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20 Beautiful Places to Visit in France — From Normandy to the French Riviera

The best places to visit in France range from iconic landmarks to charming villages.

Lindsay Cohn is a writer, editor, and avid traveler who has visited 45 countries across six continents — and counting. She contributes to Travel + Leisure, Hotels Above Par, InsideHook, Well+Good, The Zoe Report, and more.

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Many things entice travelers to visit France — food, wine, fashion, architecture, and natural beauty among them. There’s something wonderful to eat, drink, see, and do in every corner of this Western European nation. It’s hard not to fall in love with Paris . The glamorous beaches along the Côte d'Azur are legendary. Provence also packs a punch with fragrant lavender fields, the hilltop villages of the Luberon , and vineyards. Vines and grand chateaux mix in the Loire Valley . Truth be told, the number of dazzling places within the country is actually quite dizzying, but we’re more than happy to help point you in some of the most photogenic directions. Scroll on for 20 of the best places to visit in France.

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Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful small towns in the world , Gordes draws heaps of tourists who descend upon this idyllic Luberon village in the hopes of capturing the perfect shot of its cobbled lanes, time-worn churches, and 12th-century Sénanque Abbey framed by lavender fields.

Palace of Versailles

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Whether you’re a film buff, love history, or simply want to tick one of France’s most famous landmarks off your sightseeing list, the grandeur of Versailles never fails to impress. The palace is home to the Hall of Mirrors, the Royal Chapel, and many other opulent rooms. Outside are the magnificent gardens, fountains, and sprawling park.

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Camargue doesn’t look or feel like anywhere else in southern France. This wild region between the Mediterranean Sea and the two branches of the Rhône River delta brims with the untamed natural beauty of salt marshes, reed beds, free-roaming white horses, and hundreds of bird species — most notably, pink flamingos.

Eiffel Tower

Built for the 1889 World's Fair, the Eiffel Tower is an enduring symbol of Paris. It’s one thing to see the famous landmark in films, television shows, and photographs, but it’s quite another to get a close-up look at this incredible feat of ingenuity in real life. The twinkly lights at night only add to the romance of it all.

Île Sainte-Marguerite

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Located about half a mile offshore from tourist-laden Cannes, Île Sainte-Marguerite reflects a more low-key side of the French Riviera with lovely scenery at every turn. The largest of the Lérins Islands has beautiful rocky beaches, turquoise waters, and a eucalyptus forest, plus an underwater sculpture museum.

Châteaux of the Loire Valley

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Part of the historical and architectural fabric of the country, the châteaux of the Loire Valley are an enduring reminder of Renaissance resplendence. Impressive from both a design and landscaping perspective, these regal landmarks range from palaces with sprawling gardens (like Château de Chambord) to smaller castles.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

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Tucked on the eastern side of a forested peninsula, the exclusive commune of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat has long captivated artists such as Henri Matisse, writers, and well-heeled holiday-goers with its spellbinding beauty. Expect exquisite villas hidden by lush vegetation, breathtaking beaches with clear waters for snorkeling, hiking trails, and a yacht-filled harbor.

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Situated just south of Colmar in the Alsace region of France, Eguisheim looks like a medieval village you’d see on the cover of a storybook with a concentric plan of narrow streets, half-timbered houses, bubbling fountains, centuries-old castles, and wine caves.

Louvre Museum

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No list of the best places to visit in France would be complete without mentioning the Louvre. The most patronized museum in the world is a historic landmark in its own right with an eye-catching exterior and rooms filled with priceless works of art including the "Mona Lisa" and the Venus de Milo.

Strasbourg Cathedral

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Strasbourg Cathedral is widely regarded as one the most outstanding examples of Rayonnant Gothic architecture (though, for accuracy, the remaining parts of the original structure are Romanesque). It’s a beautiful landmark with heaps of history and visual appeal that’s well worth visiting while in the Alsace region.

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Straddling the French-Italian border and extending into Switzerland, Mont Blanc (which translates to “White Mountain”) rises 15,771 feet, making it the highest mountain in the Alps and the second most prominent peak in Europe. People come from near and far to go skiing, ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car, and even attempt to climb to the summit.

Valensole Plateau Lavender Fields

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Lavender fields have come to define Provence. This purple-hued visual is splashed across the front of virtually every postcard in the region. Many of those photos were taken on the Valensole Plateau, which erupts in a fragrant and vibrant bloom each summer.

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The charming hilltop district of Montmartre in Paris’s 18th arrondissement feels more like a small village than a big city. Cobbled streets, sidewalk cafes, windmills, and performances from local musicians give it a quaint atmosphere. Its crown jewel, the iconic white-domed Sacré-Cœur commands attention.

Saint-Tropez

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Few places shine quite like Saint-Tropez. Celebrities, artists, and jet setters have been flocking to this cinematic holiday hotspot on the French Riveria since the 1960s. The glamorous beach clubs, mega yachts, and charming old fishing quarter keep the crowds thick every summer. 

Belle-Île-en-Mer

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The largest of the islands off the coast of Brittany in northwest France, the aptly named Belle-Île-en-Mer is a beautiful destination with uncrowded beaches, enchanting villages, and rugged cliffs. The jagged rock formation known as Les Aiguilles de Port Coton even inspired Monet to pick up his paintbrush.

Porquerolles

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While it’s impossible to pick a favorite spot along the French Riveria, there’s a lot to love about Porquerolles. The largest of the Îles d'Hyères offers peaceful beaches, calm waters, rolling vineyards, cycling paths through the countryside, old forts, and an off-the-beaten-path vibe.

Veuve Clicquot Champagne House

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For fans of bubbly, few things are as fabulous as a trip to the Champagne region of France. Founded in 1772, Veuve Clicquot tops the list of the most significant and celebrated producers. A visit to this world-famous house in Reims entails touring the historic cellars and, of course, sipping the finest sparkling wine.

Arc De Triomphe

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Everyone who visits France’s capital for the first time heads over to the Arc De Triomphe for that “I went to Paris" photo. It’s worth joining the masses in admiring this famous monument that stands tall at the western end of the Champs-Élysées.

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc

Courtesy of Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc

Admittedly, an overnight stay at the luxurious Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc at the tip of Cap d’Antibes isn’t in the budget for most travelers. But that shouldn’t preclude you from visiting. Reserve a terrace table at the restaurant to savor Mediterranean cuisine alongside stunning views of the sea and the rock-framed infinity pool.

D-Day Landing Beaches

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Normandy is closely associated with WWII — specifically, the fateful day the Allied troops made landfall at the D-Day beaches, an operation that ultimately led to the liberation of France (and eventually Western Europe) from Nazi occupation. Today, travelers can visit the many museums and memorials along the 50-mile stretch of coastline.

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Visit France: a travel guide with places to visit and reviews from France This Way

It isn't easy to know where to start when you are planning to visit France! We suggest you first select a region, then a department within that region, then an area within that department when deciding where to visit...to get you started, below we mention the main reasons each region attracts visitors

Our travel guides review each region of France, then each regional travel guide has more detailed department travel guides, each in turn with reviews and guides for many of the most popular places to visit throughout France. Start exploring here:

Northern France with Brittany, Normandy & Paris

The north-west is a very popular region of France with visitors, and includes the coastline and islands of Brittany , one of the most visited regons of France. You can also explore the popular family beaches of the Western Loire (Pays-de-la-Loire region) and the unspoiled countryside, gardens and traditional architecture of Normandy

The north-east region includes the popular villages and vineyards and villages of Alsace and the famous champagne producing region of Champagne-Ardenne .

Other regions of northern France include Lorraine (not very visited by tourists in France, as well as Picardy and the coastal area of Nord-Pas-de-Calais whch includes some picturesque resorts and towns

See the Paris travel guide if you are planning a visit to the most famous city in the world!

Central France with the Loire Valley & Burgundy

The Burgundy region is best known for its scenery, historic towns and vineyards, while further west the Loire Valley (the Centre region) contains numerous world famous chateaux.

To the east of here are the attractive hills and countryside of the Franche Comte region, while the western coast and Poitou-Charentes includes highlights such as historic La Rochelle and the beaches of the Ile-de-Ré.

In the heart of France, the Limousin region includes some of the least visited but most attractive scenery in the country and you can enjoy the rugged beauty and unspoiled countryside of the Auvergne region, also part of the extensive Massif Central area.

Southern France with Provence and the Dordogne

The south-east attracts more visitors than any other region of France because of the many scenic highlights and extensive Mediterranean coast in Provence and along the Cote d'Azur (French Riviera). The very scenic Rhone Alpes region is to the north of here and  Corsica , often referred to as the 'Island of Beauty', is off the coast to the south.

Travelling west from here it is the coast and scenery of Languedoc-Roussillon that attracts many visitors, while the Midi-Pyrenees extends northwards from the Pyrenees mountains along the Spanish border to the villages and gorges around Cahors and Figeac.

In south-west France the Aquitaine region is famous for its Atlantic beaches, 19th century resorts such as Biarritz, and the countryside and villages of the Dordogne department.

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30+ France Travel Tips for First Timers & Must Knows Before You Go

Last Updated: July 6, 2023

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

With a committed legion of croissant-loving, champagne-chugging Francophiles spread across the globe, France may well be one of the most romanticized countries in Europe.

But unfortunately for many first time visitors, with high expectations comes inevitable disappointment, especially when they realize that the streets do not , in fact, smell permanently of baguettes.

But France is an amazing country to visit… so long as you come prepared.

Packed to the brim with cultural quirks and frustrating traps, France isn’t a destination that you can just show up and blindly enjoy. But that’s exactly what makes a visit here so rewarding… and addictive.

After many, many visits over the past decade and a half, I’ve learned the hard way what not to do in France, and how to navigate the country in a way that keeps you crawling back for more.

So, read on for a list of my best France travel tips for first-timers, with all the French must-knows I wish I knew before my first visit, almost 15 years ago.

Save this list of France Travel Tips for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

1. Remember: France is more than just Paris!

With its status as the EU’s largest country, France is so packed with sights, it’s a miracle that Paris has managed to hog the limelight this long.

Metropolitan France is made up of thirteen regions and is often referred to as l’Hexagone, or the Hexagon thanks to its hexagonal shape. And what a ridiculously attractive hexagon it is.

I worked for a French travel company one summer which brought me to a ton of destinations I never would’ve otherwise thought to visit. And I’m obsessed. Paris is truly just scraping the surface, so if time allows, be sure to add other French destinations to your itinerary.

Here are a few of my personal favourites:

• Alsace: Fairytale storybook villages come to life, famous for its wineries and Christmas markets.
• The French Riviera: A glitzy coastline that gets 300+ days of sunshine each year, dotted with luxurious resorts, plus easy access to Monaco .
• Lyon: An amazing city with an epic gastronomy scene, plenty of cool sights and surprises (like how it was the birthplace of cinema!)
• Normandy: Dramatic landscapes along the The Alabaster Coast, and lots of cool unique sights like Mont St Michel. Capital is Rouen, a gorgeous medieval city.

You can see my full list of places to visit in France (besides Paris) for more inspo.

NOTE: One really great way to research new French destinations is by using Google Translate and searching in French. By doing this, you’ll find a lot more content that is geared towards domestic travellers, who tend to explore more than just the most famous spots known internationally.

2. Don’t assume all French people are rude

Now, let’s address the éléphant in the room. You’ve probably heard it before – one of the most jarring culture shocks for first timers visiting France is that locals can be… a little mean.

And I get where that impression comes from. First off, it’s important to note that unhinged enthusiasm and over-friendliness is simply not baked into French culture the same way it is in many parts of North America, so they’re just generally more demure.

More importantly though, French people like things done their way… and unlike other countries in Europe that may be more willing to bend and cater to tourist crowds, French locals are more steadfast in maintaining their norms, often to the embarrassment and woe of clueless visitors.

Oftentimes, it feels to me like locals in touristy areas have pre-conceived notions about ‘ignorant tourists’ and so it’s assumed you are one of the bad eggs, unless you prove otherwise.

This is why learning basic French phrases and etiquette is SO crucial. Once you can show you’re putting in the work, you win instant respect points in the eyes of tourist-wary locals, and you’ll certainly have a much better time.

On that note…

3. Learn some basic French before your trip

Unlike in many other European tourist hubs where English is welcomed and spoken widely, France is a country where learning the local language can go a long, long way.

If there ever was a cheat code to unlocking French ‘friendliness’, it’d be speaking the language.

While many French locals (especially in big cities) speak more English than they let on, they often refrain from speaking it unless absolutely necessary, maintaining the (fair) belief that when in France, you should be speaking French.

So, here are some key French phrases you should 100% commit to memory, along with rough pronunciation guides:

• Hello: Bonjour (bon-zhoor)
• Good evening: Bonsoir (bon-swahr) -> [ say this after 6pm-ish, people kind of get snobby if you say “bonjour” in the evening]
• Thank you: Merci (mer-see)
• Please: S’il vous plaît (see voo play)
• Can I get the bill please?: L’addition, s’il vous plaît (lah-diss-yon, see voo play)
• Do you speak English?: Parlez-vous anglais? (par-lay voo ong-lay)
• Excuse me (like, sorry/when you’re trying to move past someone) : Pardon (pahr-dawn)
• Excuse me (like, when you’re trying to get someone’s attention): Excusez-moi (ex-kews-ay-mwah)
• Bye: Au revoir (oh rev-war)

4. Familiarize yourself with basic French etiquette

Similarly, just as locals lack patience for those who don’t speak their language, they lack even more patience for those who aren’t familiar with French “ Us et coutumes ” (AKA habits and customs).

And, fair enough, there are a lot of cultural norms in France that (when breached) can come across as incredibly rude.

So, if you’d like to avoid being “yet another rude tourist”, here are some France etiquette tips to keep in mind:

Say “bonjour” (before 6pm) or “bonsoir” (after 6pm) when entering a shop: Failure to greet people when entering a shop is considered the peak of rudeness in France, so don’t forget!

When greeting friends, go for “La Bise”: In France, the standard informal greeting among “friends” is La Bise, which is basically an air kiss on each cheek while making a slight kissing sound. Hugging is actually considered more intimate than this!

