Looking for a fresh and different way to explore France? Meet the destinations and initiatives from our third ‘Alternative France’ event in London
Two alternatives in the Loire Valley
In the western Loire Valley just two hours from Paris by train, Angers is a dream for cyclists, with miles of scenic routes perfect for road biking and gravel riding and a dedicated gravel festival, ‘Nature is Bike’, now in its fifth year. Beyond the trails, the city hides a remarkable treasure in its 17-tower château: the Tenture de l’Apocalypse, a vast and intricate medieval tapestry to rival Bayeux. Angers is also celebrated for its local delicacies, from freshwater fish to orchard fruits and garden vegetables, as well as iconic Cointreau – the distillery can be visited just out of town. As France’s greenest city once again (Observatoire des Villes Vertes 2026), Angers offers abundant parks and tranquil gardens to explore, extending to the Savennières vineyards where you can sip world-class wines in a stunning natural setting.
Loches Touraine Châteaux de la Loire
Loches is a captivating and unspoilt Loire Valley town, steeped in history, culture and natural beauty in south Touraine. Once a royal residence, the town boasts an impressive château and a rich historic heritage that stretches back to prehistoric times. This is a family-friendly destination full of activities and discoveries, including ‘Christmas in the Land of Châteaux’, and new for 2026: the Lansyer Museum is unveiling a gallery dedicated to Oriental art. There are some memorable cycling escapes to be had, including ‘La Bikette Berry Touraine’ (opening 2027), a 171km route crossing three goats’ cheese PDO areas, made up of 70% greenways. Loches’ culinary scene features several top chefs, two Michelin-starred and one Michelin-Green-starred. Surrounding the town are some of the region’s most picturesque villages including Chédigny, famed for its annual rose festival, and Montrésor, one of France’s most beautiful villages.
Grand Est (Eastern France) and its alternative destinations
Despite being a super-region of 10 departments and encompassing Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne and Lorraine, Grand Est remains unexplored by many. Champagne isn’t just about the well-known Houses: there are 400 independent winegrowers and producers across the region. Its history goes beyond the World Wars, with countless châteaux including Europe’s largest medieval château fort in Sedan. Discover the finest craftsmanship, from the crystal and glassware of Baccarat and Lalique to the stained glass of Simon Marq. Enjoy a luxury country hotel off the beaten track: Le Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in Champillon has just been named Grand Est’s first Palace hotel (June 2026). Or stay in an unexpected setting, from vineyards and wildlife parks to a historic abbey or a former bank.
Ardennes is the only region of France to launch a new GRP hiking trail in 2026: the Ardenne Tour is a 350km loop straddling the French and Belgian Ardennes, designed to be completed in 15 stages of around 23km per day. Ardennes is one of the beer capitals of France and you can enjoy visiting breweries by bike. Ardennes is also culturally important: Arthur Rimbaud was born in Charleville-Mézières in 1854 and remains one of the most famous French poets of all time. Once named amongst the world’s ‘Top 20 Events to Travel For’, the World Puppet Festival is held every two years in Charleville, and ranked among the top 10 French music festivals, while the Cabaret Vert has been entertaining visitors for 20 years, named after Rimbaud’s eponymous poem.
Mulhouse has a unique history: from its industrial fabric-printing past, to its status as a former independent republic and its regenerated industrial districts, its heritage has been recognised with the ‘City of Art and History’ designation. The destination is home to Europe’s largest cluster of interactive technological museums, where you can enjoy experiences you won’t find anywhere else. As is often the case in former industrial towns, street art can be found in various parts of the city, including the M.U.R Mulhouse, the Quai des Pêcheurs and the car park at the Kinépolis cinema. Mulhouse is a creative destination home to numerous artists, designers and craftspeople, with a strong affinity with textiles thanks to its history. What’s more: three EuroVelo routes intersect here! A great option for cycling from north to south or east to west, on a cycling holiday like no other.
An alternative city break
In this medieval city untouched by mass tourism, you can wander through cobbled streets, historic squares and centuries-old architecture without the crowds of larger European destinations. Poitiers is the perfect mix of history and futuristic experiences: spend one day exploring Romanesque churches and the next at the Futuroscope and Aquascope theme parks, enjoying immersive attractions, digital art and spectacular shows. It’s a unique contrast that makes Poitiers stand out. This is a slow travel destination: stroll through the Notre-Dame market on Saturday morning and enjoy long lunches on sunny terraces. A city with a creative, vibrant atmosphere and youthful energy, shaped by its student population. It also serves as the gateway to the lesser-known places of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
An alternative wine region
Less well-known than other French wine regions, Beaujolais offers a more intimate experience, far from mass tourism, with a genuine sense of discovery and authenticity. It’s best discovered through its independent winegrowers, often committed to organic farming or natural winemaking. This more personal approach offers a direct immersion in the terroir and genuine encounters. There’s more than just vineyards here, though, with medieval villages and rolling countryside, not to mention great gastronomy. There are over 300 châteaux across the region and the villages of the ‘Beaujolais des Pierres Dorées’ are often compared to the landscapes of Tuscany. Outdoorsy visitors can go hiking, trail running, mountain biking or horse riding. The quiet country lanes are especially well suited to cycling, punctuated by stops at local estates for tastings in the vines.
