Regions of France – Map of Top Tourist Attractions by Region

Plan a regional loop: base yourself in a center town, stay in guesthouses or small hotels, and avoid backtracking by clustering days around a center of each region. Use a map to anchor your route and keep a clear line of travel across the parts of France today.

The map helps you compare top attractions by region and plan a logical sequence. It marks unesco-listed sites, major cities, coastlines, and spaces for strolls and galleries. sint tips help you adjust routes and keep travel comfortable across grand-est this zone, with departments treated as modular blocks for your stay.

In provence-alpes-côte, base two to four days around Arles, Avignon, and Nice, then ride along the coast to the Calanques and inland towns, pairing lavender fields with Roman ruins. This area offers a compact line of sights suitable for a relaxed pace and authentic stays.

For a mix of medieval towns and mountain scenery, aim for the best options in Occitanie and Centre-Val de Loire, where Carcassonne and the Loire castles sit on a traveler-friendly line of rail connections. The map shows the parts to visit in a single trip, with suggestions to stay inside town centers to minimize transfers.

Region-by-region map: pinpoint top attractions per region

Begin with Île-de-France to anchor your map with world-famous monuments; from central Paris you can reach Versailles within 20 kilometres and Fontainebleau within 60 kilometres, then branch out to neighbouring regions within a few hundred kilometres to match your preferences.

Best time to visit by region: climate, crowds, and shoulder seasons

Île-de-France Visit in May to enjoy light crowds and mild temperatures. Numbers of visitors to the Louvre, Orsay, and other must-sees drop on weekdays, letting you move through galleries quickly. Whether you chase iconic landmarks or quiet riverside walks, this window serves as a gateway to rural day trips from Paris.

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Plan trips in April–May or September to enjoy long days near the coast without peak-season crushes. The coast basks in warm, sunny weather with light sea breezes; crowds balloon in July–August, so shoulder seasons offer easier access to the Calanques, cliff views, and white-washed villages. In towns such as Nice and Avignon you’ll find extended museum hours and fewer queues for top must-sees.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine Target May–June or September for Atlantic beaches, river towns, and vineyard routes with moderate crowds. The plains and rural regions cover vast landscapes where these seasons let you cover multiple communes in a single trip, and the numbers of visitors at Bordeaux museums stay manageable. On the mainland coast, you’ll enjoy near-perfect light for photography and easy day trips from coastal towns to inland châteaux and markets.

Occitanie The languedoc zone earns the best value in April–June and September. This period delivers long sunny days and mild heat, ideal for exploring the citadel at Carcassonne, winding through medieval towns, and riding the Canal du Midi. The coast remains comfortable, and inland plains roll into rural communes where you can sip regional wines and visit small museums. Whether you chase a coastline or a hilltop fort, you’ll find spacious queues and easy parking during these shoulder seasons.

Brittany May–June and September offer the best balance of mild weather, light winds, and calm harbors. The Atlantic light makes cliff walks and seaside photos shine, while towns like Rennes and Quimper open museums with friendly hours; coastal towns along the pink granite shores cover long days with easy day trips. Sint numbers from local tourism data show crowds are lower in these months, and you can enjoy the region’s regional cuisine without the usual crush. The itinerary covers beaches, markets, and cliffs, giving you varied days without rush.

Sample regional itineraries: 7–10 day routes that maximize sites

Begin in Toulouse and loop a southern arc through Occitania to Provence; this eight-day trip maximizes sights in compact hops–short drives, extensive experiences, and the chance to linger in idyllic towns bordered by sea and lavender fields during golden hours, which you’ll remember for years.

Itinerary A: Southern Occitania to Provence (8 days)

Day 1: Toulouse – Capitole, Saint-Sernin, and the Garonne riverside; enjoy cassoulet in a public square and soak up the city’s gentle pace.

Day 2: Carcassonne – explore the Cité walls; the fortress sits on a bordered hill with breathtaking views across the plains.

Day 3: Collioure and the Côte Vermeille – coast roads along high cliffs; the pelée cliff rises above the port as surfers ride the waves, and you can spot mosaic motifs in seaside shops; stay near the harbor for sunset.

Day 4-5: Lavender country near Valensole – wander endless rows of lavender, wander through idyllic hill villages with white-washed facades, and sample lavender honey; return via scenic lanes that border orchards and olive groves.

Day 6-7: Arles and Avignon – Roman ruins, lively public squares, and the Pont d’Avignon; explore the Camargue wetlands at dawn, then end with a sunset along the Rhône and the town’s serene lanes.

Day 8: Departure from Marseille or Nice; consider a quick stop in a small ville along the coast to close the loop.

Itinerary B: Auvergne to Brittany cultural spine (7–9 days)

Begin in cluny and thread through auvergne before turning toward the Atlantic coast to nantes and saint-malo, finishing with a paris detour to the louvre for a public art fix.

Day 1: cluny – abbey ruins and the historic ville center; markets, stone arcades, and medieval lanes fill the day.

