Visiting Paris, France is a bucket list item for many. BUT … if you only visit Paris, you are missing out on the amazing charm of so many of the most picturesque small towns in France. Would I recommend exploring these small towns near Paris? Emphatically, YES! Whether you make plans for day trips from Paris or plan for a two- or three-day excursions to destinations going north, south, east, or west, you will absolutely LOVE these dreamy medieval towns in France.
And you may find that a quick jaunt to neighboring Belgium to discover Ghent and Bruges will fill your charming villages bucket list as well!
15 Small Towns in France Near Paris
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If you plan to rent a car as you visit the plus beaux villages de France, be sure to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy during your adventures as you set off along the winding back roads of the French countryside.
TIP * I always pack a foldable insulated cooler in the bottom of my suitcase when I know that we will be renting a car. It makes bringing a picnic lunch and snacks doable.
Where to Stay
One of the charming experiences you can have when visiting the smaller towns and villages outside of Paris is to stay in amazing vacation rentals. Rentals that simply shout French Charm! Discover your next stay with Vrbo.
1. Aix-en-Provence
Recommended Length of Stay: At least 2-3 Days
Have you ever dreamed of visiting Aix-en-Provence in the south of France? Did you know that it makes a great choice for an off-season getaway for an adventurous couple?
Plan your visit in the fall or spring and you’ll encounter fewer tourists, temperate weather, and a more relaxed vibe.
Book your tickets in advance and plan to spend a day or two OR seven exploring “Aix” and all of the south of France. These small towns in the south of France are idyllic and picture-perfect.
Things to do in Aix-en-Provence:
- Stroll along the Cours Mirabeau
- Visit the Christmas Market that begins around the end of November
- Tour Aix Cathedral
- Explore “Old Aix”
- Enjoy a beignet from PAUL bakery
- See the studio of Paul Cézanne where he worked for the last four years of his life
- Don’t forget Camp des Milles—France’s only World War II internment and deportation camp
Cours Mirabeau, the main street off the rotunda, had once been a dividing line of class—the poor on the left side of the street, the rich on the right side. At night the gate to the poor section used to be locked so that no one could sneak out!
2. Bayeux
Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Days (Be sure to explore Normandy and Mont-Saint-Michel as well).
As you drive through the French countryside in the summertime, you pass through plus beaux villages de France and homes adorned with brilliant pink hydrangeas, white hydrangeas, roses, and red geraniums.
These are some of the most picturesque towns in France that I have had the pleasure to see.
It is possible to take the train to Bayeux, but you may wish to rent a car to get around once you arrive so that you can properly explore another one of the small towns in France that is sooooo worth visiting.
Things to do in Bayeux:
- Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral
- Wander through the Botanical Gardens of Bayeux
- Plan a tour to the beaches of Normandy
- Visit the Bayeux War Cemetery
- Shop at the Bayeux Market on Saturday morning
- Tour the Baron Gérard Museum
- Visit the Old Town with its historic water wheel on the beautiful Aure River
- Eat at Le Moulin de la Galette Restaurant
3. Cassis
Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Days (more if you want to explore the south of France)
Following the advice of your hotel concierge, when you arrive in Cassis, you may wish to head down to the harbor to buy tickets to visit the calanques (calancas) on a boat tour. Or better yet, schedule an exciting day tour.
“The Calanques are a series of rocky cliffs and bays between the city of Marseille and the town of Cassis, in the south of France. They’re essentially inlets that have been formed in the limestone cliffs, leaving behind a series of beautiful little bays.”
Theculturetrip.com
Things to do in Cassis:
- Book a boat tour of the calanques
- Kayak along the coastline
- Wander around the harbor
- Drive up above the harbor for stunning views of Cassis along the Route des Cretes
- Visit the seafront along the Mediterranean for a little sunbathing
- Enjoy Plage de la Grande Mer, Cassis’ main beach, with the family
- Walk or hike in Calanques National Park
- Spend the afternoon people watching
- Shop
This idyllic little coastal village of Cassis is gaining in popularity and is the perfect place to enjoy a sunny afternoon. Discover this charming small town in southern France.
Due to its distance from Paris, you may wish to explore Cassis on a weekend or overnight getaway.
4. Colmar
Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Days (plan to explore Riquewihr as well)
Colmar is one of the prettiest French towns you absolutely need to visit; it might just remind you of a Disney fairytale.
