The Beauty of France Goes Far Beyond Paris
As the weather cools, heading back to Paris might be on your mind. But don’t let the City of Light be the only stop on your visit to France. After exploring a new arrondissement or finally getting out to Pere Lachaise to wander amongst the greenery and gravestones of the famous, get on a train to see how intoxicating the rest of France can be.
A two-hour train ride south, escape to the vineyards of Bordeaux and its captivating medieval city. I can arrange tastings at your favorite vintages and book you into a boutique hotel amongst the Grand Cru grapes. Discover the city’s youthful energy (it’s home to two universities), its UNESCO heritage old town, and a fantastic museum of wine.
Head further south, about a four-hour train ride from Paris, and escape to Biarritz, the beach town favored by aristocrats and royalty. Pick up a pair of real espadrilles in the shops and wander down to the grand plage, the main beach, to watch surfers play in the waves, overlooked by grand châteaux that line the cliffs.
If you don’t stay at the recently renovated Hotel du Palais (first built in 1854 for Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie), then visit for dinner to experience the Old World charm of this very French resort town.
About a three-hour train ride north of Paris, the historic beaches of Normandy await. This is a chance to explore the region’s impressive museums and memorials that bring its storied past to life, before heading along the coast to the jaw-dropping island abbey of Mont St-Michel. Stay nearby for the night and rent a bicycle. The sea surrounds the abbey and the approach on two wheels is unforgettable.
If you are driving, continue farther south along the dramatic coastline into Brittany. This region is celebrated for its laid-back lifestyle, charming fishing villages, indulgent butter, and abundant seafood, making it a deliciously different taste of France.