Capital of the Hautes-de-France region, Lille may be France’s most underrated city.  Recent decades have seen the country’s 4^th largest city transform from an industrial powerhouse into a vibrant and highly attractive cultural and commercial hub.  Lille offers a beautiful old town with magnificent French and Flemish architecture, renowned art museums, a wide variety of great shops, outstanding cuisine, and a lively atmosphere thanks to a large population of university students and some 1600 designers in its environs.  High speed direct trains from Paris and Brussels and 1½ hrs on Eurostar from London, makes Lille an easy choice for inclusion in a European itinerary.

Mention the town of Le Mans, and many of us would probably first think of the motor racing circuit famous for its gruelling 24 hr. endurance race held every year in June.  The majority of visitors at that event watch the race, enjoy the local cuisine and the friendly bars and leave.  Amazingly, most of them never realise that there is a beautiful old town so close by.  The don’t see the Roman ruins, they miss the narrow cobble-stoned streets lined with half-timbered houses, and miss out entirely on the wonderful medieval architecture.

The town of Soissons in Picardy, designated a City of Art and History, has deep, obscure roots that date back to ancient Gaul.  It occupied a strategic location, much fought over by Caesar and his Roman legions and the Gallic tribes, and later became an important city in the Frankish Empire, eventually becoming its capital—the first of France.  If you enjoy discovering little-known destinations that offer important historic monuments, a magnificent Gothic cathedral, and  dramatic experiences during both world wars of the 20^th century, then you will find a visit to Soissons a very rewarding experience.

The medieval town of Senlis is situated near the magnificent Château estate and town of Chantilly.  It’s the kind of French town in which you could happily lose yourself for hours, wandering along the narrow, cobblestoned alleyways and soaking up its history, which stretches back to pre-Roman times.  It’s perfect for a day trip from Paris, especially for those who have already visited Versailles and Fontainebleau, and are looking for another rewarding experience out in the beautiful French countryside.

Provence is renowned for some of the most spectacular and extensive remains of the Roman empire.  There are sites whose main claim to fame are the vast Roman arenas—most, if not all, still in regular use—monumental arches and temples dedicated to honour a variety of deities, including emperors themselves.  We all know of the Pont du Gard and the spectacular arenas in Arles and Nimes, the theatre in Orange etc., and the many other great destinations in Provence that have impressive Roman remains.  As though these weren’t enough, this region also has numerous towns and villages with outstanding examples of its medieval past.  The picturesque town of Vaison la Romaine has both.