Things to do in Colmar:
- Visit Little Venice or “Petite Venise” with its colorful half-timbered buildings along the canal
- Wander through the Old Town along cobbled streets
- Shop at the quaint shops and boutiques
- Order from a patisserie and sample traditional Alsatian biscuits
- Visit St. Martin’s Church in the city center
- Cruise the canal on a flat-bottomed boat
- Experience the markets in the Alsace region
- Spend a leisure afternoon relaxing at Champ de Mars park
- Visit the Bartholdi Museum, home of Colmar’s most famous son, Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. Bartholdi, the creator of the Statue of Liberty, has a museum dedicated to his sculptures located in the home where he was born
- Visit Pfister House with its colorfully painted facade and octagonal turret
5. Disneyland Paris
Recommended Length of Stay: Day Trip from Paris
As one of the most exciting day trips from Paris, visiting Disneyland Paris is amazing. If you want to spend more time at Disneyland Paris, be sure to book rooms at one of the amazing Disneyland Paris hotels.
Chris and I were exploring Paris with our three girls and managed to keep our plans to visit Disneyland Paris a secret until two days before our scheduled visit. Talk about the ultimate way to surprise your kids with an adventure!
Things to do in Disneyland Paris:
- Visit Adventureland, Discoveryland, Fantastyland and Frontierland in Disneyland Park
- Visit the “New” Avengers Campus, Worlds of Pixar, Toon Studio and the Production Courtyard in the Walt Disney Studios Park
- Get your camera ready for Meet n’ Greets with your favorite Disney characters and Princesses
- Dance along at the Main Street Parades
- Visit the shops & boutiques
- Buy a pair of Mickey Mouse ears
- Stroll along Main Street, USA
- Stay for the Disneyland Paris Spectacular finale at the end of the day
Be sure to download the FREE Disneyland Paris Mobile App before you arrive at the park.
Among other things, the app shows a map of the park, displays your current location in the park, indicates which rides are open or closed, identifies times and locations to meet characters, and is handy for displaying the current wait times for rides!
If you plan to visit both Disneyland Paris parks, you will definitely want to plan for more than one day. Book your stay at one of the amazing Disneyland Paris hotels.
>> Related: Plan the Perfect Disneyland Day Trip from Paris
6. Fontainebleau
Recommended Length of Stay: Day trip from Paris by train
Fontainebleau is most notably known for the historic Château de Fontainebleau, a palace which once belonged to the kings of France—including Napoleon. You can spend most of your day visiting the palace and surrounding gardens.
Things to do in Fontainebleau:
- Take a tour of the 1900-room Château de Fontainebleau
- Stroll through the scenic forest and gardens surrounding the palace: Jardin de Diane, Jardin Français (French Garden) and Jardin Anglais (English Garden)
- Rent a small boat on Étang des Carpes (Carp Pond) next to the palace
Planning a day trip to Fontainebleau will allow for a relaxed trip via train to begin and end your day.
7. Giverny
Recommended Length of Stay: Day trip from Paris
Claude Monet called Giverny home for 43 years of his life. He was content to live, relax, be inspired, and paint in this lovely small French town. Surely he was inspired by the beauty of each season and the flowering blooms of his garden in Giverny.
You can easily travel to Giverny from Paris by train. As the second busiest tourist attraction in the Normandy area of France, you will want to plan for an early start to visit Monet’s home and gardens.
Things to do in Giverny:
- Visit art galleries, museums, and gardens
- Enjoy lovely cafes and restaurants
- Visit the Église Sainte-Radegonde de Giverny church
- Find Monet’s family gravestone
- Visit Monet’s Garden and Home
As one of the most picturesque medieval towns in France, don’t forget your camera!
8. Gordes
Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Days
Historically speaking, the residents of Gordes, called Gordians, are known for their rebellious spirit: they sparked medieval invasions, supported fighters during World War II as one of the most active hubs of German resistance, and resisted the ruling French Vichy government.
Today, Gordes continues as a spectacular Luberon Valley village in the heart of Provence. The town itself was built into the hillside with stunning views of the whole valley stretching for miles below. It is definitely one of my top Instagrammable places in France!
The amazing views and the unique lighting began attracting artist in the 50s and 60s to this small town in France. Gordes’ artsy reputation continues today.
