11 Overrated Places in France and Where to Go Instead
France is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It has beaches on all sides of the country, and then on the east, it has the French Alps. Not to mention all the incredible places in the middle!
People think of France as just Paris, but there is much more to see here off the tourist path. I’ve compiled a list of the most overrated cities in France and where you should go instead.
1. Skip Paris and Go to Lyon
Now don’t get me wrong, I love Paris. However, I understand how people would think that this city is overrated. It’s flooded with tourists, the Eiffel Tower is underwhelming for most, and the people here can be pretty mean. A great place to visit instead of Paris, is Lyon!
It’s known as the Paris of the East and is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever traveled. Some of my favorite parts of the city are the Passerelle Saint Georges de Lyon, a red pedestrian bridge with a medieval church on one side.
Then there’s the giant Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière which sits on a hill overlooking the city, just like the Sacre Coeur in Paris.
Lastly, there’s the old town filled with old churches, little bakeries, and some of the most famous restaurants in France. So if you think Paris will be a bust, head to Lyon for a fantastic time!
2. Instead of Marseille, Head to Nice!
Marseille is one of my least favorite places in France. It’s dirty, has a high crime rate, and is on the water but no beaches near the center. There are pretty things to see in the Marseille area but if you want to go somewhere incredible, Nice is where you’ll want to vacation!
It has miles of beaches right outside the Old Town. Speaking of Old Town, it’s one of the most beautiful in all Europe! It’s full of colorful buildings, and little shops, and is right at the base of Colline du Château, which offers the best views of the city and sea.
Nice is known as the place where “Alps meet the Mediterranean” meaning you’ll experience the best hiking, swimming, and little hilltop villages. I’ve lived here for about four years and it’s still my favorite city.
I’ve also been to Marseille many times and trust me when I tell you to skip it and head to the Cote d’Azur!
3. Instead of Mont Saint-Michel, Try Étretat!
Mont Saint-Michel is another place I like, but I understand why other people think it’s overrated. It’s far from any other city, so to get there is a full-day trip.
Also, it’s been stripped of any local charm and is now just a place for tourists, and you’ll never be there at the right time to get the famous Instagram picture everyone wants. Étretat on the other hand, is heaven on Earth.
My family and I stayed here for about four days a few years ago, and I wish we had more time! It’s a little seaside town famous for its massive white rock arches.
Incredible hikes in this area will take you along the cliffs and give you some of the best ocean views, you’ll ever see.
4. Instead of Chamonix-Mont Blanc, Go Through the Tunnel to Courmayeur, Italy!
Chamonix is another one of my favorite places on earth. It’s like the Disney Land of mountains and hiking!
That being said, Chamonix can get pretty crowded during the winter and summer. Because Chamonix is one of the few mountain towns in France with no off-season, more people want a quieter place and more of a little mountain town feel.
To escape the crowds of Chamonix, head to Courmayeur! It’s just a short hour’s drive through the Mont Blanc Tunnel and has as many amazing hikes, mountain views, mountain climbing spots, and ski resorts as Chamonix!
One of the most beautiful places in Courmayeur is the Val Ferret. It’s a valley at the base of Mont Blanc that offers views of the Mont Blanc Massif and its 175 glaciers! It’s one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen, just walking down the Val Ferret for miles and seeing glacier after glacier.
5. Instead of Disney Land Paris, Go to Parc Astérix!
Now hear me out, this place might seem worth it, but Disney Land Paris is one of the most popular places in the country. It will be packed no matter what time of year you come or what time of day. Not to mention the prices here, while still not comparable to those in America, are pretty high. That’s where Parc Astérix comes in.
Sure, it doesn’t have the famous Disney characters and Disney Castle, but it does have super fun rides and attractions and is also located just outside of Paris! Some of the most popular rides in the park are Pegase Express, Goudurix, and Le Cheval de Troie. These are all the best rides for adults and teens, but there’s also a section of the park just for children, with lots of shows for the whole family!
Tickets here are around $60 per person, whereas Disney tickets are around $120. Double the price! If you have a large family or want to experience French culture, skip Disney and head to Parc Astérix.
6. Don’t Go to Versailles, Go to One of These Other Little Towns!
Versailles is another one of my least favorite places in France. It’s just outside Paris and the only thing there is the Palace of Versailles.
Usually, I don’t go inside castles and palaces, and I would rather admire them from the outside, and Versailles is pretty underwhelming from the outside. Entering is another huge hassle with mile-long lines even when you book a ticket ahead of time. Trust me, it’s not worth the headache.
Instead, try a different little village outside of Paris! Some of the best ones include Gerberoy, Chevreuse, and Giverny.