When in doubt, go with “vous” : In French, there’s a difference between a formal you (vous) and informal you (tu). The latter should only be used among friends, so when addressing strangers, always go with the “vous” form!

Avoid speaking too loudly in public: When in doubt, try to match the overall volume of your surroundings. North Americans in particular have a reputation for being loud.

Moving past people? Say “Pardon”: I know a lot of tourists default to “excusez-moi”, which would be understood but is more meant as “excuse me” in the context of getting someone’s attention, so say “par-DON” when moving past people instead.

Avoid joking about clichés and stereotypes: French humour isn’t very self-deprecating, so avoid making jokes about common clichés and stereotypes, and certainly don’t go quoting infamous lines that start with “Voulez-vous coucher avec…”

5. Prepare for plenty of jaywalking and cutting in line

Based on the cultural nuances above, it may be easy to assume that French culture is simply more formal than most.

There are two main exceptions however: jay walking, and cutting in line.

The concept of line-ups (or queuing, as the Brits like to say) is non-existent in France, so don’t be surprised if a local comes shoving past you on public transport or jumps ahead of you at the boulangerie while you wait for your 7th pastry of the day.

And as for jaywalking, while technically forbidden if you’re within 50m of a crosswalk, most people do it anyway.

Once upon a time I was travelling with a French friend who practically acted as if traffic lights were invisible. When I asked him why, he simply told me “I am French. I do not wait!”

That just about sums it up.

6. Keep in mind the depth of cultural diversity within France

While many France travel guides (this one included!) make reference to “French people” or “the French way of doing things”, it’s important to note that France itself is home to a lot of regional diversity.

Brittany for instance is very different to the Basque Country which is very different to Alsace which is very different to Paris.

There are of course broad similarities (which this article covers), but when it comes to researching more specific things like what to eat, what wine to drink, etc. it may be worthwhile to research for the specific destinations you’re visiting.

7. Prepare yourself for strikes

Another important France travel tip I have for you is to simply get used to ‘going with the flow’, because trust me: France is a country where even the best laid plans can go awry with just a single word: ‘grève’ (AKA strike).

The right to strike is considered by many to be Frencher than even the Eiffel Tower itself, and odds are, a strike may impact your trip in one way or another.

For instance, a sudden train strike on my first trip to France meant we had to take a 12-hour bus ride instead of the much quicker train from Nice to Paris. It also took me literally FOUR tries over many years to visit the Arc de Triomphe, because of random strikes and closures every time I attempted to go.

And while there are some sites like this one that announce strikes, many of them are planned with little notice, so there’s not much you can do as an international visitor besides mentally preparing yourself for the possibility.

Overall, just don’t be too upset if your plans get thrown in a raging trash fire… and try your best to make the most of the situation in any case (like this couple who chose to calmly sip wine next to said trash fire).

8. And expect random closures

Related to the point above, another important France travel tip is to prepare yourself for unexpected closures.

From personal experience, I can confirm that even if Google Maps says a shop, restaurant, or attraction is open, there’s always a chance that it might be closed when you arrive. So, it’s important to stay flexible and have a plan B ready to go.

And if you’re planning on visiting during peak vacation periods like August, be prepared for even more closures since many locals will be out of town.

8. Consider planning your trip for the shoulder or off-season 

I know a lot of people dream about visiting France in the summer, but with the higher prices and the heat, I’d actually recommend shoulder/off season instead.

Especially for big cities like Paris, winter is a much quieter (and perfectly pleasant) time to visit… plus Paris at Christmas time is every bit as magical as you’d imagine.

NOTE: If you’re looking to score some sweet deals while heading to France, you should know that sales (Les Soldes) are no joke over there. They’re heavily regulated and only happen twice a year – once in June and once in January. Learn more here.

9. Go to Alsace for Christmas markets!

While Christmas in Paris is undoubtedly magical, the Alsace region of France has some of the most absurdly amazing Christmas markets in Europe.

Go to them.

I’ve already written out a full list of the best Christmas markets in Alsace, but here are some of my guides to specific markets so you can read more:

• Strasbourg Christmas Market Guide
• Colmar Christmas Market Guide
• Obernai Christmas Market Guide

This is one of the most magical times to visit France, and if you plan your visit for earlier in the season (late November, rather than close to Christmas), you’ll usually be able to avoid the bulk of the crowds.

Here are my top must-knows for visiting Christmas markets in Europe if you want to learn more.

10. Expect at least some scaffolding/restoration work

The lengthy history of France is one of its most enticing selling points.

But, it has to be said, for every drool-worthy building that boasts centuries of tales, there’s a scaffolding company ready to make a fortune.

So, just to get your expectations in check, expect scaffolding. And lots of it. Old, beautiful buildings require maintenance, and you’ll probably encounter the byproduct of said maintenance during your trip.

11. Be wary of petty theft and scams when you visit France

For first-time visitors, another important France must-know is that there are many professional pickpocketers and scammers frequenting tourist hubs.

Your best defence against them? Learning all their tricks beforehand.

You can learn the most common pickpocket techniques and how to avoid them in my post about how to avoid pickpockets in Europe , but overall, the key is to always be vigilant and keep an eye on your belongings.

Pickpockets thrive on distraction, and tend to operate in high-traffic areas that have a lot of people/tourists (e.g. train stations), so be especially careful to not let anyone get too close.

Here are some other ground rules to keep in mind for avoiding scams in France:

• Do not take free stuff: Often scammers will offer you a rose or a friendship bracelet for “free” then demand money. In more extreme cases, they may even forcibly tie a friendship bracelet on you then demand payment, so be cautious in busy touristy areas.
• Don’t sign any petitions: In touristy areas, there is often a scam (usually run by groups of young women) where they ask you to sign a petition and then either demand a donation from you, or distract you as someone else picks your pockets. Be sure to ignore and avoid!
• Do not blindly accept help from strangers: Generally, French locals will not approach & help you unless you ask for it. In cases of overly helpful strangers that come to YOU, often this is a scam, i.e. offering to help you buy a Metro ticket, then buying you the wrong one (e.g. a child’s ticket) while pocketing the profit.

12. Prioritize public transport for city to city travel

Now, onto France transport tips!

First off, if you are mainly visiting French cities during your trip, renting a car will likely not be necessary.

The French train system is robust and covers over 3000 stations across the country. For those on a budget, there are also bus companies like Flixbus, Eurolines and BlaBlaBus that offer affordable connections, and for quicker commutes, there are also 30+ airports in France, many of which are well served by budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet.

So, I’d recommend hopping on Omio to compare all the different options at a glance.

That said, if you want to frolic in nature nature, explore remote villages or roll around in glamorous chateaux, you will probably need to rent a car, in which case here is a post to help you figure out how much renting a car in Europe really costs .

13. Book train tickets in advance for the best deal

For train travel, the national rail company in France is known as the SNCF (Société nationale des chemins de fer français).

The crown jewel of their offerings is the TGV (Train à grande vitesse, or “high speed train”), which are fast trains that can get across the country at truly alarming speeds, like this world record-setting ride which hit 574.8 km/h (or 357.2 mph).

There are also Intercity trains and TER trains that are less quick but serve regional and local routes.

In any case, booking in advance is the best way to ensure good deals, particularly on TGV trains, where reserved seats are mandatory and can sell out.

14. Consider Ouigo trains if on a budget

If you’re on a budget, another option to look into is Ouigo trains, which are like a budget version of the TGV.

They’re a bit less fancy and you need to pay extra for additional perks like extra bags but it can be really cheap if you book in advance.

15. Use the SNCF Connect website to your advantage

French train stations can be stressful, so whenever possible, I’d recommend booking your tickets beforehand… unless you particularly enjoy panicking in crowded spaces.

Luckily, the SNCF Connect website makes it easy.

You can easily see their best offers here , or search up your departure point/destination to see a price calendar that helps you identify the cheapest dates and times.

16. Know the ground rules for public transport

When it comes to using public transport in France, there are a few important must-knows that I think will make your experience smoother and more affordable.

So, here are some tips for using public transportation in France:

• Look for deals: Depending on the city, you’ll often special discounted tickets which can save you a lot of money compared to paying full price (e.g. youth tickets, special weekend tickets), so be sure to look into discounts and see if any apply to you.
• Always validate and hold onto your ticket: In France, there are ticket checkers who make sure you’ve paid for and validated your fare correctly. Sometimes they will even check you after you’ve gotten off the train (e.g. at the top of escalators at Metro stations), so do not throw your tickets away until you’ve left the station.
• Avoid public transport during rush hour and during big events like sports games: Trying to hop on Metros or buses when thousands of locals are trying to get to/from work (or to a big event) is truly one of the biggest travel mistakes you can make in France, so plan around it!
• Lastly, let people exit trains/buses first before storming in: This is common sense, but unfortunately not so common, so remember this little France etiquette tip!

17. Learn the tricks to saving money on French attractions

There are a few things that are inevitable when you visit France for the first time. For instance, you will probably eat enough pastries to fed a small village. You will probably also drop a lot of dough (heh) on pricey attractions.

They have to pay for all that scaffolding somehow, after all.

Don’t worry though, there are a lot of secret (and not so secret) ways to save money on attractions when visiting France. Here are a few of my favourites:

• Book in advance: This will save both time and (sometimes) money.
• Age-based discounts: Usually there are discounts for children, youth (under the age of 26) and seniors (usually 60+)
• Residency-based discounts: Many major museums offer free or discounted admission for EU residents under the age of 26.
• Student discounts: Be sure to get an  ISIC Card  as this is an internationally recognized student ID that costs about twenty bucks, but will save you at least that much in discounts. Some attractions won’t accept your local student ID, so having this is important.
• Attraction passes: Many cities will offer passes that bundle multiple attractions into one price. If you plan to see a lot of stuff, this can save you a LOT of money.

18. On a budget? Prioritize free museums and sights

Of course, the ultimate way to save money sightseeing in France is to simply prioritize all the amazing free things there are to see and do. This is one of my top Europe backpacking tips .

All over the country, there are free things to ogle and experience, from grandiose museums and architecture to street art and fun festivals, all of which are stunningly gratuit. .. like these amazing free things to do in Paris .

So, from one cheapskate to another, please milk them for all they’re worth.

PS:  Many of museums across France offer free admission on particular days of the month, so be sure to give those dates a Google prior to your visit.

19. Learn how to avoid mediocre, tourist trap restaurants

French cuisine is world-renowned, but it can be a bit of a struggle to find the right places to eat when visiting France for the first time.

The reason is simple: good, authentic restaurants are unlikely to make themselves easily accessible to tourists. In contrast, the restaurants with English menus, free WiFi and big photos to explain their specialties are (as you might assume) not the best in quality or price.

SO, what are some ways to avoid getting tourist trapped when dining out in France? Here are some ground rules.

• Dine far away from tourist attractions: Generally, these will have a poor price to quality ratio. Instead, walk a few blocks over before starting your food hunt, or do some prior research to find well-rated restaurants near you.
• Be sure to check reviews: Reviews aren’t always 100% accurate, but they can be helpful in showing you immediate red flags like scammy prices.
• Avoid places with big photos and menus in a bajillion languages: This is usually a sign that the restaurant caters to tourists, so will likely be (at best) overpriced or (at worst) lacking in quality food.
• Steer clear of places with an over-eager host: If there’s a pushy server outside asking you to sit down, odds are this won’t be the best place to eat.

20. Know the tricks to saving money on dining out in France

So once you’ve found your (non tourist trappy) restaurant of choice, what are some ways you can enjoy while saving money?

As someone who loves food and saving money in equal measure, here are a few tricks to take advantage of:

• Splurge at lunch: Many places will offer special deals for lunch, so keep an eye out for those!
• Learn how to correctly ask for tap water: If you’re looking for free hydration, be sure to ask for “une carafe d’eau” or they will assume you want bottled water, which can be as much as 7 euros per bottle! Although take note that it’s common/expected to have a paid drink with your meal as well, like wine or beer.
• Try the plat du jour (dish of the day): Many restaurants in France will offer this as a special in addition to the regular menu offerings – it’s usually cheaper or unique in some way, so nice to try if it sounds good!

21. Familiarize yourself with the structure of a French menu/meal

Dining out in France can be intimidating for first-timers, and also confusing due to words that are different in English vs. French.

For instance, a menu in France can refer to a paper list of dishes, but it more often refers to a combo that includes multiple things for one set price.

So in a restaurant for instance, this may be a meal that comes with an appetizer, main course, dessert and wine for one price, or in fast food restaurants for instance, often a “menu” will mean a combo that comes with fries and a drink.

The more common word for the menu in France is “ la carte”. This is why there’s sometimes the distinction between ordering the “menu” (e.g. the set meal that comes with multiple courses for one price) or ordering “à la carte” (e.g. ordering individual things off the list of dishes they offer).

Another confusing thing is the word entrées. Whereas in North America, entrée refers to the main course, in France it refers to the starter or appetizer and the main course is the plat principal (often shortened to just “plats” on menus).

So, to be clear, the structure of a French meal usually goes like this:

• L’Entrée: An appetizer
• Le Plat Principal: A main course
• Le Fromage: Cheese (Self explanatory), sometimes served with a light salad before
• Le Dessert: Sweets that finish the meal

There’s a misconception out there that French people eat cheese for dessert, which isn’t entirely true – it’s just that they believe cheese should come after the main course, and many choose not to (or have no room for) a sweet dessert after.

For particularly indulgent evenings, many will also enjoy an Apéritif before eating the meal, which is a pre-dinner drink that whets the appetite, as well as a Digestif after the meal, which is a post-dinner drink that aids digestion.

22. Learn French restaurant etiquette

Alright, now that you know how the menu works, here are some additional French travel tips related to the science/art of dining out in France:

Make reservations: If you’ve got your heart set on a particular restaurant during your trip in France, it’s best to reserve a table in advance, especially for peak periods like weekends.

Wait to be seated: Seating yourself is not common France, so don’t do it unless there’s a sign saying so (or face the wrath of your server).

Get your server’s attention if you need something: Generally speaking, the ultra-friendly and proactive customer service you get in North America doesn’t really exist in France, so if you need anything after your order has been taken/after your food has arrived, you must take the initiative to flag down your server.

Avoid customizing your order with substitutions: This is not very common in France, as it’s usually assumed the chef knows best.

