Region

Western Europe

Country/State

France

Place(s)

  • Paris
  • Nice
  • Marseille
  • Lyon
  • Toulouse
  • Dijon
  • Bordeaux
  • Strasbourg
  • Chamonix
  • Avignon
  • Cannes
  • Tours
  • Lyon
  • French Riviera
  • Saint Tropez
  • Colmar
  • Corsica
  • Toulouse
  • Versailles
  • Arles
  • Brittany
  • Rouen
  • Reims
  • Burgundy
  • Montpellier
  • Giverny
  • Ajjacio
  • Lourdes
  • and many more

Best Time to Visit

  • Season(s): Spring & Fall
  • Month(s): April to June & September to November

Uniquely Popular For

  • The Eiffel Tower
  • medieval Catholic cathedrals
  • French cabaret
  • wines
  • football
  • cheese
  • French Alps
  • the Grand Prix
  • the Louvre
  • Notre-Dame
  • sidewalk cafes
  • high fashion
  • Matisse & other art museums along with abbeys
  • castles
  • monasteries
  • and châteaux
  • desserts and bouillabaisse stew
  • famous art
  • cultural personalities

General Tourist Attractions

  • Paris has everything – the Louvre, impressionist museums, the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, magnificent parks, jazz, and great food. It’s as magical as people say and, while it would take a lifetime to see it all, four or five days can give you a good idea.
  • The Loire is lovely and picturesque, with tons of vineyards and chateaus. You will find some of the best wine in the world, beautiful small towns, and great food. It’s an area not to be missed
  • Marseille is a metropolitan city that also has a rich history filled with nightlife, great restaurants, theaters, museums, and even an international soccer stadium. While the city is a bit gritty and industrial, it’s worth a visit for its beautiful waterfront and exciting mix of cultures.
  • Nice is a seaside town in the south is a popular destination for budget travelers who want to soak up some sun but might not be able to afford Cannes or Monaco.
  • Bordeaux, Some of the best wine in the world is made here. While an expensive destination, it’s beautiful and worth all the Euros you’ll spend! Bordeaux has one of the longest shopping streets in Europe, amazing seafood (eat at Le Petit Commerce), a historic center, and of course, wine.
  • The D-Day beaches, Normandy, Learn about the WWII Allied forces D-Day landings along the beaches of northern France. There are memorials and museums detailing the history of the event. You can still see some of the old bunkers and fortifications.
  • The Palace of Versailles, Located very close to Paris, the old palace of the French kings was built by Louis XIV. This palace was constructed during the height of French power and seeks to show off the monarch’s tremendous wealth.
  • Explore history in Lyon, The area around Lyon has wonderful castles and small villages. It’s great for those looking to explore the French countryside.
  • Hob nob with the rich in Monaco, This tiny kingdom is home to tiny streets, beautiful buildings, a world famous casino, and gigantic modern yachts.
  • St. Tropez, If life in Marseilles is too mundane for you, catch a boat out to St. Tropez where you can relax in beautiful hillside towns, swim in azure blue water, and bump shoulders with the rich and famous.
  • Alsace, This northeast region of France is a beautiful place to visit. Colmar is an old town and the main attraction.
  • Parc de la Villette, Paris This park is host to a science museum and some other odd attractions. There is a large collection of architectural follies, theme gardens, and open space for activity and exploration.
  • Vimy Ridge and Verdun, Return to the trenches, France was ground zero during the First World War, and there are still many indicators of the damage caused during those years around the country.
  • Roman ruins, France has some of the best Roman ruins outside of Italy. Orange, Nimes, and Arles all have beautiful Roman theaters, and Nimes also contains a well-preserved temple.
  • Medieval town of Carcassonne, Carcassonne is a medieval walled city.
  • Go skiing, The French Alps offer some of the best ski slopes in Europe. If you’re in Europe in the winter months and at a loss for what to do, consider getting a group together and renting a ski chalet, or staying at one of the slope-side hotels or hostels.
  • A boat ride on a Bateaux Mouche, Go around Lake Geneva, a lake between Switzerland and France, with its shore holding the spa towns from France, Swiss Riviera and Geneva.
  • A ride in the city's oldest merry-go-round in Luxembourg Gardens
  • Cycle the city of Paris on a Vélib’ Métropole- The bicycle bikes
  • Visit world's largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris - The Louvre
  • Take a cruise on Canal Saint-Martin
  • Visit Les Caves Augé and have some French cheese and Wine at the city's most historic and beautiful wine shop.
  • GR20 Hiking Trail that crisscrosses Corsica diagonally from North to South
  • Diving and snorkelling on the lovely sandy beaches of Roccapina in South-West Corsica
  • Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art a.k.a MAMAC in Nice
  • Sailing on the French Rivieran the private yacht cruise
  • Take up Heli-skiing on Trient glaciers located at 1240 meters
  • Paragliding at Mount Blanc on the French Alps
  • Tour the Château de Chenonceau in Loire Valley,

