7 Lesser-Known Corners of France Away from the Crowds

Big-name destinations get all the attention, but plenty of places across France offer just as much character without the crowds.

These ten spots are easy to reach and worth your time. They give you breathing room, interesting sights, and a different angle on the country. Most travelers overlook them. You don’t have to.

UPDATE: I’ve added 3 more great towns to the initial list!

1. Nantes, Pays de la Loire

A creative port city that feels both historic and experimental. You can walk past medieval ramparts, then ride a 40-foot mechanical elephant down the Loire.

The Château des Ducs de Bretagne has a smart museum covering both local history and France’s role in the slave trade. Nearby, the old shipyards have been turned into public art spaces and quirky installations.

Fast trains from Paris take two hours. Most people skip it!

2. Conques, Aveyron

This medieval village is A UNESCO World Heritage site that sits on a hillside with stone houses, narrow lanes, and an abbey that still draws pilgrims walking the Camino.

The stained glass windows of the Abbey de Sainte-Foy were redesigned by Pierre Soulages and glow differently depending on the time of day.

No cars in the village center, no big crowds. To get here, you’ll need a car, but the drive through the Aveyron countryside is part of the trip.

3. Ariège, Occitanie

One of the least populated departments in France, and it shows. You’ll find ruined castles on rocky cliffs, tiny villages in steep valleys, and empty mountain trails.

The Cathar fortress of Montségur is a highlight, as well as quiet towns like Foix. It’s close to Toulouse but barely touched by tourism.

Perfect if you want a wild-feeling corner of the Pyrenees without big ski resorts or crowds.

4. Gavarnie, Occitanie

This high Pyrenees village is known for the Cirque de Gavarnie, a massive glacial amphitheater surrounded by 3,000-meter peaks. It’s a UNESCO-listed site, but still surprisingly low-key.

You can hike straight from the village to the base of the waterfall (Europe’s tallest) in under two hours.

Avoid July-August weekends if you want total peace, but even then, it’s never packed like the Alps.

5. Bidart, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Just south of Biarritz, this Basque coastal village is slower-paced and less flashy. The beach is big, raw, and backed by cliffs. Surf schools and local cafés line the water, and the village square still hosts pelote matches.

Stay here instead of crowded Saint-Jean-de-Luz if you want the same scenery without the frills.

6. Vannes, Brittany

While Brittany is popular with French travelers, Vannes remains somewhat under the radar for international tourists.

A walled city on the Gulf of Morbihan with timber-framed houses and a calm port. Markets are excellent, especially the one at Place des Lices, and the nearby islands are easy to reach by ferry.

Vannes is lively without being hectic. It’s a good base if you want to explore southern Brittany without running into tour bus groups.

7. La Ciotat, Provence

Old port, working harbor, and none of the Riviera flash. This is where the Lumière brothers shot one of the first films ever made.

The old town has faded grandeur, and the calanques nearby are less crowded than those near Cassis.

The train from Marseille takes under an hour. If you want a coastal town that feels lived in, not curated, this is it.

8. Le Grau-du-Roi, Occitanie

A former fishing port turned beach town on the Mediterranean. The main beach is wide, the seafood is fresh, and there’s still a local vibe.

Unlike flashy resorts nearby, this place hasn’t gone upscale. You can also walk or bike into the wilds of the Camargue, flamingos, rice paddies, and all.

9. Dinan, Brittany

Cobbled streets, steep alleys, a stone viaduct, and half-timbered houses. Dinan looks postcard-ready, but most international tourists miss it.

It sits on the Rance River, a short hop from Saint-Malo, but with fewer people and a more relaxed feel. it has amazing views and landmarks such as the Saint-Malo Gate and the Château de Dinan.

You can walk the ramparts, hang out along the port with a crêpe, and visit the well-maintained historic center bustling with local shops and cafés.

10. L’isle sur la Sorgue, Provence

It’s on the tourist map, but somehow still chill – except for Sunday mornings when the antique market floods in.

Canals run through the town, with old waterwheels and shady cafés. It’s a good base for exploring the Luberon without staying in super-crowded villages.

Get up early, take a quiet walk along the river, and the town feels like your own.