5 lesser-known destinations in France for cheaper prices and smaller crowds

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France is perhaps the most visited country in the world and plays host to more than 100 million guests annually, and listen, we get it:

From the elegant Haussmann-designed boulevards of Paris to the picturesque countryside of Nice Promenade des AnglaisStretching along a turquoise Mediterranean Sea, there’s plenty of Old World charm to admire in the Land of Enlightenment.

Be that as it may, you’d be shocked to find out how many of those tourists actually come Franceand not just head to the Champs de Mars for a selfie on the Eiffel Tower. Spoiler alert, there aren’t that many, with about half visiting Paris alone.

Just between us, they have no idea what they’re missing: if you’d like to explore France beyond the City of Light, where prices are on the cheaper side and the crowds aren’t packed shoulder to shoulder, here are the 5 Delicious hidden places for consideration:

Bayonne

An important cultural center in the Basque Country, southwestern France, Bayonne lies at the confluence of the fast-flowing Nive and Adour rivers, and it is a historically rich city that most first-time visitors to the country will skip. Tan pissas the French would say: we can keep it all to ourselves.

In the center of Bayonne, known locally as Grand Bayonnethere is a monumental Gothic cathedral, best known for its well-preserved 13th-century cloister, Château-Vieuxa medieval castle built on the remains of a Roman castrum, and the defensive walls that surround the old town.

About inside Little Bayonnethe smaller, more ‘modern’ side of town (still quite old by American standards), you’ll find one charming riverside lined with cream-colored buildings, distinguished by their brightly colored shutters, street markets and family restaurants.

As picturesque as these may be, our personal favorite attraction to visit in Bayonne has to be the covered market, Les Halles of Bayonne. It is the place to buy local products, especially regional Basque dishes, and taste freshly baked pastries.

Average prices in Bayonne, France

Rouen

A short 1h30 train ride from Paris, Rouen is the beautiful capital of Normandy, and a medieval city full of culture best known as the place where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Mind you, you can even visit the exact square where it took place!

The historic center of Rouen is peppered with tradition bistros serving homemade French crepes and quirky boutiques colorful half-timbered buildingsand beautiful buildings from the Middle Ages that have stood the test of time.

The most iconic, you ask? Try the Gros Watchan ornate astronomical clock above an arched passageway, said to rival that of Prague in beauty, or the towering cathedral, Notre Dame de Rouenwith its three spiers and unique mix of Romanesque and Gothic.

Of course you can Place du Vieux-Marchethe burning site of Joan of Arc: here now stands a modernist church with beautiful glasswork and a fish market where you can get freshly caught fish straight from the Norman coast.

Average prices in Rouen, France

*Averages taken from Numbeo And Trip.com

Vienna (Isère)

Vienne shares a name with the Austrian capital and has no grand operas or stately boulevards with imperial buildings, but at its heart it has something far more interestingly, it is one of the best preserved Roman-era settlements in Gaul (how France was known in ancient times).

In the heart of the old town, a virtually intact Temple of Augustus and LiviaBuilt in the 1st century AD, it stands on a raised podium, above street level, and its aged white marble, sturdy columns and solemn interior evoke the majesty of the lost empire from which it emerged.

The Roman Theater of Vienne, which holds many thousands, is another ancient structure worth seeing. Located on a hill, today it is not only an open-air museum, but also the best sunset spot in all of Vienne, as it overlooks the entire city and the Rhône River in the background.

Vienne’s biggest draw is its Roman heritage, but its medieval history should not be overlooked. The city’s cathedral, Saint-Maurice de Vienneis one of the earliest examples of Gothic architecture, construction of which began as early as the year 1100.

Average prices in Vienne (Isère), France

Laon

Laon, a small town in northern France, easily reached from Paris with a 1h30 train journey, is a medieval gem that revolves around a early Gothic cathedral. It is as beautiful as the capital’s Notre Dame in our book and features ribbed vaults, tall windows, pointed arches and flying buttresses.

Although it is one of France’s most historic cathedrals, consecrated in 800 AD in the presence of none other than Charlemagne himself, it is one of the least visited: no long, winding lines in the square in front, and no mumbled chatter to break the spell of its heavenly interior.

The Vieille Ville (or the Old Town of Laon) that surrounds the cathedral is equally fascinating: photo winding cobbled streets15th century walls and gates, and bakers selling warm, crumbly croissants and pain au chocolat without the Parisian buzz.

If you can’t get enough of Laon medieval heritageGo next to the Templar Chapel: unassuming on the outside, it was actually built around 1140 by the Knights Templar, and it is a rare example of an octagonal Templar building in France.

Average prices in Laon, France

Dijon

They may know Dijon for its mustard, but very few people are aware that their favorite imported sauce is named after a quaint town in northeastern France, dotted with postcard-ready medieval monuments and surrounded by the UNESCO protected vineyards of Burgundy.

If you only have one day in Dijon, chances are you’ll spend most of your time exploring the opulent rooms of the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, now home to the Museum of Fine Artsone of the oldest museums in France.

That’s a whole afternoon if you want to see it in its entirety, and that’s why we recommend staying at least two nights in Dijon: from the 13th-century cathedral, to the Carthusian monastery of Champmol, to the half-timbered houses of the old town, there’s a lot of more to see.

This is Burgundy after all, and no visit to Dijon is complete without a wine tasting at a nearby winery. Then the small village of Gevrey-Chambertin, just outside the city, is your best bet for finding top-tier Pinot Noir and green vineyards that operate all year round.

Average prices in Dijon, France

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.