Memorable Pursuits

  • Visit wineries in Champagne and Bordeaux, the hearts of French wine country, or head to Normandy for delicious, locally produced cider and apple brandy
  • Take in the best of the French Riviera by visiting the cities of Marseille, Nice and Montpellier
  • Experience French Basque culture in Biarritz, located on the French-Spanish border
  • See The Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Tuileries Garden and other unforgettable sights in Paris
  • Head to Grenoble for easy access to skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering in the French Alps
  • Check out the city of Strasbourg, which shares both French and German cultural heritage and serves as the seat of the European Parliament
  • Follow the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh and stay in the exceedingly charming city of Arles where he created some of his most amazing works
  • The Village tour of Piana in the spectacular Calanques de Piana area of Corsica has its own rustic appeal and is one of the greatest things to do in France. 
  • Explore the narrow streets, pastel-painted houses, cathedrals and citadels and a variety of choices for cafes and shops
  • At Chamonix Sports Centre one finds plenty of novel attractions like an amusement pool with waterfall, water jets, river rapids, massages, and much more. It covers 130m toboggan, solarium, jacuzzi, solarium, hamman and sauna.
  • Snowshoeing (walking over snow with the assistance of snowshoes) in Les Houches.
  • Nationwide celebrations such as the Fête de la Musique (around June 21), Bastille Day (July 14) and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Aug 15), there are any number of festivals – both traditional and of more recent origin – held in towns and villages throughout France.
  • If you’re travelling in Brittany, be sure to pick up some of the local cider (cidre), while Normandy is famous for its calvados, and the south for its pastis. Provence is well known for its superb olive oil (huile d’olive) and pricey truffles (truffes), as is the Dordogne.
  • One for the night owls amongst you. Enjoy starry nights at the beach or out in the country, and gourmet soirées served by the best chefs. Laugh at the opera, blush at a burlesque cabaret, or go wild at Paris' Moulin Rouge watching the cancan dancers.
  • On the Croix-Rousse hillside in Lyon you can consider whether graffiti really is art – and in Bordeaux you're spoilt for choice of theatres, cinemas and concerts.
  • From Sacré-Cœur, Paris' best-known monuments will be at our feet; The Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and the Panthéon, where France’s greats are laid to rest.
  • If it’s nice out, check out the Mont-Saint-Michel, the Cité de Carcassonne, the Papal Palace, Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde in Marseille, the traboules in Vieux Lyon, Nîmes arenas and Chambord Castle.
  • France has an incredible transportation system, especially the trains. The trains are easy to use and affordable. You can get to explore many of the smaller villages and towns in France like St. Emilion, Marseille, Roussillon and Bordeaux!

Something Leisurely

  • Take a leisurely pre-dinner cruise around the lagoon on St. Maarten with a glass of champagne and immerse yourself in the beauty and the serenity of a French Sunset
  • Head to the Dutch Bridge into Simpson Bay and soak in to this memorable and a luxurious experience. 
  • Get to grips with Parisian elegance on the Avenue Montaigne, and dig out great accessories at second-hand clothes shops and flea markets.
  • Revisit France’s history at Puy du Fou, and encounter prehistoric man in Cerdon caves. Next stop we’ll check out the wildlife at Beauval ZooParc, then go get splashed by Marineland’s orca and dolphins. Not to mention dropping in on Asterix and saying hello to Mickey at Disneyland Paris.
  • Take the Remembrance Trails and enjoy the opportunity to increase your knowledge of history. Land on the beaches of Normandy to pay respects to the Allied soldiers who fought to liberate France at Omaha Beach. Then head off to conquer Paris along the Napoléon Trail.
  • In Paris, admire the view of the Eiffel Tower from Clemenceau’s own apartment and in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises lay a wreath on General de Gaulle’s tomb, before disappearing into the underground halls of the Maginot line.
  • Macaroons pastry workshop is one of the best things to do in Marais District and take a piece of France with you back home. Macaroons however, are as popular as the French wine.

Quick Tip(s) from the Locals

  • The French are known for their cuisine and their upbeat attitude towards using their own language. Familiarise yourself with some of the common wine and dine menus that are found in restaurants to avoid any mishaps. Also know a little usual phrases used by them to get you through the country. The French are quite people and may function at different business hours then in some main towns and that can lead to things being expensive. Hence, to avoid spending as much on sightseeing and save money, you can use the Paris Museum Pass.