Gerberoy is a little town that looks straight out of a fairytale! It has little cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and a little garden! This place is a must if you’re trying to get a French countryside feel near Paris!
Then, there’s Chevreuse, a little medieval village with a castle from the 11th century called the Château de la Madeleine.
Giverny is another great option if you’re looking for a quaint little town with a lot of art history! Claude Monet lived and worked here from 1883 until he died in 1926.
7. Instead of Manaco, Go to Èze and La Turbie!
Although not technically a city, Monaco can be somewhat of a letdown.
For example, if you try to go here anytime near the Grand Prix, everything will be boarded off and you won’t be able to see the city or cars unless you pay thousands of dollars.
The city skyscrapers look a little tacky compared to the stunning mountain backdrop and beautiful Meddeteranian Sea. So instead of going to Monaco, Èze and La Turbie are two little hilltop towns that won’t disappoint!
Èze is just a short bus ride from Nice and is perched high up on a cliff overlooking the ocean. It has churches, gardens, and the French charm you won’t find in Monaco.
La Turbie is an even lesser-known city than Èze and has old Roman ruins and an incredible view of Monaco below it. Seeing Monaco from above, I think, is the best view you’re going to get of it.
8. Skip the Instagram Town of Menton and Head Up to the Mountains!
The town of Menton can and should be skipped, in my opinion. Instagrammers come here just for one famous picture you can get of yourself with the ocean and city in the background.
Besides that, there’s nothing to do in this city. So skip the Instagram pic and go to the mountains! Some of my favorite mountain towns and places to visit are Isola Village, Auron, and Mercantour National Park.
Isoa is the perfect place to start an epic hike. Just an hour and a half from the ocean you’ll be surrounded by huge 8,000-foot peaks. There are waterfalls around here, little alpine lakes and the little town of Isola is so cute!
Auron is a ski village that sits at 5,000 feet and the lifts take you up to 8,045 feet. There are many things to do in this little mountaintop village like hiking, skiing, and much more.
Lastly, we have Mercantour National Park, one of the most beautiful National Parks in the world. It’s 264 square miles of nothing but protected land with tons of wildlife, thousands of mountains, and little alpine huts that you can hike to.
9. Instead of the French Alps, Go to the Pyrenees!
Speaking of the mountains, skip the French Alps. The Pyrenees Mountains are one of the most underrated places in France!
They separate France from Spain and are not on anyone’s radar except for the French and Spanish. There are plenty of ski resorts, cheaper than the popular ones in the Alps, and some of the best hiking in Europe. Not to mention, the tallest waterfall in mainland France!
Gavarnie Falls is a 1,400-foot waterfall on the French side of the Pyrenees, a 7-mile round-trip hike from the parking lot, and is pretty flat. When you get your first view of it from the little mountain hut at the end your jaw will hit the floor. And Gavarnie Falls isn’t the only falls that you’ll see!
There are at least ten other waterfalls in this little valley. Besides Gavarnie Falls, the city of Lourdes (which I’ll be talking about next) is at the base of the Pyrenees and cannot be missed!
10. Lourdes Over Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the most popular city in France, besides Paris. So to avoid the crowds and travel to a place off everyone’s radar, head to Lourdes!
Lourdes became famous for being a place the Virgin Mary visited a little girl named Bernadette. The Virgin Mary told her to build a church here and the water that flowed through the city would be blessed. So, the church was built, and the water under the church is now considered miracle water.
Pilgrims from around the world come here to participate in the nightly procession, visit the church, and drink the water in hopes that a miracle will happen to them.
It’s said that this was one of the first churches in the world built in honor of Mary and is called the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. It’s one of the newer churches in France, built in 1889, but the architecture and gold leaf used in its construction is breathtaking.
11. Why Choose the Mediterranean When There’s the Bay of Biscay?
Yes, the Mediterranean is one of the most beautiful seas in the world. It has crystal clear water, gorgeous little towns that line its shore, and incredible beaches. However, the Med isn’t the only beach destination in France.
On the west coast of France, there’s the Bay of Biscay. It’s known for having great waves, huge sandy beaches, and equally beautiful towns as the Mediterranean has.
Some of the best beaches and beach towns on the west coast of France are La Rochelle, Les Sables-d’Olonne, and Capbreton. There’s also the Dune of Pilat, the tallest sand dune in all of Europe at 300 feet tall!
The Mediterranean is known for its rocky beaches and crystal clear water, but if you want sandy beaches with waves, then the west coast of France might be what you’re looking for!
What Do You Think?
What do you think is the most overrated destination in France? Where would you go instead? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading!
