Are you looking for lesser known destinations in France to avoid crowd this summer?
Planning to visit France and want to avoid the summer crowd? We got you covered! France continues to be a favorite vacation spot for visitors from every corner of the world, owing to its rich history, beautiful landscapes, and renowned sites.
However, with traditional tourist locations sometimes getting packed throughout the summer months, many people seek out other, lesser-known destinations for a more quiet and authentic experience.
Explore some of France’s hidden gems, off the main route, where you may escape the crowds and uncover the country’s hidden treasures.
Things you'll find in this article
6 Lesser Known Destinations In France To Avoid Crowd This Summer
1. Mimizan
Alternative to: Corsica
Corsica is famed for its coastline, offering over 200 miles of sandy beaches to be explored as well as notable beaches such as Palombaggia Beach and Les Salins Beach.
If you enjoy sand dunes, you’ll be in heaven. The Cote d’Argent will give you the same vibe due to its long string of beaches strengthened by sand dunes, filled with vegetation and shrubs that prevent the entire thing from dissipating into the thousands of acres of the jungle behind.
Popular Things to Do in Cote d’Argent
- The Mighty Atlantic – You should strive to ride the big Atlantic waves, whether you’re a surfer or a swimmer, and immerse yourself in the sensation of feeling at one with the sea and the planet.
- La Velodyssée – Enjoy a bike ride across La Velodyssée, a fantastic 1200km cycling path that runs the length of the French Atlantic shore.
- Arcachon Basin – This lagoon is an aquatic sports enthusiast’s paradise, and the surrounding terrain includes waterparks and natural reserves.
- Cap Ferret – A lovely spot at the tip of an area of land at the opening of the Arcachon Basin. It is famous for its waves, and that draws surfers back year after year.
- Explore the Surf Scene – The Côte d’Argent with its numerous smooth beach breakers, which appeal to both the inexperienced beginner and the more skilled surfer, has fostered a vibrant surf culture.
Hotel Recommendation
Appartements Les Déferlantes Mimizan-plage
Appartements Les Déferlantes Mimizan-plage is located in Mimizan-Plage and features a playground for kids, an indoor pool, and views of the garden.
It has a furnished deck. A common washing machine is also available. The property has tennis plus table tennis courts, and the region is known for fishing. The starting price is $199.99.
2. Rouen
Alternative to: Strasbourg
Because of its geographical position on the France-Germany border, the Alsace region’s capital provides the ideal blend of French and German culture.
Want to learn about France’s rich history without crowds? Rouen also has world-class attractions that will capture your heart, such as a working medieval clock as well as a record-breaking cathedral.
Popular Things to Do in Rouen
- Rouen Cathedral – This occurred following the completion of the neo-gothic tower, which replaced a Renaissance tower damaged by a storm earlier that century. This magnificent structure is home to numerous notable graves.
- Vieux Rouen – This section of Rouen contains 227 listed historical monuments, ranking it sixth among French cities. With a few steps, there is an additional reason to pull out your camera.
- Ceramics Museum – The attraction has the prestigious “Musée de France” classification and displays the ancient riches of Rouen’s famed potteries, including a remarkable collection of faience and porcelain.
- Old Market Square – There are several wonderful half-timbered plus corbelled homes surrounding the square, and in the center stands the contemporary St.
- Palais de Justice – The sandy-colored structure is in the final flashy Gothic style, featuring ornamental spires and a roof balustrade. There is obvious proof of bomb wreckage from the liberation of Rouen during WWII, which has been preserved as a memorial.
To book this tour click here.
Hotel Recommendation
Holiday Inn Express – Rouen Centre – Rive Gauche
Holiday Inn Express is located 1.7 kilometers from Voltaire Station in Rouen and contains a bar.
There is a communal lobby and rooms that are air-conditioned with free WiFi and private bathrooms. The unit is non-smoking and has a starting fee of $128.
3. Lyon
Alternative to: Paris
Lyon, though not as renowned as cities like Paris, rivals with the greatest of them. Although France’s third-biggest city, Lyon is significantly quieter and has fewer tourists than other cities of comparable size.
The streets are lined with street art, featuring the city’s iconic trompe l’oeil paintings, while museums cover topics ranging from film to history.
It’s also bordered by hundreds of vineyards and has over 4,000 restaurants, many of which have Michelin stars, making it particularly enticing to foodies.
Popular Things to Do in Lyon
- Place Bellecour – Place Bellecour contains Europe’s biggest public urban square. It’s bordered by the city’s main retail districts and houses the tourist office center, and a painting gallery, including the Lyon Ferris wheel.
- Fourvière Hill – It was considered the first Roman town throughout antiquity, and it is now recognized for its breathtaking vistas.
- La Croix-Rousse – The Croix-Rousse is a hill in the middle of Lyon that stands across the Saône and Rhône Rivers. Around the 18th century, this historic district was home to Lyon’s silk manufacturers.
- Park of the Golden Head – The park has a zoo, botanical and floral gardens, children’s playgrounds, pony travels, a miniature train, and other attractions.
- Lyon Cathedral – Visit an amazing end-of-the-Middle-Ages landmark. Lyon Cathedral is a magnificent structure nestled in the center of charming Old Lyon.
To book this tour click here.
Hotel Recommendation
Hotel Elysée
The Hotel Elysée is situated in the center of Lyon, just a few meters away from Place Bellecour. It provides soundproofed accommodations as well as free WiFi internet connection.
