We think France has a marketing problem. Not because the country lacks beauty or it does not have places to visit, but because when France comes to mind, the only city that pops up in our heads is Paris. We cannot think beyond Paris, and this is the real challenge. Apart from Paris, the other city that might come to mind while thinking of Paris is Cannes, and that’s it.
Paris is nice. Cannes is glamorous, but what’s next?
This knowledge ends up making the cafes overcrowded, hotels overpriced, and reservations endless. A lot of travellers even return home disappointed because more than a trip, it feels like a rushed hour or a commercial place. Tourists from all over the world come to visit Paris and Cannes after watching the most followed itinerary online, but end up standing in line for hours, searching for normal-priced meals, and dragging their luggage from one transport to another.
Due to this, some of the most beautiful and rewarding French cities remain strangely overlooked, but not anymore, as TripObook is here with some amazing tour packages for France 2027, through which you can discover the untouched locations of France.
Travelers in 2027 are increasingly choosing trips that feel personal over trips that feel performative. That means:
Unfortunately, none of the above-mentioned experiences are available in Paris, but you can explore other underrated cities in France. Expert travellers and explorers know that some of France’s most memorable experiences happen far from the most hyped cities. These underrated cities of France offer much more than just a travel experience, like:
Explore our France tour packages and start planning your journey.
Annecy is France’s most peaceful yet most underrated lakeside city. At first glance, Annecy feels almost unreal. This is one of the most beautiful cities in France, and it is also known as ‘Venice of the Alps’ because of its pastel-coloured houses and winding canals. This city is surrounded by turquoise lake water, which makes it look postcard-worthy without trying too hard.
The best part about Annecy is that it is still internationally untouched, and this makes it even more special. Visiting this location will automatically slow down everything because you will be free from overcrowded itineraries, packed attractions, and rushing.
Annecy has a lot to offer to food lovers. You can enjoy the local food scene here with some must-try foods like:
Here, you can try small family-run restaurants as they usually provide a better experience than expensive ones.
Top tourist attractions that you can explore in Annecy are:
For exploring these locations, you can take a walk, as Annecy is extremely walkable. In addition to this, you can also rent bikes, as these are extremely popular here. However, to experience the best, rent a bicycle and enjoy slow rides. The weather here changes quickly because of the nearby mountains, so bring light jackets, comfortable walking shoes, and rain protection. Along with it, also pack sunglasses and sunscreen.
You can combine your amazing trip and make it the most memorable one by picking up our most affordable package – The Signature Europe tour: Italy, Switzerland & France
Colmar is a fairytale town without the chaos of Paris. Colmar is one of France’s most underrated cities, and it looks like a storybook illustration brought into real life. This place deserves more of your time than a one-day quick tour, as the city reveals itself slowly. Mornings here are totally different from afternoons. The streets are quieter here, and the lights reflect beautifully onto the canals. This is the time when Colmar feels magical. If you are travelling to France for a slow vacation vibe, add Colmar to your France itinerary.
Some of the most beautiful things that you will discover here are:
Along with the major attractions, you need to pay special attention to the food here. This is because the local food served here is an amazing blend of German and French cuisine. Some amazing dishes that you can try here are:
Fact: If you want to taste Alsatian wine the way locals do, Colmar’s small producers feel far more authentic than bottles sold in Paris wine shops.
Globally, Dijon is known for producing the finest mustards, but Dijon is much more than that. We can call Dijon the French food capital, as it offers amazing dishes like:
Some other amazing local stuff that you can enjoy here are:
Apart from food, this city offers a lot to explore. Some sightseeing spots here are:
While packing your bags for Dijon, pack smart layers of clothes along with important accessories like:
Fun fact: Dijon’s food culture prizes flavor over fancy plating — don’t judge a meal by its presentation here.
Nantes is still an unexplored city when it comes to international travellers, but tourists who visit Nantes define it as one of the most enjoyable cities in France. This is France’s most creative city because it feels modern without losing its real, authentic identity. This city is located on the Loire River in the Upper Brittany region of western France, near the Atlantic Ocean. Nantes is underrated, but you can add it to your European Dream: London, Paris, & Rome trip as the city is just 4 hours away from Paris, and it offers:
Nantes is a gem for modern travellers who are looking for:
When it comes to attractions, Nantes has everything for everyone. Whether you are looking for historical landmarks, art & imagination, garden & architecture, or cultural & urban spaces, the city has:
FUN FACT* There is a giant museum at Les Machines de l’île that even grown-up adults end up fascinated by. Make sure to VISIT IT!!