Ask for the bill when you want it: It will not come automatically, as they consider it rude to interrupt you during your meal.

23. Learn how to tip in France

In France, a 15% service charge is included in your bill, so the tipping culture here is definitely less prominent than in North America.

Opinion is divided on whether or not you should still tip on top of this service charge – younger locals often won’t bother with a tip at all. For me personally, it comes down to what “feels right” (so Canadian, I know!)

If you feel your server deserves a bit extra, then 5-10% would be acceptable… but you don’t need to feel obligated like you might in North America.

24. Have a quick search of regional specialties before you go

A lot of first time visitors to France will be familiar with some classic dishes – from the infamous escargot and frog legs to beloved classics like French onion soup and pastries.

Of course, it goes without saying that there is much more to French food than that.

French cuisine (much like its culture) has a lot of regional differences, so wherever you travel, be sure to sample the local specialty wherever you are instead of simply picking what you consider to be “typical French dishes”.

… and for the best results, pair them with local wine too.

25. Revamp your concept of “casual”

In terms of what to wear in France, contrary to popular belief, or what you see from fashion bloggers and Emily in Paris, not everyone in France is a fashion model dressed to the nines everyday.

That said, the default casual look in France is definitely elevated when compared to the standard ‘sweatpants, flip flops, and athleisure’ casual commonly seen in North America.

So if you want to blend in a bit more while in France, focus on clean neutral basics, and things that emulate a sort of effortless chic.

Although of course, at the end of the day, just wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident. Trust me, they’ll be able to tell you’re a tourist no matter what you wear.

26. Don’t bring any suitcases you can’t carry

But speaking of France packing tips, another important must-know is that any bag you bring should be one you’re comfortable carrying yourself.

Sure, you might think that there’s no need for lifting your bag if you’re checking it, but there are a million and one scenarios where you might have to end up carrying your suitcase in France, like…

• Your hotel or accommodation unexpectedly has no elevator
• The elevator you were counting on at the train station is out of order
• You need to carry your bag up some ancient staircase to get to your accommodation
• You need to lift your suitcase on/off the train you’re taking

So yes, get that strength training in now, and pack as light as possible.

27. Carry (at least a bit) of cash

While cards are accepted in many places around France, it’s still important to carry around cash, whether for small purchases or for essentials like using the washroom. Keeping coins is also a good idea!

28. Claim VAT refunds at the airport

France is a popular destination for shopping, especially if you’re into French brands and luxury goods.

SO, if you’re from outside the EU and plan to do a lot of shopping, you may qualify for a VAT tax refund when you leave France. This can amount to huge amounts depending on what you buy!

To qualify, you have to be a non-EU resident older than 15 years of age, and you need to spend more than 175 euros in one store in one day.

Here’s more info on how to claim your VAT refund before you leave France.

29. Floors start at zero so don’t get confused 

Another random France tip (which will be no news to you if you’ve seen Emily in Paris) is that the floor system in French buildings is different to what we see in North America.

Whereas in North America, the ground floor is often considered the 1st floor, the ground floor is considered its own separate entity in France (i.e. Floor 0) and then the next one above that would be the 1st floor.

… So, if your hotel key isn’t working, this might be why!

30. Try to buy your alcohol (from shops) before 10pm

This is a rather niche France travel tip, but one that has gotten me one too many times, so I’m sharing it anyway.

While there are no official alcohol sale restrictions in France, some supermarket chains and gas stations won’t let you purchase booze after a certain time (usually around 9 or 10pm).

So, if you’re hoping to get a bottle of wine to finish the evening, make sure you do so early. Although if you’re desperate, Uber Eats can deliver alcohol, as well as some “convenience stores”, although you can expect inflated prices from both these options.

31. Know that Disneyland Paris is not in Paris

Lastly, if you’re planning on adding Disneyland Paris to your itinerary, I would definitely recommend doing some additional research because despite the name, the park is actually about an hour away from Paris proper.

And while I personally think Disneyland Paris is a great time, a lot of visitors from abroad who have been to other Disney parks often find it disappointing.

So, when choosing day trips or planning your itinerary, definitely consider if there are other places that might be a better use of your time… because as you should know by now, there’s a lot to discover in this country!

Keen on seeing Disneyland Paris? Here are some of my best guides to help you out:

• 20+ tips for visiting Disneyland Paris
• An insider guide to Disneyland Paris’ best secrets and hidden gems
• How to plan a day trip from Paris to Disneyland Paris
• A guide to the Disneyland Paris Castle

I hope this list of France Travel Tips was helpful!

The fact that you’re still reading this is both an honour and a miracle. This was a VERY long list of travel tips for France, but if you have any more questions, let me know in the comments.

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

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26 Best Places to Visit in France

Written by Lisa Alexander Updated Jan 19, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Lisa Alexander studied and lived in Paris, and has traveled extensively around the country.

The French affectionately call their homeland "l'Hexagone" because of its distinct six-sided shape. Each corner of France has its own unique character: the rugged and outdoorsy French Alps ; sun-drenched and slow-paced Provence ; the glamorous and gorgeous Côte d'Azur ; and idyllic Alsace , a pastoral region where storybook hamlets are tucked away in the vine-covered rolling hills.

Paris and Versailles are must-see destinations for a first trip to France. Other classic travel itineraries include stops at fashionable seaside resorts, fairy-tale castles, and glorious Gothic cathedrals.

More off-the-beaten-path experiences are found in the countryside, such as at farmhouses in Burgundy , fishing villages in Brittany , and thermal spas in the Pyrenees Mountains .

From cultured cities to pristine nature sites, France offers endless tourist attractions . Discover this fascinating and diverse country with our list of the best places to visit in France.

2. The Charming Countryside of Provence

3. côte d'azur, 4. versailles, 5. mont saint-michel in normandy, 6. the châteaux of the loire valley, 7. strasbourg's unesco-listed historic center, 8. seaside towns & resorts in brittany, 9. biarritz & saint-jean-de-luz, 10. chartres cathedral: a gem of medieval architecture, 11. joan of arc monuments in chinon, rouen & orléans, 12. quaint villages of the alsace region, 13. walled medieval city of carcassonne, 14. mont-blanc & annecy in the french alps, 15. unesco world heritage sites in reims, 16. prehistoric caves in the dordogne & the pyrenees, 17. rocamadour: a medieval pilgrimage destination, 18. bordeaux & saint-émilion, 19. the burgundy region: quintessential france, 20. cirque de gavarnie in the pyrenees mountains, 21. lourdes: france's biggest catholic pilgrimage site, 22. gourmet restaurants & cultural attractions in lyon, 23. belle époque spa towns, 24. gascony region & toulouse in the south of france, 25. the camargue, 26. island of corsica, map of best places to visit in france.

Appreciated for its elegance and joie de vivre, Paris is a grand European capital filled with architectural masterpieces like the Eiffel Tower and the Notre-Dame Cathedral .

Reflecting the city's rich heritage, the Louvre (one of the top museums in Paris ) contains an exceptional fine arts collection, while the Musée d'Orsay and the Musée de l'Orangerie display treasures of French Impressionist art.

Other charms of Paris are its atmospheric medieval quarters and graceful boulevards. Quintessential tourist experiences include shopping at bookshops in the Latin Quarter , strolling the Champs-Elysées , and people-watching from a sidewalk café terrace on the Boulevard Saint-Germain-de-Prés .

In contrast to the grey skies of Paris and northern France, the charming region of Provence basks in bright Mediterranean sunshine most of the year. This rural area feels untouched by the modern world and has a rugged, earthy appeal.

The rolling hills are covered with a patchwork of small farms, olive groves, sunflowers, and lavender fields. Fragrant rosemary, sage, and thyme and other wild herbs grow here in abundance and enliven the local cuisine.

In this dreamy landscape, Impressionist painters found inspiration to create vibrant works of art.

Visitors are enchanted by the villages perchés , which crown Provence's hilltops. Two favorite destinations are Saint-Paul-de-Vence , a picture-perfect walled medieval town (near many Côte d'Azur tourist spots , such as Eze) and Gordes , which is among the top places to see in the Luberon .

In the heart of Provence, traditional ambience is found on the tree-shaded streets and outdoor cafés of Aix-en-Provence , at the festivals of Arles , and by the old seaport of Marseilles .

Also not-to-be missed are the Palais de Papes in Avignon ; the legendary beach resort of Saint-Tropez ; and the Roman theater in Orange , one of the amazing sites of the Haut-Vaucluse .

Also known as the French Riviera, the Côte d'Azur is a glamorous stretch of Mediterranean coastline named for its deep azure-blue waters. The skies are often a mesmerizing cerulean hue as well, thanks to the sunny weather most of the year in this area of southern France.

Stretching roughly from Saint-Tropez (overlapping with the Provence region) to Menton , less than 30 kilometers from the border with Italy, the Côte d'Azur has been a fashionable seaside resort destination since the early 19th century.

Spring and autumn bring milder weather and a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere.

The Côte d'Azur has something for everyone . Nice is the place to enjoy the good life, visit art museums, and stroll along cobblestone streets and palm-fringed boulevards. Within a short drive from Nice are places to visit as day trips , such as splendid waterfront villas and top-notch art museums.

Among the most famous French Riviera tourist attractions are Cannes , which has a dazzling beachfront promenade and an alluring Old Town; and Monaco , a tiny royal principality that is synonymous with luxury and decadence. Both Cannes and Monaco feature five-star hotels, acclaimed restaurants, and yacht-filled marinas.

Sun worshippers flock to Saint-Tropez , a happening summer vacation spot with exclusive private beaches, as well as public beaches that appeal to regular tourists. Vacationers appreciate Antibes for its expansive sandy beaches, atmospheric medieval quarter, and fabulous Picasso Museum housed in a castle overlooking the sea.

A short train ride from Paris is the UNESCO-listed Château de Versailles . Built for Louis XIV (the "Sun King"), this opulent 17th-century palace is a testament to the glory and absolute power of the French monarch.

The château's splendid Baroque façade, dazzling Hall of Mirrors , and fountain-adorned formal gardens allow visitors to imagine a scene of France's bygone royal court.

Versailles immerses visitors into the extravagance of France's Ancien Régime , the glittering world where Marie-Antoinette hosted lavish balls and garden parties.

Tourists may wander around Le Hameau de la Reine , the make-believe country village created by the last Queen as a way to escape the formality of court life. The hamlet includes a lake, orchard, dovecote, and originally had a working dairy.

Mont Saint-Michel is a highlight of the Normandy region, a pastoral landscape of apple orchards, woodlands, and cow pastures. This unmissable tourist attraction ranks number one on the long list of Normandy travel destinations , which includes stellar sights such as historic castles and picture-perfect towns.

Built between the 11th and 13th centuries, the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in France. The UNESCO-listed abbey is perched on the hilltop of an islet in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel and is considered a marvel of Gothic architecture.

The abbey church was an important medieval pilgrimage site on the "Way of Saint James" route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Modern-day pilgrims still make the journey here, crossing the Bay of Saint-Michel by foot at low tide.

Visiting Mont Saint-Michel is a spirit-lifting experience. Tourists may attend religious services, concerts, and cultural events at this sublime historic abbey.

Like the scene of a fairy tale, magnificent castles are scattered throughout the densely forested landscape of the Loire Valley. Stretching for 280 kilometers, from Sully-sur-Loire to Chalonnes-sur-Loire in Anjou, the Loire Valley is the largest UNESCO-listed site in France .

The region boasts an incredibly rich cultural heritage. During the 15th and 16th centuries, France's kings built sumptuous country retreats here purely for entertainment and enjoyment.

Extravagant châteaux, such as the grandiose Château de Chambord and the emblematic Château de Chenonceau , offer insight into the opulence of the Renaissance-era French court.

French nobles and elites also built stately manor houses, such as the majestic Château of Cheverny and the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau in an idyllic setting with a water-filled moat.

For families with kids, the M ini-Châteaux Park in Amboise is a marvelous destination. Set in two hectares of woodlands, the amusement park features 41 replicas of Loire châteaux built on a 1/25 scale. Children love exploring the kid-sized castles designed with authentic details.

Quaint and cultured, Strasbourg enchants visitors with its old-world charm . The entire historic center of Strasbourg, the Grande-Île , is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

When stepping foot into this mostly pedestrian area, one enters the world of centuries past. Medieval cobblestone lanes and narrow alleyways invite travelers to discover a delightful maze of pastel-painted half-timbered houses, ancient churches, and public squares filled with outdoor café tables.

At the heart of Strasbourg, the cathedral amazes all who admire its breathtakingly ornate façade.

The cathedral is within easy walking distance of many top tourist attractions, like the Maison des Tanneurs , a fine-dining restaurant in a classified Historic Monument; the 15th-century Maison Kammerzell , considered a gem of Alsatian Renaissance architecture; and the Eglise de Saint-Thomas , a 12th-century church that played an important role during the Protestant Reformation.

To soak up the quaint ambience of Strasbourg, be sure to wander around one of the most picturesque quarters of the Grande-Île, the Quartier des Tanneurs ("La Petite France"), with its meandering canals, tree-shaded walking paths, and traditional flower-bedecked Alsatian houses. The Rue du Bain-aux-Plantes is especially charming.

Also within the Grande-Île, the Quartier Krutenau is another wonderful neighborhood for a stroll. With the feel of a small village, this lively quarter brims with restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries.

A picturesque coastal region, Brittany has a rich maritime heritage seen in its historic port towns: Saint-Malo , surrounded by old ramparts; the medieval capital of Nantes; and the fortified 14th-century Concarneau .

The seaside also boasts stylish beach resorts like fashionable Dinard on the Côte d'Emeraude, the summertime vacation destination of La Baule on the estuary of the Loire River, and Tréboul near the lovely riverside town of Quimper.

The scenery is dramatic and unspoiled, with secluded sandy beaches and a rocky coastline where wild Atlantic waves crash against the shore. Centuries-old fishing villages are sheltered in quiet bays and on tiny windswept offshore islands.

Breton culture can be traced back to the Celts (the local dialect is related to Gaelic). Similar to Ireland, it is a land of mythology and legends. Today, Brittany is strongly Catholic. Locals celebrate ancient religious customs called "pardons," special festivals when townspeople wear old-fashioned regional costumes.