An alternative island
The enigmatic island of Corsica offers outdoor adventure, culture, history and cuisine. Explore on two wheels via the Grande Traversée GT20, a 12-stage cycling route from Bastia to Bonifacio that showcases Corsica’s dramatic landscapes. For another type of scenic journey, hop aboard the island’s railway winding from Ajaccio to Bastia via Calvi and admire the views of Corsica’s rugged interior and villages. The island’s unique food and wine culture includes the PDO wine route which connects nine distinct appellations. Meet cheesemakers, beekeepers, weavers and woodworkers who embody the island’s strong artisanal heritage. Spring and autumn, when the island is at its most serene, are good times to take in Corsica’s fascinating prehistoric and ancient sites: mysterious standing stones, archaeological ruins and Roman remains that chart centuries of human history.
Skip the Riviera and go wild instead. No beach clubs, no bling, no overdevelopment. Just raw cliffs, deep blue water and silence. Ouest Corsica is what the Mediterranean looked like before it became a product. Do more than just ‘fly & flop’: this isn’t a lie-on-a-sunbed destination. In one day, you can hike a mountain trail, swim in a hidden cove and drive through one of the most dramatic coastal roads in Europe. Here you’ll find small villages, family-run places and year-round residents. It’s not polished – and that’s exactly the point. You’re still in Europe, but it doesn’t feel like it. There’s limited signal in places, no big chains, no rush. Just space to disconnect, without needing a survival guide. Corsica has protected landscapes, local food and low-impact experiences. This isn’t ‘greenwashed’ tourism – it’s simply a place that hasn’t been overexploited (yet).
An alternative port town
A gateway to Normandy’s unspoilt countryside, Honfleur is a pretty port town on the Seine estuary in Calvados. It has a distinctive rural identity, from its thatched cottages on the ‘Route des Chaumières’ to estuary landscapes. Enjoy nature-led experiences, from birdwatching to cycling the Seine à Vélo (over 500km between Paris and the sea). There are other slow, immersive ways to explore, including vintage 2CV tours and sidecar experiences along scenic country roads and through picturesque villages. Local gastronomy plays a central role, from traditional cheeses to apple-based products, including cider and Calvados estates. The coastline adds a strong seafood identity with oysters, scallops and freshly-caught fish featured prominently across local menus. The Terre d’Estuaire brings together 23 other villages and towns beyond Honfleur.
An Alpine alternative – for summer
Experience an agro-pastoral mountain lifestyle in the French Alps! The Vallée des Belleville – encompassing Val Thorens (Europe’s highest mountain resort at 2,300m), Les Menuires and the old, charming village of St-Martin-de-Belleville – is one of the three interconnected valleys of the 3 Vallées ski domain. It offers a wilder, more authentic mountain experience: less standardised, more connected to nature and adventures. The lifts that open daily and the free shuttle buses make it easy to travel between the villages and reach the valley’s panoramic viewpoints such as Cime Caron and Pointe de la Masse. The ‘3 Vallées Summer’ experience includes climbing, hiking, glacier hiking, trail running, mountain biking, via ferrata and canoeing or paddleboarding on the lakes.
Eclectic historic sites
Centre des Monuments Nationaux
CMN is responsible for conserving, restoring and maintaining over 80 French historic sites – many of which you may not know! Here are just a few to mention:
- The Villa Cavrois, an iconic masterpiece by Robert Mallet-Stevens
- The Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, a 500-year-old jewel of the French Renaissance in the Loire Valley
- The Palais de Tau in Reims (Champagne), reopening in March 2027
- The house of 19th-century writer George Sand
- The Château de Rambouillet, the only establishment to have served successively as a royal, imperial and later presidential residence.
CMN has partnered with Eurostar to offer a 2-for-1 deal: upon presentation of a Eurostar ticket to Paris, visitors can enjoy two admissions for the price of one at several iconic sites, including the Villa Cavrois, the Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis and the Château de Vincennes.
Alternative accommodation and experiences
A new online accommodation booking platform offering an authentic, responsible tourism experience in France, MooVert is here to help you experience all our alternative destinations to the full. All accommodation and experiences are selected by the MooVert algorithm, co-created with Green Key and Bienvenue à la Ferme. Access curated and exclusive stays, with over 600 handpicked places and 130 tailor-made itineraries, including off-market options for small groups and MICE. From truffle hunting to cooking with a French grandmother or crafting Brie de Meaux, MooVert also connects travellers with genuine, human-centered experiences. This is a seamless platform for meaningful travel, with one single marketplace (available in 14 languages) designed for both FIT (fully independent travel) and B2B partners, making authentic and sustainable travel in France easy to find, book and customise.
franceuncovered.com 