7 French Regions You’ll Regret Skipping on Your Next Road Trip

It’s impossible to pin down just one region of France for a road trip. There are so many beautiful places to choose from, each offering something different. However, having lived in France for over ten years now, I’ve had plenty of time to go on reconnaissance missions.

So, to help you decide where you want to go, the regions to explore, and just how to make it happen, I’ve put together a list of my favorites. You’ll find everything from historical walled cities to fairytale castles and even a bit of Cognac thrown in for good measure. Some regions you might know well, but a couple you definitely won’t, which is half the fun.

So let’s go on a journey of discovery of some of the lesser-known regions of France to add to your bucket list.

Poitou-Charente

This is a region I know like the back of my hand, as it’s where I live. So many people haven’t heard of the Charente as it’s often overshadowed by its famous neighbor, the Dordogne. However, it’s home to a little tipple called Cognac in a town by the same name. It’s a stunning little town that sits on the Charente River with plenty of history, good food, and, of course, cognac.

If you’re into history, then you’ll love Angouleme, which is the capital city of the Charente. It’s here that Isabella of Angouleme, once Queen of England and married to the infamous King John, once lived. It’s the tale of two cities, with an upper and lower level. The upper level is full of gorgeous old buildings, cobblestone streets, and the most amazing wall art. It’s famous for its cartoons and even hosts an annual cartoon festival.

I could wax lyrical all day about the wonderful places in the Charente, but I shouldn’t leave out the Charente Maritime, which forms part of the Poitou-Charente. It’s here you’ll find the town of La Rochelle, once the HQ of the Knights Templar and famous for being home to the Huguenots in the Wars of Religion.  

But there is more to the Maritime than just La Rochelle. Apart from all the fabulous beaches in the region, it’s home to some of the best oysters, if you’re into that type of food. Not to mention the salt marshes, which were once a major source of industry, alongside the oysters.

Going along the coastline, you’ll find the two islands of Île d’Oléron, where you’ll find the Marennes-Oléron oysters, and Île de Ré with the most stunning beaches. I should also mention Royan, completely destroyed during WW2 under Nazi occupation and rebuilt in the fifties. There is the most unbelievable concrete church there, more like a multi-storey car park than a church.

Hopefully, that is enough to whet your appetite for what the Poitou-Charente has to offer, and you’ll be planning your trip to see what you can discover.

Old Aquitaine

Before the powers that be in France decided to amalgamate the region into one big region in 2016, now called the Nouvelle Aquitaine, it was divided into much smaller departments. The French, being the French, hate change, and I don’t blame them because there was nothing wrong with how things were divided before. However, it happened, and Old Aquitaine doesn’t strictly speaking exist any longer, but the French still refer to it, and so do I.

This region is full of history and was once home to my favorite lady, Eleanor of Aquitaine, who ruled the Duchy of Aquitaine in her own right. It was allied with the Plantagenet Kings of England and was where Richard the Lionheart spent a lot of his time.

A big part of the region was Bordeaux, home to the Cité du Vin, a wine museum spread over eight floors. I kid you not, it’s fabulous. Part of Bordeaux is also UNESCO listed, called Port of the Moon, named for its crescent shape.

There is so much to do in Bordeaux that you’ll need a good few days there. From the markets to the museums and the wine and the food, it’s a city that keeps on giving. According to many, it’s the new Paris.

Not far from Bordeaux is Arcachon, another place famous for its oysters. The showstopper there, though, is the sand dune. The views from the top are simply spectacular, although the climb less so. Then there is the town of Bergerac, also falling under the Old Aquitaine. Home to the legend that is Cyrano de Bergerac, as well as the famous Musketeers, legends in their own right. 

A little further on from Bergerac is Périgueux, a stop on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostel. But for me, it’s all about the food. There are so many wonderful delicacies this place is famous for, including foie gras, truffles, strawberries, walnuts, and ceps mushroom.

Dordogne

The Dordogne deserves its own spot on this list as it is perhaps one of the most beautiful regions, in my opinion. Apart from the stunningly gorgeous countryside with its rolling hills and fields, it’s the history that gets me every time I visit. As I mentioned, it neighbors the Charente, and the vistas are very similar.

The Dordogne is home to some of the most famous prehistoric caves in the world, including Lascaux. The original paintings are closed to the public now, but the replica is so well done that you won’t feel shortchanged. It’s an extraordinary reminder that people were telling stories with art here more than 17,000 years ago.

Moving forward a few centuries, the Dordogne is castle country. You’ll find hundreds of them scattered across the landscape. Some were built as strongholds during the Hundred Years’ War, like Château de Beynac, perched high above the river. Then there’s Castelnaud, which has a brilliant weapons museum inside. 

The towns are just as much a draw. Sarlat is probably the most famous, with its golden stone buildings and winding lanes. But it isn’t the only one worth visiting. Domme is a bastide town with views stretching over the river valley. Rocamadour, though technically on the edge of the region, has been a major pilgrimage site for centuries with its cliffside sanctuary. Brantôme, sometimes called the Venice of the Périgord, is another highlight with its abbey and riverside setting.

Markets are a big part of life here, with Sarlat, Périgueux, and Bergerac all hosting famous ones. The food is what many people come for. Foie gras, duck confit, walnuts, and truffles are staples of the region, and you’ll find them on menus everywhere.

The Dordogne River ties it all together. You can explore villages like La Roque-Gageac, built into the cliffs, or see the region from a traditional gabarre boat. Every stop feels different, from prehistoric caves to medieval fortresses to Renaissance squares, making Dordogne one of the most varied regions in France for a road trip.