Things to do In Gordes:
- Visit the legendary market on Tuesday mornings
- Stroll through the lavender fields of the Abbey de Senanque in the summer
- Visit le Château de Gordes where you can find art exhibitions by local artists
- Walk along the cobbled streets and explore side streets
- Enjoy the view
- Visit L’Eglise Saint Fermin (Church of Saint Fermin)
- Browse local boutiques
Outside of Gordes lives the Abbey de Senanque. In the summertime, it is surrounded by fields of lavender, brilliantly purple and aromatic. Plan your visit at the peak of the growing season.
Renting a car to explore the plus beaux villages de Frances—Gordes, Les Baux-de-Provence, Lourmarin, Aix-en-Provence—is highly recommended.
9. Les Baux-de-Provence
Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Days
Les Baux-de-Provence, another plus beaux villages de France, is nestled in to the Alpilles mountain range of France. The village sits atop a rocky outcrop, crowned with the ruins of a castle that overlooks the plains to the south.
Did you know that “Baux” has less than 25 residents in the upper part of the commune and approximately 440 for the whole commune?
Chris and I spent the morning wandering around the ruins of the castle in November of 2018. It was later in the fall and we pretty much had the ruins to ourselves for most of the morning.
Things to do in Les Baux-de-Provence:
- Visit the village of “Baux” with its many tourist shops, classed among one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France
- Explore the castle ruins and plateau also known as the “the dead village”. Walk around the ruins of the castle, the houses, the dungeon tower, and catapults.
- Visit Eglise St. Vincent with its beautiful bell tower
- Discover the magic of Carrieres de Lumieres (quarry of lights). This non-functioning limestone quarry in a hill, blossoms with a cool light show that projects images of works of art by the masters onto the massive quarry walls.
10. Lourmarin
Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Day Excursion (or more to explore the south of France)
When Chris and I visited the south of France in November of 2018, our first stop in the Luberon Valley was Lourmarin. It was just the first of many lovely small towns in France with the cutest shops. I mentioned to Chris that the French really know how to create a vignette to draw you into their stores and villages.
Lourmarin is simply beautiful. I took one of my favorite pictures of all time as Chris and I wandered through the village on a rainy overcast day.
Things to do in Lourmarin:
- Visit the Lourmarin Château
- Peruse the Isirdi Gallery
- Shop local boutiques and shops
- Enjoy the Friday market
- Visit fruit orchards, olive groves and vineyards
- Rent a bike
- Wander the quaint streets of this pretty village in France
11. Mont-Saint-Michel
Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Days (be sure to explore Normandy and Bayeux as well).
Mont-Saint-Michel, an island commune, sits a little more than half a mile off the coast of Normandy. It is the #1 tourist attraction in the area.
If you are planning day trips from Paris, there is no train route to get from Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel. Either rent a car or plan for a guided tour.
If you are renting a car, parking is available about 3 km from the Abbey where you can then take a shuttle bus.
If you are a photographer and wish to take pictures of one of the most picturesque towns in France, either arrive early in the morning or simply get used to the idea that your photos will feature many tourists.
The Mont-Saint-Michel is one of Europe’s most unforgettable sights. Set in a mesmerising bay shared by Normandy and Brittany, the mount draws the eye from a great distance.
This staggeringly beautiful location has long captured the imagination. The story of how the mount came to be a great Christian pilgrimage site dates back to the early 8th century, when Aubert, bishop of the nearby hilltop town of Avranches, claimed that the Archangel Michael himself had pressured him into having a church built atop the island just out to sea.
Normandy Tourism
Things to do in Mont-Saint-Michel
- Visit the Abbey
- Admire the views and majestic setting
- Try an omelette at La Mère Poulard, the most famous restaurant and inn on Mont-Saint-Michel
- Stroll along the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. Research the tide schedule before removing your shoes and going barefoot in the sand.
- Explore Mont-Saint-Michel’s main street—La Grande Rue. The buildings lining the street date from the 15th and 16th centuries!
- Walk along the mount’s impressive fortification ramparts
- Rent a bike and follow the path along the Bay
12. Normandy Beaches & Towns
Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Days (plan to explore Bayeux and Mont-Saint-Michel as well).
If you have an interest in World War II history and Inspiring War Memorials Around the World, schedule a tour to visit the beaches of Normandy and learn more about the D-Day invasion. It was the most perfect way for our family to celebrate the 4th of July in 2017.
