When visiting France for the first time, most travelers want to spend a lot of time in Paris, climb the Eiffel Tower, visit the Louvre, see the Arc de Triomphe, etc; they want to experience why Paris is said to be one of the most romantic cities in the world. Although Paris is a wonderful city, and all visitors should allow a significant amount of time exploring it, travelers should schedule time to get away from the hectic crowd of a touristy city and explore the beauty that the rest of the country has to offer!

About an hour and a half (by TGV) southwest from Paris, visitors can visit Tours which is in the Loire Valley. Located between the rivers Cher and Loire, Tours has a magnificent old city where you can see the preserved half-timbered buildings. At night, visitors can visit Place Plumereau and experience a busy social scene where you will see dozens of little pubs and restaurants. People of all ages come together to socialize, watch sporting events, etc. On a Sunday afternoon, relax a little and take a bike ride to visit other parts of this regions. Other attractions the Loire Valley has to offer is the famous Chateau de Cheverny and Chateau de Chambord. After taking a look inside these two castles, head over to Ambroise and visit the house where da Vinci died.

Already visited the Loire Valley? Why not head southeast from Paris and visit the region of Burgundy! Take a tour of the numerous vineyards and see how the wine in this beautiful region is produced. When you are done picking grapes, head over to Beaune to see the incredible structure of the Hospice, a former charitable almshouse from the 15th century. Next, head over to the small city of Dijon and learn all about the Dukes of Burgundy. In Dijon, all historical landmarks are discovered by following little owl plaques scattered around on the ground. You can head over to the tourist office and pick up a packet that will explain each stop. Along the way, you can see the “mascot” of Dijon. The famous Chouette is an owl carved into a wall that is believed to bring luck to those who rub it with the hand closest to their heart. After you finish learning the history, head over to Lac Kir and take a swim, play some volleyball, or take a walk. Go to the Parc de la Colombiere with your kids and pet some of the animals that live there. Whatever you like to do, Dijon has something to satisfy your needs.

If you are more of a beach person, head down south to the Cote d’Azur: Nice, Antibes, Cannes, etc. All are beautiful beach towns where you can take a dip in the clear Mediterranean Sea. In Nice, there are numerous water sports for visitors to partake: parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, etc. Take a break from the sun and visit the Picasso museum in Antibes, or the Matisse Museum in Nice. Go to the small picturesque town of Eze and visit the exotic gardens. The Cote d’Azur has everything, sun, swimming, and culture!

As one can see, there a lot of great places to escape all the touristy crowds; above are just a few examples. There are numerous others that are worth a visit: Mont St. Michel and Mont St. Malo in the northwest, Strasbourg and the Alsace region in the east, the French Alps, Bordeaux, etc. The only way to experience all of France is to get out there and take your time. Know that there are a lot of other outstanding places outside of Paris, and most importantly, do not be scared to venture into the unknown. France is full of extraordinary places and visitors should take advantage of everything this beautiful country has to offer!