Paris weaves its magic, but if you’ve never thought of France beyond the city limits of Paris or the coasts of the French Riviera, it’s time to expand your horizons. The next time you’re in France, skip the bright lights of the city and soak in the beauty, tranquility, and cozy vibes of the French countryside.
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20 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit the French Countryside
Words can paint a pretty image, but nothing makes a statement quite like a picture. And here are 20 pictures that capture the beauty and diversity of the breathtaking French countryside.
Roussillon
Nestled in the beautiful southern countryside, Roussillon is one of the most beautiful and magical villages in France. Stroll the narrow alleyways, photograph the vibrantly colored architecture, amd peer out windows to take in the stunning views of ochre-pigmented cliffs and rolling hills.
Where to Stay: Hotel Omma
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
Tucked away in the gorges of Hérault Valley lies a medieval village of stone surrounded by high cliffs and endless greenery. Travel back in time as you stroll through this Romanesque village and tour its centuries-old structures, from its famous abbey to its towering bridge.
Where to Stay: Hotel Le Guilhaume d’Orange
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie sits perched on the hillside of Lot Valley. With its sun-drenched red roofs, innumerable winding streets, and panoramic view of the Lot River, this village has stepped right off the pages of a storybook and into the modern world.
Where to Stay: Le Mas de Laval
Cordes-sur-Ciel
Cordes-sur-Ciel appears like an ancient fairytale come to life—ripe with history and enchantment. Travelers are seduced by the sun-kissed stones, gothic facades, and beauty around every corner. And when the fog rolls in and swallows the surrounding landscape, Cordes-sur-Ciel becomes a floating city in the sky.
Where to Stay: La Maison Bakea
Colmar
Candy-colored houses make for a view just as sweet in the charming village of Colmar. Surrounded by vineyards, medieval castles, and all-around picturesque beauty, Colmar is the perfect place to leave the world behind and embrace the quieter charms of the countryside.
Where to Stay: Hotel Le Maréchal
Chamonix
Not only is Chamonix wonderful for backcountry sports, but the views are simply breathtaking. Sweeping mountains, sprawling slopes, and glistening glaciers promise an outstanding stay in Chamonix.
Where to Stay: Heliopic Hotel & Spa
Viviers
The quiet town of Viviers is the perfect place to get lost in. Narrow streets, medieval buildings, a Gothic cathedral, and so much more all await exploration.
Where to Stay: Chambre D’Hôtes De La Cathédrale
Annecy
With lakefront views, sprawling canals, and medieval chateaus, Annecy is known as the Venice of the Alps. Pastel houses, cobblestone streets, and decadent delights will enchant you.
Where to Stay: Le Pelican
Loire Valley
Magnificent castles, sprawling gardens, and charming villages make Loire Valley the perfect French countryside escape. Let time pass you by exploring, sipping wine, and soaking in the beauty of this incredible valley.
Where to Stay: Logis Auberge De Crissay
Gordes
A city of stone sprawling across a hilltop, Gordes’ labyrinthine streets all but ensure visitors lose themselves in the beauty and history of this magical place. It’s worth a special trip in late summer to capture the blooming rows of lavender at Senanque Abbey.
Where to Stay: Le Jas de Gordes
L’Isle sur la Sorgue
This provincial town will steal your heart. Flowers bloom alongside scenic canals, streets burst with the loveliest of antique shops to peruse, and orchards and vineyards await discovery.
Where to Stay: Grand Hotel Henri
Èze
What happens when the French countryside and the Mediterranean come together? You get the magical hilltop village of Èze. Sitting perched on the edge of the French Riviera, Èze promises the best of both worlds, from medieval enchantments to panoramic sea views.
Where to Stay: Château De La Chèvre D’Or
Wissembourg
A picturesque village, beautiful castles, and tasty wines—need we say more?
Where to Stay: Moulin de la Walk
Normandy
Normandy may be known for its pivotal role in recent history, but there’s so much more to discover. Jaw-dropping cliffs, sweeping plains, and towering cathedrals—to name a few. Normandy’s endless delights have enticed visitors for centuries, but perhaps none more so than the tidal island of Mont-Saint-Michel and its eye-catching Gothic abbey.
Where to Stay: Hotel Dormy House
Giverny
Giverny is a well-known village in Normandy, largely thanks to one famous impressionist painter, Claude Monet. The beautiful gardens that inspired so many of Monet’s best works offer up one of the most picturesque and sweet-smelling countryside escapes you could ask for, and a tour of his house and gardens is not to be missed.
Where to Stay: La Pluie de Roses
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is a quaint village with old charm for days. The cobbled streets, white and brick houses settled against the river, and sprawling lands with sheep and lush greenery make for a scenic town that seems straight out of a 90s movie set in the European countryside.
Where to Stay: Maison Gure Lana
Conques
Some cities, like stories, are timeless. And Conques, a medieval city tucked away among forests and mountains, appears frozen in time. Outside the summer months, this little medieval village is the quintessential quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Where to Stay: Le Manoir des Pélies
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Pastel-colored houses, photogenic streets and shops, and quaint walks are a few of the delights you can expect when visiting the charming coastal town of Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Where to Stay: Hotel Du Couvent
Castelnou
A hilltop village of stone and brick houses dotted with trees and potted plants is the perfect place to relax while enjoying sweeping views of the French countryside.
Where to Stay: Domaine Des Aspres Mas Del Gall
Eguisheim
Brightly colored houses with timber-framed facades, windowsills covered in plants, and winding, narrow roads make Eguisheim look like a fairytale village.
Where to Stay: L’Auberge Alsacienne
The French Countryside Is Calling. Get There with Next Vacay
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