A charming French town, a nice glass of wine outdoors, and all that just a half-day’s drive away. The ideal weekend getaway, isn’t it? You don’t have to spend a long time in the car to get that real holiday feeling. To help you on your way, holiday home platform Holidu found out which small French cities – fewer than 20,000 inhabitants and located less than five hours’ drive from Amsterdam – are the most popular. Get the engine ready!
- Fontainebleau, Île-de-France
Fontainebleau takes first place with 111,580 monthly searches. The castle, which was inhabited by the kings of France for eight centuries, is one of the most complete in the country. It’s less crowded than Versailles, but is just as beautiful. Around the city, you will find a forest of nearly 25,000 hectares that attracts not only hikers but also climbers. Fontainebleau is, after all, the birthplace of bouldering! So, you can climb to your heart’s content.
- Honfleur, Normandy
Honfleur holds a strong second place with 113,370 monthly searches: the highest search volume of all cities in the ranking. The old port with its colourful facades remains one of the most photographed panoramas in France. This is the perfect destination for all gourmets. Here, you will enjoy the best of Norman gastronomy: seafood, aged cheeses, calvados and cider. You certainly shouldn’t miss a walk along the coast: painters Boudin and Monet both found inspiration in the light reflecting off the estuary.
- Deauville, Normandy
Deauville completes the top 3 with 111,890 monthly searches. This town is best known for the horse races that take place there every summer. A festive atmosphere prevails throughout the summer, and whether you are a horse lover or not, it is certainly worth attending a race. But Deauville is also a true seaside resort, with long sandy beaches that invite you to take a walk far from the summer crowds. The impressive Belle Époque-style buildings complete the picture.
- Beauval, Centre-Val de Loire
Beauval surprises in fourth place with 74,160 monthly searches. The small village owes its popularity largely to ZooParc de Beauval, one of the top five zoos in the world and the region’s most visited tourist attraction. With more than 35,000 animals spread across 40 hectares, including the famous giant pandas, the park attracts more than 1.6 million visitors annually. But there is much more to discover: visit one of the wine castles in the area, admire the Romanesque church of Saint-Aignan, or go hiking or cycling in the picturesque Cher Valley.
- Provins, Île-de-France
Provins rounds out the top 5 with 75,180 monthly searches. This UNESCO World Heritage city is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. Discover the city wall and its more than twenty towers, and visit the Place du Châtel, the Caesar Tower and the tithe barn. From June to September, the city comes fully to life during the medieval festivals with knight tournaments, acrobats and troubadours. And for a bit of peace and quiet, be sure to visit the rose garden, dedicated to the famous rose of Provins – stroll among more than 300 rose varieties across 3.5 hectares.
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