France is one of the most visited countries on the planet and it’s easy to understand why. With so many diverse landscapes, beautiful cities and loads of history, France has it all. So, when deciding you want to visit France, it might be hard to choose what to include in your roadtrip through this beautiful country. But don’t worry, I am here to help and give you some of the best places to visit in France for travel photography!
Normandy and Brittany: France’s northern provinces bustling with history
Up north, there’s the provices of Normandy and Brittany. Here the temperatures are cooler and the vibe is very different from the south. Highlights of this area the white cliffs of l’Etretrat which rise out of the English Channel and the iconic Mont Saint Michel. This medieval abbey is built on an island which is connected to the mainland with a road that’s only accessible during low tide.
France is also known for its many castles. So before heading further south, I explored some of France’s finest castles in the area: Chateau Chambord and Chateau Chenonceau. These are picture perfect castles that come to mind when you think of a French chateau.
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Small villages and vineyards in the Alsace
Closer to the border with Germany, there’s the Alsace area, which is full of cute little villages that come straight out of a fairytale, such as Colmar, Eguisheim and Riquewihr. This area is also know for its great wines and as you drive the countryside, all you see if vineyards. I particularly enjoyed exploring the colorful streets of Colmar at sunrise, having the entire town to myself.
One of France’s most beautiful villages: Conques
In the center of France, there are numerous old villages with tons of charm. Conques in the Aveyron department in particular is worth a visit. This town dates back from the 11th century and is set in a green valley. The old abbey towers high above the village and the architecture in this town is remarkable. Not surprisingly, it is named one of France’s most beautiful villages. Close to Conques there are many other villages to photograph, such as Saint -Cirque-Lapopie and Najac, each set in stunning landscapes worth photographing.
Carcassonne castle and unique rock formations
As you drive further down south, Carcassonne is the last stop before hitting Spain. From afar you can already see the impressive castle rising high on top of a mountain that is famous for its board game based on this fortified city. It’s a giant fortified castle that should not be missed if you are in the area. Close by, there’s the unique rock formations called les Orgues de Ille-sur-Tête. Tall pillars of limestone rock stand strong at the base of the Pyrenees mountains. Who would have thought France would have such unique rock formations?
Flamingos in the Camargue National Park
Another reason I made it down to the south of France is to admire the flamingos in the wetlands of the Camargue National Park. Here, every summer, thousands of greater flamingos gather from Africa to feast and mate, before returning back to their homes. You can get really close to them and I spent quite some time enjoying the flamingos feeding in the brakkish waters, landing and majestically taking. I even managed to spot some giant muskrats in the grasslands as I returned to my car.
Côte d’Azur, France’s most well known province
Perhaps the most well known area in France is the the Côte d’Azur with cities like Nice and Marseille. If you know me, you know I am not a city guy. But there’s actually some beautiful nature to be explored right outside these cities. Two hikes I can recommend in the area are the climb up the Massif de Marseilleveyre, where you get a cool viewpoint over the rocks that tower above Marseille and the hike to Calanque d’En-Vau in Parc National des Calanques. Here, you hike up the rocks along the coast as you get rewarded with views over the turquioise blue water in the inlets that are carved into the rocks over time. Further up north lies the Gorge du Verdon, a canyon that is often called Europe’s version of the Grand Canyon, the red rocks of Rouissilon and the cute village of Moustiers Sainte Marie.
The iconic lavender fields of the Provence
Before my trip to France came to an end, it was time to finish off at the lavender fields of the Provence. Every June, the lavender flowers bloom bright purple and dot the hilly landscape. The smell is equally impressive. Endless lavender fields cover this area and with only a few weeks a year that this spectacle can be seen, I made sure to visit the area of Valensole when the lavender was in full bloom.
