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Are you wondering what are some great places to visit aside from the City of Lights? Most of the time, we correlate Paris with France. When we speak of France, the “Eiffel Tower”, “Notre Dame” and Parisians almost always come up in conversations, but how will you really know France by looking at only one of its faces, right?

There are thousands of beautiful villages and small towns in the country, and each region has its own special qualities. Travelling around some of the small towns in France means travel between hilltops, rocky coastal towns and breathtaking scenery while enjoying the local lifestyles of the people.

1. Ars-en-Ré

A charming town of bicycles! This is how most people describe Ars-en-Ré. With its white-washed houses and traditional green shutters, hollyhocks, salt pans, and relaxing but sleepy beach town, it is a pleasure to explore this tiny seafarer village.

The center of the village is around an open central square with its trademark Church spire. During summer the clock tower is open to the public. It is a good place to unwind with a relaxing view of the town and the sea. This tiny village on the island of Ré has been drawing sailors and traders for centuries, but modern travelers also succumb to the seaside beauty and valor of this place.

Région/Area: Charente-Maritime

How to get here: To get here, you can take a train from Montparnasse to La Rochelle, and then you will have to get another train or a bus from La Rochelle to Ars-en-Re.

Travel Duration: approx. 6 hrs.

Similar to Ars-en-Ré, Piana is also made up of traditional white-washed stone houses and churches. A town in Corsica, which is also known as the Island of Beauty and listed as a Unesco World Heritage site, Piana is a picturesque setting with the Gulf of Porto below it. Piana has several boutiques, bars and restaurants to choose from.

Région/Area: Corse-du-sud

How to get here: Take a train from Paris (Saint Michel) to Antony Ratp, and then from Antony Ratp, take another train to Paris Orly. From Paris Orly you can get a Calvi plane. The travel time is around one hour and thirty five minutes. When you land at Calvi, you can take a taxi to Piana.

Travel duration: approx. 3 hours and 40 min.

If you are looking for a combination of skiing, hiking and a provincial way of life, Bonneval is a good place to visit. It is below the Col de l’lseran, one of the highest mountains in Europe, so it is recommended for sports enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Bonneval is quite different during summer and winter. During summer, it is a great place for family picnics and outdoor activities. During winter, it turns into a ski resort. It might be a smaller and less known ski area, but it maintains its good reputation for the quality of its snow, plus less crowd mean more space and freedom for you to move and have fun with your friends.

Région/Area: Savoie

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Modane, and take a bus from Modane straight to Bonneval Sur Arc.

Travel duration: Approx. 6 hours and 24 min.

Sometimes referred to as “Little Venice”, Annecy is best for romantic couples.

Annecy’s main attractions include:

Région/Area: : Haute-Savoie

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Annecy .

Travel duration: approx. 3 hrs. and 44 min.

Colmar is well-known as the Alsatian wine capital. It is a colorful town and is considered as one of France’s “Little Venices”. Colmar is full of brightly-colored houses, bright flower-lined canals, and a fairytale-like atmosphere. You can take a canoe trip through the canals of Colmar.

You can also visit:

Région/Area: Haute-Rhin

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Est to Colmar.

Travel duration: approx. 3 hours.

The prettiest town in Brittany! This is the title Dinan holds until now. A medieval town on a hilltop overseeing the river of Rance, Dinan is surrounded with long ramparts or walls, Tudor type houses, port, cobbled streets, art galleries, and shops. Dinan is a well-preserved place with most of its old buildings, some of which were built during the 13th century, and most of its magnificent ramparts still in place.

Some of its major attractions:

Région/Area: Côtes-d’Armor

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Montparnasse going to Rennes. From Rennes take another train to Dol de Bretagne and then another train going to Dinan.

Travel duration: approx. 3 hrs and 40 min.

Another pride of Brittany, Locronan is hailed as one of the Plus Beaux Villages in France (most beautiful villages of France).

The Locronan pilgrimages, for instance, hold a high importance in the land of Brittany. They call this pilgrimage “Tromenie”, which occurs every six years between the second and third Sundays of July. This pilgrimage festival includes a large procession and participants who carry the banners of participating parishes.

Locronan prides itself on its remarkable grand houses built way back in the 18th century, as well as its local museum covering the history of its weaving industry and arts.

