3 regions to visit in France: Brittany, Provence, Alsace — how to choose based on what you love

People often discover France through its major cities, but its regions are what make it unforgettable. Between wild coastlines, sun-soaked villages, and wine routes lined with half-timbered houses, there are a thousand ways to fall in love with the country. In this article, I’m sharing 3 regions to visit in France that complement each other perfectly: Brittany, Provence, and Alsace.

The goal is simple: give you a concrete feel for the atmosphere of each region, the key advantages, the must-do activities (walks, local experiences, food to try), and above all, help you choose based on your preferences if you’re visiting from abroad.

Brittany: the call of the ocean, moorlands, and vibrant living nature

Key advantages

Brittany has a raw, genuine charm: spectacular coastline, granite villages, a strong cultural identity, and nature everywhere. It’s one of the regions to visit in France if you love fresh air, long walks, salty sea spray, and the feeling that the elements (wind, sea, light) are part of the journey.

Another big plus, often underestimated: Brittany is easy to enjoy without an overly rigid “plan.” You can improvise by following the coast, stopping in a harbor, taking a trail, and ending the day in a crêperie.

The vibe

Here, the mood swings between maritime energy and deep calm. The landscapes change fast: cliffs, beaches, dunes, forests, islands, marshes… You can go from a dramatic coastline to a peaceful estuary in an hour’s drive. Brittany is also a land of stories: legends, standing stones, chapels, and local traditions.

Things to do (and food to try)

• Must-do walks

  • Hike the Customs Officers’ Path (GR34): one of Europe’s most beautiful coastal routes.
  • Explore the headlands and capes: cliffs, coves, and sunset viewpoints.

• Signature experiences

  • Take a boat trip to an island (depending on where you are: Breton islands, archipelagos).
  • Visit local markets: perfect for tasting and chatting with producers.

• Must-try foods

  • Crêpes and galettes (buckwheat), with a bowl of cider.
  • Seafood (oysters, mussels, shellfish).
  • Kouign-amann (very rich… and very good).

Personal note: the exceptional biodiversity of Mont-Saint-Michel

I was lucky to spend quite a bit of time near Mont-Saint-Michel thanks to my work as an ecology engineer. In the field, a large part of my days was spent observing, identifying, and photographing the birds living in wetlands and along the coast.
This place left a deep mark on me. Between the endless mudflats, wind-swept salt meadows, shifting estuaries, and the patchwork hedgerows in the background, you can feel a living, moving, almost untamed nature.
Every outing brought surprises, and I never stopped being amazed by the richness and the fragile balance of this unique territory.

— Erwan from Itinerary France

Provence: light, laid-back living, and Mediterranean scents

Key advantages

Provence is a promise of a sunlit trip: golden light, hilltop villages, colorful markets, olive groves, rolling hills, and a slower rhythm that makes you breathe easier. Among the regions to visit in France, it’s often the first to win over international travelers: it embodies the Mediterranean dream.

Another advantage: it offers a rare balance between nature and the art of living. You can hike in the morning, have lunch at the market, visit a village, then end the day on a terrace.

The vibe

Everything feels more sensory here: the scents (thyme, rosemary, lavender), the warmth, cicadas singing, and the pale stone of villages. The atmosphere is friendly, food-focused, and made for outdoor life.

Things to do (and food to try)

• Walks and scenery

  • Hilltop villages and panoramic roads (perfect for a road trip).
  • Fields and plateaus (especially in season).
  • Hikes in mountain ranges, gorges, or natural parks depending on your route.

• Signature experiences

  • Provençal markets: a destination in themselves (photos, tastings, local products).
  • Visits to producers: olive oil, wines depending on the area.

• What to taste

  • Mediterranean cooking: sun-ripened vegetables, herbs, olive oil.
  • Specialties like ratatouille, tapenade, pissaladière, bouillabaisse (along the coast).
  • Cheeses, rosé wines, ripe fruit, almond-based desserts.

Alsace: storybook villages, traditions, and the wine route

Key advantages

Alsace stands out for its unique identity: half-timbered architecture, strong traditions, generous cuisine, and a culture mixing French and Germanic influences. It’s one of the regions to visit in France if you like structured itineraries, villages close to each other, and the idea of “seeing a lot” within a short distance.

Another advantage: Alsace is beautiful year-round. In summer it’s green and flower-filled; in autumn the vineyards blaze; in winter the atmosphere turns magical thanks to Christmas markets.

The vibe

You quickly feel transported: colorful houses, ornate signs, lively squares, wine cellars, local festivals. The atmosphere is warm and deeply rooted in local terroir.

Things to do (and food to try)

• Walks

  • The Alsace Wine Route: villages, viewpoints, tastings.
  • Stroll historic centers: alleys, canals, squares.
  • Forest walks or hikes in the Vosges if you want nature.

• Signature experiences

  • Taste white wines (Riesling, Gewurztraminer, etc., depending on your taste).
  • Visit cellars and meet winemakers.

• Must-try foods

  • Tarte flambée (flammekueche), choucroute, baeckeoffe.
  • Pretzels, gingerbread, regional pastries.
  • Food-and-wine pairings: Alsace is paradise for that.

How to choose among these 3 regions to visit in France

• You love raw nature, the ocean, hiking, and fast-changing landscapes → Brittany
• You’re looking for sunshine, Mediterranean food, markets, and a laid-back lifestyle → Provence
• You want storybook villages, wine, traditions, and an easy itinerary to organize → Alsace

By François, traveler and travel advisor — Itinerary France
Updated on January 6, 2026