Saint-Paul-de-Vence, French Riviera
Steeped in cultural and artistic history, Saint-Paul-de-Vence is one of the oldest medieval towns on the French Riviera, nestled on the hillside between Vence and Nice. With its wooded streets and tiny stone buildings that resemble the backdrop of a fairy tale, the town is a mecca for contemporary and modern art, with the famous Fondation Maeght as the jewel in its creative crown. The museum houses one of the largest collections of 20th century art in Europe, with works by many famous artists (including Giorgio Braque, Juan Miró and Alberto Giacometti) displayed in the Art Deco-style building and throughout the sculpture garden. Matisse, Léger, Picasso and Marc Chagall have all been regular guests at this quintessentially French hotel, in addition to the town’s artistic credentials outside La Colombe d’Or.
Metz, Grand Est
Metz – the elegant capital of France’s Lorraine region – is located near the border between Luxembourg and Germany, and its Quartier Impérial has a strong Germanic architectural style. The creative Centre Pompidou Metz, a leading city in the Northeast and a satellite branch of the Centre Pompidou in Paris, rivals the Fondation Maeght as the largest collection of modern art in Europe. Designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, the museum presents temporary exhibitions of avant-garde artists. Metz has other charms such as numerous Michelin-starred dining venues, a riverside park and pedestrianized streets in the old town, while the Gothic-style Saint-Etienne Cathedral is the city’s skyline.
Calanque d’En-vau, Cassis
Not to be confused with crème de cassis (a cassis liqueur from the Burgundy region), Cassis is a charming fishing village in eastern Marseille. Its growing popularity, especially among fashionable Marseillers, means that this pastel-colored town can hardly be considered one of our hidden gems in France. However, the coastline where Cassis is located is dotted with small channels (entrances surrounded by steep cliffs), many of which offer a peaceful refuge from the popular beaches of the Côte d’Azur. It is worth the steep downhill trek to reach the clear turquoise waters and white pebble-covered coves of Calanque d’En-Vau, often referred to as the most beautiful coves in Cassis.
Bonifacio, Corsica
Situated on a narrow white limestone peninsula in southern Corsica, Bonifacio is an ancient castle town with fortified walls, a charming historic center and a sheltered harbor. Nominally French, but more culturally complex, this Mediterranean island has been influenced by a myriad of influences. The subsequent Franco-Italian fusion is evident in Corsica’s cuisine and language, especially in Bonifacio, just seven miles from Sardinia, Italy. Bonifacio has many unspoiled beaches (Roccapina, Cala Longa and Palombaggia) and along the southern cliff face you will find the Escalier du Roi d’Aragon (Staircase of King Alfonso V of Aragon), a panoramic view of the 187 steps of descent from the castle to the sea.
Concalle, Brittany
France’s gastronomic customs, listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Treasure, are a signature feature of the country. The picturesque fishing village of Concalle is a great place to sample some of the most authentic French cuisine and was officially designated Site Remarquable du Gout in 1994 for its oysters (5,000 tons produced annually). Long considered the oyster capital of Brittany (and arguably France), the town also boasts many other attractions, such as excellent seafood restaurants, views of Mont Saint-Michel and some of the most beautiful beaches on the Emerald Coast.
Vécor, Rhône-Alpes Region
Our last hidden gem in France will be particularly appealing to history buffs. Vércole is best known as the last bastion of French resistance fighters during the Battle of Vércole in World War II, when the maquis (resistance) was finally forcibly evacuated from the huge, steep, natural fortress of Mont Vércole, from which they departed. d been harassing the invading Germans. Today, the mountains offer a wealth of adventure activities, including hiking and caving in the summer and cross-country skiing and mountaineering in the winter. Magnificent scenery can be explored on foot or by car, with wide valleys and lush farmland quickly transforming into vast plateaus and dizzying trails. The drive through the Gorges de la Bourne is truly spectacular, as the plateau is lined with trails. In fact, Nicholas Crane, the famous British walking writer, described Vécor as his favorite walking area in Europe. It is indeed awesome.
