With the summer Olympics fast approaching it’s all eyes on France.
Paris’s tourism board expects more than 11million visitors to descend on the City of Lights during the games.
That’s great for the athletes, but not ideal if you’re looking for a relaxed, crowd-free French break.
Here’s how to keep your wanderlust for France alive, burning like an Olympic torch.
Simply pop along to one of these expert-selected dreamy destinations in France that are guaranteed to be refreshingly free of other visitors. From a ‘stunning’ coastal spot that’s a ‘local secret’ to a region peppered with 80 volcanoes – these eight locations offer a beguilingly quieter side of France this summer.
Uzès, Occitanie
Uzès, in France’s southern Occitanie region, is a certified ‘hidden gem’ according to Justin Ashby, France expert at independent travel agency Simpson Travel.
Justin told MailOnline Travel: ‘Uzès certainly punches above its weight thanks to its beautiful streets and central square lined with restaurants.’
He adds: ‘A 20-minute drive from the town is the famous Pont du Gard Roman bridge whilst on the edge of town, the Musée du Bonbon Haribo [Museum of Haribo sweets] will be a hit with the kids!’
Metz, Grand Est
Metz lies close to France’s border with Germany and Luxembourg, and is ‘a hidden gem often overshadowed by Strasbourg’, says Malcolm Massey, Babbel’s France expert.
Malcolm adds: ‘This vibrant city in Lorraine has a rich history and stunning architecture. Visit Centre Pompidou-Metz, and stroll along the Moselle River.’
Another bright idea? Visit Gothic Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, says Malcolm, which has so much kaleidoscopic stained glass – designed by artist Marc Chagall – that it has been dubbed ‘God’s Lantern’.
Andernos-les-Bains, Gironde
An hour from Bordeaux on the west coast of France, Andernos-les-Bains is a ‘personal favourite’ beach destination for Babbel’s Malcolm.
The sandcastle hotspot he says is ‘a great seaside town with scenic views of the Arcachon basin’, a beguiling Atlantic Ocean bay.
The town also has a claim to fame – it’s home to France’s longest pier, which is 232m (761ft) in length.
Île d’Yeu, Pays de la Loire
Nature lovers who want to get away from the Olympic crowds should look no further than Île d’Yeu in France’s western Pays de la Loire region.
The team at home exchange platform HomeToGo says: ‘This idyllic French island off the Vendée coast may be small, covering just 23 sq km (eight square miles), but it promises plenty of adventure and stunning landscapes.
‘With 700 plant species and almost 300 types of birds, it’s an ideal destination for nature lovers.’
Bormes-les-Mimosas, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Click here to resize this module
Twelfth-century Bormes les Mimosas is a ‘veritable floral paradise’, says the team at HomeToGo, with its flower-filled streets helping it to win France’s prestigious ‘Villes et Villages Fleuris’ award (Towns and Villages in Bloom).
The passages there look like dreamy places to get a little lost in this summer, with the HomeToGo experts noting the village’s ‘vibrantly hued homes and artsy vibes’.
The village lies around a kilometre from the Mediterranean Sea, with the Bormes tourism office revealing that 17km (10 miles) of sandy beaches await visitors in scenes ‘worthy of paintings by masters’.
Auvergne, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Did you know that France has volcanoes? Dormant Puy de Dôme is a gem in the heart of France’s central Auvergne region, according to Malcolm at Babbel.
He says: ‘In Auvergne, central France, nature lovers can enjoy the Chaîne des Puys, hike Puy de Dôme, and relax in Vichy’s thermal spas.’
The Chaîne des Puys mountain range encompasses more than 80 volcanoes, with Puy de Dôme the highest point at 1,465m (4,806ft).
Crozon, Brittany
Idyllic Brittany might be a leading destination for UK tourists, but there are some ‘local secrets’ many Brits don’t know about, according to HomeToGo.
The team says: ‘Crozon in Brittany is beloved by domestic travellers in France, ranking as the 67th most popular French destination among residents of the country via HomeToGo.
‘However, this stunning coastal spot remains something of a local secret, still relatively unknown to Brits – it’s the 503rd most searched French location among holidaymakers from the UK.
‘Situated in the Armorique Regional Natural Park, Crozon’s dramatic cliffs and sea caves, sandy beaches, and scenic hiking trails make it a hidden gem worth exploring.’
Montreuil-sur-Mer, Hauts-de-France
If you’re using the Channel Tunnel or the ferry to reach France this summer, Montreuil-sur-Mer is ‘extremely accessible’, according to the Hauts-de-France tourism board.
The team says: ‘It may be small, but petit Montreuil-sur-Mer has an awful lot to offer and has the major advantage of being just 40 minutes’ drive from Calais.’
This town has a foodie reputation, with the team recommending a meal at one of Michelin-star chef Alexandre Gauthier’s restaurants. Froggy’s is a ‘cosy rôtisserie’ while Anecdote serves ‘chic contemporary French’ dishes.