France is one of the countries I have visited most often. From Parisian city breaks and château hopping around Bordeaux to long-distance hiking, cycling adventures and road trips through the countryside, every journey has shown me another side of this incredibly diverse country. And so, I created this personal France travel guide to bring my favourite destinations and experiences together in one place.
From Paris and Bordeaux to Alsace, Normandy, Brittany and the Côte d’Azur, it covers some of the best places to visit in France based on my own travels. I have explored France by car, bicycle, train and on foot. Along the way, I have discovered glamorous coastal cities, colourful medieval towns, impressive mountain landscapes and, of course, plenty of wonderful French food and wine.
So, whether you are planning your first trip or returning to discover somewhere new, use my France travel guide as your starting point.
My France Travel Guide
Paris: Always a Good Idea
A trip to Paris is always a good idea, isn’t it? And no personal France travel guide would be complete without Paris. I have visited the French capital during different seasons and for very different occasions, from walking all day around the city with friends to enjoying springtime with my cousins and experiencing the Parisian lifestyle during summer. Not to mention a few luxury trips, visiting some of the most stunning luxury hotels in Paris.
Of course, Paris offers famous landmarks, museums, fashion and beautiful architecture. However, it is often the simple experiences I enjoy most: walking through different neighbourhoods, stopping for coffee and watching everyday Parisian life unfold. Paris has changed a lot over the years, and lately definitely for the better. In my opinion.
Read more of my journeys here:
- One Day in Paris
- Springtime in Paris with My Cousins
- Summer in Paris: Enjoying the Parisian Lifestyle
- My Day at Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris
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Bordeaux and the French Wine Regions
Despite visiting France many times, it took me surprisingly long to finally make it to Bordeaux. However, the wait and the long drive was certainly worth it. It is a stunning part of France.
From exploring Bordeaux’s elegant streets and antique shops to driving between vineyards in Saint-Émilion, Margaux and Saint-Julien, this journey combined beautiful architecture, countryside and plenty of wine tasting. I also climbed the Dune du Pilat, which offered a completely different landscape and incredible views across the Atlantic coast.
Read more:
Strasbourg, Colmar and Alsace
Strasbourg has become a local city to me, and I have returned more times than I can count to this beautiful town. I guess, mainly, because I live very close by. It is a very pretty town and has to be in my personal France travel guide. From the canals and medieval houses of La Petite France to the magnificent cathedral, stylish boutiques and tempting patisseries, it is a city I never seem to tire of photographing.
Colmar, meanwhile, is smaller, more colourful and wonderfully picturesque. So, which one is prettier? I still cannot decide. Fortunately, they are close enough to visit both. And the best blog post about it is here: Strasbourg vs Colmar: Which Is Prettier?
Beyond the towns, Alsace is also perfect for scenic drives, cycling and castle hikes. The villages, vineyards and hilltop ruins make it one of my favourite regions of France. Read: Hiking Koenigsbourg and Saint-Ulrich Castle
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The Côte d’Azur and Southern France
Next on the list is Côte d’Azur and Southern France. Côte d’Azur may be known for glamour, luxury hotels and stylish seaside cities, but there is much more to discover beyond the famous coastline.
I loved relaxing in Cannes, walking and cycling around the area and comparing the French Riviera with its Italian neighbour. Read my Italy Travel Guide here. However, the peaceful hinterland around Fayence and Montauroux was another standout. Its charming villages, beautiful countryside and relaxed atmosphere made it the perfect place to slow down. Somehow, there is always an old chateaux to find in the middle of nowhere in France.
Read more:
- Relaxing in Cannes: French vs Italian Riviera
- Unwinding in the Côte d’Azur Hinterland
- Driving Through Southern France
Normandy and Brittany
Northern France surprised me the most with its dramatic coastlines, medieval towns and remarkable history. This is definitely not to miss, and for me it is the best place to visit in France. Best, and positively unexpected. Especially when the weather is right.
In Normandy, I explored Rouen, the D-Day coastline and the unforgettable Mont-Saint-Michel. I also visited Honfleur and Deauville, where historic harbour scenery and elegant boutiques offered yet another contrast.
Brittany, meanwhile, became one of my favourite parts of France. But only on a sunny day! From the fortified walls of Saint-Malo to the pink cliffs of the Côte de Granit Rose, its coastline was absolutely stunning. In fact, some of the beaches reminded me of Australia, although the water was certainly much colder!
Read more:
Hiking and Cycling Through France
Some of my most memorable French adventures have taken place away from the cities. Outdoor adventures are an important part of my France travel guide, as they allowed me to experience the country beyond its cities. And I love hiking and cycling.
One of my craziest hikes was the Robert Louis Stevenson Trail through southern France, walking for 11 days from Le Puy-en-Velay towards the Cévennes. Although it was a long and exhausting hike, but nevertheless a wonderful way to experience the countryside, small villages and local life at a much slower pace.
Furthermore, I have also cycled beside the Seine, through the gardens of Versailles and along sections of the Loire and EuroVelo routes. Not to mention my hike and search for the best Mont Blanc view involved even more walking.
Start with:
- My Robert Louis Stevenson Hike
- My Search for the Best Mont Blanc View
- Cycling the Gardens of Versailles and the Seine
- Cycling the Loire à Vélo Path
My Personal Best of France
Finally, if I had to choose my personal highlights from my France travel guide, they would be:
- Best big city: Paris
- Favourite city to revisit: Strasbourg
- Prettiest colourful town: Colmar
- Best wine experience: Château hopping around Bordeaux
- Most memorable landmark: Mont-Saint-Michel
- Best coastal escape: Cannes and the Côte d’Azur
- Most surprising coastline: Brittany
- Best long-distance adventure: The Robert Louis Stevenson Trail
- Best mountain scenery: Mont Blanc
- Favourite luxury stay: Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris
From glamorous cities and Mediterranean beaches to vineyards, castles and mountain trails, France has an incredible variety of experiences. That is precisely why I continue returning.
All My France Travel Stories
This page brings together my personal highlights and recommended starting points. You can find every article, including my city breaks, road trips, hiking adventures, cycling journeys and luxury stays, in my complete France blog archive.
Naturally, I will of course continue updating my France Travel Guide whenever I discover another beautiful part of France.
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About the Author
I’m Beate Pluta, an award-winning luxury and lifestyle travel writer, stylist and the creator of Sweettravelbee. Having travelled extensively around the world, I share my personal experiences, favourite destinations and honest recommendations through my stories and photography.
Find out more about me and Sweettravelbee.
