Slow travel in France is more than a way to explore—it’s a way to live.
The French have long embraced the art of slowing down, whether it’s lingering over a morning coffee, strolling through open-air markets, or savouring long meals with good company.
Whenever I spend time in France, I find myself slipping into their slow-paced life, where days unfold naturally rather than being packed with an itinerary.
I’ll share destinations that make ideal home bases for slow travel—places where life moves at a gentler pace and you can truly settle in. If you’re looking for inspiration to experience France the way the French do, you’re in the right place.
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Why the French Naturally Embrace Slow Living
One of the reasons I love traveling in France is the way time seems to stretch. There’s no rush and no pressure to squeeze everything into a single day. The French have mastered the art of slow living—not as a trend, but as a way of life.
The French Approach to Time & Leisure
In France, time isn’t something to be conquered—it’s something to be enjoyed. Long lunches aren’t indulgences; they’re the norm. Sundays are quiet, reserved for family, nature, or simply doing nothing at all. There’s an understanding that life isn’t a race, a saying of “work to live” (not live to work), and that’s exactly what makes slow travel here feel so natural.
The Importance of Food, Markets, and Mealtime Rituals
Food in France isn’t just fuel—it’s an experience. Markets overflow with fresh produce, cheese, and bread, all locally sourced. Meals aren’t rushed affairs; they unfold over multiple courses, with conversation and the wine as important as what’s on the plate. Sitting at a café, watching the world go by, is its own kind of ritual—a reminder that there’s joy in simply being present.
Flâneur: The Art of Wandering Without Purpose
The French even have a word for aimless strolling: flâneur. It’s the idea that wandering without a destination is an experience in itself. Whether it’s through Parisian boulevards or the narrow lanes of a countryside village, there’s something freeing about walking without an agenda. No need for a checklist—just curiosity and time to observe.
Quality Over Quantity: The French Way of Life
More isn’t always better in France. Whether it’s a well-tailored wardrobe, a thoughtfully prepared meal, or an afternoon spent with friends, the focus is on quality over quantity. It’s why slow travel feels so aligned with French culture—staying longer in one place, immersing in the details, and valuing experiences over a packed itinerary.
Best Home Bases for Practicing Slow Travel France
When I think about slow travel in France, I picture places where life moves at a gentler pace—where I can settle in, wander without a plan, and feel part of a community. Some destinations invite this pace more naturally than others, offering a perfect blend of culture, nature, and everyday moments that make travel feel effortless.
These are the places where I’ve found it easiest to embrace slow living and where you might, too.
1. Provence: Life Among Vineyards and Hilltop Villages
There’s a reason Provence has inspired artists and writers for centuries. The sun-drenched vineyards, lavender fields, and ochre-colored villages make it a place that invites lingering.
I love basing myself in a small town like Gordes or Lourmarin, where mornings start with market visits and afternoons stretch into slowly exploring a hilltop village or riding a bike through the countryside.
The best days here are the unplanned ones—when a scenic drive leads to a quiet village or a conversation with a local winemaker turns into an impromptu tasting.
2. Dordogne: Timeless Charm in Rural France
If I had to describe Dordogne in one word, it would be unchanged. This is a place where medieval villages perch on cliffs and where the river meanders slowly through them.
I recommend staying in or near Sarlat or Domme, where mornings are best spent wandering cobbled streets before heading out to kayak along the Dordogne River.
Slow travel here means savouring long lunches in village squares and soaking in the feeling of stepping back in time.
3. Alsace: A Fairytale Blend of French and German Influence
Half-timbered houses, flower-filled windows, and rolling vineyard hills—Alsace looks like something out of a storybook.
Even though places like Colmar or Eguisheim are incredibly popular, the beauty of them will force you to slip into the local way of life. Days revolve around market visits, wine tastings, and slow walks along cobbled streets lined with pastel houses.
The Alsace Wine Route is perfect for a bike ride, offering lots of places to stop in charming villages where time seems to stand still.
4. Beachside on the French Riviera
The French Riviera is often associated with the glitz and glamour of places like Nice, St. Tropez and Cannes, but beyond the flashy resorts, there’s a quieter, more relaxed side to discover. Towns like Villefranche-sur-Mer, Menton, and Cassis give you the beauty of the Mediterranean and laid-back charm.
The Riviera’s slower side reveals strolling along the coastal paths, swimming in the clear blue waters, enjoying the small family-run restaurants, and evenings spent watching the sun dip into the sea. It’s proof that even in the most famous destinations, slow travel is possible if you know where to look.
5. Brittany: Coastal Retreats and Celtic Traditions
Brittany is for travellers who love wild coastlines, fishing villages, and a culture that feels distinct from the rest of France.
Places like Dinan or Locronan, where stone cottages and quiet lanes create a perfect setting for slow mornings. Seafood lovers will feel right at home in Cancale, where freshly shucked oysters come straight from the sea.
Whether walking along the rugged cliffs of the Emerald Coast or lingering over a crêpe and cider in a seaside café, Brittany makes it easy to embrace a slower pace.
Bonus Destination: Visit “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”
France officially designates certain villages as “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” (The Most Beautiful Villages in France), and they truly live up to the name. From the medieval charm of Provins to the hilltop stillness of Gassin, these villages are made for slow wandering.
Instead of just passing through, I love choosing one as a base for a few days—enough time to enjoy quiet mornings, get to know the flow of local life, and feel like I’ve truly been somewhere rather than just seen it.
These villages are designed for walking, and that alone encourages a slower pace. Strolling through historic streets, stopping for a pastry, pausing at a bookshop—these small moments add up to something special. Whether in a lively market square or a quiet countryside path, there’s always an invitation to slow down and take it all in.
Tips for Practicing Slow Travel in France
Slow travel isn’t just about where you go—it’s about how you experience a place. In France, this means trading packed itineraries for unhurried mornings and choosing experiences that connect you to local life. Here are some simple ways I’ve learned to slow down and truly soak in the French way of living.
Choose Accommodations That Encourage Immersion
Where you stay shapes how you experience a place. Instead of big hotels, I look for stays that naturally connect you to a place—gîtes where I can settle into village life or small inns run by locals who know the best places to eat. These places make it easier to feel like a temporary local rather than just a visitor.
Get Around at a Relaxed Pace
France is best explored without the rush of planes and highways. I love the romance of train travel—watching vineyards and villages blur past me. In smaller towns, biking or walking lets me notice the little details I’d miss otherwise, like a hidden bakery or a quiet square filled with locals playing pétanque. Moving slower means seeing more, not less.
Engage with Locals Through Markets, Workshops, and Cultural Experiences
Some of my favourite travel memories come from chatting with a cheesemonger at a market or sharing a table with strangers at a countryside wine tasting. Whether it’s taking a cooking class, joining a village festival, or simply striking up a conversation with a shop owner, these moments create a connection to a place that sightseeing alone never could.
Let Go of the Checklist Mindset and Embrace Spontaneity
It’s tempting to plan every moment, especially in a country like France. But some of the best experiences happen when I leave space for them—like wandering into a tucked-away café for an afternoon pastry or stumbling upon a Sunday flea market in a sleepy town. The slower I go, the more France seems to reveal itself to me.
Final Thoughts
Slow travel in France isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about doing things differently. It’s about choosing depth over breadth, savouring the small joys, and letting France unfold at its own natural pace.
Follow the slow travel journey across Europe or explore my ebook about Paris (below).
