From medieval villages to sunset promenades, I found the France that most travellers miss. Here's why the smaller destinations stole my heart.
France has always called to me, but this trip was different. I wasn't there to check off a list of famous landmarks. I was there with my family, visiting my sister, and that changed everything. Instead of racing from one postcard moment to the next, I had the freedom to slow down. To wander. To discover the France that exists beyond the crowded tourist centres.
What I found exceeded every expectation I had, and it transformed how I think about recommending this destination to my clients.
The Promenade That Stole My Heart
Of all the places we explored, one stands out above the rest: La Ciotat on the French Riviera. This beautiful coastal city captured me completely. Walking the promenade with sailboats bobbing in the harbour, watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of gold and pink over the water, I felt a calm I rarely experience when travelling. The simplicity of it was the magic. Local restaurants lined the waterfront, serving the freshest seafood imaginable. My kids discovered gelato that rivalled anything in Italy. It wasn't complicated. It wasn't fancy. It was perfect.
What surprised me most about this trip was how easily we navigated the country once we embraced the train system. I'll be honest, I had some hesitation at first. But once we figured it out, travelling by rail became one of the highlights. Watching the countryside roll past our window, arriving in the heart of each town rather than on its outskirts, feeling the rhythm of France unfold station by station. It's a mode of travel I now enthusiastically recommend to anyone planning a French adventure.
The Chapel Most People Miss
In Paris, we made time for Sainte-Chapelle, and I'm so glad we did. This tiny chapel gets overlooked because it can't compete with Notre-Dame for size or name recognition. But step inside, and the floor-to-ceiling stained glass completely surrounds you. Light pours through every wall, transforming the space into something that feels almost otherworldly. For travellers who have visited Paris before and want to experience something they may have missed, this is it. Trust me on this one.
We also ventured into medieval villages that most tourists never see. These old stone towns, perched on hillsides and tucked into valleys, offered glimpses of French life untouched by tourism. We had days where we simply set out without a fixed destination, letting curiosity guide us. That freedom to explore, to feel like we had stumbled upon something special, made memories that will stay with our family forever.
Who Would Love This Kind of Trip
The beauty of France is that it adapts to whoever visits. Retirees who want to immerse themselves in history and wine culture will find endless joy here. Newlyweds seeking romantic countryside escapes and scenic hikes will fall in love all over again. And families like mine? We balanced medieval castles and cultural sites with swimming in rivers, hunting for the best gelato, and yes, a detour to Disneyland Paris. France gave us something for everyone.
What I understand now, having experienced it myself, is that the most memorable moments often happen in the places travellers don't initially plan to visit. My role as an advisor is to bring those opportunities to my clients. To suggest the coastal town they've never heard of. The tiny chapel they didn't know existed. The train journey that becomes part of the adventure rather than just transportation.
I came home from France more passionate than ever about helping people experience it properly. Not just the Paris everyone knows, but the France that waits in smaller cities and quieter corners. The France that makes you feel like you've discovered something rare. I cannot wait to send my clients there.
