Studying abroad is one of the most exciting, stressful, and life changing events one can experience in college! This Fall semester, I have the pleasure of studying abroad in France. After some extensive travel all around this beautiful country, I recommend these 5 places in France for unique weekend travel plans that don’t involve Paris.
1. Arles, France
Arles is situated in the south of France in the region of Provence. The town was originally established by the Gauls and, later, the Romans. Arles still has remnants of Roman presence such as amphitheaters, theaters, an aqueduct, and Roman central planning. Arles also is where Vincent van Gogh spent several years, and there is a huge museum dedicated to his works there.
https://njwildbeauty.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/aerial-view-arles-arena…
2. Nîmes, France
Nîmes, slightly north west of Arles, is another Gallo-Roman city of antiquity. While there, you have to visit nearby Pont du Guard, a well preserved Roman aqueduct as well as the Roman amphitheater— its claim to fame is that it’s the most well preserved amphitheater in France. Another must-see, the Jardins de La Fontaine give one a glimpse into 18th century urban planning. Fun fact about Nîmes: the word “denim” derives its name from Nîmes (de Nîmes) , a town with a large textile industry.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01896/pont620_1896836b.jpg
3. Le Mont Saint Michel
Mont Saint Michel is one of France’s crown jewels. Located in the north of the country in Normandy, Mont Saint Michel is one of the most unique sites in the world. About half a mile away from Normandy’s east coast, the island is only accessible during low-tide. The church at the point of the island gives the site a sense of majesty and the walls surrounding the island remind you of medieval times as you approach the island. As a UNESCO world heritage site, the Church St Michel, its Abbey, and many of the buildings on the island are considered historic monuments.
http://www.architectureetpatrimoine.com/Datas/sites/3/le-mont-saint-michel/Mont-Saint-Michel-3-.jpg
4. The Beaches of World War II
As one of the most sobering but emotionally powerful places I’ve visited, the World War II D-Day landings are definitely a must-see. Be ready for tears and strong emotion as you see the cliffs, the abandoned bunkers, the remains of landing craft, the craters left behind after exposure to heavy artillery. Whether or not you are into History, I recommend going.
http://www.tourist-destinations.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Upper-Normandy.jpg
5. Beaune, France
Beaune is very historic town in the Burgundy region of France. With its fortifications and towers intact, there are many medieval remnants in the city. Beaune is considered the wine capital of Burgandy so if wine is your thing, or you want to be introduced to wine culture, Beaune is not a bad place to start. I also highly recommend visiting the Hospices of Beaune. Covered in the historic and very beautiful Burgundian roofs, the Hospices of Beaune, founded by Nicolas Rolin in the 15th century, is a former hospital and refuge for the poor. Beaune is also home to traditional markets, gourmet food, and the least touristy atmosphere out of the other 4 places on this list. If you want to experience traditional French culture untouched by globalization and mass tourism, I highly recommend visiting here.
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There are many great places to visit in France, and if you find yourself wanting to explore the country outside of Paris or Marseille, I highly recommend this list to get you started. Happy travels!
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