From Normandy to the Côte d'Azur, France boasts an incredible diversity of landscapes! From fields of lavender to majestic sand dunes, and from turquoise coves to rugged cliffs, each area showcases its own spectacular scenes. Join us in exploring 11 of France's most breathtaking landscapes.
While the Mediterranean is well-known for its long stretches of white sandy beaches, one should not overlook the coast's beautiful calanques—a series of inlets stretching over twenty kilometers around Marseille. These coves and creeks feature secluded beaches where the transparent, turquoise waters invite you to swim.
A haven for hiking enthusiasts! Pyrénées National Park offers beautiful walks with spectacular panoramas, splendid mountain views, winding paths through pine forests, and hidden lakes where the icy water refreshes after a steep climb.
Located in Normandy, these famous white chalk cliffs swept by the sea are among the French people's favorite landscapes! Be sure to admire them from above, atop the cliffs, as well as from below, from the lovely Norman beach.
Despite increasing popularity in recent years, the Verdon Gorge has lost none of its charm! Nestled within the mountains of Provence and filled with milky turquoise waters, the Gorge welcomes thousands of tourists annually who come to canoe through its waters.
Another magical place for hiking enthusiasts! You don’t need to be a professional climber to enjoy the highest mountain in the Alps: there’s a hiking trail that circles the entire massif, allowing you to enjoy the views with minimal effort.
Overlooked by dunes covered in marram grass and swept by the wind, the northern beaches of France stretch for miles along the coast. At high tide, the beach vanishes beneath a calm, opaque sea. At low tide, the beach is exposed for hundreds of meters, and the water recedes to a distant point. But what's truly beloved here are the magnificent pink and orange sunsets that characterize the region.
Many people are unaware that Europe's tallest sand dune is located in the southwest of France, a few kilometers from Bordeaux. The Dune du Pilat offers panoramic views of the ocean on one side and a pine forest on the other.
At both high and low tide, Mont Saint-Michel presents a true postcard landscape! An iconic pilgrimage site built high on a rock that appears to float on the sea, the island and its abbey attract thousands of tourists each year. Below the abbey, try to spot the golden replica of Saint Michael slaying a dragon, the emblem of the island.
More than just a landscape, the châteaux of the Loire Valley offer a delightful journey along the Loire, discovering France's most beautiful castles. The plus: this flat, sunny region is ideal for exploring by bike! Chenonceau, Chambord, and all the quaint adjoining villages await you, showcasing some of the finest examples of traditional architecture in France.
As iconic as the Eiffel Tower itself, the lavender fields of Provence are among France’s most emblematic landscapes! They are especially beloved around Gordes, which is equally blessed with olive groves and the melodious sound of cicadas.
Have you ever been to Corsica? It’s on this large mountainous Mediterranean island that you'll find the famous GR 20, a challenging hike that rewards those who undertake it with stunning landscapes, from the Bavella Needles to the lakes of Mello and Nino.
We could have also mentioned the Alsatian villages, the vineyards of Franche-Comté, the landscapes of the Jura, or the orange hills of the Esterel, but it's impossible to cover everything in a single article! What's your favorite French landscape?