The local cuisine features delicious specialties such as fresh seafood and savory buckwheat crepes. Brittany also has a famous regional pastry, the " kouign-amann ," a buttery pastry made with croissant dough that is layered with sprinkles of sugar, has a moist cake-like center, and a crispy caramelized exterior.

A blend of Parisian-style elegance and the untamed natural beauty of the Atlantic coast, Biarritz is an upscale seaside resort with fabulous beaches. Biarritz was favored by Empress Eugénie, who loved this area of the Basque region. She chose a sandy hillside overlooking the Bay of Biscay as the location for her Imperial residence, the Villa Eugénie.

This Second Empire palace has been converted into luxury accommodations, the five-star Hôtel du Palais , which offers exquisitely decorated guest rooms and an oceanfront gastronomic restaurant. Next to the hotel property is the Grande Plage , a sandy beach that has attracted sunbathers since the Belle Époque.

Another of the top beaches in Biarritz is the Plage du Miramar . A picturesque scene of colorful, striped cabanas and parasols during summertime, this sheltered beach has the delightful ambience of an old-fashioned seaside resort.

Just a half-hour drive (15 kilometers) from Biarritz is the historic fishing port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz , a popular summertime destination with family-friendly beaches.

Traveling inland 25 kilometers from Biarritz is the traditional Basque village of Espelette. This small village boasts typical half-timbered, red-shuttered Basque houses decorated with rows of dried red peppers called Piment d'Espelette (prized for use in Basque cuisine).

In Spain's Basque country, 50 kilometers by bus, car, or train from Biarritz, the lively seaside city of San Sebastian delights visitors with its elegant architecture, sandy beaches, and gourmet tapas.

If you only have time to visit one cathedral in France, then head to Chartres. Crowning the historic town, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . This magnificent Gothic monument dates to the 12th and 13th centuries and is remarkably well preserved.

Visitors are awed by the soaring spires, elaborately decorated façade, and marvelous array of stained-glass windows that give the sanctuary an ethereal quality. Most of the windows were created between 1210 and 1260, which is extremely rare.

During summertime, the cathedral hosts the Chartres International Organ Festival with performances of sacred music on Sunday afternoons.

France's national heroine, Joan of Arc led the country to victory during the Hundred Years' War when she was only seventeen years old. Her divinely ordained mission, instructed by heavenly voices, is still an inspiration to the faithful.

Joan of Arc's remarkable story began in Chinon , where on March 9, 1429, she went to meet the future Charles VII (the "Dauphin") at the Forteresse Royale (a medieval fortified castle). On this momentous occasion, the "Maid of Orléans" informed the Dauphin of his right to the crown and asked for help in forming an army, which was needed to break the Siege of Orléans (a pivotal event during the Hundred Years' War between France and England).

Because of its rich heritage, Chinon is listed as a Ville d'Art et d'Histoire (City of Art and History). At the tree-lined Place Jeanne d'Arc stands a monumental bronze equestrian statue of Joan of Arc depicted as a heroic military leader.

Among the top attractions of the Loire Valley , Orléans is another essential stop on the Joan of Arc trail. The city was saved by the "Maid of Orléans," during the Siege of 1429. After leading the French to defeat the English army, Joan of Arc came to the town's Cathédrale Sainte-Croix to pray. The cathedral's 19th-century stained-glass windows recount the history of Joan of Arc.

In a 15th-century half-timbered house, the Maison de Jeanne d'Arc in Orléans presents exhibits about Joan of Arc, who is now recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. A bronze equestrian statue of Joan of Arc graces the Place du Martroi in Orléans.

Tourists can learn more about Joan of Arc's life story at several of the top sights in Rouen . At the 13th-century Tour Jeanne d'Arc (dungeon), a relic of the town's old château, Joan of Arc was imprisoned, threatened with torture, put on trial, and accused of heresy.

Since this infamous trial in 1431 and martyrdom, Joan of Arc has been elevated to a saint. Built on the site in Rouen where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, the Eglise Jeanne d'Arc pays tribute to the saint's legacy. This modern church features an upwards-swooping roof designed to resemble flames.

Rouen also has a museum devoted to Joan of Arc, the Historial Jeanne d'Arc , in the former Archbishop's Palace (a classified Historic Monument) on the Rue Saint-Romain. This museum delves into Joan of Arc's epic story and explains how she changed the course of French history. Evocative multimedia exhibits and videos bring the events to life in a thrilling way.

Bucolic scenery and old-world charm set Alsace apart from the rest of France. The architecture and ambience of the region has been influenced over the centuries by neighboring Germany, as seen in the brightly painted, half-timbered buildings and ornate Gothic churches.

Colmar is the quintessential Alsatian town, full of interesting historic monuments and traditional houses with flower-bedecked balconies. An unspoiled landscape of vine-covered foothills surrounds Colmar, and nestled in the nearby valleys and along the Rhine River are tiny storybook hamlets and picturesque villages.

The Alsace Villages route is a delightful way to explore the region. Many villages are listed as the Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France), and some are designated as Villages Fleuris (Flowering Villages) because of the vibrant potted flowers that adorn the homes and streets.

Carcassonne has the look of a Disneyland castle, with massive fortifications that enclose the medieval citadel ( La Cité ). The concentric circles of defensive walls feature 52 turreted towers, many of which were renovated in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc (who also restored Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris).

The integrity of the ramparts gives Carcassonne a picture-perfect appearance and makes it one of the world's best-preserved medieval towns. Because of its cultural value, La Cité de Carcassonne is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Drawbridges once provided access into Carcassonne. Today, tourists can walk freely into this medieval citadel at any time. Stepping foot into La Cité provides visitors with a glimpse of life during the Middle Ages.

Wandering the labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets leads to discoveries of historic monuments (such as the Basilique Saint-Nazaire et Saint-Celse and the 12th-century Château Comtal ), small squares, and plenty of touristy restaurants and boutiques.

The French Alps boast some of the most awe-inspiring natural scenery in the world.

The majestic Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in Europe, an iconic snowcapped peak that soars to 4,810 meters. At this altitude, the air is fresh and the landscape is sublime, with crystal-clear lakes, dramatic rushing waterfalls, peaceful valleys, and refreshing pine forests.

During summertime, visitors flock to the Alps to go hiking, cycling, and mountain climbing. In the winter, the French Alps draw many tourists for Alpine skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. The area has many of France's best ski resorts . Other things to do during the snowy season include ice-skating, dog sledding rides, and old-fashioned horse-drawn sleigh rides.

Besides the spectacular mountain terrain, the region also has a rich cultural heritage linked to the ancestral territory of the Italian royal House of Savoy, as well as the historic Dauphiné region.

The lovely mountain village of Chamonix (about a 15-minute drive from the base of Mont Blanc) offers traditional Alpine ambience, while Annecy (just over a one-hour drive from Chamonix) has an ancient château, lakeside parks, and fairy-tale ambience.

Reims is justifiably placed among France's list of " Villes d'Art et d'Histoire " ("Cities of Art and History").

Of the town's three UNESCO World Heritage Sites , the most renowned is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims , where French kings were crowned. The most celebrated event was when Joan of Arc escorted Charles VII to the cathedral in July of 1429 for his coronation as king.

Built in the 13th century, the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims is a gem of High Gothic architecture. The dazzling exterior features a profusion of flying buttresses and sculpted angels, while the spacious interior has a solemn ambience of spirituality.

Among the city's top attractions , other UNESCO-listed landmarks include the Palais du Tau , a 17th-century Archbishops' Palace, and the 11th-century Basilique Saint-Rémi .

The Dordogne region is one of the best places to visit in France for viewing prehistoric cave paintings. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lascaux Cave in the Dordogne's Vallée de la Vézère contains masterpieces of Paleolithic art created by Cro-Magnon man.

Although the Lascaux Cave has been closed to the public to prevent damage, visitors may view copies of the cave's artwork at the nearby Lascaux II site (in Montignac).

Also in Montignac is the Centre International de l'Art Pariétal (International Center of Cave Art), which presents exhibits about prehistoric animal paintings and reveals the work of archaeologists. The center includes Lascaux IV , which is a complete replica of the prehistoric Lascaux Cave.

Also in the Vézère Valley, the Grotte de Rouffignac is adorned with paintings of horses, cows, bison, deer, goats, and mammoths.

One of the top attractions of the Pyrenees region is the Grotte du Mas d'Azil , an immense cave decorated with drawings from the Magdalenian and Azilian periods. This tourist attraction deep in the Pyrenees Mountains offers guided tours and admission to the nearby Musée de la Préhistoire .

About an hour drive from the Mas d'Azil Cave, the Grotte de Niaux also has remarkable Palaeolithic art dating from 14,000 to 10,000 BCE. The Grotte de Niaux is open to the public for guided tours (reservations required).

Near the town of Tarascon-sur-Ariège , the Grotte de Lombrives reveals fascinating ancient history, and the Grotte de Bédeilhac dazzles with its rare Magdalenian-era prehistoric art.

Clinging to a sheer cliff, Rocamadour seems to aspire towards heaven. This amazing site was the third most important Christian pilgrimage destination in the 11th century and a stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrims' route.

The village has seven medieval-era sanctuaries, accessible by steep pedestrian staircases. The most famous is the Chapelle Notre-Dame (Chapelle Miraculeuse), which contains the precious 12th-century Black Virgin (Notre-Dame de Rocamadour) associated with miracles.

Rocamadour's largest church, the Basilique Saint-Sauveur is a UNESCO-listed historic monument. This 13th-century pilgrimage church displays the architectural transition from Romanesque to Gothic.

Outside the village is the Causses du Quercy Regional Nature Park . Within this unspoiled landscape on the Quercy plateaus, grazing goats produce milk that is used to make AOC-labeled Cabécou de Rocamadour cheese. In late May or early June, the Rocamadour village hosts the Fête des Fromages (Cheese Festival) devoted to farmhouse cheeses of the region.

Other top attractions within an hour-and-a-half drive of Rocamadour include: Limoges (145 kilometers away), classified as a Ville d'Art et d'Histoire and one of the top travel destinations in the Limousin region ; and Périgueux (115 kilometers away), a quaint town in the Dordogne region dating to the Roman era, which was also on the Camino de Santiago.

The Bordeaux region is a beautiful bucolic corner of France, where grandiose castles preside over rolling, vine-covered hills. Scenic tree-shaded paths traverse the countryside and follow alongside the Garonne River, as well as its placid canals. Many travelers enjoy exploring this area on a leisurely cycling itinerary.

The region has two exceptional UNESCO World Heritage Sites : the elegant city of Bordeaux , with more than 350 buildings classified as historical monuments, and the little country village of Saint-Émilion, 51 kilometers from Bordeaux, which is packed with notable churches and monasteries.

The Burgundy region is an idyllic landscape of lush woodlands and rolling hills dotted with impressive monuments. Romanesque chapels, ancient towns, and inspiring old abbeys attest to a rich cultural heritage.

Among the top sights of the Burgundy region are the historic city of Dijon , with its aristocratic palaces, ornate Gothic churches, and excellent museums; the charming medieval town of Beaune ; and the monumental Abbaye de Cluny , a Benedictine abbey founded in the 10th century. The abbey belonged to the most influential monastic order of the medieval era.

Besides its incredible history, Burgundy is renowned for gastronomy. The traditional cuisine includes a repertoire of famous specialities such as escargot, Boeuf Bourguignon (Beef Burgundy), and Coq au Vin .

The mountainous Pyrenees region is a soul-inspiring place that offers both natural splendor and spiritual wonders. The region has many sacred pilgrimage sites, as well as rejuvenating spa towns.

The UNESCO-listed Cirque de Gavarnie is nature's version of a cathedral. Forming a semicircle, these awesome 1,700-meter-high limestone rock walls are draped with dramatic waterfalls that tumble down into rushing rivers and peaceful streams.

The entire Hautes-Pyrénées region is part of a national park, the Parc National des Pyrénées , which borders Spain. Within the park are hiking trails through lush forests and verdant valleys.

During wintertime, the French Pyrenees is a popular destination for downhill skiing. Top resorts include Cauterets, Font-Romeu, and the Grand Tourmalet ski area.

Nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains, Lourdes is France's most important Catholic pilgrimage site.

Millions of visitors come to Lourdes every year for spiritual inspiration. Some arrive to bathe in the waters in hopes of miracle cures. To the faithful, Lourdes is known for the 70 validated miracles that have occurred here.

The main pilgrimage sites, the Grotto (where Saint Bernadette received her divine visions), and the Basilique Notre-Dame du Rosaire are surrounded by a serene woodland alongside a tranquil babbling brook.

Marian Processions take place every evening at 9pm from April through October. The procession of hundreds of pilgrims holding candles is a breathtaking sight to behold.

An enticing destination for gourmands to visit, Lyon is at the heart of French gastronomy. Lyonnais cuisine is renowned for its delicious regional specialties such as quenelles (fish dumplings served in a creamy sauce), steak, Bresse chicken with morels, sausages, and salads.

Tourists can choose from an incredible selection of restaurants. For casual everyday dining, the "Bouchons Lyonnais" (traditional bistros) allow visitors to sample the authentic local cuisine while enjoying an inviting, cozy ambience.

A top destination for fine dining, the Auberge du Pont de Collonges was helmed by famous chef Paul Bocuse for decades. Today this legendary gastronomic establishment with two Michelin stars has changed its name to Restaurant Paul Bocuse . The restaurant carries on the legacy of Paul Bocuse by continuing to serve his signature dishes.

Besides its gourmet delights, Lyon is rich in cultural heritage . The city's four historic districts (representing 500 hectares) are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Among the many historic attractions are ancient Roman ruins, atmospheric medieval quarters, and elegant Renaissance houses.

Lyon's Musée des Beaux-Arts is second only to Paris' Louvre Museum in its wealth of artistic treasures. The museum contains an outstanding assortment of European paintings from the 14th to 20th centuries, including masterpieces by Véronèse, Rubens, Delacroix, Renoir, Monet, and Picasso.

For those seeking a rejuvenating getaway, the Belle Époque spa towns in the French Alps region, such as the lakeside resorts of Aix-les-Bains and Evian-les-Bains , deliver the ultimate relaxing vacation experience at pampering thermal spas and upscale hotels.

