The Most Underrated Places in France – According to Travelers

Small Towns That Stuck With People

Ribeauvillé – A medieval Alsatian village flanked by vine-covered hills.
St-Rémy-de-Provence – A place that surprised one commenter in the best way.
Dinan – In Brittany, a riverside town visitors love
Colmar – Colorful, canal-side beauty in Alsace.
Beaune – Great wine town, excellent reds .
Amboise – Loire Valley charm with château views.
Sarlat – Mentioned passionately.
Rocamadour – Clifftop village with deep historical roots.
Najac – Described as “fairytale” and unforgettable.
Pont-Aven – Small town with strong art connections.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie – Tucked beneath cliffs near the Verdon Gorge.
Bormes-les-Mimosas – Loved for flowers and coastal setting.
Les Baux-de-Provence – Shared with Arles as a pair worth visiting.
Sezanne – Quiet Champagne-area village.
Tournus – The Church of St. Philibert got a special mention.
Essoyes – Small Aube village with artistic history (Renoir lived there).
Nyons – Olive-growing town with a Provençal vibe.
Apt – Known for markets and local food culture.
Salies-de-Béarn – Thermal spa town in the Pyrénées.
Cassel – Historic hilltop village in northern France.
Armentières – A border town with WWI significance.
Gisors – Castle ruins and Templar myths.
Chartres – Famous for its Gothic cathedral.
Bayeux – Celebrated for its tapestry and well-kept town center.
Arras – Flemish-style architecture and WWI tunnels.
Megeve – Alpine ski resort with an upscale feel.
Annecy – Lake views and pastel facades.
Cassis – Fishing port with access to the Calanques.
Gerardmer – A Vosges town near lakes and forests.
Tautavel – Prehistoric museum and archaeological interest.
Orange – Roman theatre and ancient ruins.
Eze – Cliffside views near the Riviera.
Aubervilliers – something special.
Vichy – Strong architectural identity and spa culture.
Gavarnie – High-mountain cirque in the Pyrenees.
La Rochelle – Atlantic port with historic towers.
Six-Fours-les-Plages – Coastal living near Toulon.
Nevers – Peaceful town with a rich cathedral and pottery heritage.
Cucuron – A Luberon village with a large, tree-shaded pond in the center.
Locronan – Cobblestone village with film-set looks.
Honfleur – Harbor town with art galleries and old charm.

Cities People Say Deserve More Attention

Lyon – Food, wine, and bookshops came up. Some said they’d move there.
Marseille – Lively, rough-edged, and real.
Toulouse – Warm energy and pink-hued architecture.
Lille – Surprised many. Some were told it was “ugly” but loved it.
Grenoble – Called out for its lifestyle and location.
Nice – A few noted it’s still underrated despite fame.
Nantes – Highlighted as a place where French people vacation.
Strasbourg – Close to Germany, full of color and canals.
Paris – Several people still argued it’s underrated.
Bordeaux – Great wine and atmosphere.
Reims – Noted for Champagne but mentioned with love.
Dijon – Burgundy’s capital, often skipped but praised here.
Clermont-Ferrand – Volcanic landscapes nearby and deep history.
Nancy – Art Nouveau fans will find it rewarding.
Amiens – Gothic cathedral and floating gardens.
Avignon – “So much more than a bridge.” Loved for cafés and the market.
Caen – WWII history and pretty town center.
Rouen – Medieval vibes with lots to see.

Regions That Got Repeated Praise

Dordogne – People raved.
Loire Valley – Castles and wine.
Brittany – Cited for its coastal towns and distinct culture.
Normandy – Beaches, cider, and calm towns.
Burgundy (Bourgogne) – Food, wine, and villages.
Auvergne – Volcanic terrain and its own dialect.
Drôme – Scenic, sunny, and not overly touristy.
Franche-Comté – Off the beaten path but praised.
Jura – Mountains, cheese, and lakes.
Savoie – Alps and alpine lakes.
Ardèche – River valleys and outdoor sports.
Aveyron – Quiet countryside, medieval villages.
Tarn – Highlighted for being overlooked.
Var (incl. Fayence, Seillans, Montauroux, Callian) – Inland villages with Provençal charm.
Corbières (Languedoc) – Wine country with hills and castles.
Alpes-Maritimes – Coastline plus mountains.
Basque Coast (Bay of Biscay) – Coastal towns with fewer English speakers.
Corsica – Rugged, beautiful, and a different side of France.

Nature Spots People Can’t Forget

Gorges du Verdon – “Driven around it several times and love it.”
Cirque de Gavarnie – Dramatic Pyrenean scenery.
Forêt de Brocéliande – Legendary Breton forest.
Soulac-sur-Mer – Atlantic beach town.
Mont Saint-Michel – Several still think it’s underrated.
Mont Saint-Pierre – clearly made an impression.
Canal du Midi (Enserune + Malpas tunnel) – dinner on a péniche boat, watching concerts near the oppidum.
Bay of Biscay coast – Highlighted for peaceful vacations.

Castles, Monuments & Sites That Left a Mark

Puy du Fou – “Leaves Disney in the dust.” Highly praised as historic, original, and mind-blowing.
Château de Fontainebleau – “it blew my mind.”
Vaux-le-Vicomte – Elegant château with a big reputation among those in the know.
Memorial for the Lafayette Escadrille (Marnes-la-Coquette) – Also noted for the interesting town.
Greek temple ruins in Enserune – Overlooking a circular field; impressive.
Church of St. Philibert (Tournus) – recommended.
Apocalypse Tapestry + Jean Lurçat Museum (Angers) – For tapestry lovers.

Museums That Deserve More Visitors

Picasso Museum – Gets overshadowed in Paris, but recommended.
Marmottan Monet Museum – Holds the world’s largest Monet collection.
Carnavalet Museum – Free and full of Parisian history.
Musée de Cluny (National Museum of the Middle Ages) – Great for medieval buffs.

This list came from real travelers who saw the magic in places you might never think to visit.

Got your own underrated gem in France? Add it to the list.