Loire Valley

The first time I visited the Loire Valley was at Christmas, and I took a tour of the Chateaux all dressed for the occasion; it was fabulous. The region is often called the Garden of France, and with good reason. Stretching along the Loire River, it’s a region packed with vineyards, storybook towns, and of course, chateaux. In fact, there are more than 300 châteaux here, from massive royal palaces to smaller manor houses, each with its own history.

The best known is Château de Chambord, with its double-helix staircase said to be designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Then there’s Chenonceau, famously shaped by the women who owned and expanded it, and Château d’Amboise, where Leonardo spent his final years. Villandry is another, famous for its Renaissance gardens that are as much a draw as the château itself.

But the Loire isn’t only about castles. Amboise is a lively town that sits right on the river and has a market that’s one of the best in the region. Blois has a château that mixes Gothic, Renaissance, and Classical styles in one building, and a historic center worth a wander. 

Saumur is known for its wine and its striking white stone château, while Chinon has connections to Joan of Arc, who met Charles VII here. Tours is another major stop, with a vibrant old quarter full of half-timbered houses and lively squares.

Wine is central to the Loire Valley, with vineyards producing everything from crisp whites like Sancerre and Muscadet to rich reds from Chinon and Saumur. Pair that with goat cheese from Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine or the rillettes from Tours, and you’ll quickly see why food and wine play such a big part in the experience here.

Alsace

If Disney had designed villages, then Alsace would be his pride and joy. The villages here are breathtaking. It doesn’t matter if you’re there in December for the Christmas markets or in the summer to go hiking; any time of year is a good time to go.

Alsace sits on the border with Germany, and you feel it everywhere you go. The architecture, the food, and even the wines carry a mix of influences that make this region stand apart from the rest of France. 

Strasbourg is the capital, and it’s a city with layers of history. The cathedral dominates the skyline with its intricate Gothic spire, and the old quarter of Petite France with its canals is one of the most photographed places in the region. Colmar is another highlight, smaller than Strasbourg but full of colorful houses, winding lanes, and a museum dedicated to Martin Schongauer and Matthias Grünewald’s famous Isenheim Altarpiece.

Beyond the cities, the villages are where Alsace really shines. Riquewihr, Eguisheim, and Kaysersberg are often listed among the prettiest in France, each with cobbled streets and flower-decked balconies. Obernai is another worth a stop, known for its market square and fortified walls. These towns look particularly magical during the Christmas season, when Alsace’s markets are some of the best in Europe.

Wine is central here, and the Alsace Wine Route connects many of the villages. Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris are the stars, often paired with traditional dishes like tarte flambée or choucroute garnie. Food lovers will also want to try Munster cheese, which has been made in the region for centuries.

The Vosges Mountains offer a different side to Alsace, with hiking trails, castles in ruins, and panoramic views across the Rhine plain. Between the wine route, the towns, and the landscapes, Alsace feels like a region that blends cultures while keeping its own strong identity.

Normandy

As a huge history fan, Normandy was always a place I wanted to visit, especially to see the beaches and WW2 memorials. And there is no getting away from how powerful a trip like that is. But there is so much more to Normandy than its association with the war.

The region’s towns each tell their own story. Rouen is where Joan of Arc was tried and burned, and its cathedral inspired Monet’s series of paintings. Bayeux is home to the Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 and is one of the most extraordinary artifacts you’ll ever see. Caen, with its medieval château and abbeys, links directly to William the Conqueror, who ruled both Normandy and England.

Honfleur is another highlight, with a historic harbor that has drawn artists for centuries. Dieppe and Fécamp are smaller but equally interesting, with ties to fishing, trade, and in Fécamp’s case, the famous Bénédictine liqueur. Inland, you’ll find Alençon, known for its lace, and Lisieux, a pilgrimage site dedicated to Saint Thérèse.

Food is a big part of the Normandy experience. Camembert, Pont-l’Évêque, and Livarot cheeses all come from here, and cider and Calvados are local staples. Pair those with seafood from the coast, especially scallops and mussels, and you get a sense of just how rich the region’s cuisine is.

Aude

I fell in love with this region after reading the Kate Mosse Languedoc trilogy, as it features so heavily in all three books. I couldn’t wait to discover it through her eyes as her descriptions were so vivid you felt like you already knew it intimately.

The most famous spot is Carcassonne, a walled medieval city that looks like it leapt straight from the Middle Ages. With its towers, drawbridges, and winding lanes, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for decades and is one of the most visited places in the south of France.

The castles here are often called the Cathar Castles, built high on rocky outcrops. Montségur is the most well-known, linked with the dramatic end of the Cathar movement in the 13th century. Peyrepertuse and Quéribus are equally striking, perched in places that seem almost impossible to reach. These fortresses tell the story of a turbulent time when the Cathars clashed with the French crown.

Narbonne is another major stop in Aude. Once a Roman port, it still has remnants of its Roman roads, as well as a cathedral that was never fully finished but remains one of the tallest in France. Limoux brings a lighter side, famous for its sparkling wine known as Blanquette de Limoux, said to predate Champagne.

Smaller towns add to the mix. Castelnaudary is the home of cassoulet, a dish so tied to the region that it’s practically a local ritual. Gruissan sits by the Mediterranean with its old circular village pattern around a ruined tower. Each place adds another layer to the region’s identity.

Between fortified cities, mountain strongholds, Roman relics, and vineyards, Aude is packed with variety. It’s a place where a single road trip can take you from the Middle Ages to the Mediterranean in just a few hours. What’s not to love?

Start Planning Your French Road Trip

France is full of places that make for unforgettable road trips, and these regions only scratch the surface. Each one has its own rhythm, from wine valleys and river towns to castles, coastlines, and mountain strongholds. 

The beauty of a road trip here is that you can set your own pace, take the back roads, and stop in places you’ve never heard of before. That’s where you often find the best stories.