The Pyrenees region is prized for its pristine fresh-water streams and rejuvenating spa towns. During the 19th century, the area's thermal spa resorts such as Cauterets and Luz-Saint-Sauveur attracted a silk-stocking clientele, who came to soak in the healing mineral waters.

Set in a verdant valley, Bagnères-de-Bigorre is home to the top spa resort of the Hautes-Pyrénées region. The town's thermal spa was inaugurated in 1823 by Marie-Thérèse-Charlotte , the daughter of Marie-Antoinette.

In an elegant marble-faced 19th-century building, Les Grands Thermes offers thermal baths filled with certified mineral waters that are said to cure various health conditions. Five-day retreats with lodging are available.

The rural area of Gascony and the city of Toulouse exude the sultry charm of southern France.

Sunny and slow-paced, Gascony (Le Gers) has a traditional rural character that seems untouched by modernity. The rolling hills are blanketed with a patchwork of small farms and dotted with quiet country villages and ancient castles.

Steeped in history dating back to the 13th century, Toulouse is known as " The Pink City " because of its distinctive red-brick architecture. These buildings reflect the sunlight in a rosy-toned hue.

While ambling the pleasant town squares and basking on outdoor café terraces in Toulouse, visitors soak up the laid-back vibe of this beautiful and balmy city.

The UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi runs through Toulouse and flows all the way to the Mediterranean port of Sète near Marseille. The tree-shaded path along the canal is popular for leisurely strolls and cycling.

The Parc Régional de Camargue , just 16 kilometers from Arles in Provence , is a place where visitors can take a breath of fresh air and enjoy unspoiled natural scenery. Marshlands, meadows, salt flats, and pastures blanket the landscape.

In this pristine UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve (around 100,000 hectares of protected wetlands), wild white horses roam free, and pink flamingoes thrive.

The nature reserve is home to over 300 bird species, which makes it a paradise for bird-watching. Other famous fauna include the native Camargue Bulls, which are raised for use in bullfighting.

The island of Corsica has a rugged and raw beauty, seen in its dramatic coastal landscapes, pristine forests, and snowcapped mountains. The island is fringed with beautiful beaches, quiet bays, attractive fishing ports, and lively seaside cities, while the inland hillsides are crowned with ancient villages where time seems to stand still.

Sun-worshipping beach lovers and outdoorsy and sporty types (including hard-core hikers) are drawn to the island's incomparable nature sites. The 1,000-kilometer shoreline offers crystal-clear waters that make it a paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving.

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France Travel Guide

Looking for an in-depth France travel guide ?

Then you’re in the right place!

There’s a reason why France is consistently ranked as the most visited country in the world:

Beyond the Parisian landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, there is so much to see in this Western European nation.

From the beaches of Southern France to the wine country to the Alps in the east, this country offers a little bit of everything. Whether you want to explore centuries-old cities or have an epic outdoor adventure, you can do it in France.

No trip to France is complete without a few days in the City of Lights — Paris!

Paris is home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including historic spots like Château de Versailles and more modern architectural works like Le Corbusier’s Maison La Roche.

That blend of old and new is present throughout Paris, where fashionable, modern shops and cafes exist among buildings that were constructed nearly 1,000 years ago.

And of course, the culture of Paris is one of its biggest draws; see some of the greatest works of art at the Musée du Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay or see the Paris Opera at the Palais Garnier.

You can’t talk about France without mentioning the food! There are so many delicious dishes to try throughout the country, as each region has a cuisine all its own.

Sample seafood dishes like mussels in white wine sauce in the Normandy region, enjoy a quiche in Lorraine, and pair a glass of red with some escargot in Burgundy.

Wine is a big part of French culture, of course, and there are many vineyards you can visit throughout the country to get a taste for one of France’s biggest exports. Don’t forget the cheese!

Keep reading to dive into resources that will help you with planning a trip to France in western Europe.

Note: This guide to France travel contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Use this France travel map to begin planning your trip to this incredible country!

Click here for an interactive Google Map version of the above graphic.

France Travel Itineraries

Discover where to go in France including top things to do!

Paris Travel Guide

Use this Paris city guide section to plan the perfect trip!

Solo Travel In Paris: A Romantic Guide For One

How To Enjoy Paris On A Budget

6 Amazing Apps For Cultural Immersion In Paris, France

Taking In The Best View Of Paris From Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Cheap Travel: Exploring Paris For Less Than €25 Per Day

Lyon Travel Guide

Plan a memorable trip to Lyon with the help of these ultimate guides to the city:

2 Days In Lyon: The Ultimate Itinerary + Tips

Nice Travel Guide

This Nice tourist guide section shares fun things to do in this beautiful city!

3 Stunning Day Trips From Nice, France

France Fun: Exploring Nice Beyond The Promenade

Marseille Travel Guide

Looking for a fun Marseille tourist guide ? The following resources have you covered!

How To Hike Calanques National Park In Marseille, France

Provence Travel Guide

This guide to Provence section will show you the best this region has to offer!

5 Must-Eat Dishes In Provence, France (Beautiful Illustrations Included!)

5 Epic Adventures You Didn’t Know You Could Have In Provence

An Authentic Calisson Cooking Class In Aix-en-Provence

South Of France Travel Guide

Explore fun things to do in one of the best French holiday destinations ! You can also peruse the above sections on travel in Nice, Marseille, and Provence for bonus South of France trip inspiration.

How To Have An Epic South Of France Road Trip (With Video!)

How To Enjoy Epic Wine, Hiking & Skinny Dipping Near Cannes, France

Is The Verdon Gorge France’s Most Beautiful Attraction?

These 5 Unique Accommodations Will Make You Crave A South of France Getaway

15 Best Beach Clubs On The French Riviera

France Travel Tips

Important advice for traveling in France !

How Not To Get Treated Rudely By The French

France Solo Travel: The Ultimate Guide

Top Guided Tours In France

Explore local culture with a France tour guide through these unique excursions:

• French Baking Class: Baguettes and Croissants in a Parisian Bakery (Paris, France)
• Off the Beaten Track: Guided Bike Tour of Paris Local Districts and Stories (Paris, France)
• Paris in One Day: Eiffel Tower with Summit, Louvre Museum and Seine River Cruise (Paris, France)
• Nice Local Vineyards Small Group Half Day E-Bike Tour with Wine Tasting (Nice, France)
• French Riviera Day Trip with Monaco Cannes & Perfumery Visit (Nice, France)
• Hot Air Balloon Flight Over the Castle of Chenonceau (Loire Valley, France)

Renting A Car In France

Need a rental car for your France trip?

Use Discover Cars to quickly compare your car rental options.

France Train Travel

Getting around France by train, bus, or ferry?

Omio is a must! I use this tool for all of my public transportation needs when traveling Europe .

The site is straightforward and user-friendly — and you can pre-book your tickets in advance at a discount.

They even offer flight and car deals!

France Hotels

Click here to browse hotels in France!

Prefer self-contained stays? 

Click here to check out unique local rentals!

You can also use this map to search for local stays:

France Travel Insurance

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling solo or with a group on a France tour. When visiting France — or any other country in the world — make sure to get travel insurance to protect your health and safety.

In my opinion, the best travel medical insurance for travelers is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

With coverage, you’ll have peace of mind as you embark on your France itinerary.

Click my referral link here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

France Travel Guide FAQ

Below, find answers to frequently asked questions about traveling in France .

Q: What is the best way to book travel in France?

As you start planning your trip to France, be sure to check flight search engines like Skyscanner . This site can help you find the best times to fly for your budget or the most convenient flights for your travel dates.

If you’re flying to France from somewhere else in Europe (or planning to fly to different locations within the country), check out some of the European budget airlines like easyJet and Ryanair for the best prices.

Busses and trains are also ubiquitous throughout the country and are an easy way to get from one city to the next. Be sure to book in advance, though; generally speaking, the further out you book, the less you’ll pay. You can use a site like Omio to book in advance and find great deals!

Q: How much should I budget for a trip to France?

France isn’t known for being particularly inexpensive for tourists, but it is absolutely possible to see the country on a budget . The average traveler spends about $216 USD per day in France on accommodations, transportation, food, activities, and other expenses.

If you’re traveling backpacker-style by staying in hostels, buying your own food, and using public transportation, you can expect to spend about $72 USD per day.

Q: What can you see in France in 10 days?

You can see a great deal of France in just 10 days!

Any travel itinerary will depend on your personal priorities and preferences, but if you’re looking to see the entire country in this amount of time, you’ll want to budget your days accordingly.

To make the most of your trip, you’ll want to spend about two to three days in Paris, a day or two in the Loire Valley, two days in Lyon, a day in Aix-en-Provence , and two days on the French Riviera in a city like Nice or Cannes .

The food in Strasbourg is also a draw and is reason enough to spend some time in France’s Alsace region.

Q: How long can a tourist stay in France?

Most tourist visas will allow you to stay in France for up to 90 days without engaging in any professional activity during your stay.

Q: Do I need a France travel visa?

Travelers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Schengen Area member countries , and several other countries do not need a visa to visit France for a period of fewer than 90 days.

It’s recommended to view your country’s France International Travel Information page for the most up-to-date information on entry and exit requirements. You can also contact the French Embassy.

Q: Is France safe?

France is considered to be quite safe, and violent crime against tourists is rare. That being said, before visiting a particular French destination you should look up common scams and issues to be aware of. Additionally, have a strategy for how to avoid pickpockets , especially in big cities.

Are you solo female traveler ? Feel good knowing this is a popular destination for women traveling alone!

Q: What is the best time to visit France?

If you don’t mind the crowds, visiting France in summer brings loads of events, consistently sunny weather, and more daylight hours for exploration; however, for fewer crowds, mild weather, and better deals opt for late spring and fall.

Q: Where is France?

France is located in western Europe and is bordered by Spain (South); Italy and Switzerland (East); Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany (Northeast); the English Channel (Northwest); and the Bay of Biscay (Southwest),

Q: Are credit cards accepted in France?

Credit cards are widely accepted in France, though it’s always wise to carry some cash on you, especially when frequenting smaller mom and pop type establishments and street stalls.

Q: Can you drink tap water in France?

Yes, the tap water is safe to drink in France.

Q: Do they speak English in France?

In tourist areas and big cities, you’ll typically find people who speak English, though not everyone does, and even fewer people do in more rural areas.

If possible, it’s smart to learn some common French phrases and to brush up on French social etiquette .

Q: What is the local currency in France?

The local currency in France is the Euro (€).

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For all the millions of French people that live in its many vibrant cities, the idea persists that theirs is a rural country. The importance of the land reverberates throughout French culture, something you will truly understand when you travel to France.

Where to go in France

Best time to travel to france, itinerary for when you travel to france, culture in france, cuisine in france, alsace and lorraine, alsatian food, four fabulous alsace fortresses, the route des vins, the wines of alsace, “la grand boucle”.

France boasts metropolitan powerhouse cities that represent the countries accumulation of wealth, evident in the astonishing variety of places to visit, from the Dordogne's prehistoric cave paintings and the Roman monuments of the south, to the Gothic cathedrals of the north, the chateaux of the Loire, and the cutting-edge architecture of the grands projets in Paris. This legacy of history and culture - le patrimoine - is so widely dispersed across the land that even the briefest of stays will leave you with a powerful sense of France's past. After reading this region-by-region overview, you might want to arm yourself with 20 fun facts about France.

Travelling around France is easy. Restaurants and hotels proliferate, many of them relatively inexpensive when compared with other developed Western European countries. Train services are admirably efficient, as is the road network – especially the (toll-paying) autoroutes – and cyclists are much admired and encouraged. Information is highly organized and available from tourist offices across the country, as well as from specialist organizations for walkers, cyclists, campers and so on.

As for where to go in France, Paris, of course, is the outstanding cultural centre, with its impressive buildings – not least Frank Gehry’s stunning new Fondation Louis Vuitton – and unparalleled art, nightlife and ethnic diversity, though the great provincial cities – Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille – all now vie with the capital and each other for prestige in the arts, ascendancy in sport and innovation in attracting visitors. Marseille, in particular, has a host of exciting new cultural institutions, a legacy of its year as European Capital of Culture in 2013.

For most people, however, it’s the unique characters of the regions that will define a trip. Few holiday-makers stay long in the largely flat, industrial north, but there are some fine cathedrals and energetic cities to leaven the mix. The picture is similar in Alsace-Lorraine where Germanic influences are strong, notably in the food. On the northern Atlantic coast, Normandy has a rich heritage of cathedrals, castles, battlefields and beaches – and, with its cream-based sauces, an equally rich cuisine. To the west, Brittany is renowned for its Celtic links, beautiful coastline, prehistoric sites and seafood, while the Loire valley, extending inland towards Paris, is famed for soft, fertile countryside and a marvellous parade of châteaux. Further east, the green valleys of Burgundy shelter a wealth of Romanesque churches, and their wines and food are among the finest in France. More Romanesque churches follow the pilgrim routes through rural Poitou-Charentes and down the Atlantic coast to Bordeaux, where the wines rival those of Burgundy. Inland from Bordeaux, visitors flock to the gorges, prehistoric sites and picturesque fortified villages of the Dordogne and neighbouring Limousin, drawn too by the truffles and duck and goose dishes of Périgord cuisine. To the south, the great mountain chain of the Pyrenees rears up along the Spanish border, running from the Basque country on the Atlantic to the Catalan lands of Roussillon on the Mediterranean; there’s fine walking and skiing, as well as beaches at either end. Further along the Mediterranean coast, Languedoc offers dramatic landscapes, medieval towns and Cathar castles, as well as more beaches, while the Massif Central, in the centre of the country, is undeveloped and little visited, but beautiful nonetheless, with its rivers, forests and the wild volcanic uplands of the Auvergne. The Alps, of course, are prime skiing territory, but a network of signposted paths makes for great walking too; to the north, the wooded mountains of the Jura provide further scope for outdoor adventures. Stretching down from the Alps to the Mediterranean is Provence, which, as generations of travellers have discovered, seems to have everything: Roman ruins, charming villages, vineyards and lavender fields – and legions of visitors. Its cuisine is similarly diverse, encompassing fruit, olives, herbs, seafood and lamb. Along the Provençal coast, the beaches, towns and chic resorts of the Côte d’Azur form a giant smile extending from the vibrant city of Marseille to the super-rich Riviera hotspots of Nice and Monaco. For truly fabulous beaches, however, head for the rugged island of Corsica, birthplace of Napoleon and home to an Italian-leaning culture and cuisine and some fascinating Neolithic sculptures.

