France Beyond Paris: Hidden Gems You Must Visit

Traveling through France feels like stepping into a story where every destination offers a new kind of romance. In Paris, travellers wander along the Seine, admire the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower, and linger in charming cafés that capture the spirit of the city. Venture beyond the capital and the journey becomes even richer—lavender fields perfume the air in Provence, food lovers discover world-class cuisine and vibrant old streets in Lyon, and the Mediterranean sun glows over the glamorous coastline of the French Riviera. From historic cities to sun-drenched landscapes, France invites travellers to explore slowly, savour every flavour, and experience the magic that lies far beyond a single destination.

This blog explores our favourite destinations in the country for those who seek to get away from the Parisian crowds.

• Lyon: The Food Capital of France

Lyon sits on a narrow strip of land where the Rhône River and the Saône River meet, with parts of the city also extending along the banks on either side of the two rivers. It's known for the famous Lyonnaise salad and historical Bouchons that serve traditional Lyonnaise cuisine.

Lyonnaise salad

Lyon, being a city with over two thousand years of history, doesn't disappoint with it's multiple sight-seeing options.

Gallo-Roman museum and Roman amphitheatre ruins

Notre-Dame Basilica on Fouviere hill

Church of Saint Blandine and the Cherry blossoms

Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste

Fun things that are unique to Lyon:

1. Lyon has more than four hundred hidden passageways called traboules, which connect streets through buildings. They were once used by silk workers to transport fabrics and later by the French Resistance during World War II.

2. Lyon is home to the famous Fresque des Lyonnais, a massive mural depicting more than thirty famous people from the city, including chefs, artists, and writers.

Pro tip: If you plan accordingly or you're simply lucky, you might find yourselves climbing down the Fouviere hill with very sturdy and determined Marathon runners that inspire you to live life to the fullest!

• Nice: La Belle (the beautiful)

Promenade des Anglais from the Colline du Château view point

Nice, the sparkling capital of the Côte d’Azur, has a very rich history. Founded by Greek settlers around 350 BC and named after the goddess Nike, the city later became part of the Roman Empire. For centuries, Nice was influenced by Italian culture as it belonged to the House of Savoy and was closely tied to Turin and the region of Piedmont. It was only in 1860 that Nice officially became part of France. Over time, its sunny climate and beautiful seaside setting attracted European aristocrats, turning Nice into one of the most glamorous destinations on the Mediterranean.

Panoramic view of the Nice Port taken from the Colline du Château hike

Man-made waterfall at the top of the Colline du Château

Promenade des Anglais

Fontaine du Soleil Place Masséna

Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice

Nice offers something for all kinds of travellers from history buffs, foodies to beach-lovers. As the biggest foodies ourselves, we can definitely recommend trying seafood from different restaurants. The best meal we had in Nice was definitely the seafood Paella we had at Boccaccio! Niçoise cuisine, especially salade niçoise, is also definitely something not to skip out on.

Pro tip: Book a guide tour of the French Riviera towns and villages if you have a limited amount of time in the area.

Seafood Paella

• Monaco: Home to the Monte Carlo F1 circuit

Monaco is the second-smallest country on Earth, after Vatican City. Despite being tiny, about 2 square kilometres, it is one of the most famous and luxurious destinations in Europe. Every year Monaco hosts the legendary Monaco Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious races in Formula One. The race takes place directly on the city streets and as F1 fanatics, we were thrilled to be able to see the circuit even from a distance! Some of the best views of Monaco are visible from the Prince's Palace (Palais princier de Monaco).

A bird's-eye view of the Port of Fontvieille

The streets of Monaco

Pro tip: If you're a Football (soccer) fan, you won’t want to miss the Champions Promenade, a star-studded walkway much like Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Here, you can see the footprints of legends such as Pelé, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Didier Drogba. On 26 August 2003, Diego Maradona even removed his boots to leave his mark, literally! Walking here lets you follow in the footsteps of football royalty while exploring the glitz and glamour of Monaco.

• Antibes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Èze

Since we didn’t have much time to linger in each of the charming villages along the French Riviera, it made sense to experience them together in one day. From exploring the lively local and fish markets of Antibes, to sipping renowned wines (from Provence) in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and wandering the cobblestone streets and the medieval cemetery of Èze, every stop was a delight. We left with a strong desire to return and immerse ourselves more fully in the local culture, cuisine, and beauty of these quintessentially French villages.

The Port of Antibes

The beautiful rolling hills around Saint-Paul-de-Vence

The quaint village of Èze

Pro tip: In Antibes, don’t miss the chance to stroll along the historic city walls for panoramic sea views. In Saint-Paul-de-Vence, take your time wandering the narrow lanes lined with art galleries. At Èze, climb the hilltop streets for stunning views of the coastline, explore the famous Jardin Exotique d'Èze.