Are you searching for tourist attractions in Eastern France? This article will help you to find out the best tourist attractions in Eastern France. The region is historically divided into five separate regions.
Despite being absorbed by much bigger administrative entities, each region has its own distinct cultural and historical flavour.
When it comes to this tiny piece of Europe, there is something for every interest, from places that few visitors visit to centuries-old abbeys where the relics of Saints are allegedly hidden.
And of course, no wine is arguably more well-known than the deep reds of Burgundy. The UNESCO Route des Grands Crus is home to some of the most costly wines in the world, after all.
Also, Read... 21 Best Tourist Spots in France – Charming Places to Visit in France
Table of Contents
Best Tourist Attractions in Eastern France
Whether you’re going for a weekend, a week, or longer in France, these are the top tourist attractions in eastern France to see most of what the region has to offer.
1) The Underrated City of Metz
The breathtaking community of Metz, which is only a half-hour drive from the tiny, landlocked nation of Luxembourg, is a place with a tonne lot to offer and much more to see.
Some of the top things to do in Metz, which is located at the meeting point of the Rivers Seille and Moselle, include exploring the Centre-Pompidou Metz art museum and taking in the 13th-century Porte des Allemands. It is one of the best tourist attractions in Eastern France.
2) Dole, the Town of Louis Pasteur
If you’re seeking an off-the-beaten-path tourist town with loads of history, look no further. Dole is a lovely city in the Jura area constructed around the River Doubs.
There’s a free museum full of Roman artefacts and several cobbled lanes worth wandering along built around the Collegiale Notre-Dame de Dole.
Dole, located midway between the mustard capital of Dijon and the greenest city in Tourist Attractions In Eastern France, Besancon, is also the birthplace of Louis Pasteur.
Pasteur, among other things, is credited with discovering the rabies vaccine and pasteurization.
Don’t forget to see other French landmarks in Dole, such as the hospital-turned-library (Hotel Dieu de Dole) and the charming path along Canal des Tanneurs.
3) The Pastel-hued City of Macon
The Southern Burgundy city of Macon is a must-see on any visit to Burgundy, especially if you’re hoping to explore the Beaujolais wine area. It has a Provençal vibe and lots of lovely weather to match.
The remains of the once-impressive Old Cathedral of Saint Vincent and the city’s oldest timber-framed home are two of the city’s attractions. In English, this Saone side city is referred to as Mascon.
If you go in the spring, magnificent cherry blossoms will be abundant in a car park near the Musee des Ursulines, a local museum situated within a former convent.
And, if you want to stay in style while in Eastern France (at a fair price), I highly recommend renting a hotel at the Panorama 360.
The four-star hotel even boasts a sky bar where you can drink a kir and watch the sunset.
Article You may also Like: Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World
4) The Mountain Resort of Chatel
Despite having fewer foreign visitors than many other ski resorts in France, Chatel is a popular summer destination for adventure sports like hiking and mountain biking.
One of the numerous resorts in the Portes du Soleil complex, which has 650 kilometres of ski trail. Visit the majestic Saint-Laurent Church and enjoy the locally made Abondance Cheese while you’re there.
Also, Read... 11 Tourist Attractions in Northern France
5) Evian-Les-Bains, Home of Evian Water
Since at least the 19th century, the French have used Evian-Les-Bains as a vacation destination.
Since it is close to the Swiss border and physically sits on the always-glistening Lake Geneva.
The Palais Lumiere, which exhibits works by Pablo Picasso, and a source visit to sample Evian water from the Source Cachat are two of Evian-Les-Bains’ main draws. The community has adjacent mountains where skiers may go in the winter.
Today, the town is best associated with Evian bottled water, but it also boasts a plethora of world-famous spas due to the purported extraordinary powers of the mineral water found in the region.
If you have some more time while in the neighbourhood, take the ferry to the other side of the lake to see the Swiss city of Lausanne.
6) The Roman City of Tourist Attractions In Eastern France
The third-largest city in France, Lyon, is well known, but not everyone is familiar with the charming city of Vienne, which is the other Roman city in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes.
The little city of Vienne, once known as ‘Vienna’, is noted for its numerous Roman remains. It was once one of Roman Gaul’s most significant cities.
There is a Roman Theatre in one of the cities along the Rhône River, which formerly had room for about 10,000 people.
In Vienne, there’s also the superbly preserved Temple of Augustus, an ancient site of worship that only survived because it was converted into a church many centuries ago.
While in the vicinity, you may also see the Château de la Batie, as well as the Museum and archaeological site of Saint-Romain-en-Gal.
7) Varennes and the Flight of Louis XVI
What you might not know about North Eastern France is that it has a rich Renaissance heritage to explore. For example, in a rural part of the Meuse, the little town of Varennes-en-Argonne (commonly known simply as Varennes) is where Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette were caught during their attempted escape from France during the French Revolution.
8) Hostellerie du Château des Monthairons
My first visit to a French château was undoubtedly one of those ‘pinch me moments’ that are difficult to put into words.
So, if you’re searching for a stay in an idyllic French château in Eastern France, Hostellerie du Château des Monthairons is a necessity.
The hotel is laid-back, welcoming, and friendly, set on several dozen acres with no less than two chapels on-site. While the rooms’ design is a touch old, the scenery is truly stunning, not to mention the food on offer for supper and breakfast.
Also, Read... 11 Tourist Attractions in Southern France
9) Follow in the Footsteps of Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc is thought to have been born at Domremy-la-Pucelle. There are several minor villages and places where she is thought to have visited, marched through, or simply rested while travelling around France in the 15th century.
In Eastern France, various cities have plaques commemorating the passage of Joan of Arc.
Auxerre, Sens, and the historic city of Provins are among these towns. If you wish to follow in the footsteps of the French heroine, here’s a guide to Joan of Arc in France.
10) The Secret History of Strasbourg
Of all, Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region, is no mystery at all! However, one of the most unexpected (and terrible) incidents in the lengthy history of the colony is something that a lot of people are unaware of.
After all, in the sixteenth century, the city of Strasbourg was struck by the Dancing Plague, which killed scores of locals.
11) The Picturesque Town of Eguisheim
Though Strasbourg and Mulhouse are two of the largest cities in the Alsace Region of France, followed by the sometimes overlooked city of Colmar, there are plenty of smaller and off-the-beaten-path towns and villages worth seeing if you know where to look.
The three castles of Eguisheim, a collection of ruined sandstone structures that date back to 1006, are what make this Alsatian town, which is surrounded by undulating hills and lush green slopes, so famous!
Wrapping Up on Tourist Attractions In Eastern France
Almost all of the region’s main cities and towns are accessible by train or bus. However, due to the more rural nature of many of these places, lodging is more restricted and sometimes more costly.
That’s all the best tourist attractions in eastern France in our opinion. Visit the places, and share your experience with us in the comments below.
Please share this article with others to make them knowledgeable. Don’t forget to like it, and feel free to ask your queries.
FAQs on Tourist Attractions In Eastern France
In the northeast, France is bordered by Belgium and Luxembourg, in the east by Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, and in the south by the Mediterranean Sea, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra.
Eastern France is home to the famous vineyards of Burgundy and, to the south, those of Beaujolais. Beaune is the beating heart of the vineyards, the wine capital of Burgundy.
Strasbourg, Grenoble, Dijon, Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, Colmar, Chamonix, and Annecy are some of the best cities in eastern France.
You may also like:
- 11 Unique Honeymoon Destinations in Asia
- 11 Best Bikini Destinations in Asia to Visit When You’re Young & Wild
- Free Travel Countries: Top 5 Countries Where You Get Paid For Travelling.
