France without crowds of tourists: which cities to visit for those who prefer coziness
France is one of the most tourist-attractive countries in Europe, and in some places, there can be even more tourists than locals. For example, during the 2024 Paris Olympics, more than 11 million tourists were expected with a city population of just over 2 million.
But if you're looking for tranquility rather than crowds, you might not like this vacation. Luckily, France is a great country with a rich heritage and you will have plenty of places to go for solitude. Mail Online has compiled a list of interesting places to visit.
Uzès
Landscapes of ancient Uzès.
Source: provenceholidays.com
The city is called the hidden gem of Occitania. Here you can admire the architecture of the ancient streets and relax on the central square with restaurants. A 20-minute drive from the city is the famous Roman Pont du Gard. And on the outskirts is a museum that children will love, because it is the Haribo Museum of Candy.
Metz
St. Stephen's Cathedral in Metz.
Source: tourisme-metz.com
This city in Lorraine has a rich history and stunning architecture. It is located near the French border with Germany and Luxembourg and is sometimes overlooked in the background of Strasbourg, which is located nearby. Here you can admire St. Stephen's Cathedral, which is decorated with stained glass windows by Marc Chagall, the Center Pompidou-Metz museum of contemporary art, and walk along the Moselle River.
Andernos-les-Bains
Andernos-les-Bains is a dream for beach lovers.
Source: Expedia.com
Just an hour's drive from Bordeaux on the west coast of France is this town where you can get a great vacation. It has a great beach and the longest pier in France, 232 meters long. If you are looking for seascapes, you will definitely like the Gulf of Arcachon.
L'Ile d'Eure
The island of L'Ile d'Eau is a place for unity with nature.
Source: Saint Gilles Croix de Vie
A small island with an area of only 23 square kilometers will appeal to nature lovers. About 700 species of plants grow in its vicinity and almost 300 species of birds can be found. Moreover, stunning seascapes open up from almost any point of the island.
Bormes-les-Mimosas
Bormes-les-Mimosas is the flower capital of the Côte d'Azur.
Source: FranceComfort
This city is called a flower paradise because its streets are lined with many flowering plants. For this, it was recognized with the prestigious Villes et Villages Fleuris award. Bormes-les-Mimosas is also famous for its colorful houses and atmosphere. By the way, the Mediterranean Sea is only a kilometer away - a little further and you can relax on one of the beaches that stretch for 17 km.
Crozon
Picturesque cliffs and beautiful architecture are the highlights of Crozon.
Source: jordicarrio.com
The city is located in the Brittany province in the Armoric Regional Nature Park. Its tourist magnet is picturesque cliffs, sea caves, sandy beaches, and scenic hiking trails. At the same time, not even all locals know that they have such a gem.
Montreuil
Montreuil will delight you with the cozy atmosphere of a small European city.
Source: Geographical Magazine
Just a 40-minute drive from Calais, and you're in a great place for gastronomy. The population here is less than 2 thousand people, but it has its own Michelin-starred restaurant. If you want to taste real French cuisine, this is the place to go. And then you can go to the sea - the English Channel coast is just a stone's throw away.
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