Région/Area: Finistère

How to get here: You can take a train from Paris Montparnasse to Quimper, then take the line 37 bus from Quimper to Locronan.

Travel duration: approx. 5 hours.

8. Saint Veran

Saint Veran is the most elevated commune in France, and the third in whole Europe. It is located in the heart of the “Parc Naturel Regional du Queyras” Nature Park in Southern Alps. Upon entering Saint Veran, you will see its traditional hamlets, fountains, wooden chapels, sundials, etc…

Places to visit in Saint Veran are:

Région/Area: Hautes-Alpes

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Valence TGV, the from Valence TGV to Montdauphin-Guill. Reaching Montdauphin-Guill, you can get a taxi to Saint Veran.

Travel duration: approx. 6 hrs and 46 min.

Perouges is a medieval walled town in the northeast of Lyon. The town of Perouges is so romantic, homey and old-fashioned that it is often used in many films. Some of the films created here are The Bride (1985) and The Hour of the Pig (1993). Indeed, Perouges has preserved its medieval landscape.

Going here during April and June will give you a bonus with its spring festival during April and various musical events ranging from Baroque to jazz every June.

Région/Area: Ain

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part Dieu, then a train from Lyon Part Dieu straight to Meximieux-Perouges

Travel duration: approx. 2 hours and 44 minutes.

10. Domfront

You can start your day by visiting some of its historical sites:

Région/Area: Orne

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Montparnasse Vaugirard to Flers, then there is a bus from Flers to Domfront.

Travel duration: approx.4 hours.

Kaysersberg, a.k.a the Mountain of the Emperor, attracts visitors because of its classic Alsace wine trail, so expect barrels of outstanding wines!

Upon entering the town, you will find the high fortress that dominates the city, which serves as a reminder of both its strategic and historic significance. Moreover, similar to some other towns in France, Kaysersberg is made up of old Medieval type houses, half-timbered houses, cobblestoned streets and of course, various Medieval churches. Don’t forget to take a stroll along its 16th century fortified bridge which offers a beautiful view of the river..

Région/Area: Haut-Rhin

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Est to Colmar, and another 5 min train from Colmar to Logelbach. From Logelbach, take the Line 145 bus to Kaysersberg.

Travel duration: approx. 5 hours

12. Lourmarin

Just 20 minutes drive from the village is the Durance River and then 40 minutes from it is the city of Aix-en-Provence if you are looking for a shift in environment.

Région/Area: Vaucluse

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Avignon Center then another train to Cavaillon. In Cavaillon, get the Line 8 bus to Lourmarin.

Travel duration: 6 hours and 45 min.

13. Gaillac

Gaillac will offer you a warm welcome of wines and vineyards, as you stroll around its charming little streets. Gaillac is full of chateaux, dovecotes and umbrella pines. Gaillac has been a major producer of wines from white, to red, and rosé.

Gaillac’s other attractions:

Région/Area: Tarn

How to get here: Take a train from Paris to Toulousse- Matabiau, and another train to Gaillac.

Travel duration: approx. 6 hours and 41 min.

14. Eguisheim

Eguisheim is very unique with its concentric layout of streets unlike other towns and villages in France.

It is a magnet for tourists and visitors because of its flower-filled villages and colorful houses, which give it a fairy tale ambiance. As part of the Alsatian Wine Route, Eguisheim is also a producer of great wines. This is evident with its vineyards, cellars and wine bars all around the city.

Région/Area: Haut-Rhin

How to get here: You can take a train from Paris EST to Colmar and then get a bus from Colmar to Eguisheim.

Travel duration: approx. 4 hours

Last but not least, one of the most popular tourist spots in Upper Normandy.

Etretat offers:

Etretat is best known for its three natural arches and the pointed needle. It attracts tourists and even celebrities because of its peaceful scenery.

Région/Area: Seine-Maritime

How to get here: Take a train from Paris St. Lazare to Le Havre, and then take the Line 24 bus from Le Havre to Etretat.

Travel duration: approx. 3 hours and 31 min.

Conclusion/ Disclaimer

With thousands of small towns and villages in France, I cannot include every town in one article; therefore, I tried my best to choose some of the best places I think are worth visiting. Each region and department also has a unique character of its own.

What’s your favorite village?