Things to see on your tour of Normandy Beaches and Towns:
- Visit the German cemetery
- Explore Sainte-Mere-Eglise – An effigy of John Steele, a paratrooper with his snagged parachute that caught on the church’s spire, is maintained on the church even today. Check out the day our family Toured Normandy on the Best 4th of July Ever.
- Tour the Normandy Beaches – learn the history of Utah and Omaha beaches
- Stop at Pointe du Hoc
- Feel the reverence and peace at the American Cemetery
13. Riquewihr
Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Days to explore Colmar as well.
On our way from Strasbourg, France to Freiberg, Germany we made a detour to visit two charming small towns in France—Colmar and Riquewihr. The scenery was beautiful as we zoomed through the French countryside.
After arriving in Colmar, we quickly found the bus to Riquewihr for the noon departure. Our family were the only riders on the bus as we passed through the French countryside dotted with vineyards and farms.
We stepped off the bus into a fairy tale with this small French village. Apparently, the animators and creators of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast came to Riquewihr and Colmar when looking for inspiration in designing that old provincial town.
If ever there was a charming small French village, this was it. And you could see the charm the moment you stepped under the arch into Riquewihr.
Things to do in Riquewihr:
- Know that you are visiting a village that has been designated as one of the most beautiful villages in France or Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.
- Discover Vieille Ville, the medieval Old Town of Riquewihr
- Visit Musée du Dolder (museum)
- Enjoy the wine tasting room of Hugel et Fils
- Enjoy lunch at Restaurant-Pizzeria du Vignoble. It was out of the way of the main flow of tourists and a perfect place to enjoy lunch on the patio
- Wander the idyllic streets
- Take lots of pictures
- Browse the many shops and boutiques
- Avoid the crowds by visiting earlier in the day
14. Roussillon
Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Days
Roussillon is outstanding for its signature red rocks. It is a small French village where writer Samuel Beckett hid from the Germans during World War II (1942 to 1945). He worked heavily with the French Resistance in Paris and fled to Roussillon to avoid the Gestapo.
Things to do in Roussillon:
- Visit art galleries
- Take a day trip to Colorado Provençal not too far from Roussillon and outside the village of Rustrel. It was somewhat similar to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but on a much smaller scale.
- Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate on a cold afternoon in Bistrot de Roussillon
- Walk along the Ochre Trail
- Rest for a bit in Place de la Mairie or the Town Square right next to the picture-perfect Town Hall. You’ll probably want to take pictures here and post them to Instagram!
- Come for Market day on Thursday
15. Versailles
Recommended Length of Stay: Make this one of your day trips to Versailles from Paris
The Palace of Versailles is absolutely worth seeing. The palace is the former royal residence of King Louis XIV in the small French village of Versailles approximately 12 miles west of Paris. The palace has been listed as a World Heritage Site for 40 years.
Things to do in Versailles:
- Schedule a tour of the Palace of Versailles – The Sun King Louis XIV oversaw construction of the Palace of Versailles from 1631 to 1634 from a former small hunting lodge.
- Wander through the palace gardens and discover sculptures, fountains, trees, and flower gardens.
- Download the FREE Palace of Versailles App
- Enjoy the Musical Gardens
- Experience the Great Musical Waters
- Eat gelato
- Visit the stables
- Experience the Royal Chapel
- Stroll along the Grand Canal
- Visit the Queen’s Cottage: Hameau de la Reine
- Because Louis XIV didn’t have enough space in the palace, he had the Grand Trianon built
- Peruse the farmer’s market on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday or the indoor market (open daily except Monday)
Belgium: Day Trips from Paris by Train
Bruges
Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Days as you will want to explore Ghent as well.
While Bruges is in Belgium, it is one of the best small towns outside of Paris to visit. This charming village is often referred to as the Venice of the North.
There is a lot to do in Bruges, but if you are only visiting on one of your day trips from Paris by train, you want ideas for the best things to do to maximize your time and experience.
Things to do in Bruges:
- Visit the heart of the city center in Bruges Market Square. You will find the tourism information center here.
- Visit the picturesque Wijngaerde’ Beguinage. A home for religious, single, and widowed women still used today. These women chose a life a poverty and fidelity but did not wish to commit fully to a religious order.
