The Loire Valley felt extraordinary from my first glance — a UNESCO-listed Garden of France of storybook châteaux, rolling vineyards, Renaissance architecture, and elegant towns stretched along the gentle Loire River.
Two hours from Paris, I found my Loire dream — staying at Abbaye De Villeneuve, touring Chambord, Chenonceau, and Villandry, tasting Saumur and Vouvray wines, and floating past château-studded landscapes.
Location: Central France | Size: ~800 km stretch of river valley | Vibe: elegant, pastoral, and storybook-pretty
My personal highlights…
- Dining at the trendy Au Local in Chinon – I was impressed with the creative farm-to-table menu, the soft glow of its Scandi-chic decor, and my beautifully plated dish of locally grown leek, turnip, and quinoa!
5. Rhône-Alpes
I didn’t expect to be so taken by the Rhône-Alpes — a beautiful mix of postcard villages, sunlit vineyards, lake-mirrored towns, and Alpine drama, striking that rare balance between wild beauty and French elegance.
A quick TGV ride from Paris led me to a serene week at Château de Candie, hopping between storybook Annecy, sun-drenched Beaujolais, emerald-toned, Lac d’Aiguebelette, and cobblestoned Pérouges — a seriously stunning corner of France (even if the weather didn’t always play along)!
Location: Southeastern France | Size: ~43,700 sq km | Vibe: dramatic, outdoorsy, and richly diverse
My personal highlights…
- Sipping on a latte sweetened with chestnut syrup while people-watching and practicing my French with the friendly server at the quaint Le Café de Jules in Perouges.
6. Burgundy
I was utterly taken by Burgundy’s calm, otherworldly beauty — vineyard-lined hills, half-timbered villages, Romanesque churches, and elegant châteaux shimmering in the light.
Just two hours from Paris, Burgundy was just pure wine-country bliss — grand crus, gothic Beaune, elegant Dijon, the baroque Château de Cormatin, lazy canal cruises, Kir aperitifs, and nostalgic cellar tastings!
Location: East-Central France | Size: ~31,600 sq km | Vibe: refined, quietly luxurious, and deeply rooted in tradition
My favorite highlights…
- Staying in the incredible Treehouse Suite at the chic 4-star Le Domaine des Prés Verts Suites & Chambres — perched 7 m high with a jacuzzi on the balcony and the earthy scent of moss and morning dew all around. The retro pastel blue Solex mopeds rentals were a charming extra!
7. The Dordogne
This ultra-scenic region completely stole my heart — it felt like stepping into a living fairytale of misty valleys, golden-stoned villages, grand châteaux, and prehistoric cave art. I thought it was utterly peaceful, with a rustic elegance and stuck-in-time charm!
I based myself at the quirky 4-statr La Rebière d’Or after flying into Bergerac, filling the week with Sarlat’s medieval lanes, dramatic Dordogne castles, river kayaking, ancient Lascaux art, and Domme’s panoramic market.
Location: Southwestern France | Size: ~9,100 sq km | Vibe: pastoral, storybook, and gently timeless
My personal highlights…
- Stopping by the Sarlat’s rustic Saturday market, the air was filled with the scent of sugar and roasted nuts as I tried a slice of freshly baked walnut cake glazed in glossy caramel — utterly divine!
8. Auvergne
This one-of-a-kind region completely surprised me, blending volcanic landscapes, historic villages, Romanesque architecture, and serene, open spaces into something quietly extraordinary.
After 2.5 hours on the road, I kicked back in France’s true wild heart — volcano hikes, thermal baths in Vichy, medieval Murol, stone-built Salers, and Romanesque beauty in Clermont-Ferrand (a car was required though)!
Location: Central France| Size:~26,000 sq km | Vibe: wild, volcanic, and refreshingly uncrowded
My personal highlights…
- Staying at the eco-friendly Volca Lodges – I adored my ‘glamping’ accommodation and sipping on an aromatic Saint-Pourçain Blanc while gazing at the untouched countryside from my private balcony hot tub (my photo is above)!
9. Annecy
It’s easy to see why Annecy is called the Venice of the Alps — one of the most photogenic places I’ve seen, blending turquoise lakes, pine-covered peaks, pastel old-town streets, and floral canals.
