Off France’s Tourist Trail

France is the most visited country in the world. And while certain travelers (myself for many years included) find themselves stuck in Paris, an increasing number of people are exploring the country quite extensively.

And in all directions. Some head west—mostly to Mont Saint-Michel, but sometimes to explore the broader Normandy and Brittany regions. Others head southwestward to Bordeaux or southeastward to Lyon, and still others continue all the way into France’s deep south, i.e. Provence and the Côte d’Azur.

To frame it another way, exploring France off the beaten path can be difficult, on account of how much the country’s tourist trail has expanded to include. It’s as much about where you go as it is how (and why) you go there!

Defining France’s Tourist Trail

Before I tell you how to explore France off the beaten track, we need to talk about what does—and what doesn’t—constitute France’s tourist trail. It’s a somewhat complicated discussion. Obviously, Paris and the area around it (including Versailles and the Loire Valley) are on the tourist trail, as are Bordeaux and its wine country and the entire region of Provence (lavender)-Alpes (mountains)-Côte d’Azur (beaches). This much is obvious.

Beyond this, however, things get complicated. For example, while destinations like Mont Saint-Michel and the D-Day Beaches are undoubtedly mainstream, it isn’t necessarily true that surrounding Normandy or nearby Brittany are. Likewise, Lyon (in spite of being France’s third-largest city) is not a massive tourist destination, and neither is the country’s second city (Marseille) to any sober observer. This ambiguity will inform the rest of my analysis.

Ways to Go Off France’s Beaten Path

Rent a car—and stop often

Renting a car in France isn’t without its pitfalls, among them getting surprise traffic violations in the mail, or rental agencies charging you for damage you didn’t cause. However, it’s also one of the most surefire ways to go off France’s beaten path, whether this empowers you to stop at random lavender fields in Provence, or take scenic routes through Normandy or the French Alps.

Take day trips from major cities

Another way to access France off the beaten path? Taking day trips, which to be fair often does require renting cars. From Bordeaux, for example, you can head westward to the bizarre Dune du Pilat, and drive southward from there into the French Basque Country, one of the least-visited parts of France. A train-focused day trip, meanwhile, could take you from Lyon into France’s underrated Burgundy region, i.e. the city of Dijon and the wineries just west of Beaune.

(And side trips from top attractions)

Likewise, you can escape the very mainstream Mont Saint-Michel and head to more unique destinations such as Éretrat and the aptly-named Alabaster Coast. Or, you can head westward into Brittany, which in spite of being somewhat popular among French people (and from those across the Channel in England) is relatively unknown to many non-European foreign visitors.

Go outside of peak hours (or season)

Often times, off the beaten track France isn’t as much a place as it is a circumstance. One time, for example, I visited the Palace of Versailles on a Tuesday afternoon in early autumn. And I was shocked that, while still crowded in spots, it was utterly empty in others—this would be unthinkable during the summer. Likewise, the summer-favorite Côte d’Azur can be warm all throughout the year, but before May and after September is almost deserted.

Follow the advice of locals

Remember earlier, when I talked about driving through France’s lavender fields? While this was obviously my priority on that particular trip, I also decided to listen to the owners of my charming guest house in Valensole, who recommended I visit the tiny, centuries-old, family-owned Château d’Aulan just north of Sault. It ended up being one of the most special places I’ve ever visited, even though it was less than an hour from some of France’s busiest environs for tourists.

A Foolproof Way to Take an Authentic France Trip

Whether you use AI or simply speak to friends or family who’ve been to France, it’s pretty easy to plan an ordinary France trip—assuming you plan it at all. I’ve met countless people who allocate two or three weeks to France but then, apart from buying plane tickets and reserving a few nights in a Paris hotel or Airbnb, basically just wing the rest of the trip. Yes, in the 2020s—I’m not kidding.

I’m also not judging: You do you, boo! However, what I will say is that if you want a trip that mixes off the beaten path France with the best of the tourist trail, there is a better way. Specifically, to hire me to plan a custom France itinerary for you. When you do, I’ll provide you with personalized daily recommendations for activities, meals and accommodation, plus detailed transportation advice throughout.

Other FAQ About Exploring France off the Beaten Path

What to do off the beaten path in Paris?

Most of Paris’ proverbial path is quite beaten, though there are ways to break the mold a little bit. For example, you can trade popular tourist neighborhoods like Montmartre and Le Marais for neighborhoods like Belleville, which are beloved by locals, but not as well-known by foreigners. Taking day trips can also have a positive impact, though some destinations (namely Versailles) are often even more crowded than Paris itself.

What are some interesting places to visit off the beaten path in Provence?

One of my favorite places in Provence to go off the beaten path is at the family-owned Château d’Aulan just north of Sault. If you’re looking for someplace a little less remote, the town of L’Isle sur la Sorgue strikes a balance between tourism facilities and creature comforts without feeling like a Provençal Disneyland.

Is Brittany considered off France’s beaten path?

With a few exceptions (namely Saint-Malo, and largely for its proximity to the Rennes TGV Station), I do generally consider Brittany to be off France’s beaten path. Although destinations like Locronan and Concarneau are popular among tourists from within Brittany and elsewhere in France, they simply aren’t visited often enough by foreigners to be considered mainstream.

The Bottom Line

Exploring France off the beaten path is more difficult than you might think—and not necessarily because you need to go far from major destinations, or because you’ll have to speak fluent French in order to survive. Quite the opposite, in fact. You see, so many people explore France far outside its capital than even secondary cities (such as Bordeaux and Lyon) and auxiliary regions (like the French Basque Country or Burgundy) can seem surprisingly touristic. Thankfully, taking a more unique trip to France doesn’t necessarily depend on where you go. It could mean renting a car so that you’re able to stop as you see fit, or visiting during a less crowded time of year. Or, as the case may be, hiring me to plan your trip to France.