Discover more places in France

• Languedoc Travel Guide
• The Limousin, Dordogne and the Lot Travel Guide
• The Loire Travel Guide
• The Massif Central Travel Guide
• Normandy Travel Guide
• The north Travel Guide
• Paris Travel Guide
• Poitou-Charentes and the Atlantic coast Travel Guide
• Provence Travel Guide
• The Alps and Franche-Comté Travel Guide
• The Côte d’Azur Travel Guide
• The Rhône valley Travel Guide
• The Pyrenees Travel Guide

The climate in France can be tricky to navigate when deciding the best time to visit. The north experiences similar weather to the UK, often being wet and moderately unpredictable. The south is significantly warmer, particularly behind the Mediterranean coastline. Briefly speaking, the best time to visit is during late spring to early autumn, when the temperature is warm and crowds are not swarmed with tourists.

If visiting for the first time, or as a returning traveller, planning an itinerary ensures you experience as much of the country as possible, particularly if driving. The diversity of France's beautiful landscape means there are many routes to choose from, so if you have a particular mission in mind, check out our range of itineraries , or alternatively plan a tailor-made trip with one of our experts. For inspiration, we've created an itinerary below.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for France, created by local experts

14 days  / from 3891 USD

An active walking tour out of the way in France

Your trip starts with an in-depth introduction to France in Paris: several unique day excursions connect you with local Parisians to show you their city and way of life. Afterwards continue south to start a few days walking journey through Southern France before ending around Avignon.

10 days  / from 2431 USD

Southern France – Walks in the Alpilles and Lavender fields

Start your tour in the coastal city of Marseille, exploring Cassis on the way. Around the Alpilles in Provence, you will be provided with detailed walking materials to explore the area on foot, from both Les Baux and St Remy. End your tour in famous Avignon.

12 days  / from 2971 USD

Tasting Eastern France

A delicious yet active journey through Eastern France. Start your trip in Lyon with some unique food tours before setting off on a 4-day walk across the Beaujolais region. Almost every day ends with a wine tasting in your guesthouse, soothing for body and soul.

Tailor-made trips for   France

Days 1 - 3: Paris

Your travels to France would not be complete without visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower in the heart of Paris. Tick of the main sites on the checklist; the Louvre Museum, the Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe. Enjoy exploring the charming streets, stopping off for macarons in delightful little cafes.

Days 3 - 5: Epernay, Champagne

Take a trip to Epernay, the birthplace of Champagne. Enjoy a glass of authentic bubbly whilst taking in the beautiful landscape of rolling green hills. Go wine tasting, cycle along the vineyards, take morning walks, and explore the charm of the small town. Simply enjoy the countryside of France.

Days 5 - 7: Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is a place of fairy tales, explore the many Chateaux and immerse yourself into feeling like you have stepped back in time. Chateaux of the Loire Valley is an impressive example of French Renaissance architecture and is a good starting point. Other monumental castles to look out for include those at Ambroise and Nantes. Take part in a tour, also possible along the Loire River, and explore the historical towns and get a real feeling for French history and culture.

The importance of these traditions is felt deeply by the French state, which fights to preserve and develop its culture perhaps harder than any other country in the world. Private companies, which also strive to maintain French traditions in arenas as diverse as haute couture, pottery and, of course, food, are perfect examples of this. The fruits of these efforts are evident in the subsidized arts , notably the film industry, and in the lavishly endowed and innovative museums and galleries. From colonial history to fishing techniques, aeroplane design to textiles, and migrant shepherds to manicure, an array of impressive collections can be found across the nation. Inevitably, however, first place must go to the fabulous displays of fine art in Paris, a city which has nurtured more than its fair share of the finest creative artists of the last century and a half, both French – Monet and Matisse for example – and foreign, such as Picasso and Van Gogh.

French cuisine is as varied as it's landscape, as the creator of the Michelin Star, France takes its food reputation seriously. Dive in deep to France's food and drink culture, that will have you eager to travel to France as soon as you can.

From traditional village boulangeries cooking fresh bread and croissants to high-class restaurants, you'll notice the always pleasant aroma of delicious dishes being cooked. Popular recipes to look out for include ratatouille, bourguignon and crepes. Drink-wise, France boasts some of the best wines, and of course, there is Champagne.

Top image: Le Mont Saint-Michel, France © canadastock / Shutterstock

Disputed for centuries by French kings and the princes of the Holy Roman Empire, and subsequently embroiled in a bloody tug-of-war between France and Germany, France’s easternmost provinces, Alsace and Lorraine , share a tumultuous history. It’s no surprise then that almost everything, from the architecture to the cuisine and the language, is an enticing mixture of French and German – so much so that you might begin to wonder which country you’re actually in.

Cute Hansel-and-Gretel-type houses – higgledy-piggledy creations with oriel windows, carved timberwork, toy-town gables and geranium-filled window boxes – are a common feature in Alsace, especially along the winding Route des Vins , which traces the eastern margin of the forests of the Vosges mountains. This road also represents the region’s chief tourist raison d’être – wine – best accompanied with a regional cuisine that’s more Germanic than French, although you’ll find plenty of creativity in modern Alsatian cooking. Ruined medieval castles are scattered about, while outstanding churches and museums are concentrated in the handsome regional capital of Strasbourg and in smaller, quirkier Colmar . Bustling Mulhouse stands out for its industrial heritage and entertaining nightlife. A noticeably wealthy province, Alsace has historically churned out cars and textiles, not to mention half the beer in France.

Alsace’s less prosperous and less scenic neighbour, Lorraine, shares borders with Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium. The graceful former capital, Nancy , is home to a major school of Art Nouveau and is well worth a visit, as is leafy Metz , with its sparkling new contemporary art gallery. The bloody World War I battlefields around Verdun attract a large number of visitors, as does the zoo in Amnéville , one of the largest in France. Gastronomically no less renowned than other French provinces, Lorraine has bequeathed to the world one of its favourite savoury pies, the quiche lorraine , and an alcoholic sorbet, the coupe lorraine .

Top image: Cathedral of Our Lady, Strasbourg © Travelerpix/Shutterstock

Alsatians are hearty eaters, with their local cuisine characterized by generous helpings of pork, potatoes and spaetzle (a type of pasta usually fried in butter). But the region also has an international reputation for gastronomy, with exciting, new and well-established Michelin-starred restaurants dotted across its towns and villages.

The classic dish is choucroute , the aromatic pickled cabbage known in German as sauerkraut . The difference here is the inclusion of juniper berries in the pickling stage and the addition of goose grease or lard. Traditionally it’s served with large helpings of smoked pork, ham and sausages, but some restaurants offer a succulent variant replacing the meat with fish ( choucroute aux poissons ), usually salmon and monkfish. The qualification à l’alsacienne after the name of a dish means “with choucroute ”. Baeckoffe , a three-meat hotpot, comprising layers of potato, pork, mutton and beef marinated in wine and baked for several hours, is a speciality. Onions , too, crop up frequently on menus, either in the guise of a tart ( tarte à l’oignon ), made with a béchamel sauce, or as flammeküche ( tarte flambée ), a mixture of onion, cream and pieces of chopped smoked pork breast, baked on a thin, pizza-like base.

Alsatians are fond of their pastries . In almost every patisserie, you’ll find a mouthwatering array of fruit tarts made with rhubarb (topped with meringue), wild blueberries, red cherries or yellow mirabelle plums. Cake-lovers should try kugelhopf , a dome-shaped cake with a hollow in the middle made with raisins and almonds.

For the classic Alsatian eating experience, you should go to a winstub , loosely translated as a “wine bar”, a cosy establishment with bare beams, wood wall panels and benches and a convivial atmosphere. The food revolves around Alsatian classics, such as choucroute , all accompanied by local wines (or, in a bierstub , beer).

A thirty-minute drive north of Metz lies Amnéville , an easy-to-overlook town off the A31 motorway. But, just outside, in the Parc Amnéville-Les-Thermes , there is a gigantic tourist site with a conglomeration of attractions, cinemas, restaurants, spas and hotels you'd expect to see in North America rather than Europe. There are three large spas , Centre Thermal St Eloy (with a more therapeutic-medical orientation), Thermapolis (relaxation for all the family) and Villa Pompéi (offering massage and beauty treatments), which have been built over natural thermal springs; there are also sports arenas that include France’s only indoor ski slope, an 18-hole golf and mini-golf course, a “Fitnessium”, an ice-skating rink and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

But the main attraction is the zoo – one of the largest in France. You need a car to get there – and to move around the site. The zoo holds a large number of rare species; many of them are photogenic mammals, such as snow leopards, Siberian tigers, dwarf hippos and a big number of monkey species. In 2015, a new arena was opened to host a choreographed tiger show (1–3 times daily). Feeding of animals takes place several times a day; the wolf-pack feed is the biggest draw.

Alsace is dotted with medieval fortresses, heirlooms from a quarrelsome past. Here’s a rundown of the very best castles in the region:

Bernstein Explore the marvellous ruins of this castle perched 562m up on a rock overlooking Dambach-la-Ville. It’s a 45-minute walk from the village past the chapel of St-Sébastien or a drive up the D35, turning left at Blienschwiller towards Villé on the D203 and then following the sign to Bernstein on the GR5 until the Schulwaldplatz car park. From there it’s a gentle 20min walk uphill through a spruce forest. Free access.

Haut Koenigsbourg A massive pile of honey-coloured sandstone that sits astride a 757m bluff, this castle dates from the twelfth century. It was heavily restored in the twentieth century under the tenacious management of Kaiser Wilhelm II and is today one of the most visited monuments in France – try to come midweek or out of season to avoid the crowds. It is a stunning spot with fantastic views on a clear day.

Château Hohlandsbourg Six kilometres outside Eguisheim, this enormous castle surrounded by massive walls is the largest in the region. It was extensively damaged during the Thirty Years’ War but there’s still plenty to see, including beautiful gardens. The castle is also a venue for cultural activities, music concerts and children’s workshops – check the website for events.

Château Kintzheim Small but wonderful ruined castle built around a cylindrical refuge-tower and located just south of Haut Koenigsbourg. Today Kintzheim is an aviary for birds of prey – the Volerie des Aigles – and puts on magnificent displays of aerial prowess by resident eagles and vultures.

Metz (pronounced “Mess”), the capital of Lorraine, lies on the east bank of the River Moselle, close to the autoroute de l’Est linking Paris and Strasbourg. Today the city has another connection to the capital in the much-lauded satellite branch of the Centre Pompidou . Along with its rather splendid cathedral , a strong dining scene (inspired by the Renaissance writer and famous gourmand, Rabelais, who lived here for two years), large and beautiful flower-lined public spaces and riverside setting, the honey-coloured city of Metz is something of an undiscovered gem.

The city’s origins go back at least to Roman times, when, as now, it stood astride major trade routes. On the death of Charlemagne it became the capital of Lothar’s portion of his empire. By the Middle Ages it had sufficient wealth and strength to proclaim itself an independent republic, which it remained until its absorption into France in 1552. Caught between warring influences, Metz has endured more than its share of historical hand-changing; reluctantly ceded to Germany in 1870, it recovered its liberty at the end of World War I, only to be re-annexed by Hitler until the Liberation.

Metz is, in effect, two towns: the original French quarters of the vieille ville , gathered round the cathedral and encompassing the Île de la Comédie , and the Quartier Impérial , undertaken as part of a once-and-for-all process of Germanification after the Prussian occupation in 1870. Developing with speed and panache is a third section: the Quartier de l’Amphithéâtre , south of the train station, heralded by the Centre Pompidou and the adjacent sports stadium – shops and offices are slowly following.

Centre Pompidou-Metz

The Centre Pompidou-Metz , the first decentralized branch of the Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris, opened with much pomp and ceremony in Metz’s Quartier de l’Amphithéâtre in May 2010. Designed by architects Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines, it’s a curious, bright white building resembling a swimming stingray and, with its huge glass windows and wooden scaffolding, is extremely light and inviting. The same spirit reigns here as in Paris: showing off a varying percentage of the Parisian stock, the aim of the museum is to bring modern art to the masses, and judging by the queues it’s working. Expect to spend around two hours here; there’s a café, as well as workshops for children (ask at reception for details).

A large, sprawling, industrial city 35km south of Colmar, Mulhouse was Swiss until 1798 when, at the peak of its prosperity (founded on printed textiles), it voted to become part of France. Today it bills itself as a “museum town”, with at least four that might grab your interest. It’s much cheaper to stay here than in neighbouring Colmar (or Basel), plus it offers the best nightlife in Alsace should you find yourself there over a weekend. The hôtel de ville on the central place de la Réunion contains a beautifully presented history of the city in the Musée Historique . The Neo-Gothic cathedral opposite the museum was built in 1866, replacing a twelfth-century church, yet its fourteenth-century stained glass is considered the most beautiful in the Upper Rhine; this is the only Protestant cathedral standing in a main square in France.

Cité de l’Automobile, Musée National-Collection Schlumpf

The city of Nancy , on the River Meurthe, is renowned for the magnificent place Stanislas, cited as a paragon of eighteenth-century urban planning and today the finest in France. For its spectacularly grand centre, Nancy has the last of the independent dukes of Lorraine to thank: the dethroned king of Poland and father-in-law of Louis XV, Stanislas Leszczynski. During the twenty-odd years of his office in the mid-eighteenth century, he ordered some of the most successful construction of the period in all France. The city is also home to some impressive examples of Art Nouveau furniture and glassware hailing from the days of the École de Nancy , founded at the end of the nineteenth century by glass-master and furniture-maker, Émile Gallé.

