island? If that's not romantic, then what is? Mont Saint-Michel is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary towns in France. Technically speaking, however, Mont Saint-Michel isn't a castle. It's actually an abbey that looks like a royal palace. It even has a pretty dark history to it, having been used as a prison at one time. Nevertheless, its enchanting beauty hasn't stopped others from reveling in its fairytale aesthetic. It has even inspired a few castles in your favorite
Disney films!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Strasbourg
Like Annecy and Colmar, Strasbourg is another alpine town where the German and French influences strike a beautiful balance. There are timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and serene canals. If those don't sound like the setting of a
classic French novel, then what does? In any case, what helps Strasbourg stands out from all the others is its delicious delicacies. If you and your partner are foodies, you couldn't have picked a better destination for Valentine's Day. Spend the entire holiday gobbling up the traditional food here, which includes control bleu, Flammekueche, and Gewurztraminer wine.
Source: © Claude Truong-Ngoc / Wikimedia Commons
Villefranche-sur-Mer
And finally, there's Villefranche-sur-Mer, one of the more
underrated destinations on the French Riviera. It's a coastal town with one of the most breathtaking backdrops you'll ever see. As far as showing off your Valentine's Day in France is concerned, you'd definitely have a lot of potential pictures to take here. The serene waters of Villefranche Bay, the tree-lined hills, and pebble beaches, just to name a few. You're bound to have the best time here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
If you're spending Valentine's Day in France, don't just focus on Paris. There are other great towns, both in the French countryside and the French Riviera, that'll be perfect for you to spend quality time with your special someone.