Five Less-Known Parts Of France You Should Visit In 2023

When you read the word French, what pops up in your mind first, the Eiffel tower or the Louvre? Well, there is much more to France than Champagne and the usual night photos of the famous tower. Sure, Paris is the city of love and exceptionally beautiful at night and the scene of many movies. But there are many hidden gems in France, beautiful landscapes and villages with immense historical value.

Any country is best explored through the eyes of the locals, so that means taking the less travelled path. If you are considering visiting France this year, we review five of the lesser-known parts of the country you must include when planning a trip to France.

When you read the word French, what pops up in your mind first, the Eiffel tower or the Louvre? Well, there is much more to France than Champagne and the usual night photos of the famous tower. Sure, Paris is the city of love and exceptionally beautiful at night and the scene of many movies. But there are many hidden gems in France, beautiful landscapes and villages with immense historical value.

Any country is best explored through the eyes of the locals, so that means taking the less travelled path. If you are considering visiting France this year, we review five of the lesser-known parts of the country you must include when planning a trip to France.

Eze

This beautiful 13th-century village is a 40-minute drive from the Nice Airport, built on a rocky peak facing the Mediterranean sea. This is truly one of France’s hidden gems. The authentic mediaeval town has small-town charm with modern-day facilities such as the Château de la Chèvre d’Or, a boutique hotel with private hot tubs. From the hotel’s terrace, you can have beautiful views of the sea, where cruise ships and yachts can be seen in the distance. The village of Eze features in the 1955 movie ‘To Catch a Thief’.

Dijon, Bourgogne

The home of Dijon mustard, this city is surrounded by vineyards with vines as old as 600 AD. There are over 3000 independent winemakers in the Burgundy area. This city is for art lovers and food connoisseurs. There are quaint restaurants and cultural sites like the Musee des Beaux-Arts( Fine Arts Museum) and the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy.

Avignon, Provence

Avignon was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the mediaeval architecture throughout the city centre. In the 1300s, seven popes ruled the Catholic Church from the papal palace, which still dominates the city centre. There are many museums and cafes scattered throughout the city, making it feel like a treasure hunt. You can set up a base in Avignon and go on to visit nearby Marseille and Nimes, which are nearby. These towns are usually chosen by foreigners who immigrate to France searching for ”la vie en rose” lifestyle.

The Pyrenees

The Pyrenees are shared by both France and Spain. They are less dramatic but more inviting than the Alps. There is the Parc National de Pyrenees for avid bird watchers or hikers. The trails are marked and well-managed. Snowfall starts around October, so you can visit around November to get in some skiing.

Menton

If you are a serious foodie, then you already know about the jewel that is Menton. Situated on the French-Italian border, the town is home to the Mirazur restaurant. This restaurant is currently ranked 4th among the 50 best restaurants in the world. There is also Les Sablettes Beach which also boasts a Michelin-star chef. Or you can enjoy a picnic at the Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden.

Lastly

France has beautiful quaint villages waiting for you to discover their hidden treasures, art museums, wineries, and restaurants. The pristine coastlines and breathtaking scenery make France a contender on any bucket list.

UnusualPlaces Field Notes

Location

Multi-stop France guide: Èze, Dijon, Avignon, the French Pyrenees and Menton. There is no single representative map point.

Access

This is a five-stop planning guide, not a single attraction. Èze’s medieval village is reached on foot through steep, narrow lanes; Dijon and Avignon are separate cities with their own museums and monuments. In the Pyrenees, choose and check an individual trail, refuge and current mountain conditions before setting out. Menton’s Val Rahmeh botanical garden is at Avenue Saint-Jacques; the official garden lists Menton-Garavan rail station and bus line 1 (Stade stop) as access options. The garden is difficult to access for visitors with motor disabilities.

Admission

There is no ticket for visiting France or all five places together. Public streets in Èze and city streets are not one ticketed attraction; individual museums, gardens and monuments charge separately. Current examples: Val Rahmeh is €8 full price (€6 reduced); Avignon’s Palace of the Popes is €16 full price from August 1 to December 31, 2026. Dijon museums each set their own admission; some, including its Archaeological Museum, are listed as free by the Dijon tourism office. Check each venue before travel.

Time needed

No common visit duration applies to this five-destination guide. The Nice Côte d’Azur tourism office describes its guided Èze village and exotic-garden tour as about 1 hour 30 minutes; the Avignon tourism office lists one guided Palace-and-city tour lasting 2 hours 30 minutes. Those are specific guided products, not the time required for the whole town, palace, or France itinerary. Plan separate travel time between destinations.

Best season

There is no single best season for all five destinations. The Pyrenees can be snow-covered from November to May, depending on the year; winter hiking involves cold, fog and avalanche risks and needs mountain experience and preparation. Choose a trail and season for current weather and access. The other cities and sites have separate seasonal conditions and opening calendars.

Opening hours

There are no shared opening hours for these five destinations. Current examples checked October 1, 2026: Val Rahmeh Garden is open 10:00–18:00 daily except Tuesday through October 31, then 10:00–17:00 through March 31, 2027; it closes December 25. Avignon’s Palace of the Popes is listed 09:00–19:00 through November 1 and 10:00–17:00 from November 2 to December 18. Verify each venue’s live calendar before visiting.

Facts checked

2026-10-01

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