From the gare SNCF , walk through Porte Stanislas , straight down rue Stanislas to reach the Rococo place Stanislas . Both this gate and Porte St-Catherine opposite are meticulously aligned with place Stanislas’s solitary statue – that of the portly Stanislas Leszczynski , who commissioned architect Emmanuel Héré to design the square in the 1750s. On the south side of the square stands the imposing hôtel de ville , its roof topped by a balustrade ornamented with florid urns and winged cupids. Along its walls, lozenge-shaped lanterns dangle from the beaks of gilded cockerels; similar motifs adorn the other buildings on the square – look out for the fake, two-dimensional replacements. The square’s entrances are enclosed by magnificent wrought-iron gates; the impressive railings on the northern corners frame fountains dominated by statues of Neptune and Amphitrite.

Stanislas Leszczynski

Stanislas Leszczynski , born in the Polish–Ukrainian city of Lemberg (now Lviv) in 1677, lasted just five years as the king of Poland before being forced into exile by Tsar Peter the Great. For the next twenty-odd years he lived on a French pension in northern Alsace, but after fifteen years Stanislas’s luck changed when he managed, against all odds, to get his daughter, Marie, betrothed to the 15-year-old king of France, Louis XV . Marie was not so fortunate: married by proxy in Strasbourg Cathedral, having never set eyes on the groom, she gave birth to ten children, only to be rejected by Louis, who preferred the company of his mistresses, Madame de Pompadour and Madame du Barry. Bolstered by his daughter’s marriage, Stanislas had another spell on the Polish throne from 1733 to 1736, but gave it up in favour of the comfortable dukedom of Barr and Lorraine. He lived out his final years in aristocratic style in the capital, Nancy, which he transformed into one of France’s most beautiful towns.

Flanked to the west by the rising forests of the southern Vosges, which stretch all the way down to Belfort, Alsace’s picturesque Route des Vins (“Wine Route”) follows the foot of the mountains along the western edge of the wide and flat Rhine valley. Beginning in Marlenheim, west of Strasbourg, the route, on or around the D35, snakes its way over 180km to Thann, near Mulhouse, through exquisitely preserved medieval towns and villages characterized by half-timbered houses, narrow cobbled streets and neighbouring ancient ruined castles – testimony to the province’s turbulent past. The route is blanketed with neat terraces of vines, which produce the famous white wines. Tasting opportunities are plentiful, particularly during the region’s countless wine festivals that mainly coincide with the October harvest.

The old centre of Colmar , a thirty-minute train ride south of Strasbourg and lying east of the main Route des Vins villages, is echt Alsatian, with crooked half-timbered and painted houses. Its small canals and picturesque narrow streets are a flaneur’s paradise. This is prime Elsässisch-speaking country, a German dialect known to philologists as Alemannic, which has waxed and waned during the province’s chequered history. As the proud home of Mathias Grünewald’s magnificent Issenheim altarpiece – on display in the Musée d’Unterlinden –the town is a magnet for tourists all year round.

Musée d’Unterlinden

Colmar’s foremost attraction, the Musée d’Unterlinden is an even richer experience after a lengthy period of renovation and extension. The core of the collection is housed in a former Dominican convent with a peaceful cloistered garden; it includes the museum’s biggest draw, the Issenheim altarpiece , which is thought to have been made between 1512 and 1516 for the monastic order of St Anthony at Issenheim, whose members cared for those afflicted by ergotism and other nasty skin diseases. The extraordinary painted panels are the work of Mathias Grünewald (1480–1528). The luridly expressive centre panel depicts the Crucifixion: a tortured Christ turns his outsize hands upwards, fingers splayed in pain, flanked by his pale, fainting mother and saints John and Mary Magdalene. The face of St Sebastian, on the right wing, is believed to have been modelled on Grünewald’s own likeness. The reverse panels depict the annunciation, Christ’s resurrection, the nativity and a flamboyant orchestra of angels, all splendidly bathed in transcendental light. On the rest of the panels, you’ll find a truly disturbing representation of the temptation of St Anthony, who is engulfed by a grotesque pack of demons; note the figure afflicted with the alarming symptoms of ergotism.

The renovated convent is now linked via an underground gallery of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century art to a brand-new wing, which houses modern and contemporary works, and to the town’s former municipal baths, re-imagined as a venue for cultural events. Highlights include Impressionist paintings by Monet and Bonnard, plus a couple of Picassos.

Verdun lies in a bend of the River Meuse, some 70km west of Metz. Of no great interest in itself, what makes this sleepy provincial town remarkable is its association with the horrific battle that took place on the bleak uplands to the north between 1916 and 1918. In 1916, aiming to break the stalemate of trench warfare, the German General Erich von Falkenhayn chose Verdun as the target for an offensive that ranked among the most devastating ever launched in the annals of war. His troops advanced to within 5km of Verdun, but never captured the town. Gradually the French clawed back the lost ground, but final victory came only in the last months of the war with the aid of US troops. The price was high: hundreds of thousands of men died on both sides. To this day, memorials in every village, hamlet and town of France are inscribed with the names of men slaughtered at Verdun. Not far from Verdun’s railway station, the Rodin memorial , a disturbing statue of winged Victory, stands beside a handsome eighteenth-century gateway at the northern end of rue St-Paul where it joins avenue Garibaldi. Nearby, a simple engraving lists all the years between 450 and 1916 that Verdun has been involved in conflict. The fourteenth-century Porte Chaussée guards the river-crossing in the middle of town. Beyond it, further along rue Mazel, a flight of steps climbs up to the towering Monument de la Victoire , where a helmeted warrior leans on his sword in commemoration of the 1916 battle, while in the crypt below a roll is kept of all the soldiers, French and American, who took part.

The battlefields

The Battle of Verdun opened on the morning of February 21, 1916, with a German artillery barrage that lasted ten hours and expended two million shells. The battle concentrated on the forts of Vaux and Douaumont, built by the French after the 1870 Franco–Prussian War. By the time the main battle ended ten months later, nine villages had been pounded into oblivion.

The most visited part of the battlefield extends along the hills north of Verdun, but the fighting also spread to the west of the Meuse, to the hills of Mort-Homme and Hill 304, to Vauquois and the Argonne, and south along the Meuse to St-Mihiel, where the Germans held an important salient until dislodged by US forces in 1918. Unless you take an organized tour the only viable way to explore the area is with your own transport. The main sights are reached via two minor roads that snake through the battlefields: the D913 and D112.

Despite the long, tall bottles and Germanic names, Alsatian wines are unmistakably French in their ability to complement the region’s traditional cuisine. This is white wine country – if you do spot a local red, it will invariably be a Pinot Noir. Winemakers take advantage of the long, dry autumns to pick extremely ripe grapes producing wines with a little more sweetness than elsewhere in France, but good wines will have a refreshing natural acidity, too. Each of the three main grape varieties listed below can be made with a sweetness level ranging from off-dry right through to “Séléction des Grains Nobles” for the most highly prized dessert wines ( vendages tardives being the label for the slightly less sweet late-harvested wines). Grand Cru labelled wines come from the best vineyard sites.

Riesling The ultimate thirst-quencher, limey, often peachy, excellent with fish dishes and choucroute .

Gewurztraminer Alsace’s most aromatic grape, with roses, lychees, honey, spices and all manner of exotic flavours. Try with pungent Munster cheese or rich pâté.

Pinot Gris Rich, fruity, smoky and more understated than Gewurztraminer. A versatile food wine; try with white meat in creamy sauces and milder cheeses.

Other wines you’re likely to come across include the grapey Muscat , straightforward Sylvaner , and delicate Pinot Blanc/Auxerrois , which also forms the base of the region’s excellent sparkling Crémant d’Alsace . Pinot Noir is used for light, fruity reds and rosés.

• With a land area of 547,000 square kilometres, France is the largest country in the EU; its population of 66 million is second only to that of Germany.

• France has a long secular republican tradition dating back to the revolution of 1789. Yet the majority of its population is Roman Catholic – nominally, at least – and there’s a substantial Muslim minority of around 8 to 10 percent.

• Annual GDP per capita is around $44,000, making France one of the world’s richest countries, but unemployment is a persistent problem, at around 10 percent. Taxes are high, at around 43 percent, but so is social spending, at almost 30 percent.

• France remains by far the world's most popular tourist destination, with some 82 million visitors annually.

• The French film industry is the world’s third most prolific, after the US and India, with around 215 million tickets sold annually.

• Contrary to its self-image as a bastion of gastronomy, the country is also the second largest consumer of McDonalds’ burgers after the US, flipping more than a million Big Macs daily.

• A great source of confusion when meeting and greeting French people is the double kiss, or bise . When it is appropriate, and how many times to do it, which cheek to start with, whether to touch or air kiss, what to do with your hands, or whether it’s better to shake hands instead, are all matters that vex the French just as much as foreign visitors – not least because norms vary between regions, social situations and age groups. When in doubt, hang back, copy what everyone else does, and go left for the first one.

• In 1910, a law was passed in France forbidding couples from kissing on train platforms to avoid delayed departures. The law is still in place, though no longer enforced.

Each year, in the sweltering heat of July, millions of people take up positions on roadsides around France to cheer, shout and bellow cries of encouragement to a pelaton of nearly 200 cyclists as they speed past in a stream of day-glo lycra. Millions more watch on television – though few of them are cycling aficionados. Because the Tour de France is far more than a mere bike race. For the French, it’s a national institution; a symbol of unity; a chance, as the riders pit themselves against the toughest terrain the mighty héxagone can throw at them, to admire the scenic splendour of the country in all its summer glory, with the fields of the Garonne’s sun flowers in full bloom, the Côte d’Azur at its most sleek, and the craggy Alps basking under boundless blue skies.

Started in 1903, the Tour was born out of the rivalry between two sporting papers, L’Auto and Le Vélo , as a ruse to boost sales. The passion it incited nearly scuppered the event in its second year, when riders were beaten up by rival fans and cheating was rife (racers were spotted jumping into cars and taking trains). These days, in the wake of a series of high-profile doping scandals, performance-enhancing drugs pose the main threat to the survival of the 3600-km (2200-mile) race, though La Grand Boucle (the “Great Loop”), as it’s known, still casts a powerful spell over the nation. And it’s not just an obsession for the French; in 2012, Britain’s own Bradley Wiggins clinched the title – the Tour’s first British winner – successfully ensuring a new and ardent fan base just across the Channel.

For your average Frenchman, any recipe for a relaxing summer’s evening would have to include the three Ps: plane trees (or palms at a pinch); pastis ; and that most quintessentially French of games, pétanque . You’ll see this Gallic version of bowls played on countless squares across the country, where groups of mostly middle-aged men in baggy shorts congregate around gravel-and-dirt boulodromes to lob heavy metal boules at diminutive wooden ones called cochonnets (literally “piglets”). Pétanque matches played after work and on weekends are part and parcel of the daily rhythm of life, especially in the south.

The game was invented in 1907 in the town of La Ciotat on the Côte d’Azur by an enthusiastic bowler whose rheumatism prevented him from making the usual extended run up. Instead, he devised a version of his favourite sport in which the bowler’s feet stayed planted firmly on the ground ( pieds tanqués ). The pitch was shortened accordingly, and after the local bar owner firmed up a set of rules, the new game quickly caught on. A whole lexicon has evolved around pétanque to describe different throws and scenarios. Each team, for example, has a mix of “pointeurs” (pointers), players who place the ball as closely as possible to the jack, and “tireurs” (shooters), whose job it is to displace the opposition’s balls with spectacular lobs. If the throw falls short, it’s a “palouf”. If it nudges one of the other team’s balls, it’s made a “biberon”, or “baby’s bottle”. “Faire la Micheline” means to turn up for a game without your own set of boules. “Faire la chanson” refers to attempts to distract the opposition by chatting between points. And, most insulting of all for wannabe pétanque players from the UK, “faire de l’anglais” describes a totally hopeless throw.

Finally, if you’re lucky enough to spectate at a complete whitewash, you’ll experience the most ribald of all pétanque traditions, “Kissing the Fanny”. When a team or individual player loses by 13 points to zero they have to kiss the bare buttocks of a statue or framed picture of a lady named “Fanny”, usually kept in the nearest bar expressly for the purpose.

Travel advice for France

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to France

• Eating and drinking in France
• Getting around France: Transportation Tips
• Travel Tips France for planning and on the go
• How to get to France
• Outdoor activities
• Shopping tips for France
• Best time to visit France

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19 things only the locals know in France (and now you do too)

May 24, 2023 • 9 min read

Leave time in your France itinerary to simply sit and people watch © Drazen_ / Getty Images

France ’s top spot on the list of the world’s most visited countries doesn’t surprise me – its exhilarating cities, photogenic villages, surf beaches and snow-topped mountains, along with incredible gastronomy and wine, are irresistible for French citizens like me (with a lifetime of travel here) as well as for international visitors. 

Of course, the flip side of its popularity: planning ahead is a good idea if you want to enjoy the best of the country. These tips will help you navigate the country, customs and potential challenges for a smooth, stress-free trip to France.

1. How long should you spend in France?

Tempting as it is to cram in as much as possible, this is one of Europe’s largest countries, both in size and population, and rushing is counterproductive to French joie de vivre (enjoyment of life). Savoring small, daily rituals like people-watching over an apéro ( apéritif ; predinner drink) on a cafe terrace enhances any trip and will probably become some of your favorite memories.

With a week or less, maximize your time by sticking to just a few cities or regions. Around 10 days or so is great for visiting a wide array of France’s highlights, from urban centers to châteaux and enchanting countryside. If you have longer, France is your oyster.

2. Avoid getting caught out by seasonal crowds or closures

Les grandes vacances (summer holidays) are sacrosanct in France. Most people take a minimum of two or three weeks off in July or especially August, when even services such as post offices and banks are on skeleton staff until la rentrée in early September, when normal life resumes.

When traveling in summer, allow time on the road for bouchons (traffic jams), buy train tickets in advance, reserve timeslots online for major sights wherever possible, and make accommodation and popular and/or high-end restaurant bookings weeks, if not months, ahead. In big cities like Paris , many restaurants and smaller boutiques shut for at least a couple of weeks – check establishments’ fermeture annuelle or congés d'été, and have alternatives planned.

Winter is peak season at the mountains’ ski resorts, but cities are quieter and prices lower, and especially outside the main centers, many attractions have reduced opening hours or may be closed altogether. Spring (particularly April and May) and fall (September and October) hit the sweet spot for good weather, manageable visitor numbers and catching most places open. Keep tabs on busy periods by looking up French school holidays .

