Do you long to travel to exotic destinations but don’t have the time or budget? Or perhaps you want to experience the European culture but aren’t ready to give up your exotic summer holiday? Luckily, France is home to some stunning locations, that are sure to make you feel more like you’re in the Caribbean than Europe. Check out these amazingly exotic destinations that we have discovered on our travels around France
Maubuisson and Lac d’Hourtin-Carcans
Lac d’Hourtin-Carcans is the largest freshwater lake in France and despite having miles of uninhabited waterfront, there are various different beaches, swimming spots and ‘resorts’ to hunt out; you won’t be hard pushed to find your own tropical paradise.
We discovered the resort of Maubuisson, on the lake’s south-western tip, quite by accident one year (lost whilst on the way to somewhere else) and loved it so much that we ended up returning for our family holiday the following two years.
With white sands, shallow clear water, pine trees and water sports, you wouldn’t be blamed for mistaking it for a Caribbean island! And with a small selection of cafes, bars, ice-cream parlours, fun fair rides and seaside type shops, it has a real holiday vibe about it.
Also venture to the north-west of the lake (either by car or hire boat) to Piqueyrot, a tiny spit where you will find more tropical scenes, a cafe, restaurant and water sports.
Lac de Sainte-Croix
Lac de Sainte-Croix is actually a man made lake in the Verdon area of France which was created when the Verdon river was dammed in the early 1970’s by Électricité De France. The result is this vast, beautifully turquoise lake with pretty villages and secluded beaches dotted along it’s shores.
For clear waters, water sports, cafes and restaurants, head to Baudeun, a village to the South-East of the lake. Hire a boat for the day and explore the lakes hidden gems.
Sillans-la-Cascade
For an unexpected taste of the jungle, take a walk from the tiny village of Sillans-la-Cascade and find this beautiful waterfall and its magnificent pools.
The walk starts on a flat, designated path but develops into a bit of an adventure if you want to make it down to the pools. But it is totally worth it, it really is like being transported from the French countryside to a tropical rainforest!
Cap Ferret
Pine trees, sand dunes and vast golden sandy beaches will greet you at Cap Ferret, which you will find just to the west of Bordeaux.
This beautifully sandy peninsula is a fairly exclusive French holiday destination yet it is wonderfully underdeveloped. With laid back restaurants (check out Chez Fred on the drive in), fishing boats, oyster baskets and the warm waters of the Bay of Archachon on one side, you will feel a million miles away.
St Tropez
The whitewashed and pastel buildings, terracotta roofs and the old port make St-Tropez reminiscent of Greece or Granada.
If you have the budget, and want to enjoy the clear waters and sandy beaches, you can spend the day at one of the private beaches. But there are a few small beaches around the old town which are well worth a visit and on a beautifully sunny day, you could feel transported much further afield.
Porquerolles
Porquerolles is a small island in the south of France, between Marseille and Cannes, accessible via ferry. We spent a wonderful week on the island, and found the most amazing beaches . As well as being off the scale beautiful, they were also wonderfully exotic!
Have you visited any exotic places in France? I’d love to hear about them. And I will be sure to report back any further destinations that we come across.
Good post sharing where where one find little gems in the most visited country!
Author
Thanks!
Beautiful post and glad to see that all the places you mentioned are family friendly. Some of the ones you mentioned I was not even aware of although St. Tropez is quite iconic.
We did discover a bit of France when we went to Switzerland this year and skipped over Lac Leman and explored Evain. Wanted to go to Iyvior (spelling?) as well but didn’t have time.
Thanks and something I look forward to using when I plan french holiday
Author
Evian looks beautiful!
Glad to have recommended some possibly future destinations for you!
Thanks for reading. x
All of those spots are unbelievably beautiful! We are going to be in France in May and might have to check one of them out. Are any of them more affordable than others, or are they all resort prices?
Author
St Tropez is generally very expensive, we travelled in for a day trip rather than staying there. But the other places will be more reasonable.
One place not on my list, which I would definitely recommend, is the Ardeche region. You can kayak down the gorges, hike in the hills and canyon in the rocks. My husband’s family live there so we visit often and our kids love the adventure.
We will be there in May too!
Also it is definitely more reasonably priced there.
Have an amazing visit!
Thanks for sharing this story. I am sure the suggestions will come in handy as I travel across France next year. Following more stories on your blog now!
Author
Thanks Dev!
Hope you manage to visit some of these fab places on your journeys.
Thanks for reading. x
Wow! With all the lovely photos displayed, France indeed can easily look like any of the Caribbeans. I’ve been to France but not any of them beaches. I reckon to check Benicassim in Valencia, Spain, pretty much looks like Maubuisson from your descriptions and photos.
Author
I’ve not been to Benicassim – but heard good things about it.
Thanks for reading. x
Beautiful destinations in France, but the food is still one of my favorite activities/attractions in the country. Those beaches do look pretty amazing, too.
If one doesn’t read the title or the captions, it would be impossible to guess that they are in France! My favorite surprising destination in France is Marseilles.
Author
I’ve only ever travelled through Marseilles but I’ve heard that it is very nice!
Thanks for reading. x
I didn’t realize France could look so exotic! Some of the photos even looked like Thailand 🙂 Will have to check out these destinations someday!
Author
Oh I hope you definitely do!
Yes, exotic doesn’t always spring to mind when thinking of France!
Thanks for reading. x
I’ve been to France twice but never made it out of Paris! St Tropez looks stunning. Will be on my list for my next visit!
Author
Paris is so wonderful it is definitely hard to leave to explore anywhere else! Highly recommend St Tropez though, I loved it so much!
Thanks for reading. x
Wow! I am amazed at the beauty of all these places. You are right! There is no needed to get outside the country when you have these beauties around! #MondayEscapes
Author
It’s true – people living in France could easily holiday in their own country over and over and not feel like they are missing out on anything!
Thanks for reading. x
Fantastic post! I love France, but its so difficult to find something unique. Going to bookmark this for the future! #MondayEscapes
Author
Glad to have given some ideas! Thanks for reading. x