Apart from excellent tourist locations, Nantes offers some amazing and fresh mouthwatering dishes like:
*Add a classic tour to your itinerary by exploring our TripObook package – Paris to Rome Classic Journey
Montpellier is a vibrant, golden-hued city in southern France. Located just a few miles away from the Mediterranean Sea, this city gives a Mediterranean vibe without the Riviera prices. This city offers a charm that you will get in Cannes or Nice, but at a budget. Unlike other locations, you will experience a different version of Mediterranean here:
Montpellier is also called the university town, as this city is the home of multiple universities, and the population of students here changes the entire atmosphere of the town. With 300 annual days of sunshine, the city is rising fast, not just commercially, but in terms of tourism as well. Tourists visiting Paris can add Montpellier to their travel list, as it is just 7 hours away from there. Some amazing tourist locations that you can cover during your visit are:
Food lovers can explore a lot of amazing dishes here, as the cuisines here offer a blend of Provençal produce, Mediterranean seafood, and Occitan comfort food. Some amazing dishes that you can try here are:
Note: Restaurants here run later than in northern France — many kitchens don’t open before 7:30 pm.
About 130 km northwest of Paris, Rouen is the historical capital of Normandy. This city is also known as the ‘City of Hundred Spires’. Rouen feels cinematic in the rainy season or during bad weather, as heavy rain darkens the tall, pointed structures, beautiful cafes glow warmly against the gray skies, and church bells echo throughout the narrow streets.
Rouen is perfect for cultural travellers as this city is perfect for architecture lovers, history enthusiasts, slow travellers, and photographers. If you are coming to the city of Joan of Arc for one day, you can cover the major attractions here, like:
Apart from being the historical capital, Rouen is also known for its unique culinary offerings for every traveller. If you are visiting this location, you must try the local food here, like:
NOTE* Before visiting these smaller cities of France, always check your schedule as these cities do not operate like Paris. Especially the dining hours here are fixed. Some restaurants here do not offer lunch services after 2 pm and dinner before 7 pm.
If the six cities above aren’t enough, these three are also worth a look when planning a longer 2027 France itinerary:
While packing for France, it is important to check the weather conditions for the month you are planning to travel. So, let’s break down ‘What to Pack in France’ by month.
If you are travelling to France in the month of spring, there are high chances that the temperature might fluctuate between 8-18°C. In this situation, you can pack:
The temperature of France ranges from 15°C to 35°C; therefore, you need to pack lightweight and easily breathable clothes.
The temperature of France in the months of Autumn stays between 9 to 17°C. So pack:
NOTE* France welcomes rain in October for 12 to 15 days; therefore, it is important to prepare for departure accordingly.
The temperature of France in winters in very dramatic. The average temperature here reaches 5°C, while Alpine areas’ temperature drops below the freezing point. So, pack:
Apart from all these, you need to pack the important accessories that not only complement your outfit but also protect you from damage when needed, like:
Year-round extras: sunglasses, gloves in cooler months, extra socks, sunscreen, a hat, and a waterproof crossbody bag or daypack. US travelers should also pack a Type E plug adapter — French outlets run on 230V, different from the US standard, so a laptop or hair dryer without dual-voltage support will need a converter, not just an adapter.
Travelers in 2027 aren’t chasing crowds — they’re chasing authenticity, value, and a genuine sense of place. Annecy, Colmar, Dijon, Nantes, Montpellier, and Rouen all deliver that, without the overpriced cafés and hour-long lines that come with Paris and the Riviera.
France was never just Paris. Its real character lives in canal towns, mountain villages, wine country, and quiet café evenings in cities most US travelers have never heard of. Ready to build a trip around them? Explore TRIPOBOOK’s France tour packages and start planning your 2027 trip.
Remember, France has never been only Paris; there is much more to explore as France’s soul lives in coastal towns, mountain cities, vineyard villages, and peaceful cafe evenings.
Dijon is one of the best cities for food lovers as it has a deep connection to wine culture and Burgundy cuisine. Food lovers an travel here to enjoy authentic traditional dishes like escargot, boeuf bourguignon, and gougères, with locally produced wines on a budget.
Yes, most underrated France cities are significantly more affordable than Paris. This is because the cities are not commercial but authentic and traditional. From dining experience to transportation, everything is affordable in small cities like Rouen and Dijon. In addition, you can also find better value boutique hotels and stays at reasonable prices.
You will find the English language in many tourist areas, restaurants, and hotels, but not everywhere. To have better interactions with the locals, you can learn some basic France phrases like:
Bonjour – Hello
Merci – Thank you
Excusez-moi – Excuse me
Parlez-vous anglais? – Do you speak English?
Pouvez-vous m’aider? – Can you help me?
Où est l’hôtel? – Where is the hotel?
Aidez-moi! – Help me!
The underrated city that offers the best nightlife in France is Montpellier. The main reason is that it has a large student population. Apart from this, the city enjoys amazing beach culture, a late-night dining atmosphere, and rooftop bars.
US passport holders still don’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days. ETIAS, a low-cost pre-travel authorization (not a visa), has been repeatedly delayed and is expected sometime in 2027 — check the official EU ETIAS site close to your travel dates for the current requirement.
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