Wine destination
Best Wine Regions in France to Go Wine Tasting in 2026 France is currently the world's most popular tourist destination, boasting over 80 million visitors each year.
France is currently the world's most popular tourist destination, boasting over 80 million visitors each year. Many people think of Paris when they think of France, but the country also plays host to stunning wine regions, destinations, breathtaking mountains, beautiful beaches, and many of the world's best museums and galleries, making it a travel hotspot for people of all ages and backgrounds.
At Winetraveler, we try to go beyond the wine when we discuss travel destinations. Wine is simply the lubricant that enhances a journey as one traverses a country. That's why this list includes some of the best wine destinations in France that aren't just wine-producing areas. It includes cities, towns, and small villages within France that serve as great wine destinations themselves, or work as ideal stopping points along a more holistic itinerary when visiting nearby French wine regions.
Whether you're looking for your next summer beach holiday, a fun winter trip, or a cultural excursion, France is one of the best countries you can choose. With multiple international airports to fly into and plenty of great cities, towns, and villages to check out, you can have an unforgettable wine trip in this wondrous country.
Wine lovers will already be familiar with the wine region of Bordeaux. But it's also a city. This gorgeous French city is known as the wine capital of the world and you won't be short on options whether you're looking for a fancy wine bar, a wine-tasting event, or a tour of the nearby vineyards. It's also one of the best places for foodies as it's full of Michelin-star restaurants as well as plenty of more affordable options.
RECOMMENDED: Book Our Most Highly-Rated Wine Tour Through the Saint-Emilion Wine Region of Bordeaux with Bordeaux Wine Trails
Even if you're not looking for world-class wine and cuisine, you can find plenty of fun things to do here. The city is jam-packed with attractions such as the Water Mirror, Porte Cailhau, and many markets, museums, bars, and clubs. Alternatively, you could have a relaxing day biking along the waterfront and taking in the stunning architecture and great weather.
RELATED: 30 Must-Visit Wineries in the Bordeaux Region
Continuing on with wine-themed destinations, Champagne provides the perfect mix of delectable bubbles, luxurious architecture, unmatched scenery, and cataclysmic history. While you could easily spend several days staying in the region, it's also easily accessible from Paris and makes for the perfect day or weekend trip. We discuss an ideal 2-day Champagne itinerary right here.
When we mention history in Champagne, we aren't just talking about winemaking (though this is impressive in its own right), but it has also been a sought-after region for settlement dating back well before the Celtic and Roman periods. In addition, it has seen its fair share of warfare, with the World War I battlefields of Verdun and others just a short drive away from Champagne's vineyard setting. This is a great region to visit for the sophisticated wine lover and history buff with a keen interest in sparkling wine.
RELATED: The Battle of Verdun: How To Visit the Battlefield Near Champagne, France
If you're a fan of winter sports, Chamonix is the place for you. This world-renowned resort destination is located right on the border between France, Italy, and Switzerland and allows you to ski and snowboard through the alps while enjoying the amazing mountain sights. You can also take a cable car into Italy or check out attractions such as the Parc de Merlet or the ice sculptures of Grotte de Glace.
However, Chamonix isn't just for winter lovers. In the summer you can go here to hike through the Alps, mountain bike through the trails, or even rent an e-bike to take in the sights. It's also a hotspot for paragliding, golfing, and watersports. It's basically the perfect playground for outdoor activities throughout any season.
Nimes is an underrated gem in France, especially for history lovers. You'll feel like you've been transported into another country here due to the abundance of Roman architecture. It's often described as the most Roman city in France due to sights such as the Arena of Nimes, Jardin de La Fontaine, Temple de Diane, and the Maison Carrée Roman temple.
If you've ever felt like attending an event in a Roman amphitheater, the Arena of Nimes now hosts shows from world-famous music artists such as Foo Fighters, Gorillaz, and Deep Purple. It's also used as a bullfighting arena during May. Outside of the Roman sights, you can find plenty of museums, art galleries, and delicious French food stalls. You can also take trips to Marseille, Massif des Calanques, and the Provence countryside.
From Vouvray, to Touraine, Saumer, Sancerre and beyond, the Loire Valley is a Winetraveler's paradise. Whether you're into red wines, white wines, sparkling wines or rosé, there is something for everybody's palate in the Loire. Aside from high-quality juice, it's also home to the highest density of castles in France as well as the country's longest river.
RECOMMENDED: Staying in Paris? Take This Loire Valley Castles Day Trip with Complementary Wine
If you're interested in feeling like royalty for a day (or several), while enjoying premium Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, and even Chenin Blanc, the Loire is for you. Wine lovers will also appreciate the quality of sparkling wine (called Crémant here) coming out of the Saumer sub-region if you know where to look.
FUN FACT: The Loire Valley is France’s #2 sparkling wine-producing region by quantity.
RELATED: Essential Touraine Travel Guide: Explore the Heart of the Loire Valley
One of the most underrated wine regions in France, Languedoc is well worth a visit for any number of reasons. From a scenic perspective, Languedoc offers up a little bit of everything. Here you can expect rolling hills and valleys as far as the eye can see, tiny picturesque French villages, snow-capped mountains, and turquoise blue coastal views. Therefore, it's an ideal French wine destination that works for any time of year.
Most consumers who are new to the wine world have rarely sampled wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon region (or maybe you have and not known it), but it's actually France’s largest wine-producing region and vineyard area. Wine production in Languedoc dates back (as far as we know) to the Greeks during the 5th century BC.
RELATED: Languedoc Itinerary: Essential Wineries, Hotels & Restaurants Near Montpellier & Pézanas
Lille is another one of France's most underrated cities. Lille is the lively capital of the Hauts-de-France in Northern France known for its amazing local markets, delicious food stalls, and fun nightlife. As well as sampling amazing French cheese it's also a hotspot for beer and waffles, which might have something to do with its proximity to Belgium.
The city is incredibly affordable compared to other cities such as Paris and Lyon while still offering plenty to do. It's also an excellent hub for day trips. Not only is Paris just a one-hour train ride away, but you can also cross the border into Belgium and visit gems such as Brussels or Bruges.
