Four Unique Ways to Explore France

France has been one of the most popular European travel destinations for decades. Whether you’re hitting the slopes around luxury ski resorts in the Alps or enjoying the beaches of the Cote d’Azur, it’s a country with a little something for everyone on offer.

If you’re already well acquainted with the traditional ways to go on holiday in France, you might find yourself wondering what else the destination has to offer. Alongside classic places to stay and things to do, there are also plenty of alternative experiences of France available for travellers seeking something different.

In this article, we share four unique ways to explore France to share inspiration about how you can enjoy this well-travelled location in new and exciting ways.

Canal Barge

Many people don’t realise that France is home to a truly impressive system of waterways. Canal barges used to be one of the main ways that goods were transported between towns and cities, and today these routes are now used by leisure crafts that provide a lovely way to experience the country at a relaxed pace.

Canal barge trips in France offer a unique experience, especially if you opt for a self-drive trip where you’ll be in charge of navigating the waterways and locks around the country. If that doesn’t sound like fun however, you can also enjoy hotel barge cruises or small group cruises where your only responsibility is to watch the scenery pass by and diesmark at very stops along the route to explore.

You might think that barge trips are strictly reserved for retirees, but they’re actually a fantastic alternative option for travelling around a destination and learning more about its history and the diversity of its towns and villages. Travelling around France’s canals also gives you access to parts of the country that are otherwise much harder to reach by road or rail, making it perfect for travellers seeking something unique for their holiday.

Public Transport

Driving around France is one way to experience more of the country on your holiday, but also means having to go through the faff of hiring a car or bringing your own, and then worrying about navigating somewhere new instead of enjoying your surroundings. The solution? Exploring France by public transport.

France is connected by an impressive high-speed railway, making it incredibly straightforward to travel between cities in minimal time. This is a great way to extend your itinerary and diversify your experience of France, even if you just travel by train for day trips. You’ve also got the added bonus that you get to see plenty of scenery on your journey.

Bus services in France are also good, although a slower way to get between places, and give you even more options in terms of where you can visit around the country. From local services to get you from cities to the beach or mountains, to coaches that offer a budget-friendly way to travel between regions, public transport is a brilliant option for exploring France.

An added bonus? You can practise your French as you travel! 

Cycling

France might be best known and loved for skiing, luxury beach trips and romantic city breaks, but it’s also a country that has been well-developed for cycle tourism. The legacy of the Tour de France has played a key part in this, but you don’t have to be a professional athlete to enjoy exploring the country on two wheels.

Not only is this a unique way to see more of France, but it’s also a brilliant sustainable option for travellers who are trying to be mindful of the environmental impact of their holidays. You can choose from a wide range of established cycle routes in France and experience the scenery as you’re surrounded by it, which is perfect if you’re seeking a slow travel holiday.

You don’t need to be a keen cycling enthusiast to get out on your bike and enjoy cycling in France, although there are organised trips that cater to serious cyclists who want to take on gruelling climbs, switchbacks and sprints. Whether you start by hiring a bike for a day or set out on a week-long trip through the countryside, cycling is a brilliant way to explore this destination.

On Foot

Another slow travel and sustainable option for exploring France is to plan a walking holiday. If you’re someone who loves spending time outdoors and keeping active, there’s a wide range of different hiking trails to discover all around the country that offer insight into a wilder, quieter and more natural side to this part of the world.

Walking trails in France take you alongside canals, through fields and forests, over hills and down into valleys, and even up into the mountains. Spend your evenings resting in self catering cottages, hotels or even hostels, and head out the next morning to explore routes that have been traversed by travellers for generations.

Some of the best places for walking holidays in France include the Loire Valley, especially if you also enjoy wine tasting, and Provence during the lavender season. More adventurous walkers will enjoy the trails through the Pyrenees mountains in the south, whilst those looking for a more laid-back experience should head to Bordeaux or the Dordogne for dining and sightseeing in between hikes.

France is a holiday destination that has much more to offer than the classic experiences that you see and hear about the most. These ideas are great if you want to visit the country but are looking for an alternative trip that allows you to see a different side of the destination, no matter what kind of activities you enjoy when you’re on holiday.