What to do and see in France, France: The Best Hidden Gems Things to do

June 7, 2021 Merry Kessler

– in Europe  (green & dark grey) – in the European Union  (green)
Restaurants in France

1. Parc Naturel Regional Du Vercors

255 Chemin des Fusilles, 38250 Lans-en-Vercors France +33 4 76 94 38 26 [email protected] http://www.parc-du-vercors.fr/
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 507 reviews

Parc Naturel Regional Du Vercors

Reviewed By Casamona-Real-Estate - Tromso, Norway

take the local bus for 5 euros and you get to the village Lans En Vercors . and here you can walk for hours- Also there is a restaurant after around 1 hours walk- Here we did lunch! Ask the tourist info in the village

2. Nature Reserve of Scandola

Corsica France +33 4 95 51 79 10 http://www.visite-scandola.com
Excellent
85%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 569 reviews

Nature Reserve of Scandola

Reviewed By ChristieK075 - London, United Kingdom

A boat trip to Scandola and the Calanques de Piana reserve is a must if you have time while in Corsica - the mountainous formations really are spectacular. On choosing the tour... - The sea can get a bit rough (nothing much though), so larger boats might go easier on sensitive people - Check the larger boats as some are not ideal for sightseeing with block-view seats, especially in a 4.5 hrs tour (= Hybrid brand). If you must take them, try to arrive early and go for the upper deck seats - The smaller boats will offer a more unfiltered experience with the sea and mountains - just make sure to take a hat & sunblock - The stop at Girandola seemed rather pointless, and Calanques de Piana was the most impressive part, so if you are pressed for time, just go for the Calanques tour (ca. 1.5 hrs) If you don't like boats, you can still try the drive through the Piana gorges - the naked mountains look majestic, bathed in the warm sunshine while contrasting with the deep blue sea.... one of those sighs of mother-nature that will stay with you. Yes, you will have to be very careful with nutty French drivers, but hey, nothing is perfect.

3. Route des Cretes

13260 La Ciotat France +33 892 39 01 03 http://www.ot-cassis.com
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 721 reviews

Route des Cretes

Reviewed By tahnathos

A transverse road in the South of France, between Toulon and Marseille. Not the shortest one, especially compared to the close by highway. But hell (pun intended), the scenery is so incredible that it's a must go !

4. Parc National des Calanques

Route du Feu de la Calanque de Morgiou, 13009 Marseille France +33 4 20 10 50 00 http://www.calanques-parcnational.fr/
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3,949 reviews

Parc National des Calanques

Reviewed By milgil24 - Sydney, Australia

The stunning natural beauty of the Calanques along the South Coast of France is a must do. We went on a boat tour which departed from Marseille (booked through Airbnb experience) which was amazing, but there are so many ways to visit this national park.

5. Chateau Cantenac

2 Lieu Dit Cantenac Route Departementale 670, 33330 Saint-Emilion France +33 5 57 51 35 22 [email protected] http://www.chateau-cantenac.fr
Excellent
89%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 972 reviews

Chateau Cantenac

Passionate about our heritage and our wines, we enjoy sharing our stories and our know-how with visitors. Our tours are welcoming, educational and punctuated with family anecdotes. Come discover the unique and charming story of the family, the estate and the production of a Grand Cru from the vine to the glass : the terroir and the work in the vineyard, winemaking and wine aging. The tour ends with a comparative and educational tasting of our wines. Tours with tastings by appointment only! Please call us or send us an email to make a reservation. It may be possible to drop-in for a wine tasting during the week (if someone is available), but please note that we are open on weekends only by appointment. Have a fabulous day and we look forward to welcoming you to our family winery!

Reviewed By MGrech - Zejtun, Malta

We have visited many wineries around the world but this has definitely been the most interesting. AJ is an excellent host and her tour is pleasant, fun and she shares so much detail and knowledge on the steps that are involved in the production of such fine wine. Madame Roskam is truly lucky to have a daughter in law like AJ! The tour will leave a wonderful memory of Saint Emilion.

