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With the Summer Olympics fast approaching, all eyes are on France.
The Paris tourist office expects more than 11 million visitors to the City of Lights during the games.
This is great for sporty types, but not ideal if you’re looking for a relaxing, crowd-free holiday in France.
Here’s how to keep your passion for traveling to France alive and burning like an Olympic torch.
Just visit one of these expertly selected dream destinations in France, which we guarantee will be free of other visitors. From a “stunning” coastal spot that’s a “local secret” to a region dotted with 80 volcanoes, these eight places offer a charmingly quieter side to France this summer.
Uzès, Occitania
‘Uzès stands out for its beautiful streets and its central square (above) full of restaurants’
Uzès, in the Occitanie region of southern France, is a certified “hidden gem” according to Justin Ashby, France expert for an independent travel agency. Simpsons Travels.
Justin told MailOnline Travel: ‘Uzès certainly exceeds your expectations thanks to its beautiful streets and central square full of restaurants.’
She adds: ‘A 20-minute drive from the city is the famous Roman bridge Pont du Gard, while on the outskirts of the city, the Musée du Bonbon Haribo (Haribo Sweets Museum) will be a hit with children.’
Metz, Grand Est
“This vibrant city in Lorraine has a rich history and stunning architecture. Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral (pictured), the Centre Pompidou-Metz and stroll along the River Moselle,” says Malcolm Massey.
Metz is located near France’s border with Germany and Luxembourg, and is “a hidden gem often overshadowed by Strasbourg,” says Malcolm Massey, From Babbel Expert on France.
Malcolm adds: “This vibrant city in Lorraine has a rich history and stunning architecture. Visit the Centre Pompidou-Metz and stroll along the Moselle River.”
Another bright idea? Visiting the Gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral, says Malcolm, which has so many kaleidoscopic stained glass windows (designed by artist Marc Chagall) that it has been dubbed “God’s Lantern.”
Andernos-les-Bains, Gironde
Andernos-les-Bains has a claim to fame: it is home to France’s longest pier (above), which is 232 m (761 ft) long.
An hour from Bordeaux on the west coast of France, Andernos-les-Bains is Malcolm from Babbel’s “favorite” beach destination.
According to him, the ideal place to build sandcastles is “a large coastal town with panoramic views of the Arcachon basin”, a captivating bay of the Atlantic Ocean.
The city also has a claim to fame: it is home to the longest pier in France, measuring 232 m (761 ft) in length.
Île d’Yeu, Pays de la Loire
“With 700 species of plants and nearly 300 types of birds, the Île d’Yeu is an ideal destination for nature lovers,” says HomeToGo.
Nature lovers looking to get away from the Olympic crowds should look no further than Île d’Yeu in the western Pays de la Loire region of France.
The team of the home exchange platform HomeTakeaway says: ‘This idyllic French island off the Vendée coast may be small, at just 23 square kilometres (eight square miles), but it promises plenty of adventure and stunning scenery.
‘With 700 species of plants and almost 300 types of birds, it is an ideal destination for nature lovers.’
Bormes-les-Mimosas, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
The 12th-century Bormes les Mimosas (above) is a “true floral paradise,” says the HomeToGo team
Dating back to the 12th century, Bormes les Mimosas is a “true floral paradise,” says the HomeToGo team, and its flower-filled streets have earned it the prestigious French “Villes et Villages Fleuris” (Cities and Villages in Bloom) award.
The passages here seem like dreamy places to get lost this summer, with HomeToGo experts highlighting the town’s “vibrantly coloured houses and artistic vibe.”
The village is located approximately one kilometer from the Mediterranean Sea, with the Bormes Tourist Office revealing that 17 kilometers (10 miles) of sandy beaches await visitors in scenes “worthy of master paintings.”
Auvergne, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
The Chaîne des Puys mountain range encompasses more than 80 volcanoes, with the Puy de Dôme (pictured) being the highest point at 1,465 m (4,806 ft)
Did you know that France has volcanoes? The dormant Puy de Dôme is a gem in the heart of France’s central Auvergne region, according to Malcolm from Babbel.
It says: ‘In Auvergne, in central France, nature lovers can enjoy the Chaîne des Puys, hike around Puy de Dôme and relax in the thermal spas of Vichy.’
The Chaîne des Puys mountain range encompasses more than 80 volcanoes, with the Puy de Dôme being the highest point at 1,465 m (4,806 ft).
Crozon, Brittany
‘Located in the Armorica Regional Natural Park, Crozon’s spectacular cliffs and sea caves, sandy beaches and picturesque hiking trails make it a hidden gem worth exploring,’ says HomeToGo.
Idyllic Brittany may be a leading destination for UK tourists, but there are some “local secrets” that many Brits don’t know about, according to HomeToGo.
The team says: ‘Crozon in Brittany is a much-loved city for domestic travellers in France and ranks as the 67th most popular French destination among residents of the country via HomeToGo.
‘Yet this stunning coastal spot remains a local secret, still relatively unknown to Brits: it is the 503rd most sought-after French destination among UK tourists.
‘Located in the Armorica Regional Natural Park, Crozon is a hidden gem worth exploring thanks to its dramatic cliffs and sea caves, sandy beaches and picturesque hiking trails.’
Montreuil-sur-Mer, Upper France
It may be small, but tiny Montreuil-sur-Mer has plenty to offer and has the great advantage of being just a 40-minute drive from Calais.
If you’re using the Channel Tunnel or ferry to get to France this summer, Montreuil-sur-Mer is “extremely accessible,” according to the Hauts-de-France Tourist Office.
The team says: “It may be small, but little Montreuil-sur-Mer has a lot to offer and has the great advantage of being just a 40-minute drive from Calais.”
This city has a reputation as a foodie destination and the team recommends dining at one of Michelin-starred chef Alexandre Gauthier’s restaurants. The Frog It is a ‘cozy grill’ while Anecdote Serves ‘contemporary and elegant French’ dishes.