As the world’s most visited country, France provides inspiration for volumes of travel articles every year. The best travel and tourism publications and websites turn to the country time and time again so choosing the best articles about traveling in France is an exciting and ever blossoming challenge! Arguably, it’s one of our more enviable tasks.
Our final list of 11 travel articles about France combines the best of France with great journalism, in words and in pictures. It includes an eclectic range of travel journalism that ranges from pure destination to educational via topical pieces and listicles.
After reading all the pieces, it leaves us with the urge to experience, visit or taste something new or different here. We hope it has a similarly inspirational impact for you too…
The new tourist
Tourism has taken a bit of backlash recently with several of the world’s most popular destinations – think Amsterdam, Barcelona, Venice… – shouting out against too many visitors. If you’ve suffered the phenomena of mass tourism (crowds, queues, inflated prices, noise, pollution and selfie sticks) this year, Hidden Gems in France: Escape Europe’s Tourist Crowds is for you. Written by Emilie and Guillaume at France Just For You, the article offers great French substitutes for some of Europe’s busiest cities.
The highlights: Emile and Guillaume’s alternatives work well and offer similar experiences to the ‘real’ thing. For example, instead of braving the hordes at the Coliseum in Rome, you could savour the Roman Amphitheatre of Orange in Provence, almost to yourself out of season.
Why we like it: You really do discover some hidden gems in France and you get a lot of insider information too. We’ll definitely be swapping Cinque Terre for Cassis next time.
> Done Amsterdam? Fuel canalside character cravings in Colmar
Behind the scenes in Paris
A list of ultimate France travel writing examples just has to include one on Paris. There are obviously plenty of competitors for the best article about the City of Light, but we’ve gone with French Moments and their Secrets about the Moulin Rouge. This is just one of many treasure trove posts on the site about Paris and Savoie – and gives you real insight into the iconic Parisian monument.
The highlights: The many pictures included in the post. Author Pierre has included his own photos, plus several from the archives as well as paintings of the windmill and vintage posters advertising the show.
Why we like it: French Moments offers a wealth of information and plenty of detail. We also love the fun facts at the end – did you know that 240,000 bottles of champagne are served every year at the Moulin Rouge? Salut!
> Done Paris? Sip champagne in Epernay
That culinary place explained
Lyon regularly makes its way into travel articles, especially those with a foodie theme. In How to eat your way round France’s tastiest city for the Telegraph, Anthony Peregrine shows he really does know more than a thing or two about France. His article is also right on trend too as it takes a look at the recently opened Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie (CIG) in Lyon.
As Peregrine points out, the CIG is in the right place since Lyon has been a place recognised for cuisine for 2,000 years. He guides the reader around the new centre and explains its raison d’être.
The highlights: The description of what to expect at the CIG (not necessarily apparent to anyone not directly involved in the project) and the ‘lightbulb’ realisation that gastronomy forms part and parcel of France’s self-image.
Why we like it: While Peregrine obviously enjoys his tour of CIG, he manages to laugh at both the French and British approach to eating and cooking. And let’s be honest, another round-up of great places to eat in Lyon is always welcome.
> Peckish? Take a long lunch in Lyon
Art only accessible by boat
Sitting off the south coast of France lies a tiny island with a big art collection. Discover the Tiny French Island that is Paradise for Art Lovers, written by Tabbie Jackson Gee for the Spectator, visits Porquerolles and unveils a natural paradise with some seriously modern art. Against a backdrop of pristine beaches and unspoilt surroundings, Gee takes you on a tour of the Fondation Carmignac’s artwork.
The highlights: The real sense of isolation (Porquerolles is only accessible by boat) in one of Europe’s biggest holiday playgrounds. Gee conveys very well the contrast of almost virgin scenery with cutting-edge artwork created by some of the biggest names in contemporary art.
Why we like it: We felt that we too discovered this tiny island and can’t wait to get the opportunity to see “some of the world’s most exciting art, miles from a hectic inner-city museum”.
> Discover how the waterways of France inspired an arts movement
Tips from those who know
Insider information, either from those who live in a destination or travellers to it, has taken the tourist industry by storm in recent years so it’s only fitting that this list of France travel writing examples includes one such publication. And we’ve gone with one that sits very close to our hearts – readers’ travel tips for canal and river boat trips in Europe from the Guardian. France (naturellemente!) dominates for the newspaper’s tipsters with four out of the seven focused on French waterways.
The highlights: The different stance on very popular places – for example, on the Canal du Midi it was the écluse (lock) shops that stood out for the traveller.
Why we like it: The sense of peace and serenity that comes out in all the tips. As we well know, “waking to dawn sunlight on the water” is one of the real pleasures found in exploring France via its rivers and canals.
List of newbies
Keeping up with what’s new in a country as vast and varied as France is always going to be a challenge, but it becomes less so with articles like Rick Steves’ What’s new in France for 2019. In it, he sums up all the newbies in sights, sounds, transport and of course, food and drink this year.
