The end of summer welcomes a wine lover’s favourite time of year: harvest season. To get you in the culinary spirit, we’re celebrating the best food and wine destinations to buy a property in France.
From centuries-old medieval villages to laid-back coastal beach retreats, here are 11 dreamy French destinations where you can wine and dine to your heart’s content.
This charming medieval city in France’s Dordogne region is famous for its foie gras as well as other local delicacies such as truffles, duck, walnuts and honey. Rise and shine for the twice weekly Sarlat Market, arguably the region’s biggest and best food market. Taking place Wednesday and Saturday mornings throughout the city, the market features flavour in every form, from oysters to sheep milk cheese. Between December and February, there’s a special truffle and foie gras festival where you can sample award-winning truffles and sip wines from the vineyards of Bergerac and Duras.
Other reasons to move to Sarlat: Sarlat is most appealing to history buffs and anyone with an interest in architecture. The Saint Sacerdos Cathedral on Place du Peyrou, for example, dates as far back as to the 12th century. With a growing expat community, Sarlat offers the simple joys of a small town but with big city conveniences.
Alternative destination to Sarlat: La Roque-Gageac–one of Les Beaux Villages de France–is an impossibly picturesque village on the banks of the Dordogne river. There’s a weekly market full of local produce and good restaurants.
Hidden food or wine gem: Tucked down a narrow lane, Aux 3 Sens has some of the best duck and foie gras in town. Pair your meal with one of their fine wines from the region as you people-watch from one of the outdoor tables.
Many guidebooks refer to Mougins as a culinary theme park and for good reason. Its close proximity to Cannes has really put it on the culinary map so to speak, especially among the hundreds of A-list attending the Cannes Film Festival every year. The city’s high-end restaurant scene really boomed in the 1970s, when late chef, Roger Vergé, opened Moulin de Mougins and earned himself another two Michelin stars. In tribute to Vergé, the first annual ‘Les Étoiles de Mougins' festival kicked off in 2006. Today, it continues to attract thousands of food lovers each year.
Other reasons to move to Mougins: Safety and sunshine (there are about 300 days of sunshine every year) are the two biggest perks to living in mougins.It’s als a gateway to other towns in the French Riviera, such as perfume capital Grasse and celebrity-studded Cannes.
Alternative destination to Mougins: Nice is a no brainer. Culinary speaking, the city is known for salad nicoise and Pissaladière (a tart made with caramelized onion and anchovy).
Hidden food or wine gem: While not exactly a secret, Le Petit Fouet is worth the hype. Stone walls, low ceilings and colorful decor create a cozy atmosphere. Order the frog legs, onion soup or cassoulet.
While Champagne might get all the praise, Saint Emilion is on par with France’s most prestigious wine regions and produces some of the world’s best Merlots. There are more than 800 wineries spread among nine distinct villages that comprise the region. Chateau de Pressac dates back to the Middle Ages and features several different styles of architecture, while Château Coutet is 14th generation and very family-friendly. For an interactive afternoon, head to Château Soutard for a wine blending workshop or bike ride through the vineyards.
Other reasons to move to St Emilion: The medieval village is right in the heart of the Bordeaux wine region, making it a great jumping off point for other nearby destinations. St Emilion has a perfect blend of architecture, history, agriculture and cuisine.
Alternative destination to St Emilion: Bordeaux has incrediblerestaurants and one of the best wine museums in the world.
Hidden food or wine gem: Sous La Robe is the go-to wine lounge in St Emilion thanks to its central location and classy atmosphere. Enjoy your glass (or bottle) of wine with a selection of small plates or cheese board.
In addition to the iconic Saumur Castle that sits atop the city, Saumur is well-known for all the Chenin Blanc based wines produced here. As it’s located in the heart of France’s Loire Valley, it’s a popular day-trip from major cities like Paris. The local wineries all have something unique to offer. Château de Targé has some of the oldest vines around, while Domaine Sainte Marie is a leader in organic wine production. Saumur is also home to the Combier distillery, founded in 1834 and still operating to this day.
Other reasons to move to Saumur: There’s a lot of culture, history and architecture to soak up in Saumur. Top attractions include the royal chapel of Notre-Dame des Ardilliers and the Musée des Blindés (Tank Museum).
Alternative destination to Saumur: There’s a little bit of everything food-wise in Vouvray, from sparkling wine to charcuterie and even sushi.
Hidden food or wine gem: Veuve Amiot, a producer of high-quality sparkling wines since the late 1800s, offers free tours of the caves where you can learn about the wine-making process. Tastings are also available.
A walk through Colmar will have you feeling like you’ve slipped back in time. Bordering Germany, this northeastern French town has cobbled streets, buildings from medieval and early Renaissance times, and a Gothic-style church. It’s also located along the Alsace Wine Route, which is where you’ll find vineyards specializing in sweet Riesling wines. Make sure to try your fair share of sauerkraut and sausages—both the Strasbourg sausages and the ‘boudin noir’ sausages that are considered a specialty in the Grand Est region.
Other reasons to move to Colmar: Expats in Colmar are grateful for a rich and action-packed social life. There’s always something going on, whether attending local festivals or participating in harvest-themed activities.
Alternative destination to Colmar: Eguisheim is a well-preserved medieval village in the Alsace wine region and home to the centuries-old Château Saint-Léon.
Hidden food or wine gem: Restaurant La Soi is a small restaurant where the only item on the menu is the classic Tart Flambée.
It comes as no surprise that Burgundy is among the best food and wine destinations in France. Attending the weekly Saturday market is a great way to experience the local food scene. You’ll see (and smell) everything from Charolais beef and Bresse poultry to mustards, gingerbreads, and blackcurrants. As for fine dining, splurge on classic dishes like escargot in garlic cream at Michelin-starred Bistro Bord de L’eau, or enjoy local wines with your meal at Ma Cuisine Beaune.
