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Besides the well-known tourist attractions like Paris’ Eiffel Tower or Champagne’s wine country, there are tons of excellent sights to see regardless of the direction you take.
With mountain ranges from the Pyrenees to the Alps, accompanied by rivers and valleys like the Seine, the unequivocal question is – where should I go?
Luckily, this guide to the regions of France will help you decide which works best for you. Keep reading to plan your bucket list itinerary for your French vacation.
Since 2016, there are officially 13 areas of France, with each one broken down further into departments and cantons. Here you’ll find the French regions mapped out with their climate, location and attractions.
Situated in northeastern France, this region shares a border with Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium. It boasts beautiful views of the Meuse and Rheine Rivers.
You’ve also got the privilege of seeing two mountain ranges, the Vosges and Ardennes. With a rich and diverse culture, you’ll also hear accents from a variety of languages with Germanic and Latin influences in this area.
A product of merging the old Aquitaine, Limousin and Poitou-Charentes, Nouvelle Aquitaine is home to 12 French departments such as Charente and Vienne. Nouvelle Aquitaine is the largest region by area in France and is home to metropolitan France’s wine hub, Bordeaux.
Geographically, the region covers the Aquitaine and Paris Basins. The Pyrenees mountain range sits at the south of the region. Its hills are covered with streams called gaves and valleys that extend down to the Spanish border.
The Auvergne Rhone-Alps region is quite diverse in all aspects. With Lyon as the prefecture, this region is bordered by Italy and Switzerland as well as Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Centre-Val de Loire, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and Occitanie.
You can expect a Mediterranean and continental climate here, with highs of 19.6 degrees Celsius in summer and lows of 3.4 degrees Celsius in winter. It is considered one of the warmer regions in France despite having moderate rainfall throughout the year.
The Atlantic Ocean coasts Brittany’s peninsula with the Bay of Biscay on the southwest and the English Channel to the north. There are several small islands that lie on Brittany’s outskirts. This low lying region separates the Arrée Mountains from the Noire Mountains.
You can expect an oceanic climate as the coastal areas impact the rest of the region. Rivers such as the Vilaine, the Leita, and the Rance run through the region as well.
BFC is situated in eastern France. You may have heard of Burgundy, which has been absorbed with Franche-Comte to create this one region. It is broken up into eight departments and a further seven major communities.
Bordering Grand Est, Île de France as well as Switzerland, this region boasts a variable climate. You can spot the Vosges mountain range from here which creates conditions for the bountiful year-long rain and high humidity.
This region lies directly in the Paris Basin and is bisected by the Loire River. With a mild climate, this region makes their living with arable farming which doesn’t require as much rain.
Found in the northern part of France and bordering six other regions, Centre is best known for attractions found in Bourges, Chartres, Tours, and Orleans.
Corsica is the fourth largest island found in the mediterranean sea. It is found north of Sardinia and southeast of the French mainland.
Besides the interesting history, the island itself is unique in that it is the most mountainous island in the Mediterranean. It’s also home to 200 odd beaches where around 360 communities live.
Situated on the border of Spain and Andorra, this region of France is best known for its capital city, Toulouse. With lots of sunshine, an oceanic climate, and moderate rainfall, this region is perfect for a summer holiday.
Here you can learn the Occitan vernacular and discover the four other major provinces nearby.
Known as the third most populous region in France, Hauts-de-France borders Belgium, the North Sea, the English Channel, as well as fellow French regions Grand Est, Normandy, and Île de France.
Here you can expect cold winters with long-lasting rains, accompanied by reduced sunshine. The verdant countryside is attributed to the constant rainfall.
Located north of Paris, you can find rural and seaside areas in the Normandie region, which is best known for its gourmet cheese and seafood. Normandie is also known for its rivers such as the Seine, Dive, Touques and Veules.
In Normandie, you’ll also find many historical World War II sites, and places to learn about the French Revolution.
As the most visited region in France, Île de France is most popular for everything Parisian. From the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Cathedral of Notre Dame, Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, the River Seine and so much more.
This region is the dominant economic hub of France. Île de France is also the most densely populous region, with fertile farmlands surrounding the capital city of Paris.
The south of France region, bordering Italy and the Mediterranean sea, you’ll find Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur. It is best known for blissful Mediterranean summers accompanied by dry winds in the cold winters.
It is one of the most demographically diverse regions in France. Dotted along the French Riviera, you’ll find favourites like Cannes, Saint Tropez, Marseille, and Nice.
You can find Pays de la Loire along the western region of France with the Bay of Biscay along the coast. It is dappled with waterways, like the Vilane, Maine, and Sarthe rivers.
Here you can expect an oceanic climate in popular tourist hotspots like Saint Nazaire, Nantes and Angers. Secondary to the vineyards of the region, you can also experience the Le Mans Grand Prix.
France is an unforgettable location. With the regions of France mapped out, you should be capable of planning your itinerary after reading this list. Now, you’re prepared to experience the very best the country has to offer.
Plan your trip, pack your bags, and get ready for a vacation of a lifetime, bon voyage!
Would you like to venture out of the city with us? We can create a custom tour for you, tailored just to your liking. One of our fantastic Paris day trip tours is sure to satisfy all of your travel needs!