David Dessler taught students in the Department of Government at the College of William and Mary. for over 30 years. Outside of his professional work, David Dessler maintains an interest in visiting different destinations around the world, such as France. Many people get caught up with spending time in Nice or Paris when exploring France. But, the country has plenty of other destinations worth seeing outside of that. Below are just some of the country’s more underrated places to visit: 1. Etretat A coastal town of about 2,000 people, Etretat is known for its white cliffs and natural arches that extend out into the English Channel. These cliffs were painted by many Impressionist artists, such as Claude Monet, and were some of the last locations where the two French White Bird flyers in 1927 were seen before going missing when flying from Paris to New York. 2. Toulouse Despite its long history dating back to 1229, and the fact that it contains France’s fourth-largest university, Toulouse is often overlooked by visitors. Nicknamed the Pink City, Toulouse’s buildings are made from pink terracotta bricks, giving a unique character to the entire city. Not to mention, the city is home to the Basilica of St. Semin, Europe’s largest Romanesque building still standing. 3. Colmar Complete with both French and German architecture, Colmar has belonged to both France and Germany over the years. Currently owned by France, the city’s narrow cobblestone streets take visitors around Gothic chapels, bakeries, museums, and half-timbered homes with ornate balconies and flower planter accents.

1. THREE UNDERRATED DESTINATIONS IN FRANCE
David Dessler

2. INTRODUCTION
David Dessler taught students in the Department of Government at the College of William and
Mary. for over 30 years. Outside of his professional work, David Dessler maintains an interest in
visiting different destinations around the world, such as France.
Many people get caught up with spending time in Nice or Paris when exploring France. But, the
country has plenty of other destinations worth seeing outside of that. Below are just some of the
country’s more underrated places to visit:

3. 1. Etretat
A coastal town of about 2,000 people, Etretat is known for its white cliffs and natural arches
that extend out into the English Channel. These cliffs were painted by many Impressionist
artists, such as Claude Monet, and were some of the last locations where the two French
White Bird flyers in 1927 were seen before going missing when flying from Paris to New
York.
2. Toulouse
Despite its long history dating back to 1229, and the fact that it contains France’s fourth-
largest university, Toulouse is often overlooked by visitors. Nicknamed the Pink City,
Toulouse’s buildings are made from pink terracotta bricks, giving a unique character to the
entire city. Not to mention, the city is home to the Basilica of St. Semin, Europe’s largest
Romanesque building still standing.

4. 3. Colmar
Complete with both French and German architecture, Colmar has belonged to both France
and Germany over the years. Currently owned by France, the city’s narrow cobblestone
streets take visitors around Gothic chapels, bakeries, museums, and half-timbered homes
with ornate balconies and flower planter accents.