Peaceful holiday in France,which city is relaxing, but not Paris?

Bordeaux is a relaxing city. The River Garone runs through it.It has old areas with beautiful architecture, a long shopping street, lots of great bars and restaurants. The tram can take you out into the vineyards.

We took a train to St Emillion, that was a wonderful day out.

The tourist office also arrange trips.

The people are friendly.

Next to Paris, Bordeaux is our favourite french city.

Others to consider are Montpellier, Arles, La Rochelle.

The Loire valley nice cities Tours Nantes gorgeous scenery and wine

you wont find much better than carcasonne ..you can fly there from uk ..the city has the lot ..best castle in the world ..it featured in robin hood -prince of thieves ..then there's the canal du midi ..runs right through the centre ..great for boat trips ..and long rides along the canal towpath ,,there a large country park with a swimming lake ..less than an hour from Toulouse ..space centre ..airbus tours .hour from the sea ..underground caves ..etc etc and i only live 40 minutes away!

Somewhere around Strasbourg or from there, up to Nancy and Metz: rural France. Old and very nice.

May be, if it is not too far for you, you can have a look at Tarn country. You will find there all you are looking for. The city of Albi, is a nice place to stay.

I'll give you some regions (personal favourites):

Auvergne (just google it, and you'll see what I mean, though I don't think there are vineyards...)

Rhones-Alpes (I went to 'Chambéry, Savoie' there, enjoyed it very much!) Savoie has vineyards too!

So... I'd advise Savoie. But I love Auvergne, so I had to put it up there!

You could look around 'Nice'.

I've been there before and it's very city like, beautiful! Right near italy on the coast!

Im sure there are areas around the city which are more country like for you. :)

Arles was really "chilling" place for me,also Nimes was a nice place to visit.