6. Point Sublime - Mont Faron

Sommet du Mont Faron, 83000 Toulon France
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 380 reviews

Point Sublime - Mont Faron

Reviewed By PDJLD123 - Watford, United Kingdom

I struggled to find any good information on a demanding day hike from the cruise port up to Point Sublime at the top of Mont Faron. I did read that you must not follow Google maps as it leaves you at the end of dead end path looking up at a sheer rock face! So we kind of followed the road and the following notes give you a safe tarmac road based route with a reasonable amount of shade as you wind up the Western side of the mountain. Cars do pass but not in any large numbers. It will get you to the viewing point in about 2.5hrs. We then came down on the cable car (€5 one way) and walked the 35mins back to the cruise port. The whole round trip took us 5.5 hours including a coffee stop (€2 each) at the cafe next to the cable car. Leave the cruise ship, put the “Zenith Omega” into your maps app. I think it’s a conference centre. It’s doesn’t matter how you walk there as it will take you though a tunnel under the railway. Once on the other side of the railway with the Zenith Omega in front of you, turn left and walk to Boulevard Bianchi, which is the start of a steep climbing road that changes name to Boulevard Emile Jacquemin. At the junction with Chenin du Fort Rouge turn right and then it’s all up hill on a one way road (cars going up only) into Route du Faron until you reach the cable car (Telepherique du Mont Faron). Staying on the road, keep walking past this to the zoo and then past that towards the Point Sublime. You will see a path with a barrier and no entry sign (for cars) on the right which you walk along for about 15 mins. The sign says 25 mins which is not true. The viewing point at the cross gives a wide open view of the harbour, the town and the mountain. It’s impressive. Then walk back to the cable car, take it down to the edge of town and it’s a 35 min stroll back to your ship through the old town. Overall 12 miles or 19 km and about 24,500 steps. Enjoy.

7. Gorges de la Restonica

Corte, 20250, Corsica France +33 4 95 46 10 09
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 583 reviews

Gorges de la Restonica

This forest is a popular destination for cyclists and hikers.

Reviewed By nofla - Corsica, France

Swim in the natural pools in fresh spring water in quiet natural enviroment in hot summer days are so refreshing and energized.

8. Sentier Blanc-Martel

route des Cretes, 04120 France +33 4 92 77 32 02 http://www.lapalud-verdontourisme.com/je-decouvre-tout-un-pays/bestof-verdon/le-sentier-blanc-martel
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 159 reviews

Sentier Blanc-Martel

9. Abbaye de Fontfroide

Chemin de Fontfroide Rd 613, 11100, Narbonne France +33 4 68 45 11 08 [email protected] http://www.fontfroide.com/
Excellent
64%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,112 reviews

Abbaye de Fontfroide

Open all year long. Visits, Restaurant, Wines, Concerts...

Reviewed By chaletaria

Beautiful abbey just outside Narbonne (you need transport). In an excellent state of repair and an informative leaflet (although the downloadable PDF is better- available French, English, Spanish). The cloisters are interesting, as are the gardens, but the piece de resistance is the church with its incredible stained glass windows. We came back in the evening to watch the light show (10-midnight). We were concerned that we would just see everything again, but in the evening, but the show was completely different and an excellent evening experience. The beautifully done show in the tour d’honneur/ courtyard (french only) was the highlight, as was a nice light show in the Louis XIV courtyard. Not too expensive (unless you opt for their meal+show, which we didn’t).

10. Chateau de la Roche-Jagu

Domaine Departemental de la Roche-Jagu La Roche-Jagu, 22260 France +33 2 96 95 62 35 [email protected] http://www.larochejagu.fr
Excellent
61%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 277 reviews

Chateau de la Roche-Jagu

Let yourself be guided by your imagination, in the manor house, in the gardens, to the rythm of the seasons. In Brittany, La Roche-Jagu Estate is the place to reflect on the landscape as a material, a territory and a perception. Every year, it hosts tempory exhibitions. An opportunity to broaden your horizons. Property of the Departemental Council since 1958, the castle built in the 15th century, is the last remant of a chain of defensive sites overhang the valley of the Trieux river. It is classified as a historical monument in 1930. La Roche Jagu park welcomes around 200,000 visitors each year, who like to relax along the paths where you can always find your way. The access to the park is free all year round. La Roche Jagu Estate is also developing a programme of living spectacles. La Roche agu Estate is a majestic site full of stories and sercrets, a space for all kinds of discoveries

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