10 Stunning French Islands You Didn’t Know Existed — Must-Visit Hidden Gems

Everyone—or most of you—know France. You’ve heard of Paris, Marseille and Lyon (especially if you’re into football), Brittany (and if not, read my blog post!), the dreamy south of France, wine, cheese, and all that jazz.

But did you know France has over 1,300 islands under its jurisdiction?
(I didn’t either… but shhh, let’s pretend I did. 😅)

And out of those 1,300 islands, I can tell you, a handful are absolute gems. They’ll make you discover a side of France that feels more tropical adventure or wild escape than the Eiffel Tower (though let’s be honest, she’s still a beauty!).

Here’s my list of the 10 most surprising French islands that each have their own flavor, rhythm, and vibe. (Warning: some of them might just sneak into your 2026 bucket list — they definitely crashed mine.)

Corsica : L’île de Beauté

✨Why go? Ah, Corsica… where French culture meets raw Mediterranean nature. Think smelly cheese and cold cuts, paired with hikes through jagged mountains and dips in crystal-clear creeks. You’ll pass tiny stone villages and wild boars like it’s no big deal. Corsica is the ultimate mix of adventure and dolce vita.

📍Top 3 highlights:

Hike a piece of the legendary GR20 trail
Swim in the turquoise waters in the Calanque de Piana
Wander the cliffside citadel of Bonifacio

👍Guided Tour: Lavezzi Islands and Bonifacio Boat Tour

📆 Best time: May to early October (avoid July-August crowds if you can)

Ile de Re : Laid-Back Luxury on the Atlantic

✨Why go? Close to La Rochelle, this island is a French summer favorite. Think whitewashed villages, salt marshes, seafood, and long bike rides along the sea. It’s classy but casual.

📍Top 3 highlights:

Wander the harbor of Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Climb the Lighthouse of the Whales (Phare des Baleines)
Bike through the salt flats

👍Guided Tour: Sunset Catamaran Cruise

📆 Best time: May to October

Ouessant : France’s Wild Western Frontier

✨Why go? Welcome to the westernmost point of mainland France, where the winds blow wild and the sea is a beast. Ouessant has dramatic cliffs, powerful waves, and a raw kind of beauty that slaps you awake. The local motto says it all:

“Qui voit Ouessant voit son sang.”
(“Who sees Ouessant sees their blood.” Yeah. It’s intense.)

📍Top 3 highlights:

Visit Créac’h Lighthouse—one of the most powerful in the world
Walk the windswept cliffs of the island’s north
Spot sheep and seabirds in the wild moors

👍My Recommendation: S

📆 Best time: Late spring to early autumn (unless you like being soaked and windswept)

Martinique & Guadeloupe : Rum, Rhythms, and Rainforests

✨Why go? Two islands. One passport. A Caribbean experience with a French twist. Rum, volcanoes, jungle hikes, and pastries? Oui, merci! Both islands offer lush rainforests, colorful towns, and plenty of opportunities to snorkel or dance the night away.

📍Top 3 highlights:

Hike to Mount Pelée in Martinique (a volcano with a wild past)
Visit Les Chute du Carbet: three epic waterfall in the lush rainforest in Guadeloupe
Stroll the vibrant streets of Pointe-à-Pitre

👍Guided Tour: Reserve Cousteau: Scuba diving and snorkeling

📆 Best time: December to April.

Saint Martin : Half French, Half Dutch, Fully Fun

✨Why go? One tiny island, two countries. The French side = chill beach days + great food, the Dutch side = casinos and nightlife. It’s the best of both worlds with Caribbean heat and European charm.

📍Top 3 highlights:

Plane-watch at Maho Beach (yep, they fly right over you)
Eat your weight in French-Caribbean food in Grand Case
Visit the colonial ruins of Fort Louis

👍Guided Tour: Half Day Snorkel Cruise

📆 Best time: December to May.

Mayotte : France’s Best-Kept Island Secret

✨Why go? Most people don’t even know this is part of France and that’s what makes it special. Lagoon diving, baobab trees, and a laid-back Indian Ocean vibe. Plus, you might see sea turtles laying eggs at sunset.

📍Top 3 highlights:

Snorkel in the coral lagoon—one of the largest enclosed in the world
Hike Mount Choungui for killer views
Watch turtles at N’Gouja Beach

👍My Recommendation: Rent a car to explore around the island

📆 Best time: May to October.

Reunion Island : Lava Trails and Jungle Falls

✨Why go? Forget lazy beach days, Reunion Island is built for adrenaline. An active volcano, jaw-dropping cirques, rainforest hikes, and Creole culture. You could paraglide over a crater then eat fresh samosas for lunch. Heaven? Possibly.

📍Top 3 highlights:

Hike to the summit of Piton de la Fournaise (active volcano!)
Explore Cirque de Mafate (only accessible on foot or helicopter)
Swim under Takamaka waterfalls

🏠 Dreamy Hotel: Hotel le Boucan Canot

👍My Recommendation: Rent a car to explore around the island

📆 Best time: May to November.

New Caledonia : Lagoon Life

✨Why go? Closer to Australia than Paris, New Caledonia is home to the largest lagoon in the world. It’s also a place where indigenous Kanak culture meets French croissants. Add a reef system to rival the Great Barrier and voilà!

📍Top 3 highlights:

Snorkel in the Isle of Pines’ Natural Pool
Hike the mangrove to discover the Heart of Voh, a natural heart-shaped formation
Venture into the Great South an kick up dust on its iconic crimson-earth trails

🏠Dreamy Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton

📆 Best time: September to December.

Tahiti : The Soul of French Polynesia

✨Why go? Yes, Tahiti is real. And yes, it’s as amazing as the pictures. This island is the gateway to French Polynesia, lush, dramatic, full of waterfalls and black sand beaches, and surprisingly not all luxury resorts. Great surf, too.

📍Top 3 highlights:

Hike Mount ‘Orohena, the higher peak in French Polynesia
Wander through Papeete Market for fresh fruit & pareos
Chill at Teahupo’o—home of one of the world’s gnarliest surf waves

👍Guided Tour: Tetiaroa Island Tour by Sailing Catamaran

📆 Best time: May to October.

Bora Bora : The Island You Secretly Planned Your Wedding For

✨Why go? If you close your eyes and imagine the perfect tropical island, Bora Bora is probably what you see. Picture this: turquoise lagoons so clear you can spot the fish from your overwater bungalow, dramatic volcanic peaks that look like something out of a fantasy movie, and sunsets that paint the sky in every shade of pink and orange.

📍Top 3 highlights:

Swim with the colorful fish in the lagoon — snorkel or scuba, you won’t regret it.
Take a boat tour around Mount Otemanu for jaw-dropping views.
Chill in an overwater bungalow and watch the sunset from your deck (seriously, life goals).

👍Guide Tour: Full day Lagoon Safari

📆 Best time: May to October

Bonus Destination French Guiana

Okay, it’s not an island… but French Guiana is a jungle paradise on the South American mainland. You’ll find Amazon rainforest, river villages, and a space station. It’s French, but it doesn’t look or feel anything like France.

France is more than croissants and castles…it’s a world of adventure waiting to be discovered. From Caribbean rhythms to remote Pacific paradise, fiery volcanoes to windswept cliffs, these islands are like secret levels in a game you thought you finished.

Happy Travels!

Travel is Adventures.com