Day 2-3: auvergne – base in clermont-ferrand; ride the puy de dome cable car for a 360-degree panorama; visit Vulcania to see volcanic history amid the mosaic of volcanic landscapes.

Day 4-5: nantes – cross to the Loire region; Château des Ducs de Bretagne, Machines de l’Île, and the riverfront; the white façades along the boulevards give the city a bright, welcoming feel.

Day 6-7: saint-malo – drive to Brittany; walk the ramparts, sample seafood, and photograph the fortifications that border the sea; the old town’s narrow lanes and white houses stay with you.

Day 8-9: mont-saint-michel or a dinan detour; end in paris for a morning at the louvre, which houses masterpieces from centuries past, before you fly home or continue your trip. Public transport links between these regions are extensive, thanks to fast connections by rail and regional networks, which makes this plan flexible for a 7-, 8-, or 9-day window, depending on your pace.

Festivals, holidays, and closures: planning around local events

Book lodging near festival hubs in advance when your dates align with major events; this keeps travel between venues efficient and lets you combine cultural moments with outdoor time. Which regions shine for distinctive character are provence-alpes-côte and bourgogne-franche-comté, offering a mix of classic elegance and modern programming along lush terrain, pleasant towns, and gentle heights near the mountains. January visits may see museum hours shifting; verify which days will be open and plan a backup day.

Dates and closures

During peak festive periods, towns across provence-alpes-côte and bourgogne-franche-comté stage outdoor markets, concerts, and street performances that draw crowds between morning and evening. In january, some museums will shorten hours or close one day a week; check official pages since several institutions coordinate closures. Expect national holidays and seasonal breaks to reshape schedules, so build two or three indoor options into your plan in case weather turns.

Practical planning tips

Take advantage of dedicated transportation passes that connect coastal areas with inland sites; trains, regional buses, and bike-friendly routes will move you between museum visits and festival venues quickly. Base yourself near a cluster of events to maximize time and minimize commutes; provence-alpes-côte offers a coastal-and-mountain mix, and bourgogne-franche-comté delivers wine routes and museum-rich towns. Combining outdoor time with cultural experiences will reveal the character of each region and keep your itinerary good and varied.

Where to stay and eat: practical tips by region for budget and convenience

For budget and convenience, book a central aparthotel in Lyon in the auvergne-rhone-alps, preferably in the centre, so you can walk to the cathedral and the markets, and use quick tram hops for alpine day trips. If youre traveling with a budget, a central base keeps transport costs predictable while you lock in longer stays and easy access to Courchevel for skiing.

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

• Stay: In Lyon, choose a 2–3-star aparthotel or a compact hotel in the centre; expect 60–110 EUR per night in shoulder seasons, rising in peak ski weeks. Grenoble offers good value in the centre or near tram links to the valley routes. For a ski-forward plan, pair Lyon stays with a Courchevel leg by booking early and selecting accommodation with a lift shuttle or a short bus ride to the pistes.
• Eat: Try bouchons for authentic Lyonnaise dishes; plat du jour commonly 12–16 EUR. Hit Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse for fresh cheese, charcuterie, and affordable prepared foods to make a picnic by the river. In alpine towns, grab a warm soupe or tartiflette after a day on the slopes.
• Transport & tips: Use a city transit pass (24–48h) to keep costs down. For mountain days, reserve a prebooked shuttle to Courchevel or a nearby resort; early booking fields the best prices. Tourist information centres in Lyon and Grenoble offer maps and real-time lift status, plus family and senior deals.
• Destinations & must-see: Saint-Jean Cathedral and the Vieux Lyon districts anchor the city centre; Beaujolais vineyards offer idyllic day trips, and the alpine valleys host numerous ski areas. There’s room to tailor itineraries to your preferences, whether you want a quiet centre base or a lead-in to world-class skiing. The worlds of gastronomy, history, and mountain scenery converge here, with each outing feeling universal yet personal.

Champagne-Ardenne

• Stay: Base in Reims or Troyes to keep costs low and access the cathedral districts quickly; expect 55–95 EUR per night in midweek, higher on weekends. Look for hotels near major train lines or town centres to minimize taxi time after late dinners. For a champagne-focused stay, choose a hotel near a house with easy tasting bookings.
• Eat: Sample brasseries and bistros offering regional specialties; lunch menus around 12–18 EUR are common. In Reims, pair meals with a glass of rose or a small champagne tasting; most houses offer mid-range guided tours that include tasting for about 25–40 EUR.
• Transport & information: Rail links connect Reims and Troyes to Paris and the Netherlands by national networks; use local buses for hops between sights. There’s reliable information at local centres to tailor itineraries to your time and pace; tap water is drinkable in most venues, and bottled options are easy to find.
• Wine & must-see: Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral is a must-see, with towering arches and historic stonework. The surrounding Champagne routes offer numerous houses and cellars for guided visits; plan a couple of stops to cover the variety of styles. This region balances a refined pace with accessible tasting rooms, so you can align visits with your rose-wine curiosities and champagne insights.