10 unspoilt areas of France, about which You did not know

Sometimes you want to escape from the everyday hustle and bustle, big cities and the crowds, to postpone all Affairs and to go where no one will bother. We tell You about 10 very beautiful and not too crowded parts of France for a relaxation trip. Remember the places and the coordinates.

The national Park of Calanques (Calanques)

The breathtaking steep cliffs, turquoise water and lush vegetation make the national Park of Calanques, one of the best places to relax body and soul.

The massif of Calanques stretches along the Mediterranean coast from the village of Madrague to the town of Cassis. The reserve is 80 km2. The highest point is mount Puget, whose peaks stretch towards the sky at 563 meters.





Although in the year the Park is visited by over a million travelers, here is where to reflect in silence, enjoying pristine nature, originated in ancient times. And if you get bored, a ragged, rocky landscape of the Calanques, go underground. Here, the caves keep precious artifacts of primitive humanity. To see ancient rock paintings can be, for example, in the Cosquer cave.

Sorans grotto (La Grotte de Choranche, or Coufin-Chevaline)

Picturesque grotto hidden from the hot sun and prying eyes in the heart of the massif of the Vercors (Vercors) near Grenoble. To get here it's only a car on the highway A49 Grenoble — Valence.





The cave entrance is located under the cliffs of Presles, forming a beautiful natural amphitheater, bordering the plateau of Coulmes. You can simply walk along the underground rivers, admiring the perennial karstic sediments or boating. The length of some of the limestone "icicles" reaches 3 meters, and they grow to 5 cm over 100 years! In addition, here hold breathtaking light show. Ticket price for adult is 10.8 euros. For the right to photography you need to pay extra 25 euros.

Pont-EN-Royans, rhône (Pont-en-Royans)

When you want to get away from the crowds and wander through the deserted streets of a provincial town, Pont-EN-Royans is one of the best options. Its colourful houses on steep cliffs, hidden from the world behind a high mountain gorges, a 20-minute drive from the grotto Sorans.





In addition to the historic buildings in Pont-en-Royans you will surely enjoy the river, and forced its way between steep slopes. Look for lunch in the Restaurant du Musée de l'eau (10 to 39 euros depending on the food and size of portions). If not figured out where to stay, where you can also hotel room. And next door there is a large water Museum with an area of 4 km2.

The lake of Sainte-Croix (Lac de Sainte-Croix)

Lake Saint Croix is the pearl of the Verdon gorges. Its area is 22 km2, and a supply of water is replenished by mountain streams and rivers flowing down the slopes of the massif du Verdon. You can get here the most interesting through the villages of Les Arcs, Lorgues, Villecroze and Aups. They can taste delicious local wines and spend the night in one of the hospitable Chateau.





Because of its beauty Lac de Sainte-Croix, enjoys an enviable popularity among tourists. The shore is equipped with stations where you can rent a boat or catamaran. There are beaches.

The turquoise waters of lakes in the abundance of fish. For example, trout, which in fine weather can be seen directly from the boat. This is a great place for fishing!

20 km to the South near the mountain slopes, sheltered modest village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, whose gorgeous the scenery will relieve even the deepest Blues. See for yourself!





In the list of local attractions — the Archaeological Museum (open since 1930), the ruins of an ancient monastery, the parish Church, a couple of vintage chapels, and many craft workshops.

The regional Park of Marais Poitevin (Poitevin Marais)

"Green Venice" — the so-called wetlands in the region Poitou-Charentes with a dense network of dams and canals. Top things to do in the Marais Poitevin — acquaintance with the picturesque nature and local fauna while Cycling and "cruising" boats-punts.





Water transport can be rented at Coulon or Arçais Damvix. In the rental you will receive a map of channels (to avoid being lost) and recommendations for the management of the boat. Then you can hire a local paddler and guide.

Cave Gouffre de Padirac (Le Gouffre de Padirac)

Gouffre de Padirac, a huge cave in the Lot Department close to Mathieu (Mathieu) in the Southern Alps. Inside the impressive underground galleries with a length of over 2.5 km along a bizarre stalactites and stalagmites river flows. You can take a walk through it on the boat (always with a guide!). Or walk through the halls on foot.





Descend into the cave by Elevator or stairs. The standard length of visit is 1.5 hours. Adult ticket, including a tour of the river, is 12 euros. The trip is best to plan ahead: the cave is not available in any weather.

The gorges de L'ardèche (Les Gorges de l Ardèche)

The great French canyon from the little villages in the mountains will blow You away! Enjoy this intimate and impressive world on a kayak, explore it while climbing outings or simply explore the lush chestnut trees and pines, the smoothing harsh rocky panorama. This can be done on foot or horse rides or during a beach holiday in the warm summer months. One of the main attractions L'ardèche — the bridge d'arc, a limestone rock, which eventually turned into a spectacular arch with a width of about 60 and a height of 45 meters.





While in the Park, Réserve Naturelle des Gorges de l Ardèche (where, in fact, is a canyon), you can book a room in hotel one of the closest villages. For example, in the Hotel Le Belvedere located in Vallon-Pont-d'arc.

Dune of Pyla (Dune du Pilat, La)

One of the most secluded and unusual places of France, the dune of Pyla located at Arcachon Bay (8 km from Arcachon city) and is adjacent to the forest Landes de Gascogne. Every year, the sand moving away from the shore a few meters. Now the width of the Dune du Pilat is about 500 meters, height — 110 meters. This is the biggest dune of Europe.





When they reached Arcachon, be sure to try oysters and other seafood — they are the freshest and very tasty!

The castle gardens of Villandry (Les Jardins du Château de Villandry)

The castle gardens of Villandry, located 15 km from tours (pays de La Loire) — a real eye candy. Even the most avid perfectionist you will not find any flaw in them!

The gardens are divided into several levels. On the bottom floor from season to season planted cabbage, potatoes and other vegetables. The second level — the territory of love and romance. Many beds are designed in the shape of a heart. On the upper terrace fruit trees, loving the heat of the sun.





Remarkable the castle itself. In the South-West tower in the summer of 1189, was signed peace Treaty between England and France. The agreement Colombier (in the name of the fortress, later rebuilt into a Chateau Villandry) meant a lot to His Majesty King Philippe-August and the whole of the French aristocracy. At present the castle is a national monument of history.

The Aiguille (Mont Aiguille)

Another natural treasure of the massif Vercors. Mountain, whose name translates as "needle", included in the list of "7 wonders of Dauphine".

Aiguille is located near the commune of Chichilianne, 60 km from Grenoble. It reaches a height of 2087 meters. Today Mont Aiguille stands in splendid isolation, but once the mountain was a single whole with the rest of the array.





In 1492 next to the Needle ran the way Charles VIII. The monarch, impressed by the stories of local residents about the strange lands on an impregnable plateau, ordered his Chamberlain to the Ville to lead a squad to climb the mountain. Armed with ropes, ladders, and hammers, and daredevils conquered the Mont Aiguille. But the singing angels, to their great regret, was not there. Ville and his team have been on top for six days. Later, the "climbers" passionately and told the king about the beautiful scenery and grazing the chamois. On top of the squad he built a chapel and placed a huge cross. Charles VIII was ecstatic! But the interesting thing is that the next expedition, which ascended the Aiguille only in 1834, no beauty found some bare rocks. published

 

Author: Ekaterina Baidukova

P. S. And remember, just changing your mind — together we change the world! ©

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Source: paris.zagranitsa.com/article/2415/10-uedinennykh-mest-frantsii-o-kotorykh-vy-ne-znal

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