- Take a horse and buggy ride through the cobbled streets
- Enjoy the market on Wednesday morning
- Take a canal boat tour
- Discover the Bruges Photo Point at the corner of Rozenhoedkaai Street and Huidenvettersplein town square – Quay of the Rosary
- Climb the 366 steps of the Belfry of Bruges
- Visit the Historium Museum and climb the Historium Tower
- Discover the Instagrammable Blinde Ezelstraat (The blind donkey street)
- Visit the windmills
- Try beignets
Try an inexpensive but delicious lunch at one of the many cafes in Bruges.
Ghent
Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Days (you will want to explore Bruges as well).
Ghent is THE quintessential charming European town.
We were fortunate to stay in Ghent for a couple of nights at the Ghent Marriott and absolutely LOVED it. On our first morning in the Old Town, we exited our hotel onto Korenlei Street, and it was just as if we had walked into a fairytale.
Things to do in Ghent:
- Tour St. Bavo’s Cathedral and Abbey – There was something like 300 crazy narrow steps to the top of the church to the bell tower! Good to note that there is an elevator that you can take part of the way up. Every 15 minutes the bells chime and on the hour music plays.
- Tour St. Nicholas’ Church
- Visit Gravensteen or the Castle of the Counts in Ghent. If you tour the site, you will be able to see the castle’s gatehouse, keep, ramparts, count’s residence, and stables. And don’t overlook the castle’s unique collection of torture devices.
- Take a boat tour along the canal
- Enjoy the views of St. Michael’s Bridge during the day and at night
- Visit the Vrijdagmarkt or Friday Market – a tradition since the 12th century
- Enjoy a Ghent Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt
I would say that Ghent was one of the MOST charming towns outside of Paris that I have ever visited. I would definitely add it as one of your must-do day trips from Paris
Paris Tours
Before you begin your exploration of charming medieval towns in France, you’ve got to spend a day or two or more exploring Paris. While there, you might just love a few tours, cooking classes, and photography tours.
Looking for Something a Little Different? Explore Viator Tours.
Day Trips from Paris by Train
Europeans have train travel dialed in.
If you wish to explore the charming small towns in France on day trips from Paris, planning these trips (or even overnight travel) from the heart of Paris is a snap when you take the train!
Day trips mean that you can keep your home base in Paris and avoid packing up, checking out, and lugging your bags with you when you travel.
You can book directly on SCNF using their App or use trainline.com to effortlessly plan your train travel in France and throughout Europe.
What may appear to be a great distance when looking at a map is doable as a day trip with the high speed trains (some travel up to 320 km/h) that whisk you to your favorite destinations all over France.
Chris and I would both recommend booking your tickets in advance whenever possible. Ticket prices increase substantially the closer you get to your departure date.
Tickets can be purchased online as well as at transit stations throughout Paris.
Some destinations such as Normandy and the south of France do not offer great options nor direct routes for train travel. If you want to visit a French coastal city or the south of France, renting a car from Paris or a major hub nearby may be your best option.
For Americans driving in France, you would still be driving on the right side of the road, so that it one less stressful thing to worry about when driving in a foreign country.
>> Related: Americans driving in the United Kingdom
Take advantage of a travel credit card with perks and rewards.
Types of Trains in France
- Train à Grande Vitesse or TGV – High speed trains that provide a comfortable and spacious travel experience. Enjoy WiFi onboard, first-class travel options, luggage accommodations, and options to travel with your bike for an extra €10.
- Réseau Express Régional or RER – The Regional Express Network, Paris’ commuter train system is the underground or subway train connecting the Paris city center to the suburbs and popular destinations such as Disneyland Paris or for day trips to Versailles from Paris. The RER, Paris’ commuter train system gets you to your destination faster than the Metro since it makes fewer stops.
- Metro de Paris or Paris Metro – The Metro is much like the RER but it stops just outside the Paris city limits.
Paris official public transportation authority
Camera Gear for Instagrammable Photos
Essential Travel Gear
- Walking Shoes
- Travelon Crossbody Bag – Discover why this is My Favorite Crossbody Bag for Travel!
- Water Bottle
- Sunscreen
- Carry On Luggage
- Sunglasses
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many Les Plus Beaux Villages de France are there?
Today, there are 176 Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.
How many villages are in France?
There are over 32,000 villages and small towns in France. While Paris, Nice, and Lyon are spectacular and worth a visit, many tourists often overlook the small towns in France that are definitely worth a detour or at least day trips from Paris.
