The French countryside is full of storybook villages, vineyards, lavender fields and castles that look lifted from a fairytale. After visiting France more times than I can count, these are the ten places outside Paris I return to again and again, with what each is best for, how to get there and where to stay.
Updated October 2026.
The best places in the French countryside at a glance
- Best for wine: Beaune, Burgundy
- Best for fairytale streets: Colmar, Alsace
- Best for castles: the Loire Valley
- Best for lavender and hilltop views: Gordes, Provence
- Best for sea views: Èze, French Riviera
- Best for escaping the crowds: Viviers, Ardèche
1. Viviers, Ardèche
Viviers is a small medieval town on the Rhône that is rarely talked about and even more rarely visited. Its cobbled lanes, cathedral and stone houses feel almost untouched by tourism, which is exactly the appeal. The film Chocolat was shot in Flavigny-sur-Ozerain in Burgundy, but for me Viviers is the closest I have come to that same slow, small-town magic.
- Best for: travellers who want a quiet, authentic village without the crowds.
- Getting there: drive about 15 minutes from Montélimar, which has TGV connections, or combine it with a road trip through the Ardèche gorges.
- Where to stay: base yourself in a restored stone house or a chambre d’hôte in the surrounding villages.
2. Beaune, Burgundy
I have visited Beaune twice and would return in a heartbeat. This walled town is the wine capital of Burgundy, surrounded by some of the most famous vineyards in the world. Don’t miss the Hospices de Beaune with its glazed tile roof, tastings in the cellars beneath the old town, and a drive or bike ride along the Route des Grands Crus.
- Best for: wine lovers and food lovers.
- Getting there: just over two hours from Paris by train, via a TGV to Dijon and a short regional train to Beaune.
- Where to stay: Hôtel Le Cep, set in a collection of historic mansions in the heart of the old town.
3. Annecy, French Alps
Annecy is one of those postcard towns you have to pinch yourself to believe. Set on the shores of Lake Annecy, with glacial water flowing through canals in the old town, it is made for wandering cobbled lanes, browsing the markets and swimming or boating on one of the clearest lakes in Europe.
- Best for: lakes, mountains and summer swims.
- Getting there: around 45 minutes by car from Geneva airport, or under four hours by TGV from Paris.
- Where to stay: L’Impérial Palace, a grand Belle Époque hotel on the lakefront.
4. Colmar, Alsace
I had long dreamed of visiting Colmar before I finally made it in spring. If you only visit one town in the French countryside, make it this one. Close to the German border, Colmar blends French and German architecture in candy-coloured, half-timbered houses that line the canals of Little Venice. Nearby Eguisheim is an easy bike ride away through the vineyards of the Alsace Wine Route, and in December the Christmas markets are some of the best in Europe.
- Best for: fairytale streets, Alsace wine and Christmas markets.
- Getting there: around two and a half hours by TGV from Paris Gare de l’Est.
- Where to stay: L’Esquisse Hotel & Spa, a stylish MGallery hotel a short walk from the old town.
5. The Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is as dreamy as you would imagine, with hundreds of châteaux, vineyards and riverside towns. You can visit as a day trip from Paris, but it is far better with a few nights, so you can see Chenonceau, Chambord, Cheverny and the gardens of Villandry without rushing. Read my three-day Loire Valley itinerary for the full plan, current ticket prices and where to stay.
- Best for: castles and gardens.
- Getting there: around an hour by high-speed train from Paris to Tours, or hire a car to hop between châteaux.
- Where to stay: Les Sources de Cheverny, with a Caudalie spa and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
6. Gordes, Provence
Gordes sits on a hilltop in the Luberon, its honey-coloured stone houses stacked above the valley below. Come in late June or July, when the lavender fields around the nearby Abbaye de Sénanque are in bloom, and stay for golden-hour views over the countryside.
- Best for: lavender, hilltop views and Provençal markets.
- Getting there: around 40 minutes by car from Avignon, which is under three hours by TGV from Paris.
- Where to stay: Airelles Gordes, La Bastide, a luxury hotel carved into the village with sweeping views of the Luberon.
7. Arles, Provence
On the banks of the Rhône, Arles doesn’t get talked about nearly as much as it should. Its Roman amphitheatre is still used for events, Van Gogh painted some of his most famous works here, and the Frank Gehry-designed LUMA Arles tower has turned the town into a destination for art lovers.
- Best for: art, history and a slower pace of Provence.
- Getting there: around 20 minutes by train from Avignon, or an easy stop on a south of France road trip.
- Where to stay: L’Arlatan, an art-filled hotel with interiors by artist Jorge Pardo.
8. Château de Cormatin, Burgundy
I had never heard of Château de Cormatin until I was standing in its grounds marvelling at the gardens. It is one of the finest private château restorations I have seen, with richly painted interiors and a maze-like formal garden. It is a glimpse into the lives of the aristocrats who once escaped Paris for the countryside.
- Best for: château interiors and formal gardens.
- Getting there: in southern Burgundy, an easy drive from Cluny and Mâcon. Check opening dates on the château’s website before you go.
- Where to stay: combine it with a stay in Beaune, around an hour and a half away.
9. Bayeux, Normandy
On the River Aure in Normandy, Bayeux is a picture-perfect town of stone houses, flower boxes and a soaring Norman Gothic cathedral. It is also the perfect base for the D-Day landing beaches. Good to know: the Bayeux Tapestry is on loan to the British Museum in London from 10 September 2026 to 11 July 2027, so plan around it if seeing the tapestry is your main reason to visit.
- Best for: history lovers and spring and summer escapes.
- Getting there: around two and a half hours by train from Paris Saint-Lazare.
- Where to stay: Villa Lara, a boutique hotel overlooking the cathedral.
10. Èze, French Riviera
Perched on a clifftop above the Mediterranean, Èze has the feel of a tiny medieval village with the glamour of the Riviera on its doorstep. Wander its stone lanes, climb to the Jardin Exotique for panoramic sea views, then walk down the Nietzsche Path to the coast.
- Best for: sea views and a taste of the Riviera.
- Getting there: around 30 minutes by car from Nice.
- Where to stay: Château de la Chèvre d’Or, a legendary clifftop hotel woven through the village.
When to visit the French countryside
Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September and October) are the best times to visit. The weather is warm, the gardens and vineyards are at their best, and you avoid the peak crowds and prices of July and August. Lavender in Provence peaks from late June to mid-July, and the Alsace Christmas markets run through December.
How to get around
France’s high-speed TGV network makes it easy to reach the regions, but a hire car is the best way to explore villages, vineyards and châteaux at your own pace. Pick up a car at a regional train station such as Avignon, Dijon or Tours to skip driving out of Paris.
French countryside FAQs
What is the most beautiful village in the French countryside?
It is hard to pick one, but Colmar in Alsace, Gordes in Provence and Èze on the Riviera are among the most beautiful. For somewhere quieter, Viviers in the Ardèche is a hidden gem.
Which region of France is best for a countryside escape?
Provence for lavender, light and markets; Burgundy and Alsace for wine; the Loire Valley for châteaux; and Normandy for history and green countryside.
Can you visit the French countryside without a car?
Yes. Many towns, including Beaune, Colmar, Annecy, Arles and Bayeux, are reachable by train from Paris. A car makes it easier to reach smaller villages such as Gordes and Viviers.
Planning more of France? Read my guides to 20 incredible places to visit in France, fairytale towns in Europe and the south of France in summer.
Brooke is a Tasmanian-born writer and professional baker who started World of Wanderlust in 2013 and has since travelled to 86 countries. These days her guides focus on what she knows best: the bakeries, hotels and places worth crossing the world for.
nice post