France is the number one tourist destination worldwide, and it is not difficult to see why. Quite apart from the diversity of its national monuments – many but by no means all of which are to be found in the capital city of Paris – it offers culture, tradition, fascinating history, romance and charm as well as fantastic cooking and first-rate wines.

It is interesting to note, when you are visiting France, that the French are extraordinarily nonchalant about the beauties and treasures in their wonderful country, almost as if they took them for granted. They live, eat and sleep with them in a completely different way to the rest of the world. For that reason, it is often difficult to find information about the lesser-known gems of antiquity or beauty hidden away in the remoter regions of France. This list of the best things to do in France will shed light, not only on the attractions and monuments with which everyone is acquainted, but on other equally beautiful or significant attractions which are all but unknown.

19. Luberon National Regional Park

The Luberon, situated in Central Provence in the south of France, comprises 600 square km of breathtaking natural beauty and three mountain ranges. Famed for its limestone peaks and green hills, its vineyards and its orchards and its typical hilltop-perched villages, it is an area of such unspoiled natural beauty and historical significance that the whole of it was placed under the protection of UNESCO in 1997. It is also the best place to see those famous French lavender fields!

Luberon is located 70 km southeast of Avignon. Buses run from Avignon to the village of Apt, but generally public transport is not good and car rental is strongly advised. The closest airport is Marseille (24 minutes).

20. Le Mans

Le Mans, famous since 1923 for its 24 hour endurance racing, is situated on the river Sarthe in the Pays de La Loire in northwest France. It is only an hour from Paris by road or rail and is well worth a visit, adding the famous Roman Wall of Fame surrounding the immaculate Plantagenet Old City, the 1.000 year old St. Julian`s Cathedral and the famous city lights (not to mention a very welcoming tea room, great restaurants and excellent B&B) to its racier attractions!

The closest airport is the Tours Val de Loire (101 km); the train from Tours takes an hour to reach Le Mans.

21. Somme Battlefields Circuit of Remembrance

On 1st July, 1916, British and French troops launched an offensive against the Germans on both sides of the Upper Somme river in what was to be the bloodiest battle of WWII, and one of the bloodiest in recorded history. Between the british garrison in Albert and Péronne, where the Germans were stationed, over a million men were wounded or killed.

The “Somme Remembrance Circuit” (“circuit du souvenir” in French) is a blazed trail running from Albert to Péronne, embracing museums of the “War to end all wars”, tombstones and memorials and fields of poppies on the way. Around 90 km long, it can be travelled by car, by bicycle or on foot, travelling either from Albert or Péronne. It is situated in northern France, not far from the Belgian border.

Source: https://www.jenreviews.com/best-things-to-do-in-france/