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Offbeat France®, Where Travel Meets History

Iconic villages, underrated cities, vanishing crafts, and historical insights 

medieval mapHISTORICAL TRAVEL
french village index pageFRANCE'S DESTINATIONS
Homepage map of FranceNEW TO FRANCE? START HERE!
Just published pierres dorees

Destinations

Pierres dorees thumbnailPierres Dorées: The Golden Stone Villages of The Beaujolais
Ouistreham thumbnailOuistreham-Riva Bella: Complete Guide To 6 Best Things To See And Do
Vienne thumbnailThings to Do in Vienne, France (From Rome to the Renaissance)
Roman Vienne thumbnail5 Remarkable Vienne Roman Ruins Hidden in Plain Sight

People, Culture, Cuisine

Croix-Rousse, Home of Lyon's Silk Weavers
Escoffier Museum thumbnailThe Escoffier Museum: An Ode to the Master Chef
Second Empire thumbnailIn the Footsteps of Napoleon III: A Walk Through Second Empire Paris
unusual museums thumbnailThese 5 Paris Museums Are Rarely Crowded And Always Remarkable

Planning Tips

carless luberon thumbnailHow To Visit The Luberon Villages Without A Car
Monuments in Paris thumbnail10 Fascinating Monuments In Paris Not Enough People Visit
November thumbnail7 Reasons France In November Might Be A Great Decision
Luberon itinerary thumbnailThe Best 5-Day Luberon Itinerary For Exploring Provence’s Hilltop Villages

Spotlight: The Luberon

Thumbnail hidden luberon villages8 Hidden Luberon Villages (that are still authentic)
Menerbes thumbnailThe Unexpected Charms Of Ménerbes, France
Ochre thumbnailRoussillon, Luberon, And The Magic Of Ochre
Lacoste thumbnailLacoste Village: Scandal, Style, And A Steamy History
Leyla from Offbeat France

Bonjour! I’m Leyla. Born in Paris, now based in Eastern France between Lyon and Annecy. After years abroad as a journalist and diplomat, I came home and began rediscovering France through its history and landscapes.

Offbeat France is for travelers who want more than checklists. I write about castles, villages, museums, landmarks — explaining France’s history along with what to see, how to visit, and why it matters. You’ll find context, backstories, and practical advice, in equal measure. My aim is simple: help you travel through France with historical insight, not guesswork. If you think, “I didn’t know that,” I’m doing my job.

Learn more about me!
Read my Substack historical essays