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France Less Visited travel guide
Updated 6 September 2024 by Leyla Alyanak — Parisian by birth, Lyonnaise by adoption, historian by passion
We all know and love France's major attractions, but behind all these popular places lie an amazing number of lesser-known destinations. Often, these are much-loved here in France, but virtually unknown to international visitors. Here are some of those places. A few may be familiar, but others will, I hope, be new to you.
If you're visiting France, especially for the first time, there's every chance you'll begin with Paris. If you have more time, you'll probably head off to Provence... and maybe tuck in a Loire château or two.
And so you will have covered... about 10% of my country.
This page is dedicated to the other 90%, a few places which may be familiar to you, but many you'll be discovering for the first time.
- 13 Unexpected Places the French Know - but you might not
- The Ardeche In France: 7 Delightful Surprises
- Best Things To Do In Brittany France
- Brantome, France: Venice Of The Périgord
- Destination: Department Loire (Not The Loire You Think!)
- Why You Need To Visit These 4 Underrated French Cities In Spring
- 7 Less Visited Cities In France You Must Have On Your Radar
- Cheval Palace: How A Rural Postman Built His Dream By Hand
Burgundy
- Visiting Dijon France? Let The Dijon Owl Trail Guide You
- A Day Trip From Dijon To The Auxois, The Heart Of Burgundy
- Flavigny-Sur-Ozerain, Where 'Chocolat' Was Filmed
- The Quirkiest Dijon Museum: A Peek At 19th-Century Burgundian Life
- Chateau Bussy Rabutin And The Salacious Story Of The Count Who Lived There
Northeastern France
- 5 Unmissable Highlights Of The Ecole De Nancy Art Nouveau
- France's Favorite Square: The Secrets Of Place Stanislas, Nancy
- 9 Unexpected Things To Do In Haute-Marne
- Discovering Langres, The Prettiest French Town You've Never Heard Of
- Voltaire In Love: The Improbable Power Couple Of The Chateau De Cirey
Central France
- La Maison Picassiette In Chartres: The House Of A Million Pieces
- 3 Fascinating Castles Near Paris That Are Way Under The Radar
- Chateau D'Anet: The Love Nest Of Henri II And Diane
- The Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth (And Other Fascinating Wonders)
- Chateau de Maintenon and the Astonishing Rise of Françoise d'Aubigné
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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 culturally curious travelers who want more than checklists. I write about castles, villages, museums, and landmarks — explaining France’s history while also showing you where to go and what to visit.
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
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