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When travelling to France, many visitors favour hitting the most popular cities such as Paris, Marseille or Nice. Yes, these major cities are fantastic and always worth a visit, but what about exploring some of France's most underrated destinations-- which can offer a more relaxed and uncrowded environment while discovering all of their unique cultural attractions during your vacation?
Read on and find out which are some of France's most hidden jewels worth adding to your travel itinerary this 2021!
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Ahh, Toulouse! This dreamy city is an absolute eye-catcher thanks to its plethora of brilliant architectural styles-- including its pink terracotta brick-tiled buildings-- which give Toulouse the nickname "Ville Rose" (Pink City). This city is also home to one of Europe's first emerged Universities: University of Toulouse-- established in 1229.
What's also fascinating about Toulouse is that it is 2000 years old. It was incipiently a small Celtic settlement and later got occupied by the Romans in 2AD; which means Toulouse is bursting in interesting historical landmarks-- such as the gorgeous Basilica of St. Semin--, making it ideal for history-lovers.
Thanks to its notable aerospace industry, and arguably the largest in Europe-- it's the perfect destination for space buffs and connoisseurs. If you're one of them, you cannot leave Toulouse without visiting the French space agency-- known as the European Airbus headquarters.
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Annecy-- renowned as "France's hidden gem", "the Pearl of the French Alps", or "Venice of the Alps"-- the latter given to its three canals and river which run through the town. These nicknames can already give you a hint of the oozing beauty and quaintness of this town. A well-worth all-year-round destination where one either can go skiing in winter or hiking in the summer. This magnificent destination boasts radiating natural beauty as far as the eyes can see-- and one unmissable attraction is Lake Annecy. This beautiful lake is the second-largest in France and has one of the world's purest waters.
For all history buffs-- Nimes will take your breath away. This magnificent Gallic town offers a cornucopia of beautiful historical sites. Founded by the Romans, exploring Nimes harks back to the Roman period-- and is often called the "Rome of France"-- given to its spectacular 1st-century Amphitheatre, and the temple Maison Carrée, among other Roman landmarks.
Does this name ring a bell? Well, if you like mustard, for sure! Because the Dijon mustard was named after this gorgeous Gallic town. Yet this isn't the only thing to know about Dijon. Originally a Roman settlement called Divio, this town has a stunning historical city-centre, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site-- perfect for getting lost in its beautiful tiled-streets. It also boasts a variety of beautiful architectural-styled churches-- reminiscent of the renaissance and medieval periods.
It's also a great city to indulge in exquisite wine, shopping and art.
Though Avignon is an old and medieval city, it offers a vibrant and youthful atmosphere thanks to its Avignon University. The perfect destination for those who enjoy wandering around-- given to its wonderful old town and winding streets where one can get lost and explore medieval sites and historical landmarks while soaking up the sunrays and listening to church bells in the background. Originally founded by a pope, this papal city was under church control until the 18th century.
The main yearly event is the Avignon Theatre Festival in July, where one can enjoy a host of music, theatre, and dance performances throughout the town-- and an unmissable cultural addition to one's itinerary.
Make sure to try Les Papalines d'Avignon while you're there-- a local speciality bonbon made of chocolate and oregano liquor.
Corsica is a captivating French island off the Mediterranean coast-- with a rich culture and history. For one thing, Corsica hasn't always been French. It's been part of France for a mere 200 years. It was initially a Roman settlement and got incessantly invaded by many Italian states throughout history-- due to its strategic location. During Genoa's rule of the island, they finally sold it to France in 1768. Also, you'll find that the majority of islanders speak Corsican! And French is their second language.
When visiting this destination, go ahead and get lost in their cobbled streets and beautiful natural interiors. And don't forget to explore their Instagram-worthy hilltop villages and breathtaking beaches.
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This quaint town, capital of Brittany, is considered the birthplace of Surrealism-- whose marvellous attractions never disappoint. One of which is the Château des Ducs de Bretagne-- a picturesque castle and an old site for the Dukes of Brittany. Its surrounding gardens are also ideal for a family picnic.
Furthermore, one cannot pass visiting Les Machines de L'Île. These are giant animatronic creature-pieces inspired by Jule Verne's writings, designed and brought to life by contemporary artist François Delaroziere.
Albi continues leaving its visitors in awe thanks to its vibrant culture and breathtaking scenery. Situated less than an hour from Toulouse, this 5000-year-old picturesque town is the embodiment of iconic cultural Frenchness. Thanks to its spectacular art, culture, history, and attractive amenities, this city entertains people of all tastes. When travelling to this episcopal city, do not leave without visiting the Cathedrale Ste-Cecile and its soaring bell tower. This magnificent cathedral is visible from any place in the city. Also one can admire the beautiful 13th-century cobblestone houses, which exude Albi's character of timeless antiquity.
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