The highlights: The eclectic range of information – Steves literally includes everything. This article takes you from tips on getting a guide if you want to visit the Grotte de Font-de-Gaume cave to new high-speed train routes via why you should book a French hotel direct.
Why we like it: As Steves rightly concludes, being well prepared will always save time and money when traveling, which is why this piece works so well. Don’t know about you, but we can’t wait for the next edition!
> Ask us about the newest hotel barge itineraries
Unsung heroes
Almost every city in every country competes with its capital and in France, Paris takes some beating. But Two French Cities, Neither of Them Paris. Which One to Love? by Sebastian Modak for the New York Times, makes a very compelling case for Lyon and Marseille. Both cities feature in the American publication’s 52 Places to Go in 2019 and Modak discovers that both turn up trumps big time.
The highlights: The article covers both cities in depth, going on and off the beaten tourist trail. Modak masterfully conveys the elegance of Lyon and the grittiness of Marseille and somehow makes you fall in love with both.
Why we like it: Modak’s writing is truly evocative and transports you to both cities. We also love his turn of phrase – he describes Lyon as “a thoroughbred crowd-favorite racehorse” and Marseille as “the scrappy long shot who sneaks into the track and steals the race”.
> Take it all in on a Saone-Rhone river cruise
All on a plate in Camargue
Unsurprisingly, food takes centre stage in many travel resources about France. One of our favourites goes off the gastronomic radar, usually laser-beamed on Paris, Lyon and Burgundy, to the Camargue. In A Taste of the Camargue for National Geographic Traveller Food, Ben Olsen celebrates this region’s huge variety of food and drink, visiting local markets, producers and restaurants. The result is a very vivid picture of what you’d find on the table in this part of Provence.
The highlights: The tour of fresh local food, farmed from the land and sea. Olsen brings the Arles market stalls alive, offering the reader a feast for all the senses. He also tours producers and tells their story well too.
Why we like it: This is a voyage of culinary discovery – we didn’t quite appreciate how well the Camargue produces red rice and zesty salty wine and that despite forming part of Provence, “it has a character that makes it stand apart”. We’re also slightly relieved to discover that the saucisson d’Arles is now made with pork and beef rather than donkey.
Da Vinci fever
As followers of our blog will know, the Loire Valley was all about Leonardo Da Vinci and the celebrations surrounding the 500th anniversary of his death in 2019. Volumes were written about the commemorations and special events surrounding the occasion, making it difficult to highlight just one piece for this list of the best France travel writing. In the end, we’ve gone for an informative piece in The Local, one of the best sources for on-the-ground information in France.
The highlights: The article describes the background to Da Vinci’s link with the Loire Valley and his relationship with his patron, Francis I. It also includes snippets of the diplomatic tensions surrounding the celebrations with Italy not altogether happy that the Louvre houses fives of Da Vinci’s paintings including the most iconic of all, the Mona Lisa.
Why we like it: The Local combines history and current affairs well with anecdotes about Da Vinci’s life in the Loire Valley and pictures of his designs. We were intrigued to discover Francis thought of the artist as “his father” and that the two used a secret tunnel for their meetings.
Best road trip
The sheer size of France and excellent network of roads lend themselves very well to a road trip. This one takes the reader north-south from Brittany to Biarritz. Photographer Tommy Clarke packs his surfboard, jumps into a Mercedes eco-Sprinter at St Malo and records his journey on camera all the way down the west coast to the Grande Plage.
The highlights: This article is essentially a photo-essay so comes packed with pictures of what Clarke’s camera sees on the trip. From waves to beach brollies, he captures the essence of “perhaps the most civilised surf coast on earth”.
Why we like it: The simple beauty of the photos – the image of Europe’s highest sand dune stays with you. We also love Clarke’s off the grid” road trip with its old-school approach of navigating with a proper map, taking Polaroids and not using your phone much. Real travel!
> Start in Brittany and take it from there
Snowy finale
Last on our list of ultimate travel articles about France whisks us to the many ski resorts in France with a round-up of the best. Written by Jenny Cahill-Jones for Rough Guides, the article includes some snow for everyone whether you’re a newbie to the slopes or a veteran skier.
The highlights: The variety of choices for any type of skier from those looking for just snow to those more in search of the après-ski. Cahill-Jones recommends well-known resorts along with lesser known spots in the French mountains with plenty of practical information too.
Why we like it: The something-for-everyone – even die-hard off-piste skiers get their recommendation. We’re waiting for an update for 2020 before we book our next French skiing trip!
Inspired by France travel writing?
We’re hoping that this round-up of sublime France travel writing has inspired you to visit the country in the New Year.
Arguably, of the best ways to discover the huge variety described in the above 11 articles is from the waterways on board on a hotel barge, riverboat hotel or self-drive boat.
Take a look at our boating holiday options and book your next holiday in France.
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