And so, it begins: my journey across the different regions of France. In 2025, I’ve set my sights on uncovering the heart and soul of this country by exploring French regional specialties. From the bustling streets of Paris to the iconic lavender fields of Provence, I’m on a mission to tell the stories of the people who bring France’s vibrant culture, art, and cuisine to life.
Why? Simply because I’m curious. Born in France but raised in the States, I’ve always felt like there was so much of my homeland I’d yet to discover. This adventure is my own personal Tour de France. Through my travels, I’ll be delving into the traditions and craftsmanship that make France so enchanting and sharing these lesser-told stories with anyone who loves the idea of this beautiful country as much as I do.
But before setting off, let’s take a moment for a little geography and history lesson. What exactly are the regions of France, and what makes each one so unique? Let’s dive in!
What are the different regions of France?
France is divided into 18 regions, each offering its own distinct flavor of culture, history, and landscape. Of these, 13 are metropolitan regions, meaning they’re part of mainland France in Europe.
These include:
- Brittany: Known for its Celtic roots and rugged coastline.
- Centre-Val de Loire: Home to majestic châteaux and the Loire River.
- Hauts-de-France: A northern region with industrial heritage and charming villages.
- Grand Est: Where French and German cultures meet, famous for its wine and timbered houses.
- Île-de-France: Best known as the home to Paris and the Château de Versailles.
- Normandie: Renowned for its D-Day beaches and creamy cheeses.
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine: A sprawling region with Bordeaux wine country and Atlantic beaches.
- Occitanie: A sunny southern region with medieval towns and the Pyrenees mountains.
- Pays de la Loire: Known for its picturesque rivers and vineyards.
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur: Where lavender fields meet glamorous Mediterranean beaches.
- Corsica: An island in the Mediterranean with stunning landscapes and its own unique culture.
The other five regions are overseas territories:
- Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Caribbean Sea, known for their vibrant Creole culture and tropical landscapes.
- Réunion and Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, where volcanic landscapes and coral reefs take center stage.
- French Guiana on the northeastern coast of South America, with dense rainforests and space exploration centers.
The old French map
[Credit : University of Texas Libraries]
It hasn’t always been 18 regions! Before 2016, France had 22 metropolitan regions, until a major reform consolidated several of them to streamline governance and encourage economic efficiency. For example, Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine merged to form the Grand Est, while Languedoc-Roussillon joined with Midi-Pyrénées to create Occitanie.
Each region has its own identity—whether in cuisine, architecture, or dialects—and this diversity is what makes exploring them so fascinating.
My France 2025 Travel Adventure
If you’re thinking, “How on earth will you visit all these places in one year?” you’re absolutely right—it’s an ambitious plan! Realistically, this Tour de France will take me more than a year to complete. But the goal isn’t to speed through each region just to tick them off a list. I want to truly experience each one, uncovering what makes it special and unique. That means spending 15 to 30 days in each region—until I’ve explored every corner that catches my eye!
So far, I’ve only scratched the surface, having lived three years in Paris (Île-de-France), visited friends & family in Normandie and Hauts-de-France, and traveled to Martinique in 5th grade, & Corsica last spring. And even with these, I’d never claim to be an expert! You can learn more about my story here. To make the most of this adventure, I’ll be following the old map of France, as the newer, larger regions would take far longer to explore in depth.
Have you explored a French region? Share your favorite spots or must-try specialties in the comments! And if you haven’t, I hope you’ll stick around as I’ll be sharing everything I uncover in my 2025 Tour de France.
À Bientôt!
Félicie
