The Authentic Side of France

Beyond Paris: Two areas worth experiencing (not just visiting)

100 Million visitors traveled to France last year, making it the most visited country in the world.

And while for many tourists nowadays “visiting” a place is just about ticking boxes (some call it “hit and run tourism” or “setjetting”), others seek deeper, more authentic experiences.

People often wonder what is the most beautiful region in France: One thing I’ve learned from experiencing this country several times with locals is that each area is unique in its traditions, architecture, hospitality and cuisine.

So, what regions in France should you visit if you want to experience the country beyond popular areas like Paris, the French Riviera or Mont Saint-Michel?

After peeking behind the curtains of Champagne's secrets, here are two areas in France to begin with, including (tested + unbiased) recommendations by locals.

1- The Loire Valley

Located around one hour by train from Paris, the Loire Valley in France is famous for its innumerable castles built during the Renaissance period -to be more precise around 3,000 -fifty of which alone in the Départment Loir-et-Cher.

But there’s more.

The spectacular Château de Chenonceau is best visited around sunset

The Loire valley is not an insider tip -it’s the mix of history, rural landscapes and accessibility that makes this area one of my top recommendations to anyone visiting France for the first time.

Here are some must dos and authentic experiences in the Loire Valley, recommended by a local and that I’ve enjoyed doing:

• Experiencing the castles, but from a different angle: The amount of options is overwhelming, but if I had to pick three castles based on charm and uniqueness, these would be Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau and Château de Amboise.
  Most castles offer activities on-site or nearby, like interactive tours, kayaking, or observing the fauna in the surrounding forests.

• Discovering charming villages: Blois, Montrichard-Val-de-Cher, Saint-Aignan, Amboise are some of my favorite places worth stopping for a pleasant walk or lunch.

• Buy fresh produce directly at the source: The street markets in Blois or Amboise (usually open every Friday-Sunday) are a great option to find local specialties. For an even more authentic experience, stop at this farm to buy fresh goat cheese, or at this winery for some bottles of Cheverny.

• Tasting local specialties: Most restaurants I’ve visited in this area impressed me with great value for money. My special picks per category: Bistrot Quai (a simple outdoor “bar á terrines" where you’ll snack local specialties by the river); La Croix Blanche and Le Mange-Grenouille.

• Spending a night in a typical boat: The Cabanée is a typical house boat made of wood that can be seen along the rivers in this area.
  Some of these house boats have been transformed into charming accommodations equipped with a small kitchen, bathroom and beds. I stayed at this one and found it very cozy and comfortable.

Enjoying the "other side" of the Loire Valley, France

2- Périgord

For some reason, the area of Périgord in France is not as popular with foreign visitors as the neighboring region of Bordeaux -despite being unique and charming.

A view of the Dordogne river in Périgord, France

The area of Périgord is hilly and characterized by a medieval influence, as well as strong culinary traditions centered around a few key ingredients: From the all-present Canard (duck meat), to chestnuts, walnuts, truffle -and of course, cheese.

Here are some must dos and authentic experiences in Périgord, recommended by a local and that I’ve enjoyed doing:

• Learning how to prepare a local specialty- While some people consider this recipe controversial, the preparation of foie gras de canard (duck liver) is a century-long tradition that remains strong in Périgord.
  At La Borie du Chevrier , a B&B located in a charming old stone house, Christine offers 1-hour “Atelier de Canard” workshops where you can learn the secret recipe.

• Kayaking on the Dordogne river: A great opportunity to see villages and castles from a different perspective. The river is usually calm and the activity is suitable for families, too.

• Visiting the castles: There are several castles that can be visited in Périgord. I’ve visited Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle and liked the spectacular location on top of a hill, as well as the guided visit and activities.

• Discovering charming villages: I particularly enjoyed walking around Beynac-et-Cazenac, exploring Sarlat-la-Canéda, and sitting at a café in the beautiful square of Monpazier.

• Buying fresh products at the source: All around Périgord it’s easy to find chestnut and walnut plantations (depending on the season these will be open to visitors) and dozens of shops selling all possible recipes of Canard.

• Tasting local specialties: There’s an abundance of good quality restaurants in this area. For a slightly upscale experience and delicious food I’d recommend La Table de Léo and Le Petite Tonnelle.

Kayaking on the Dordogne river and tasting local specialties in Périgord, France

A few general tips when visiting France

Regardless which area you’ll visit, here are a few useful things to know when visiting France:

• Many restaurants in France are called either Bistrot or Gastronomique.
  What’s the difference? Bistrot usually indicates a more informal atmosphere, while Gastronomique usually denotes more high-end dining. Larger restaurants sometimes even offer both concepts in two separate areas.
  In both cases, tap water and bread come for free -and locals do ask for it.

• Staying at a Chambres d'Hôtes (the equivalent of Bed & Breakfast) is a great way to meet locals and learn more about the area you are visiting. Some Chambres d’Hôtes sometimes offer a Table d’Hôte (home cooked meals with local specialties).

---

About me

As a passionate traveler and tourism professional I’ve experienced the world: From hiking the Andes to flying Business Class, from camping in Serengeti to staying in luxury resorts in Maldives.

In my career I’ve driven brand collaborations, scaled up communities and websites and helped tourism companies reach international travelers. 

Beating Jetlag is my attempt to improve today's traveler journey -by bridging the gap between real traveler experiences, trends and innovations in tourism & hospitality.