Other reasons to move to Beaune: Expats who choose beautiful Baume as their home base have a world of wine at their doorstep. Baume is not only a gateway to the Burgundy wine region; Champagne and Beaujolais are also within reach.
Alternative destination to Beaune: Just north of Lyon,Villefranche-sur-Saone is a fairly quiet town steeped in history. Highlights include the Lyon National Opera, Tête d'Or Park, and Bellecour Square.
Hidden food or wine gem: Savor Burgundy-region recipes paired with local wines at L'ardoise.
Easily one of France’s most stunning villages, Les Baux-de-Provence is home to a ruined medieval castle that boasts panoramic views of the town and the surrounding landscape. Indulge in the tasting menu and wine pairing at the three-starred Michelin restaurant, L'Oustau de Baumanière. Famous guests include Picasso, Elizabeth II, Elizabeth Taylor, Marcello Mastroianni and Catherine Denauve among others. Interestingly enough, Wolfgang Puck worked at the famed restaurant before moving to the States and later creating his own empire of fine dining establishments.
Other reasons to move to Les Baux-de-Proven: Expats will appreciate the beautiful scenery of Les Baux de Provence, as well as access to hiking and walking trails.
Alternative destination to Les Baux-de-Proven: Head to Gordeshas for quality restaurants with peaceful views across the Luberon.
Hidden food or wine gem: Indulge in a romantic dinner at Songes. The outdoor string lights make for a fairy tale setting.
Having earned the nickname of ‘Venice of Languedoc.’ Sète is a fishing village on the Mediterranean Sea. Similar to Italy’s Venice, Sète has colorful building facades and a network of canals. As a maritime city, Sète is known for many fish-based dishes—monkfish bunt, stuffed mussels, and fish soup to name a few. If you wake up early enough, you can watch professional fishers selling their best catches of the day to local restaurants. Oysters are top-notch here as well; they grow the Bassin de Thau lagoon, which has the ideal water conditions for oysters, mussels, and shellfish.
Other reasons to move to Sète: Sea views and a rich history are usually what draw expats to move to Sète. There are museums, markets and various cultural festivals hosted throughout the year.
Alternative destinations to Les Sète: Céret has a lovely cherry festival every spring, while Castelnaudary goes all out for their open-air weekend cassoulet festival.
Hidden food or wine gem: Grab an outdoor table (or table by the window) at O Loup Thau'Quai as you watch boats entering and leaving the harbour.
Le Touquet has long-since been a holiday favorite among Parisians, thanks to its chic-coastal vibe and accessibility from the city. The town is also close to both the Chunnel and Boulogne ferry routes, making it popular among British travelers as well. Head to their famous market, Marché Couvert, for fresh cheese, pastries, jams, cured meats, seafood and everything in between. To buy some of Le Touquet’s famous chocolate, pop into the Beussent-Lachelle chocolate shop on Rue de Metz. They sell everything from chocolate spreads to orangettes.
Other reasons to move to Le Tourquet: Water sports and leisure activities like sand-yachting are big draws. Le Tourquet also has a thriving shopping scene, with boutiques selling clothes and accessories.
Alternative destinations to Les Le Tourquet: For chocolate shops and exquisite patisserie, fancy restaurants and city living, Lille is your best bet. Another great option is Deauville; it’s a seaside resort with excellent seafood restaurants.
Hidden food or wine gem: For a fresh breakfast and morning cup of coffee, Abaca does the trick.
The best way to explore the colourful fishing village of Paimpol is on foot. The timber-framed homes set against the small harbour of Loguivy-de-la-mer almost feel fairy tale-like. As fishing is still a major part of local life in Paimpol, there’s an abundance of fresh seafood served at restaurants. Brittany is also known for its salted butter, crepes and pastries in general. The Kouign-Amann—a fluffy pastry mostly consisting of butter and sugar—is a local favorite and a well-deserved treat. Aside from visiting the local wineries, you can sample different varietals at Le Baroudeur wine bar.
Other reasons to move to Paimpol: There’s a growing network of expats throughout Brittany, including Paimpol. Being near the water is a big perk of Paimpol and generally contributes to people feeling more calm and at ease.
Alternative destinations to Paimpol: Satisfy your sweet (or savory) tooth in Gourin at the town’s annual crepe festival or head to Roscoff for their Onion Festival held every year in August.
Hidden food or wine gem:Le Petit Monsieur Guingamp is a cozy wine bar that features about one hundred different French wines.
Sanary-sur-Mer is a picturesque fishing village along the Cote d'Azur. Walking along the promenade offers great views of both the harbour and the pastel-colored houses in the town. Sanary-sur-Mer happens to be one of Raymond Blanc’s favorite foodie destinations in France, and it might become yours, too. Head to the market to try all sorts of local specialities–think slow-cooked squid, bouillabaisse and bourride (a simpler version of bouillabaisse served with aioli, tapenade and anchovy puree.
Other reasons to move to Sanary-sur-Mer: Expats moving here really value the more relaxed coastal vibe (as opposed to denser cities), and the fresh seafood readily available at restaurants and markets.
Alternative destinations to Les Sanary-sur-Mer: The city of Collobrières hosts an annual Chestnut Festival during the last three Sundays in October every year. It’s a chance to roast chestnuts and do a bit of wine tasting. There’s also Le Lavandou, a former fishing village that boasts both beaches and countryside.
Hidden food or wine gem: Enjoy breathtaking views of the sunset from 464 Harbor, a seafood restaurant overlooking the harbour.
The emphasis on green living in France makes it easy to choose eco-friendly living. Here is a list of the greenest destinations to live in France, written by an expat in Paris.
