France has diversified geography, which means that a few hours' drive can take you from the gritty beaches of the south to a ski resort in Chamonix, at the base of Mont Blanc. You can be carried away by the flowing winds of Normandy or cruise down the magnificent Rhone River. France has influences from all of Western Europe as a result of its geographical location, as well as a healthy influx of varied cultures. So you may be sunbathing on the beach one day and hiking through the mountains the next. You could be shopping for exquisite couture one day and relaxing in the tranquillity of vineyards the next. In France, there is something for everyone! So we have listed 10 offbeat places to visit in France so you can savour the scenic beauty of France.

1. Arles
2. French Riviera
3. Lascaux cave paintings
4. Rocamadour
5. Palais Garnier Opera House
6. Place de la Concorde
7. Place des Vosges
8. Quartier Montmartre
9. Place Vendome
10. The Bibliothèque-Musée de l'Opéra

1. Arles

Arles, one of the must-see destinations in France, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a historic city positioned on a knoll where the Rhône River splits to reach the sea. This old city offers a fantastic cityscape consisting of vivid sun-baked houses, lanes, and roadways. You can visit this place by choosing our France tour packages at the Pickyourtrail website.

The city is dotted with shops and restaurants and exudes old-world beauty in every way. In addition, the old city of Arles served as an inspiration for famed painter Vincent van Gogh, who depicted the place in several of his famous works.

2. French Riviera


The French Riviera, located on France's Mediterranean coast, is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. It is well-known for its picturesque scenery, enthralling seashore, vacation retreats, and health spas. This place is a part of our offbeat places to visit in France list.

This fashionable French location is well-known on the global tourism map for the Cannes Film Festival, small perched towns, exquisite perfumeries, glass blowers, and potters.

3. Lascaux Cave Paintings

The Dordogne region of France offers wonderful prehistoric ruins that are ideal attractions for history fans and historians who want to go beyond the pages of their history textbooks.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site has stunning prehistoric paintings that are among the world's best examples of Palaeolithic art. Although the cave has been closed to visitors to avoid damage, an exact facsimile of the cave may be seen at the nearby Lascaux II site.

4. Rocamadour

Rocamadour, located on a sheer rock in the Dordogne region, appears to be attempting to ascend to heaven. In the 11th century, it was an important Christian pilgrimage place, ranking third only to Jerusalem and Rome. It was a significant stop on the journey to Santiago de la Compostela, which is located in Spain. This stunning place is a part of our list of offbeat places to visit in France.

Seven mediaeval-era sanctuaries may be found throughout the hamlet. The most famous of them all is the Chapelle Notre-Dame, which contains a carved walnut wood figure of the 'Black Virgin,' who is reputed to perform miracles.

5. Palais Garnier Opera House

Music is alive and well in France, and this venue is a major proponent of it. Charles Garnier built the Palais Garnier Opera, a prominent Neo-Baroque theatre. Poetry, Idyll, Music, Song, Recitation, Drama, and Dance sculptures adorn the area. The loggia here features busts of famous composers such as Meyerbeer, Halévy, Beethoven, Spontini, Mozart, and others. Garnier has a floor area of 11,000 square metres with seats for 2,200 people.

6. Place de la Concorde

This octagonal square, built between 1755 and 1775, was once the pulsing heart of 18th-century Paris. It also witnessed far too many pivotal historical events, including the assassination of King Louis XVI. Visitors can witness picturesque views of the route leading to the Arc de Triomphe and the Défense from here, as well as the fantastic walk leading to the Louvre, which includes the Madeleine and the Palais Bourbon. At the heart of it, all is a strange Egyptian Obelisk, a gift from Egypt's Viceroy to Charles X.


7. Place des Vosges

The Place des Vosges is located in the lovely Marais area. It is Paris's oldest public space and is designed in a highly consistent style. This square served as the inspiration for other squares such as Place de la Concorde and Place Vendôme. This place is a part of our list of best offbeat places to visit in France.

It was once the scene of marriages, festive festivities, and even duels. The Place des Vosges, which was built between 1605 and 1612, was formerly known as Place Royale since it was filled with aristocratic dwellings. The square has a harmonically symmetrical structure and is surrounded by red homes with excellent stone details and pitched slate roofs.

8. Quartier Montmartre

What was once a charming mediaeval village has been transformed into a modern avant-garde venue that preserves its old charm. Montmartre's bohemian atmosphere can still be apparent in its cobblestone lanes and lovely squares, particularly around the Carré Roland Dorgelès and Place du Tertre. The Belle Epoque was home to artists like Edgar Degas and Toulouse Lautrec, and it now reflects the spirit of a new century France.

9. Place Vendome

The facades of the residences on the Place Louis le Grand were built between 1686 and 1701. Its initial function was to contain the Royal Academics, the Royal Library, the Mint, and a hotel for foreign envoys. However, financial concerns rendered that certainty a pipe dream, and it was sold to new affluent owners, who built lovely residences complete with gardens and courtyards. Ernest Hemingway used to stay at the Ritz Hotel.

10. The Bibliothèque-Musée de l'Opéra

No discussion of opera is complete without a visit to the Bibliothèque-Musée de l'Opéra, which translates as the Library-Museum of the Opera House. The aforementioned library and museum house three centuries of meticulously preserved documents about the art of opera. The facility presents topical exhibits such as a performance of Ballets Suédois, an avant-garde dance company.


France is the most travelled tourist attraction, and the beauty, wealth, and aristocracy of its monuments harken back to a bygone era. Tourists will enjoy the sights, smells, and tastes of a world that has entered the twenty-first century while retaining its old-world characteristics. You now have a list of lovely tourist destinations in France. Please let us know when you will be visiting them. So, what are you holding out for? Plan a trip to France with your friends and family at Pickyourtrail for an unforgettable experience!