Marie-Claire Chappet

Secret France: the hidden havens worth discovering

  • From Spectator Life

Vive la France! Our beloved Gallic neighbour has reopened its borders to the casual tourist once more and, as travel slowly yawns its way back to something resembling normalcy, it is the perfect time to hop across the channel.

France, in my half-French-totally-unbiased opinion, is never a bad idea. The diversity of the country is staggering – offering you undulating valleys dotted with vineyards, luxurious beach breaks or quaint Provençal villages; the eternal allure of Paris and majestic snow-capped peaks. But why not discover its lesser known enclaves? Seasoned Francophiles may like to take this opportunity, after a miserable time apart, to discover hidden France. So, here are my top suggestions of the best secret regions to discover…

Alsace

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The village of Hunawihr, Alsace, France

Historically one of the most contested regions of France, Alsace (now officially within the Grand-Est) has oscillated between French and German control for years but wears these conflicting influences well.

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