{"id":443,"date":"2025-03-16T07:31:58","date_gmt":"2025-03-15T23:31:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php\/2025\/03\/07\/3-vacation-spots-in-france-that-are-loved-by-locals\/"},"modified":"2025-11-23T09:56:05","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T01:56:05","slug":"3-vacation-spots-in-france-that-are-loved-by-locals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/?p=443","title":{"rendered":"3 vacation spots in France that are loved by locals"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

We asked three of our correspondents in France for their favorite summer-vacation destinations that are off the typical international tourist trail. Their picks offer a varied cross-section of the country from tucked away calanques on the C\u00f4te d\u2019Azur to a forested mountain trail to a cliff-top medieval castle.<\/p>\n

Read on for under-the-radar spots in France you probably haven’t heard of before, and get planning a side trip on your next European vacation.<\/p>\n

\"Calanque
Enjoy the crystal clear waters of uncrowded Calanque De Port D’Alon near Bandol \u00a9 Gugu Mannschatz \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Bandol, C\u00f4te d\u2019Azur<\/h2>\n

Daphn\u00e9 Leprince-Ringuet is a travel and tech writer from Paris.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nAdvertisement\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/astro-ad><\/p>\n

Why Bandol?<\/p>\n

Tucked between Marseille and Toulon, away from the crowds of Cassis and La Ciotat, the charming port town of Bandol is nestled among the C\u00f4te d\u2019Azur\u2019s rocky inlets, or calanques.<\/p>\n

A stunning train ride along the coast from Marseille takes you to this region of hidden gems, accessible from a cliffside coastal footpath packed with outstanding photo opportunities.<\/p>\n

Must-do activities<\/p>\n

The dreamy Calanque de Port d\u2019Alon will draw you in for a refreshing swim. A 15-minute drive will take you on to Le Castellet, a picturesque medieval town perched in the heights of the Var department. Sit down at Le Pied de Nez restaurant for a taste of local specialties with an exceptional view of the village\u2019s surroundings.<\/p>\n

You cannot leave Bandol without learning more about its most famous product: wine \u2013 and local wine bar Le 8.27 offers a wide selection of local cuv\u00e9es. Be advised you are unlikely to leave without having purchased one (or several) bottles from one of the many neighboring wine merchants.<\/p>\n

Bandol tips<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nAdvertisement\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/astro-ad><\/p>\n

The typically Proven\u00e7al town of Bandol makes for a great stay. If you have access to a car, however, it is worth considering more remote accommodation options nearer to the calanques.<\/p>\n

\"Aerial
Discover sites like the medieval Ch\u00e2teau de Fleckenstein during a hike in northern Alsace \u00a9 Shutterstock \/ U. Eisenlohr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Parc Naturel R\u00e9gional des Vosges du Nord, northern Alsace<\/h2>\n

Jean-Bernard Carrilet is a writer, photographer and videographer from Metz, Lorraine.<\/p>\n

Why northern Alsace? <\/p>\n

Alsace is far more than Strasbourg and the well-known Route des Vins (Wine Road). If you\u2019re keen to discover under-the-radar spots in the eastern French region, I recommend northern Alsace, especially the Parc Naturel R\u00e9gional des Vosges du Nord, an hour northwest of Strasbourg.<\/p>\n

This gentle, unhurried region boasts rolling hills, picturesque lakes, dense forests, meandering rivers, charming villages and hilltop castles.<\/p>\n

Must-do activities<\/p>\n

The stunning landscape of Northern Alsace sets the stage for such outdoor activities as hiking and cycling; Parc Naturel R\u00e9gional des Vosges du Nord is crisscrossed by a seemingly endless network of trails winding through wild forests. For the most stunning views, head to Ch\u00e2teau de Fleckenstein, a red-sandstone medieval pile that teeters at the top of a rocky spur near the German border.<\/p>\n

Art enthusiasts shouldn\u2019t miss the impressive Mus\u00e9e Lalique in Wingen-sur-Moder. This state-of-the-art museum showcases a stunning collection of jewelry, perfume bottles and sculptures adorned with exquisite gems and enamel, all crafted by renowned French art-nouveau designer Ren\u00e9 Lalique.<\/p>\n

Northern Alsace tips<\/p>\n

When I need to relax and recharge, I always make a stop at Zuem Buerestuebel in the mineral spa resort of Niederbronn-les-Bains. It’s a traditional winstub (bistro) that serves delicious Alsatian specialties like tarte \u00e0 l’oignon (onion tart) and grumbeerekiechle (potato pancakes). For accommodation, my top choice in the area is Ferme-Auberge du Moulin des 7 Fontaines, a charming 18th-century farmhouse in a picturesque countryside setting.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/astro-ad><\/p>\n

\"View
La Baule offer charming harbors, miles of sand, boutiques, restaurants and sunsets over the bay \u00a9 Sasha64f \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. La Baule and the C\u00f4te d\u2019Amour<\/h2>\n

Sixtine Lerouge is a journalist from Paris with a love of train travel.<\/p>\n

Why La Baule?<\/p>\n

As far back as I can remember, I spent summer holidays under the shade of the pines of La Baule les Pins. Nestled just a few miles north of the Loire\u2019s estuary, this charming seaside destination on the Atlantic Coast in France\u2019s northeast is renowned for its 9km (5.5-mile) beach, and the rugged and craggy C\u00f4te Sauvage (wild coast) to the west of the bay. Here, hidden among wild grass and cliffs, you\u2019ll discover secluded creeks perfect for unwinding with a novel.<\/p>\n

Must-do activities<\/p>\n

Two pleasures I can never resist are spending the morning exploring the market to purchase fresh oysters, and the early evening watching the sun set over the bay.<\/p>\n

In this area, you\u2019ll also find numerous hotels, gourmet restaurants and bars. For accommodation, I’d recommend the Hotel Saint-Christophe, near the Place du March\u00e9, and a few meters from the shore. It’s a stone villa typical of the area, really charming, with climbing vines around the windows.<\/p>\n

In the evening, a great choice for food is the Cr\u00eaperie du Derwin, which offers delicious seafood and cr\u00eapes. For a drink, I suggest hopping on a bicycle and pedaling eastward toward Pornichet\u2019s marina. There, you\u2019ll find La P\u2019tite Case, a local gem renowned for its excellent cocktails.<\/p>\n

La Bule tips<\/p>\n

La Bule is the gateway to Bri\u00e8re Regional Nature Park, France’s second-largest wetlands and where you can enjoy nature walks and wildlife-spotting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We asked three of our cor<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":445,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-443","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-france-travel-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/443","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=443"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/443\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1174,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/443\/revisions\/1174"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=443"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=443"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=443"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}