The best places to visit in France (outside of Paris)
Thanks to the Paris Summer Olympics, 2024 is set to see an even more overwhelming atmosphere in the French capital. And while the City of Love will never be anything other than one of the best places to travel in Europe, it's only understandable if this year’s travelers will want to steer clear of the hustle and bustle (and booming prices) that events like the Olympic Games, the Tour de France, and the Taylor Swift Eras Tour will add to one of Europe's largest cities. So if you're searching for authentic French experiences at your own pace or aiming to plan a grand Europe trip without the added stress, we here at Daytrip have some great suggestions for where to visit in France besides Paris, plus tips on how to get there and what to see along the way.
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Even if your intention is to avoid Paris this summer, flying to France from abroad will still likely mean some interaction with the city and its surroundings. Many US and European airlines use Paris as a hub for both direct and transfer flights, so you'll probably see the most options for Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Paris Orly (ORY). Beauvais–Tillé Airport (BVA) is also likely to see heavy traffic in 2024: as the French home of budget airlines like Ryanair, it's the tenth-busiest airport in France even under normal circumstances.
It is possible to avoid Paris altogether by transiting through smaller airports around France—Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux—or in neighboring countries—London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Frankfurt are all major international airports close to l'Hexagone. But as we pointed out in our previous article about event travel, if your ultimate goal isn't the place you fly into, you'll still have to get from the airport of your choice to your destination.
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France's SNCF is rightfully famous for its high-quality train system, and other countries in Western and Southern Europe generally cooperate well in providing cross-border traffic. France's workforce, however, is also rightfully famous for its willingness to strike, and the transit system has already been a target this year, with no resolutions currently in sight. Great Britain and Germany also have ongoing labor issues, and the period surrounding the 2024 Summer Olympics will be a prime opportunity to apply pressure.
Even if the trains are running at all, trying to manage tickets, timetables, and luggage doesn't make for a very relaxing vacation, especially if there are delays at any point.
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Luckily, relying on less-than-ideal public transit isn't your only option. Daytrip's private door-to-door car rides let you book a driver and your choice of vehicle on your schedule, regardless of where you're starting out or where you need to go. Whether your starting point is an airport or the heart of a city, a professional English-speaking driver will meet you or your group where- and whenever is most convenient for you. Your driver will personally load your luggage and whisk you off to the destination of your choice in a comfortable, modern vehicle. And unlike with any other private car service, Europe is at your fingertips thanks to the option to add sightseeing stops along your route: you'll get to see more of France while still getting where you need to go.
And while Paris's many air connections make it the starting point of many of the routes we explore below, you can visit Daytrip.com to create any route that suits your schedule and interests—in France and beyond.
A northeastern France wine tour itinerary
Let's be honest: any of the destinations mentioned in this article could form a fantastic French wine country itinerary. But focusing your out-of-Paris trip on the northeast of the country offers the unique opportunity to taste world-famous and lesser-known wines—Champagnes and Alsatians, respectively—all in one go. Best of all, this part of the country is equally rich in history as white wines, meaning there's plenty to do and always a refreshing glass waiting for you once your sightseeing is done.
Paris to Reims
Reims and Épernay are considered the co-capitals of the Champagne wine region, and either is a good starting point for binging on some bubbly. But what Épernay doesn't have is the Reims Cathedral, a.k.a. Notre-Dame de Reims. Tied to Frankish and French monarchs since the 400s, this site is key to Reims' nickname—"Coronation City"—and its long, dignified history.
Before you settle in to Reims for a more focused study of Champagne houses, you should be sure to stop at the Chateau-Thierry Monument to commemorate the region's role in WWI and lasting French-American friendship. Or if you're eager to start your sparkling wine sabbatical even before you finish your ride from Paris, your Daytrip driver can make sure you swing by the Moët et Chandon cellars—why not start with the best, after all!
Paris to Strasbourg
Strasbourg is in the east of France, just across the Rhine River from the German town of Kehl. But while answering the question of where Strasbourg is isn't hard, trying to sum up what to do in Strasbourg is very difficult indeed: thanks in part to its position in the historically contentious Alsace region, there is just so much culture going on in France's eighth-largest metro area. History lovers will love the UNESCO-listed Grande Île city center, political junkies can admire EU institutions like the European Parliament, and foodies will be in heaven with the area's distinctive Franco-German cuisine (which obviously pairs well with local wines).
The culture-curious traveler won't have to wait to arrive in Strasbourg, though, since there's plenty to take in along the way. A stop in Metz is a great chance to take in contemporary art in a contemporary building at the Centre Pompidou-Metz, while the Haut-Barr Castle (uniquely built atop and around massive sandstone outcrops) is a chance for fresh air, views of the countryside, and a quick hike to stretch your legs.
Paris to Riquewihr
Riquewihr may not have the same name recognition as Reims or Strasbourg, but you'll get a much more intimate and picturesque side of the Alsace Wine Route in this small village. Known particularly for Rieslings, the town's bright storybook architecture—nearly unchanged since the 16th century—creates a perfect atmosphere for enjoying a tipple and a slower pace of life.
On the 5-hour ride from Paris to Riquewihr, a passing stop in Reims can ensure you tick off a few additional entries from wine country, while Fort Douaumont is a living reminder of the Battle of Verdun for anyone interested in military history.
Bask in Basque Country
The southwest of France is rightfully one of the most sought-after alternative destinations in the country—and in the peak summer season, this region can serve as a travel dupe in place of Paris, Barcelona, or Madrid all in one. It's easy to understand why: the combination of sea, mountains, and food in the Basque Country (or in French, Pays basque) makes it by far one of the best places to visit in southern France and northern Spain. Whichever destinations you focus on in this border region, they're all knitted together with side trips that let you feel—and taste—even the smallest authentic corners of this unique enclave. Of course, you can do all of these from the opposite direction as well: Daytrip's customizable door-to-door service makes an itinerary from Bilbao to San Sebastian to Bordeaux equally workable.
