France rewards the curious. It’s a country that looks different depending on how slowly you move through it — whether you’re sitting with a second coffee in a Lyon bouchon, driving through Burgundy with the windows down, or standing in a lavender field in Provence trying to take a photo that does the actual colour justice.
This is not a guide to doing France fast. It’s a guide to doing it well.
Here you’ll find everything I’ve written about France: city guides, road trip routes, day trips and the places in between that don’t always make the highlight reel — but should.
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Paris
Paris is a city that feels different on your second visit than your first — and different again on your fifth. Once you stop chasing the version you’ve seen in films and start paying attention to what’s actually in front of you, it becomes one of the most interesting cities in Europe.
The question isn’t really whether to go to Paris. It’s how to go, and where to stay, and what to actually do with the time you have there.
Start here
Beyond Paris
France is enormous, and Paris is barely a sliver of it. The country changes character as you move south and east — the light is different in Provence, the pace is different in Burgundy, and the silence between villages in the Dordogne is the kind you don’t easily find elsewhere.
Drive it
🚗 Renting a car in France? Prices climb fast in July. Compare car rental options → Book early for the best rates.
Plan your trip
Getting around
By train: TGV Paris–Lyon under 2 hours, Paris–Marseille about 3. Rail Europe →
By car: Compare car rental → Roads through Burgundy and Provence are some of the most pleasant in Europe.
In Paris: The Métro + walking.
When to go
Spring (Apr–Jun): Mild, long evenings, fewer crowds.
Summer (Jul–Aug): Lavender blooms in July. Book early.
Autumn (Sep–Oct): Harvest season. Paris in October is underrated.
Winter (Nov–Mar): Quieter, cheaper, more local.
Where to stay
Paris hotel guide →
Provence: Boutique chambres d’hôtes — local knowledge, better breakfasts.
Browse hotels in Beaune →
More from Travelletters
Enjoyed France? Here’s where to go next:
Spain
Italy
Slow travel
The hidden gems letter
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