After driving five hours from Paris, I soaked up Annecy’s romantic blend of alpine charm and lakeside living — old-town wanders, castle views, turquoise paddle-boarding, and a full lake cycle, with summer crowds being the only downside.
Location: Southeastern France (near Switzerland border) | Size: small city ~130,000+ residents | Vibe: impossibly pretty and alpine-fresh
My personal highlights…
- Staying at the wow-inducing 4-star Les Trésoms Lake and Spa Resort — I enjoyed sipping on a soothing Rooibos with orange peel and vanilla in the herbal tea lounge, relaxing in the the softly illuminated balneotherapy pool and the ornate Moorish hammam!
10. Lyon
I thought Lyon was an elegant, cultured city with a creative edge. Its golden Renaissance buildings, cobbled lanes, and riverside promenades glowed beautifully at sunset, giving it a warm, artistic charm – no wonder UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage city!
Just two hours from Paris by TGV, I based myself at Fourvière Hôtel and soaked up all of Lyon’s best bits — cobbled Vieux Lyon, secret traboules, Fourvière views, riverside strolls, La Sucrière‘s contemporary art, and cozy bouchons serving Soupe à l’Oignon.
Location: East-Central France | Size: major city ~520,000 residents | Vibe: cultured, culinary, and confidently elegant
My personal highlights…
- Sampling traditional Lyonnaise cuisine in the wonderfully atmospheric Café Comptoir Abel – my favorite was the gourmet quenelles de légumes, served with spinach and mushrooms in a velvety béchamel sauce!
11. Languedoc
This historic region was a true hidden gem! I thought it was very easy-on-the-eye — a sun-soaked mix of Mediterranean landscapes, rolling vineyards, medieval cities, and hilltop villages steeped in history. The vibe was wonderfully eclectic, blending coastal calm, rustic wine country, and a touch of old-world mystery.
A flight into Montpellier led to pure southern France — Carcassonne’s ramparts, Pont du Gard’s grandeur, Minervois Rosé tastings, Sète’s canals, Gruissan’s golden sands, and jewel-like Collioure between mountains and sea.
Location: Southern France | Size:~27,000 sq km | Vibe: sun-baked, rustic, and quietly soulful
My personal highlights…
- Staying at the breathtaking 4-star Château de Pondres – I enjoyed the Crêpes smothered with fragrant lavender honey and the upscale boutique vibe. The staff even told me that even Gallo-Roman and Celtic remains had been found in the cellars!
12. Strasbourg
I really liked how Strasbourg mixed French charm with German flair. I thought it was very easy-on-the-eye — pastel half-timbered houses draped in flowers, the soaring Strasbourg Cathedral, and cobbled squares framed by Renaissance façades. It felt romantic and elegant yet full of life.
After a two hour TGV journey from Paris, I arrived at the elegant 4-star Hôtel & Spa Le Bouclier D’Or and spent a gorgeous weekend wandering the half-timbered lanes of quaint La Petite France, admiring the cathedral’s famed – and ingenious – astronomical clock, cruising the gentle Ill River, and exploring landmarks such as the opulent Palais Rohan, the bold modern architecture of the European Parliament, and the folkloric Musée Alsacien.
Location: Northeastern France (bordering Germany) | Size: mid-sized city ~290,000 residents | Vibe: storybook-pretty and distinctly Franco-German
My personal highlights…
- Dining on traditional Alsatian regional dishes in the vaulted Restaurant Gurtlerhoft– the earthy forest foraged mushrooms in flaky puff pastry and the rustic onion tart were especially divine!
13. Corsica
I completely fell in love with Corsica — a wild yet elegant island of turquoise waters, white-sand and pebble beaches, jagged granite cliffs, and pastel coastal towns perched on limestone bluffs. I thought it was breathtakingly unspoilt, with a rustic-chic vibe and a slower Mediterranean rhythm that felt world’s away from the mainland.
London to Ajaccio kicked off ten dreamy days — Palombaggia and Saleccia’s crystal waters, Bonifacio’s dramatic cliffs, Bastia’s lively old town, and wild swims in the Restonica Valley; the mountain roads were twisty, but the scenery was unreal.
