Paris is one of the top destinations for travelers around the world. The city boasts beautiful architecture around every corner, cafes just about every few doorsteps, museums filled with one-of-a-kind pieces from the world's most famous artists and a bustling nightlife. But just outside of the fast-paced city and throughout France, there are other towns and villages to visit that may offer even more in terms of authentic French culture.

The city of Rouen feels like a much smaller version of Paris. In the middle of the city square is a stunningly intricate Gothic church where the city unfolds into smaller side streets and boulevards. Rouen is really known for its history with Joan of Arc, and people can literally walk in her footsteps from a museum about her life, the Historical Jeanne d'Arc all the way to ?glise Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc de Rouen, where she was burned at the stake.

If you're a big foodie, Rouen is the spot to be for a bit of food history. La Couronne is the oldest restaurant in all of France and is said to be the spot that Julia Child was inspired to learn French techniques for cooking. In fact, you can get the exact meal that Julia Child ordered way back in 1948 at La Couronne, which includes oysters on the half-shell, sole in a butter parsley sauce and a green salad.

History buffs will get their fill in Le Havre. This is where you can find Normandy, Omaha and Utah Beach, along with other notable locations from the D-Day Invasion of Normandy. Inside the American Cemetery near Normandy Beach, you'll be able to explore the grounds and pay your respects to the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Looking out over the English Channel, you'll feel the sense of what was to come on that fateful day when the Allied troops were marching in from the water.

There are a few little cafes and eateries near Normandy Beach, but the one you must eat at is Magasin General. The cafe is small with only four tables, but the food is scrumptious, especially the quiche Lorraine. This is a great spot to warm up on the rainy days that will inevitably happen while touring the Normandy region of France.

Honfleur is one of the cutest towns in France, and it lies where the Seine River meets the English Channel. It's home to dozens of cafes serving up locally caught seafood, including one of France's most famous seafood dishes, moules frites. While touring the quaint town you're going to want to check out the main church, Sainte-Catherine, which was built in the 15th century by shipbuilders. This is the largest wooden church in France, and it still hosts services for locals each week.

For something to eat, the variations of moules frites, or mussels and frites, are a must. Throughout Honfleur, you'll find dozens of locations serving up the dish, but we highly recommend Le Bouchon d'Honfleur. The location is a little off the bay which makes it less touristy and less expensive because you're not paying for the view. After your meal, head over to Glaces de la firm du bois louvet for what's been called the best ice cream in all of France. You cannot leave here without trying their salted butter caramel ice cream or the dark chocolate with candied orange, both of which are perfection in their own right.

The painter and art lover will thoroughly enjoy exploring the small village of Giverny. This is where you'll find the home and gardens of famous French painter Claude Monet. The lush garden is the spot that inspired some of the most famous paintings by Monet, including Water Lilies and Wheatstacks. For a more vibrant garden experience, you're going to want to visit anytime from April to the beginning of October when everything is in full bloom.

While there's not much in the way of dining in Giverny, there are two small cafes that offer a place to rest and relax after touring the massive gardens Monet created. Both are great and offer people plenty of coffee and pastries to choose from. For a taste of an authentic French cafe, you're going to want to go to Au Coin du Pain'tre. Here you will find tarts using seasonal fruits and hot coffee and light lunch options to enjoy inside or outside in the garden.

Hossegor is known for its surfing and camping lifestyle. The city feels very much like Hawaii with a European flair. The surf along the ocean varies based on what beach you're on, and if you're new to surfing, you'll want to check out La Sud, which is the southernmost beach in Hossegor. More experienced surfers can head north from La Sud to La Nord for larger swells. If surfing isn't your thing, then you might want to consider the hiking and biking trails around the city.

After eating large quantities of bread and cheese throughout France, Hossegor offers a bit of a twist when it comes to dining. In fact, you're going to want to check out Le Mango Tree for a hearty but healthy breakfast filled with fresh fruits, freshly baked bread and colorful smoothie bowls before heading out for your next adventure.

Lyon is a stunning city with influences from France, Germany and Italy, all of which can be seen throughout the architecture and culture of the city. Families will enjoy a visit to the Parc de la T¨ºte d'Or, which is one of the largest urban parks in all of France. The park hosts sprawling gardens and a zoo. Try to plan your trip to Lyon during the late spring or early summer months to see the rose garden in full bloom. The garden is also home to a lake with pedal boat rentals available for a fun family activity.

For a fun culinary experience, check out Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse. The giant food hall is named after one of France's most highly recognized chefs, and inside you'll find a food wonderland. Vendors from across France sell their meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables. There are also quite a few local restaurants inside. Be sure to get to the food hall early since it closes just before lunchtime.

Nice is full of vineyards, and there's nothing better to do on a sunny day than go on a guided wine tour through the hills with a local guide who is an expert in the wines of Provence and French Riviera. The tours are once a day and go to two different wineries. If wine isn't your thing, then heading into Old Town or Vielle Ville might be. This is where you can find local vendors setting up shop to sell flowers, cheeses, meats and other goods you might need during your time in this area.

Since you might be touring the city that's famous for its luxurious holiday destinations, it's only right that you dine at one of the top restaurants, Restaurant Le Chantecler, located inside the Hotel Negresco. The restaurant has two Michelin stars and has a menu full of specials and tasting menus to fit any palate. While the place is quite pricy, it's worth the splurge.

For the traveler looking for some of the best skiing in the French Alps, the village of Alpe d'Huez is the spot to go. The ski town is best known for the Alps' longest black slope. During the summer months, the resort town turns into a biking haven and is known for its 21 hairpin bends that are featured on the Tour de France.

After a long day of skiing or biking, choose to warm up and fill up with some food. Usually, pizza hits the spot for most active travelers. The local pizzeria, Pizzeria Pinocchio serves up hot pizza with a friendly atmosphere and views of the slopes. There are two floors to this place-so if the bottom floor looks empty, be sure to try upstairs.

Alsace is a cozy little place right on the border of France and Germany offering visitors the best of both worlds when it comes to touring. Be sure to bring your passport with you, because in this town you can cross the border into Germany by just walking over a bridge. Because of the heavy German influence in Alsace, here you'll find the Capital of Christmas in Strasbourg, a small village in Alsace where Christmas markets and choirs abound through the square from late November through December.

With the close proximity to Germany, Alsace has a great German influence when it comes to food. Here you'll find everything from traditional French macarons to German soft pretzels, to local delights such as tarte flamb¨¦e which is bread dough that's topped with cream and cheese, and sp?tzle that's been topped with homemade Munster cheese sauce.

When many people think of France, they might think of a storybook setting filled with a quiet village, friendly neighbors and charming cafes. That's exactly what Colmar, France is. This is the spot where France and German cuisine and culture blend perfectly for a quaint and colorful town like no other. Just south of the city center you'll find canals to explore. Here's where you will find winemakers and fishmongers, along with cute waterside cafes.

If dining at a two Michelin star restaurant is high on your priority list, but you might not have the large budget to do so, you're in great luck in Colmar. At JY's, each person pays 75 euro for a three-course meal and several amuse bouches. Keep in mind reservations are required to dine at this restaurant.