Paris to Bordeaux
We're definitely stretching the definition of "Basque Country" here, but Bordeaux's location on the way from Paris makes it an ideal gateway to points south. It's also a gateway to some of France's can't-miss attractions, including the Palace of Versailles and its opulent gardens or Orleans for Joan of Arc enthusiasts. Once you arrive in France's coastal southwest, you'll have plenty of reason to stick around, whether for sampling some of the world's most notable wines or getting a feel of sports fever without the throngs of Paris: Bordeaux is a secondary Summer Olympics venue hosting soccer matches.
Bordeaux to San Sebastian
While taking the train from Bordeaux to San Sebastian was how this writer kicked off his hike along the Camino del Norte pilgrimage, having a driver take you into Basque Country proper offers far more leisure. Making a quick stop in Rocher de la Vierge, for instance, isn't just the ideal introduction to the dramatically carved shores lining the Bay of Biscay, it's also a chance to vibe with Belle Époque glamor and luxury in Biarritz. Immediately after crossing the border into Spain, the cluster of small towns that includes Hondarribia and Irun offers an outsized share of luxe Basque restaurants.
San Sebastian to Bilbao
For gourmet, glamor, and the Guggenheim all in one, Northern Spain’s San Sebastian–Bilbao corridor is what you're after. But there's more to discover along the way than just Michelin-starred dining, finely manicured beaches, and iconic architecture. Getaria is a local point of pride as the birthplace of Juan Sebastián Elcano, the first navigator to circumnavigate the globe (Ferdinand Magellan did not, in fact, survive the voyage that takes his name); a well-signed walking route through the cozy town provides color about him and his family. Guernica, meanwhile, has been rebuilt since becoming the subject of Picasso's famous mural and is an excellent place to enjoy a glass of txakoli in the mild coastal weather.
Relax rustically in Normandy
Wrongfully reduced by many as simply the site of the D-Day landings, Normandy has much, much more to offer, especially in the height of summer. Thanks to its historical position across the Channel from Britain and the agricultural richness of its gentle terrain, Normandy has maintained a unique regional identity—one palpable in its many quiet villages and the artistic works it has inspired. Travelers looking for a quainter getaway outside of Paris can soon discover why these three locales are some of the best places to visit in northern France.
Paris to Giverny
Art history buffs already likely to have Monet's garden and home at Giverny on their to-do list. Its water lilies still survive, but a stop at Chateau de St-Germain may provide even deeper insights into forces that shaped the Impressionist's younger days. Restored by Napoleon III to mid-19th century standards then filled with antiquities from the Celtic and Roman periods, this palace provides a comprehensive record of French history through the ages. The ever-spectacular Versailles is also on the way.
Paris to Le Havre
Gazing out the window at the hedgerows criss-crossing the fields of Normandy is rewarding enough, but pencilling in a stop in Rouen—famed for its connection to Joan of Arc and the Hundred Years’ War—along the way is really the cherry on top of this route. Once you arrive at the coast and the mouth of the Seine, Le Havre boasts an outsized amount of impressive twentieth- and twenty first-century architecture thanks to massive post-war rebuilding efforts. And of course, as a coastal city, Le Havre has a proud seafaring tradition with the cuisine and weather to match.
Paris to Bayeux
Bayeux is one of our most popular destinations thanks to its eponymous tapestry. But it's also ideal as a final destination or a hub for knitting together the other Normandy stops on this list: heading from Giverny to Bayeux lets you take in both on your schedule, a quick hop from Le Havre to Bayeux is an easy one-day trip, or a ride from Bayeux to Honfleur is a great small-town-only itinerary.
Splurge in the south of France
How far is Nice from Paris? Just about as far as you can get while staying in France! With the rest of the country (and the world) focused on the Olympics in the capital, summer 2024 may be the ideal time to relax in style on the French Riviera. Shopaholics and sun-worshippers alike will be at home in the region, and anyone trying to figure out how to plan a multi-country European vacation can easily check off France, Monaco, and Italy within a single afternoon.
Paris to Nice
Planning a trip from Paris to Nice takes you across a huge swath of France—meaning countless opportunities to feel the changing regions en route. With a private Daytrip driver, the journey is even easier since your only job is to take in the sights. And what sights there are! The decadent, UNESCO-listed Palace of Fontainebleau is one of the richest in the country, and the well-preserved Roman town in Orange reaches far further back in time. Meanwhile, Avignon is one of the best places to visit in Provence for an intro to Mediterranean cuisine or a crash course in medieval church politics.
Nice to Cannes
Though the Cannes Film Festival is over by summertime, none of the glitz wears off throughout the season. Keep that feeling up throughout your trip by peeking into a Rothschild mansion, or get a slightly more bohemian take on the easy life with a stop at the Renoir Museum overlooking Cap d'Antibes.
Nice to Saint-Tropez
Vacationing anywhere in France means keeping up appearances, and this is doubly true when making an entrance: one reason why a private car service from Nice to St Tropez is the ideal way to arrive at (or depart) your hotel in style. A second reason, though, is the flexibility that having a private driver provides along the way. A leisurely drive down the coast yadda yadda
Of course, this is just scratching the surface of the best places to visit in France outside of Paris—as one of the largest, most culturally rich, and well-positioned countries in Europe, there's plenty to do in and around the country anytime you visit. And with Daytrip's flexible trip planner, you'll be sure to have door-to-door service and stops along the way to maximize convenience and exploration in any Eurotrip.
