10 Places in France Travelers Recommend Again and Again
When people share their favorite places in France, certain names keep showing up. They’re often not the first stops on a typical trip, but they leave a strong impression.
This list is based on real stories from travelers who went beyond the usual and found places worth returning to.
1. Dordogne and the Lot
This area comes up more than almost anywhere else. People describe long river days, markets full of duck and strawberries, and villages that look untouched.
Sarlat-la-Canéda is a favorite for its medieval streets and food stalls. Rocamadour is perched on a cliff and makes a strong impression. Beynac and Domme get mentioned as places to rent a house and stay put.
South of there, Cahors and the Lot Valley keep the same atmosphere with fewer visitors.
Canoeing and local produce are often mentioned for these areas. Some visit Josephine Baker’s château near Sarlat and say it adds unexpected depth to the trip.
It’s the kind of place people say they could retire in.
2. Alsace villages
Colmar gets plenty of praise, but it’s the small villages nearby that people remember most. Eguisheim, Kaysersberg, and Riquewihr come up again and again.
Timbered houses, vineyards in every direction, and narrow streets that feel suspended in time.
Turckheim is a common stop for wine fans, especially those looking for producers like Zind-Humbrecht. Wissembourg comes up less often but usually with strong reviews.
Travelers recommend renting bikes and going in spring or fall. The weather holds, and the pace is quieter.
3. Northern Brittany
Saint-Malo stands out, the walled town by the sea gets described as atmospheric without trying to be. Some stay just outside in Saint-Servan and prefer the calm.
Dinan and Dol-de-Bretagne both have strong character. Further west, Lannion and Perros-Guirec are often used as bases for seeing the pink granite coast.
Fouesnant gets mentioned as a surprise, especially on clear days when the water turns turquoise.
People also talk about canal boats, oysters, and local cider. It’s a region that keeps showing up in quiet, positive ways.
4. Nantes and the Loire
Nantes comes up often in posts about trips that felt different. It has a strong identity and a few sights that astonish visitors.
Les Machines de l’île is usually at the top of the list. It’s a mechanical world set inside an old shipyard, and it works for all ages.
The city’s markets also get mentioned, especially for oysters and Muscadet.
Angers is nearby and comes up for its giant medieval tapestry, which a few people said was unexpectedly moving.
The region is easy to explore by car, and Nantes feels like a place you could settle into for a few days without needing a checklist.
5. Annecy
Annecy is more familiar to French travelers than to many international ones. People compare it to a small Venice, but with mountains and a clear lake always in view.
The old town is tidy and compact. The lake is swimmable and calm. Travelers mention hiking trails, paddleboarding, and long afternoons doing nothing.
It’s especially popular in late spring and early autumn. Summer can be crowded. But off-season visits get described as peaceful and easy.
Several people said they planned a short stay and ended up wishing they had booked longer.
6. Provence towns
These aren’t the places that first show up in guidebooks. But they’re the ones travelers talk about after the trip.
Avignon has a strong core, good food, and a steady stream of events. Arles draws people for its Roman sites and its connection to Van Gogh.
Les Baux-de-Provence looks carved out of the rock. Multiple travelers said they found it by accident and stayed longer than planned.
Aix-en-Provence stands out for its energy and walkability. Some mention it as their favorite place to stay in their twenties. Others just go for the daily life.
Provence moves slowly. That’s part of the draw.
7. Toulouse
Toulouse doesn’t get the same attention as the cities around it, but it often surprises people who visit. Its nickname, “The Pink City,” refers to the brick buildings that change with the light.
Travelers talk about the feel of the place with open squares, long meals, and easy walking.
The mechanical theater Halles de la Machine gets strong reviews. So does the aerospace museum, especially for families. In the winter, the Christmas market brings the whole center to life.
Many people said they didn’t expect much but left wanting to come back.
8. Strasbourg
Strasbourg gets strong mentions in two seasons. In spring, the city feels bright and open, with flowers along the water. In December, it turns into one of France’s most photographed Christmas markets.
The walk from Petite France to the European Parliament shows the contrast between old and new. The modern art museum also comes up very often.
Some travelers stay here instead of Colmar to avoid heavy crowds while still being close to the wine route.
Strasbourg gets mentioned often and positively. It stands on its own.
9. Languedoc area
This region covers a lot of ground, and travelers tend to highlight different parts of it.
Nîmes and Orange both come up for their Roman monuments. Pont du Gard gets described as one of the most impressive sights of any trip. Carcassonne impresses travelers, especially for families.
Along the coast, people mention Montpellier, Sète, and Aigues-Mortes. The Camargue also gets attention for its open landscapes and flamingos.
Inland, Rennes-le-Château draws those interested in local legends. The Cathar castles are often mentioned by hikers and history fans.
Even in high season, this region rarely feels crowded.
10. Les Cévennes
This is one of the quietest regions that still gets regular mentions. It’s not polished. the hills are steep, the roads are narrow. The villages feel like they’ve been there forever.
People talk about walking the Stevenson Trail or staying in places where everyone knows each other.
Sainte-Enimie and the Lozère area come up often. Travelers describe a deep feeling of calm and a welcome that sticks with you.
It’s not a place you find by accident, but people who go tend to remember it.