Every day, breakfast is served in the hotel’s old vaulted cellar. Customers are also welcome to take a drink at the bar area. The Hotel Elysée is adjacent to the city’s numerous shopping, cinemas, museums, and fine dining establishments. The starting price is $106.83.
4. Burgundy
Alternative to: Bordeaux
Burgundy is famous for its wine, rolling hills, fine dining, and vineyards. You can’t leave Dijon, the area’s history-rich capital, without tasting the region’s wine, which mostly has pinot noir as well as chardonnay grapes, and feasting on some of its varied cuisines.
Want to sample French wine without having to deal with the crowds? Bordeaux is a wine-producing center that entices visitors with its riverfront setting and surrounding landscape.
Bordeaux, with approximately 300,000 acres of vines, has plenty of options for visitors wishing to sample some of the world’s greatest wines.
Popular Things to Do in Bordeaux
- Place des Quinconces – Place des Quinconces is France’s largest city plaza and one of Europe’s largest. It is frequently the site of outdoor events such as concerts and markets.
- Moon Harbour Distillery – Moon Harbour Distillery provides tours and sampling at its one-of-a-kind facility. Its mixed whiskies and single malts are created in the distillery before being aged in barrels in the bunker.
- Basilica of Saint Michael – The Basilica of Saint Michael is difficult to overlook, since its famous bell tower may be observed from practically every point throughout the city.
- La Cité du Vin – Bordeaux’s love note to wine is La Cité du Vin (The City of Wine). It’s only right that one of the world’s greatest wine areas is also home to one of the world’s top museums, not just wine art galleries, but also museums in general.
- Wine Tasting at a Chateau – Most chateaux in Bordeaux need bookings, and reservations are usually individually. Visits are usually around an hour long, but they can go up to ninety minutes, so plan ahead of time if you’re going to many in a row.
To book this tour click here.
Hotel Recommendation
FirstName Bordeaux
FirstName Bordeaux is conveniently located in the heart of Bordeaux and offers air-conditioned lodging featuring free WiFi, personal parking, and hotel room service.
This resort offers a restaurant and a balcony, as well as a 24-hour front desk. A bar is available to guests. The cost begins at $218.
5. Midi-Pyrenees
Alternative to: Èze
Castello, nestled just 8 miles near Nice on the French Riviera, represents one of the best locations to spend your vacation in this Medieval town.
However, if you wish to avoid crowds, the Midi-Pyrenees will help you. It is a Medieval village perched along a cliffside that offers more than simply a picturesque location.
It’s perched on a ledge with panoramic views of the Lot Valley, which makes it one of France’s best-kept secrets.
Popular Things to Do in Midi-Pyrenees
- Aveyron department – The Aveyron department constitutes a portion of the southern Massif Central, a picturesque region with steep forested valleys in addition to fast-flowing rivers, and streams, as well as the Aubrac plateau’s wide flatter parts.
- Lot Department – The little town of Rocamadour serves as one of France’s most important pilgrimage destinations. It is an important tourist attraction in Lot and one of the most recognized villages in France.
- Tarn Department – The Tarn region in the Midi-Pyrenees features a number of notable medieval towns in addition to some stunning landscapes.
- Haute-Garonne – The Haute-Garonne region stretches south from the flat Midi-Pyrenees core to the mountains near the Spanish border.
- Ariege Department – The Department of Ariege is located in the Pyrenees, on the frontier with Spain. The department offers a highly diverse terrain, with a substantial section lying under the Pyrenees-Ariegoise Regional Natural Park and several very beautiful towns to explore.
Hotel Recommendation
L’écrin du Quercy
L’écrin du Quercy has a garden and is 43 kilometers from Monkey Forest and 44 km from Merveilles Cave.
The property has private parking that is free and is located in a location where visitors may indulge in recreational pursuits such as trekking and fishing. The cost begins at $64.50.
6. Carcassonne
Alternative to: Normandy
Normandy’s Mont Saint-Michel is among France’s most visited attractions, rising over the sea and resembling a fairy tale castle.
It has been a major pilgrimage place for Christians as well as European thinkers since its construction.
Visitors may explore the gorgeous abbey and enjoy its wonderful medieval architecture, or they can walk the streets surrounding it, which are dotted with modest stores and pleasant cafes.
Do you want to stay away from the crowds? France is densely packed with castles, but Carcassonne is also situated near castles, vineyards, and wine caves.
Popular Things to Do in Carcassonne
- Carcassonne Lower City – This Carcassonne area was created outside the city walls in the 13th century. La Cité has an entirely distinct vibe, thanks to the high street stores, French conveniences, and virtually complete lack of visitors.
- Carcassonne Cathedral – After the Episcopal seat was transferred, Carcassonne’s modern cathedral was a small parish chapel in the Lower City.
- Canal du Midi – If you like, you can ride your bike around the canal bank. A lot of individuals make use of the grass to relax or organize a picnic.
- Place Carnot – The people come here for conversation and unwind in the cooling shade provided by the banana trees. So if you’d like to enjoy the true pace of Carcassonne, you must sit here.
- Le Pont Vieux – This is the bridge that links the medieval city to the contemporary region. The bridge provides an excellent perspective of La Cité, the walled city.
To book this tour click here.
Hotel Recommendation
This hotel in Carcassonne has free WiFi and is within two minutes of walking from the Aude River and has glimpses of the Pont Vieux bridge. A 10-minute stroll takes you to the historic city. The cost begins at 158.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.