Winter in France can be pretty magical. Paris alone will take your breath away when it's covered in snow. Although the French capital is at its best when the sun is shining brightly, seeing it sparkling with fallen snowflakes is just as enchanting. The same can also be said for a few other destinations in France. There's Morzine, for example, which is a ski town where playing winter sports is the name of the game. Strasbourg, on the other hand, exudes old-world charm unlike any other. And of course, there are the paradises in the
French Riviera such as Nice and Marseille!
Aquitaine
Located in the southwestern corner of France, right at the edge of the
French countryside, the historical region of Aquitaine is absolutely stunning. It's a healthy mix of storybook-like towns and beautiful coasts, not to mention lush forests and incredible valleys. And thanks to its location down south, winter is a bit warmer here than in other areas. It's still pretty chilly for the most part, but you're not exactly freezing either. In fact, you'd barely need a coat when you go out there. That's the kind of winter in France many people would enjoy.
Source: Flickr.com/ Image by www.traveljunction.com
Bordeaux
Since you're already in Aquitaine, why not visit the famous city of Bordeaux? This place is a treasure trove of amazing sights, including Bordeaux Cathedral, Place de la Bourse, and more. If you run a
travel inspo Instagram account, you couldn't have picked a better place to spend winter in France. You can devote an entire day to taking all sorts of photos for your content. And rest assured, they'd be a hit online! Moreover, let's not forget what this city is famous for—fine wine! Drink to your heart's content here at Bordeaux!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Beaune
Another town known for its incredible wine is Beaune, the walled city in the Burgundy region. Beloved for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, you'd practically drown in wine before the winter season is through. But drinking isn't the only worthwhile thing to do around here. There's also going on a foodie trip too! Care for some Beef Bourguignon or Coq au Vin? Well, the restaurants here make the best of them! They even make use of the finest wines for the dishes too.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Velvet
Camargue
Remember how birds fly to the south during winter? Well, this is important to remember when choosing a destination to spend winter in France. Why? Because there is one place in the south of France where many birds flock at this time of the year. Its name is Camargue. Beyond the famous paradises that are Cannes and St. Tropez, Camargue is known for its fine-feathered friends. It's most famous for the pink flamingos who flock here every winter, filling up most of the vast landscapes with their fluffy pink plumage.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Corsica
When you want to escape the winter cold in France, Corsica is the best place for your retreat. Another Southern France favorite, it's less cold and snowy here. Make no mistake, this place still gets its fair share of snowflakes during the peak of winter, but it's no
French Alps. The weather is still good enough for all sorts of outdoor activities. And since it's a mountainous island, you'd do well to pack your hiking boots and
camping gear!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Marseille
Now, if you truly want to escape the winter cold altogether, a great destination would be Marseille. Another
French Riviera favorite, the temperature barely drops below freezing here. And snow is even rarer! If you prefer a warmer winter in France, this is the place to be! You can even sail a yacht here. Rent one and spend most of your days sailing the Mediterranean Sea. Now that's a great way to spend the coldest season of the year!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Menton
Who'd ever thought that lemons would be quite the staple during winter in France? You'd ordinarily think that lemonade is for summer, right? Well, here in the city of Menton, located in the Provence region, the citrus fruit (and any beverage that includes it) is more associated with winter. Why? Because of its annual “
Fête du Citron,” of course! Not only do people enjoy lemons during this festival, but they even craft all sorts of sculptures, artworks, and parade floats out of it too. They're quite awe-inspiring sights to see!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Morzine
It's a shame that Morzine isn't as well-known of a destination as it should be. This ski
town in the French Alps is rather small and rural, sure, but it's a great place nonetheless. Especially if you're into winter sports! The ski slopes here are out of this world, offering the right angles to really feel the thrill of zooming down mountains. And if you
don't want to ski in Morzine, you can always enjoy a hot cup of coffee or have a spa day here instead.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Eric Bajart
Nice
No matter the time of year, the city of Nice remains a pretty nice destination to visit. But if you're spending winter in France and this place is part of your itinerary, then go here around the month of February. This is when the city's Carnival takes place and you wouldn't want to miss it! Think grand parades with extravagant floats, gigantic puppets, and lots of fun. A key highlight is the “
Bataille de Fleurs,” a parade of flowers. It's botanical bliss that's unlike any other!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Zil
Strasbourg
While Nice is perfect towards the end of winter—which is usually around February—the charming city of Strasbourg is for the start of the season. Specifically, the holiday season! Christmas in Strasbourg will charm your pants off. Even the most ardent of non-believers will feel the holiday spirit when they spend it here. For one thing, Strasbourg has one of the
most famous Christmas trees in the world. It's an absolute must-see! Then there are the fascinating and fun holiday traditions and treats to enjoy. What's not to love?
Source: Flickr.com/ Jim Nix
From charming fairytale-like villages to scenic valleys and stunning coasts, there are lots of destinations where you can spend your best winter in France! They prove that the country really is worth exploring beyond Paris!
