Off the Beaten Track: Beautiful Medieval Towns You Should Visit in France
Off the Beaten Track: Beautiful Medieval Towns You Should Visit in France
With no exception, France leaves its visitors delighted with all the beauties it has to offer. From gaudy, intricate buildings to incredible landscapes of natural splendour, you’ll have a hard time deciding where to go next and what to see. It’s practically impossible to enjoy all the things French during a single visit. Dividing your attention between various specific fields can be a good idea, and you can dedicate one entire visit to beautiful medieval French towns.
Étretat
There’s a beloved town tucked away on Normandy coast called Étretat. Its rugged backdrop was a source of inspiration for nineteenth-century expressionists and their favourite marine getaway. Famously, Monet immortalized enchanting Étretat cliffs on one of his paintings, so do not leave before you check them out.
Dinan
Dinan also lies close to the coast of English Channel, though situated more inland. As you glance upon the town from the distance, it looks like a magical, perfect little hamlet straight out of a fairy tale. It boasts a beautifully preserved 13th-century architecture, so you’ll feel literally transported in time. If you have the stamina, take a 158-step climb to the top of the clock tower and enjoy the view. If you happen to visit this town during the final weekend of July, you are in luck – Fête des Remparts is a captivating medieval festival for history buffs.
Le Blanc
Le Blanc is the typical rustic town in central France with preserved historical facades. It is a perfect hub for exploration of the nearby Brenne Regional Natural Park. The park itself covers 160,000 hectares of land and it is also known as the “land of a thousand lakes”. The meaning behind the name is self-explanatory. The topography is varying and striking, and the wildlife is unique and surprising – the region is known for its incredible biodiversity. However, before you venture out, prepare well for the hiking and be on a lookout for wild boars.
Beaune
If you are on a tour of medieval French towns, you have to visit Beaune – the wine capital of Burgundy. The wine caves are scattered across the town, and it would be a real shame if you wouldn’t see a few of them (maybe more than a few if it’s a slow day). Beautiful vineyards, colourful architecture, and quaint environment all add up to an amazingly relaxing experience. If you want to be even more adventurous, you could catch a ride on one of small group tours in France, more specifically a 12-day Champagne, Burgundy and Alsace tour along the “wine road”.
Uzès
Uzès is a perfect medieval town for people who want to go off the radar. The town itself is, in many ways, surrounded by tourist hotspots of Languedoc, which makes it even more convenient. The historical buildings have a Renaissance vibe, and you can enjoy a beautiful medieval garden, three towers and two castles.
Hyères and the Îles d’Hyères
Have you ever wanted to visit a historic French town that was visited by some of the important figures who lived at the turn of the 19th century? If this is the case, you are in luck – Tolstoy, Kipling, D.H. Lawrence and even queen Victoria walked the streets of Hyères and the Îles d’Hyères. To this day, it has remained a favourite getaway for the locals. They leave Nice and Cannes to uninformed visitors.
Centuri
Finally, why not top it off with a dreamy setting on the Mediterranean Island? The town of Centuri spreads along the shore of Corsica and it awaits you with its rustic sea-faring charms. In many ways, it’s the ultimate European experience for hedonists – enjoy a lobster lunch as you gaze over the azure waters and see the fishing boats drag across the horizon.
Of course, it’s hard to be fair or objective when it comes to picking which off-the-beaten-path medieval towns you should visit. In the end, you should tailor the vacation to your own liking and seek whatever suits your sensibilities. Beautiful France will take care of the rest.