Location: Mediterranean Sea, southeast of mainland France | Size: ~8,680 sq km | Vibe: wild, rugged, and fiercely beautiful
My personal highlights…
- Staying at the Insta-worthy 4-star Hotel Restaurant & Spa E Caselle – I especially loved the eucalyptus-scented hammam, the sensory plunge pool and my guest room where I woke up to the babbling Vecchio river each morning!
14. Colmar
I thought Colmar was pure fairytale — like stepping into a storybook of brightly painted half-timbered houses, canal-side flowers, and cobbled lanes overflowing with blooms. It had such a dreamy, romantic vibe with a hint of whimsy (although it was busy in the summer)!
Just over two hours from Paris by TGV, Colmar felt like a fairytale — medieval streets, Maison Pfister, Koïfhus, St-Martin’s Gothic beauty, canal cruises through Little Venice, and the unforgettable Isenheim Altarpiece at the Unterlinden Museum.
Location: Northeastern France | Size: small city ~67,000+ residents | Vibe: fairy-tale-pretty and postcard-perfect
My highlights…
- Staying at the Insta-worthy L’Esquisse Hotel & Spa Colmar, I was impressed by the sleek hammam and incredible contemporary design — especially the hammered-copper sculpture glinting in the bar where I sipped a fragrant Alsace Bloom cocktail infused with pear and elderflower!
15. Palace of Versailles
I thought the Palace of Versailles was absolutely breathtaking — a masterpiece of fine Baroque architecture with gold-gilded halls, ornate furniture, and perfectly manicured gardens adorned with ornate fountains and sculptures. It felt majestic and extravagant, with an elegance so otherworldly it gave me goosebumps.
I took the RER C from my base at 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord in central Paris, and after a short walk from Versailles Château Rive Gauche, I stepped through the iconic golden gates for a very photogenic afternoon. I wandered through the opulent Hall of Mirrors, explored the lavish royal apartments, strolled the immaculate palace gardens, and visited Marie Antoinette’s enchanting pastoral hamlet — a whimsical countryside escape.
Location: Île-de-France (Versailles, ~20 km southwest of Paris) | Size: set in~800 hectares of gardens and parkland | Vibe: opulent, theatrical, and magnificently grand
My favorite highlights…
- Finding the hidden doors concealed within the ornate wood paneling of the King’s Chamber — the air carried a sweet, musky scent of aged wood and candle wax as the guide explained how the king used to slip away unnoticed through them!
16. Brittany
I really fell for Brittany’s raw, untamed beauty — I found a pristine stretch of windswept coastline, golden beaches, dramatic cliffs, and medieval walled towns brimming with old-world charm. I thought it was one of the most soulful regions I’d visited, steeped in Celtic folklore with a touch of mystical intrigue.
A quick train from Paris led me to one of France’s most atmospheric regions: cider-crêpes, Saint-Malo’s walls, Dinan’s lanes, Carnac’s stones, and the pastel-pink rocks of the Atlantic-lashed coast.
Location: Northwestern France | Size: ~27,200 sq km | Vibe: windswept, soulful, and deeply maritime
My favorite highlights…
- Staying at the jaw-dropping 4-star Domaine de Locguénolé & Spa – Relais & Chateaux – the whole place was a dream! I especially loved how the quaint greenhouse grew fragrant lavender, mint, and other herbs that were used in both the spa and the Michelin-starred restaurant.
17. Giverny
Giverny felt impossibly idyllic, like a painting come to life, with blooming gardens, a wisteria-covered bridge, a pink-shuttered house, and serene lily-filled waters.
Just 90 minutes from Paris, it was worth every mile – I wandered the perfumed Fondation Claude Monet gardens, explored his whimsical pastel-hued house, visited the inspiring Museum of Impressionism, and ended at the Romanesque Church of Sainte-Radegonde, where Monet rests — it was a unique visit that actually felt like I’d stepped inside his paintings!
Location: Northern France | Size: tiny village ~500 residents | Vibe: poetic, tranquil, and nostalgic
My favourite highlights…
- See the flowers up close — the air was perfumed with wisteria and water lilies, and I could hear the rustle of willow leaves and the gentle hum of bees. The guides told me Monet had planted the garden himself!
Author’s Note on the Region Names..