What is a “mairie” in the small towns in France?
A “mairie” is the town hall in the small towns and is often the center of town or village life in France.
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Final Thoughts on Why You’ll Love These Charming Small Towns in France Near Paris
First-time tourists in France really need to plan a visit to Paris. As the “City of Love” AND the “City of Lights”, discovering major attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, the Seine… all are sights worth seeing.
Once you have had the chance to explore Paris to your heart’s content, then you need to start exploring the small towns in France with day trips from Paris: day trips to Versailles from Paris, Aix-en-Provence, Fontainebleau… The charm of these small towns in France will have you coming back again and again.
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I didn’t realise there are so many options for charming villages outside of Paris! I’ve seen images mont-saint-michel but never knew it was called that. Great post! Thanks for the inspiration
I think I’m planning my next workcation in France so I can explore all these charming villages. I’ve stayed at a chateau twice near Giverny and would love to return to that area especially.
Wow! I love your list of small towns in France. I have been only to Paris and Versailles .There is so much to do in and around France. I have to make another visit to cover these. 🙂
Wow, thanks so much for this guide! I’ve never been to Paris, but it seems like some time out of the big city is needed to visit these adorable towns. 🙂
What a comprehensive guide to all the small towns accessible from France! Colmar has been a long dream of mine and I had no idea that the color coding had some practical reasoning behind it! So great! Also thank you for the tip on the TGV trains!
Great post, I love the small towns especially when overseas this has given me great inspiration to go explore the French landscape.
I know that France is much more than Paris. I’ve visited some other towns and villages in France including Bruges and I love how authentically different they are from Paris. Thanks to you, I can add more places to my France Bucketlist. Thanks!!!
This is an extensive guide to small towns around Paris! Very helpful for planning a trip to France! Thank you for sharing!
I want to do everything on this list! These places sound amazing!
A trip through France has been on my list for ages! Can’t wait to do that soon, and I’ll definitely check your post when I start planning 🙂
This is a fabulous list of the most charming small towns outside of Paris. I would love to take an extended stay and explore all of them.
This post makes me want to explore more friends than we have! These towns look so charming and quintessential
Wow, what a list! I would love to explore these towns by car during spring. France is a wonderful country to visit and I would enjoy exploring the cafes.
Such dreamy small towns that epitomise charming France! I must admit I am not the biggest fan of Paris, so the next time I visit France, I’ll definitely try to go somewhere like a town from this list. Beautiful!
My husband and I loved visiting Disneyland Paris when we were in Paris a few years ago! The next time we are in Paris, I would love to visit Versailles and Colmar. Thanks for these other ideas, too!
Thanks for the article. I’ve been to Versailles before but none of the other cute towns. I’ve also been to Bruges which was amazing. I was supposed to go to France again in 2020 but we know what happened there.
This is a great list to help get out of the “only visiting Paris” rut! I am so excited to visit some of these places, and I think you’ve convinced me that Disneyland Paris is definitely worth visiting as well.
I always say I’m going to do day trips from Paris and I wind up not leaving the city. Thanks for the motivation!
There are certainly a multitude of lovely destinations to visit in France, yet if I were to choose just one, Cassis would be at the top of my list!
Wow! A week in France is easily sorted. These small towns are indeed fairytale-like.
Giverny has been on my list to visit FOREVER. Your post inspires me to visit France again to visit this idyllic small towns.
I love dreamy little small towns like these ❤️
I have completely agree with you that there is so much more to France than Paris and just outside are some of the most beautiful villages and towns. Fontainebleau is one my favourite spots outside Paris
France is magical anytime of year..grateful for this post to learn about some of the lesser known special places…
Wonderful list of small towns to visit in France! Giverny and Mont St Michel are two of my favorites but you have given me some more to put on the list for our next trip!
There are some wonderful small towns to visit in France, not just outside of Paris, but all over the country. I love how all of them have a history and the local food – heaven!
All so charming! I agree that there is so much more than Paris!! I’d highly recommend seeing the Bayeux Tapestry while there!
You always have beautiful photos! I love that you included notes about how long you’d recommend staying in each place. It’s always nice to have other’s recommendations on things like that!
There are so many lovely small towns in France! I haven’t had the opportunity to visit beyond Paris, but I would love to explore Colmar and Roussillon.