3. What is the best way to get around France?

If you’re just hopping between cities and large towns: France’s excellent rail network , including TGV fast trains, can be the cheapest, easiest way to go ( seat61 is a handy primer). 

A road trip gives you freedom for spontaneous stops, detours and impromptu picnics in the gorgeous countryside, but definitely save yourself the hassle of driving in Paris’ heavy traffic and scarce parking; the superb public transport system covers the whole city.

Book rental cars well ahead for busy times as prices spike and availability plummets. The majority of cars in France are manual (stick shift); automatic rentals are in shorter supply. Autoroutes (highways) are the fastest but least interesting routes, and péages (tolls) quickly mount up. Smaller back roads and lanes take you into the heart of France’s famous vineyards, patchwork fields, historic villages and natural landscapes. 

Michelin’s route planner ViaMichelin marks extra-scenic stretches in green and has a "Discovery" option; the website also estimates toll and fuel costs. As you drive through France, geolocate the cheapest nearby gas stations using plein-moins-cher.fr .

4. Be ready to adapt your plans in case of strikes

Grèves (strikes) are relatively common in France, and disrupted or canceled transport services can really put a crimp in your plans. Stay up with the news and have a plan B ready if you need it.

5. Plan your itinerary around market days

City neighborhoods, towns and even tiny villages have weekly-or-better marchés (markets). Often dating back centuries, they’re local traditions that give you a window into French life, and have the best, freshest seasonal produce (with the lowest carbon footprint in travel miles). Bring your own shopping bag or basket to browse sun-ripened fruit, vegetables, cheeses, breads, charcuterie, olive oils, nuts, preserves and regional specialties, as well as ready-to-devour snacks.

At market stalls, don’t touch the produce (ask the vendor instead) and don’t haggle (bargaining is only OK at flea markets). And always ask permission to take photos (the same goes for shops).

Important note: if you’re arriving at night by car, look out for early-morning market-day parking restrictions that could see your vehicle towed.

6. A phrasebook or language app could be your best French friend

Even in bigger cities and tourist centers such as Nice , where English is more widely spoken, open with French, if only “excusez-moi, parlez-vous anglais?” (“excuse me, do you speak English?”), and brush up on at least a few basic phrases. The deeper you head into la France profonde (rural France), the more French you will need to use.

7. First impressions are everything

Any and every interaction in France – with shopkeepers, restaurant staff, someone riding the same elevator… – starts with bonjour ( bonsoir after dusk). After you’ve greeted someone once, it’s unnecessary to repeat it throughout the day, although you might say rebonjour (hello again). Just as important is farewelling people with au revoir (and, of course, thanking them with merci ).

8. Kissing varies across the country

La bise (giving cheek-skimming kisses) is back after the Covid pandemic put a pause on physical affection. Casual acquaintances and friends exchange at least two bisous (kisses). In some areas, like the more effusive south of France, it can be up to four, usually starting with the right cheek (but again, depending on the region).

9. If in doubt, communicate formally (and softly)

France remains a fairly formal place. Use the polite form "vous" (eg,  s'il vous plaît, “please”) unless/until you're invited to use "tu" (when you would switch to s'il te plaît, for instance). It’s respectful to address women/men as Madame / Monsieur in interactions (absolutely never use garçon , meaning “boy,” to summon a waiter).

People here speak more quietly than you might be used to, so adopt a similar pitch to blend in and keep noise down at night. French children tend to be quieter than some of their international counterparts.

10. Steer clear of money as a conversation topic

Discretion is highly valued in France, and discussing financial affairs (such as salaries or spending outlays) is generally off-limits in public. Safer subjects include art, philosophy, sport and France’s national obsession, food.

11. Get to grips with restaurant etiquette

Tipping isn’t part of French culture – the restaurant industry is a time-honored profession, and a service charge is included (though diners usually leave a few extra euros). Asking a waiter’s advice on the menu is appreciated. Requesting swap-out ingredients or items in the kitchen’s meticulously crafted dishes, however, is not.

Ordering une carafe d'eau (a free jug of tap water) is no problem, though glaçons (ice) uncommon. A short, sharp espresso (not milky coffee or tea) is the way to finish a meal. Phones on the table are frowned upon (ensure you have them on silent).

Waiters bringing you l'addition (the check) before you’ve asked for it is considered rude, so prepare to be persistent (don’t wave them over, catching their eye or making a slight hand movement is enough). Splitting the bill isn’t done. If you’ve been invited out for a meal, the person who asked you pays; if you’ve done the inviting, you’ll be expected to cover it. Because the food and dining experience are inseparable, doggy bags or boxes aren’t a concept.

You’re always better off avoiding restaurants touting a menu touristique ; the best places are the ones catering to locals.

12. Dress the part in any situation

France is a stylish place, but so long as you’re wearing smart, casual clothes in midrange restaurants and up (no jeans or sneakers), you should be fine. Swimwear is strictly for the beach or pool. At public pools, men are required to wear tight-fitting Speedo-style trunks. Controversially, body-covering burkinis are banned in some public swimming areas.

When you’re visiting religious sights such as churches, dress modestly and cover bare shoulders (skip sightseeing altogether while worship and religious celebrations are taking place).

Health and safety

13. prevention helps avert petty theft.

While France is largely safe, pickpocketing is pretty rife in places where tourists congregate. Precautions are your best defense: sling your bag across your body; keep your wallet in a front, not back, pocket; and conceal cash and cards in a money belt. Leave important documents like passports in your hotel safe. 

At cafe terraces, don’t hang your bag or jacket over the back of your chair out of sight, or leave your phone where it’s easily snatched. Distraction scams (such as fake petitions) are a favorite pickpocket tactic. Main train stations often attract dodgy characters day and night. Stay alert.

Car break-ins are especially prevalent in the south (places where cars are unattended for longer stretches, like beaches and remote sights, are prime targets). Don’t leave possessions on view, and take anything valuable with you. Ditto for train journeys if your luggage is stowed at the end of the carriage.

14. Avoid getting caught up in street protests

La manif (short for manifestation) can seem like it’s practically a national pastime, with protestors regularly taking to the streets. Protests can turn violent, though, so keep your distance.

15. Can you drink the water?

France’s tap water is OK to drink, though some residents prefer bottled water. Fountains in villages and towns sometimes have eau potable  (drinking water). Don’t drink any that’s labeled non potable (undrinkable).

16. Take care crossing roads

It’s never safe to assume cars will stop at pedestrian crossings, so make sure drivers have seen you and be extra vigilant with kids. Pedestrians need to look carefully, too, before stepping into bike lanes.

17. Watch out in hunting season

Accidents make headlines every hunting season (September to February). Don’t enter an area if you see signs on trees reading chasseurs or chasse gardée .

18. Be sea- and snow-safe

Powerful tides and undertows occur on France’s Atlantic Coast; don’t swim at un-patrolled beaches.

Avalanches are a risk in the Alps and Pyrenees: check daily reports and keep to groomed pistes. Summer can bring sudden, intense thunderstorms.

19. Know what to do if things go wrong

Hopefully, your trip will be a breeze, but if you need the emergency services, use these free 24/7 phone numbers: police 17; fire 18; ambulance (SAMU) 15. Deaf and hard-of-hearing travelers can contact 114 for SMS texting services. The EU-wide emergency number is 112.

Pharmacies provide over-the-counter medications and advice for minor health issues. If you need to attend a hospital or run into other problems, having an easily accessed backup copy of your identity documents and travel insurance policy will make things easier.

This article was first published July 2022 and updated May 2023

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Paris   Travel Guide

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32 Best Things to Do in Paris, France

If it's your first visit to Paris, you'll probably want to spend some time at the world-renowned  Eiffel Tower , the Louvre (home of the "Mona Lisa") and the Notre-Dame. Don't miss out on other notable city jewels either, such as the Musée

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Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)

U.S. News Insider Tip:  For the best photo opportunities of the Eiffel Tower, head to Place du Trocadéro. (Just expect to contend with some crowds!) – Nicola Wood, Senior Editor

Designed and constructed for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (the World's Fair), the Eiffel Tower was always meant to be a temporary structure, but it has skirted demolition twice. The first time, in 1909, the tower was kept around because of its potential as a transmission tower (an antenna was installed atop the tower). Gustav Eiffel, chief architect of the Eiffel Tower, had a variety of scientific experiments tested on the tower with the hope that any discoveries would help prolong its lifespan. One of these included a wireless transmissions test, which the tower passed with flying colors. During World War I, the Eiffel Tower's transmission capabilities enabled it to intercept communications from enemies as well as relay intel to troops on the ground. The second time the Eiffel Tower was almost destroyed was during the German occupation of France during World War II. Hitler planned to get rid of the tower, but never ended up going through with his plan.

Musée du Louvre Musée du Louvre

U.S. News Insider Tip:  The Louvre is free for all visitors on the first Friday of the month after 6 p.m. (except in July and August), and all day on Bastille Day (July 14). – Laura French  

If you only had time to visit one museum in Paris, it should undoubtedly be the Musée du Louvre. That's because the Louvre is not only widely considered to be one of the best art museums in Europe, but one of the best in the world. The museum first opened its doors in 1793 and features more than 35,000 works of art on display. Here, you can get up close to a variety of art from different time periods and cultures. The Louvre features everything from Egyptian mummy tombs to ancient Grecian sculptures (including the renowned Winged Victory of Samothrace and curvaceous Venus de Milo). There are also thousands of paintings to peruse as well. Masterpieces such as "Liberty Leading the People" by Eugene Delacroix, "The Raft of the Medusa" by Théodore Géricault and Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa," the museum's biggest star, can be found here.

Notre-Dame Cathedral (Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris) Notre-Dame Cathedral (Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris) free

Note that the cathedral sustained significant damage as a result of a fire on April 15, 2019. Its wooden roof and spire collapsed during the fire. The interior of the cathedral remains closed to the public until further notice. It is set to reopen in December 2024. In the meantime, visitors can peruse a new exhibit that debuted in March 2023. It's located in an underground facility in front of the cathedral, the free exhibit highlights the ongoing construction work at the site, including the expertise of the workers, as well as some remains from the fire and works of art from the cathedral. There are also free, volunteer-led informational tours around the outside of the cathedral select days of the week. Consult this online calendar to see when English tours are offered.

Like the Eiffel Tower , the Notre-Dame Cathedral is seen as a Parisian icon. Located along the picturesque River Seine , the Notre-Dame Cathedral is considered a Gothic masterpiece and is often regarded as one of the best Gothic cathedrals of its kind in the world. Construction of the famous cathedral started in the late 12th century and final touches weren't made until nearly 200 years later. Once you get an eyeful of the cathedral yourself, you'll start to understand why it took so long.

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Champs-Élysées Champs-Élysées free

Musician Joe Dassin once sang "Il y a tout ce que vous voulez aux Champs-Élysées," which translates to "There's everything you could want along the Champs-Élysées." And he's right. Paris' most famous boulevard – stretching more than a mile from the glittering obelisk at Place de la Concorde to the foot of the Arc de Triomphe – is a shopper's mecca. Along its wide, tree-lined sidewalks, you'll find such luxury stores as Louis Vuitton and Chanel rubbing elbows with less-pricey establishments like Adidas and Zara.

While the Champs-Élysées is no doubt a shopping paradise, recent travelers noticed the price tags at most stores can be pretty high. And the more affordable options are constantly swamped with people. The Champs-Élysées itself is no different. Because this is such a famous street in Paris, expect there to be crowds galore, both during the day and the nighttime. Still, many travelers enjoyed taking in the Champs-Élysées' bustling atmosphere and observing both locals and tourists come and go. Some recent visitors said a trip to the Champs-Élysées is not complete without a stop at Ladurée, the city's famous macaron shop.

Arc de Triomphe Arc de Triomphe

Situated at the western end of the Champs-Élysées , the towering Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoléon to honor the Grande Armee during the Napoleonic Wars. The arch, which is the largest of its kind in the world, is adorned with several impressive, intricately carved sculptures. Underneath the arch, travelers will find the names of the battles fought during the first French Republic and Napolean's Empire, as well as generals who fought in them. Travelers will also find the famous tomb of The Unknown Soldier. The unknown soldier currently buried there is meant to represent all the unidentified or unaccounted for soldiers who lost their lives during World War I. The flame that was lit when the soldier was laid to rest has not extinguished since it was initially lit in the 1920s, and is rekindled every night at 6:30 p.m. by a member of the armed services.

Aside from admiring the arch, visitors can climb to the top and take in the Parisian panorama. Most visitors are wowed by the immense size of the structure and recommend ascending to the top for the spectacular Paris views. Visitors caution that you'll have to wait in line to get to the top and the climb, which is made up of hundreds of stairs, can be a serious workout. Others strongly cautioned against trying to cross the roundabout to get to the Arc. Instead, take the underground tunnel near the metro that leads directly to the base of the structure.

Latin Quarter Latin Quarter free

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're in the area, check out the Grand Mosquée de Paris, next to the Jardin des Plantes. It's a beautiful mosque with a hidden-away courtyard, and there's an atmospheric tearoom attached that serves Middle Eastern sweet treats. – Laura French

Architecture lovers should not miss the Latin Quarter. Also known as the 5th arrondissement, the Latin Quarter is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris. Its narrow cobblestone streets, winding whimsically through the larger city grid, recall its medieval history. Why does this densely packed neighborhood of attractions, shops and restaurants retain this unique character? It escaped Baron Haussmann's planning reform of the city, thus retaining a more ancient ambience.

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Seine River Seine River free

You won’t have much trouble finding the Seine, as it flows directly through the heart of Paris. The river is perhaps one of the most famous waterways in the world and an attraction in itself. It's also useful for more practical reasons: It flows from east to west, dividing the city into the Left Bank and the Right Bank. Knowing where you are in relation to the Seine can help you find your way around during your trip.

For tourists, the waterway mostly serves as a photo backdrop, but it is a lifeline for locals. It's a reliable water supply, a major transportation route and vital for many kinds of commerce. It has also served as a source of sustenance for many fishermen dating back to the third century. In 1991, the Seine River was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its cultural significance in both the past and the present.

Musée d'Orsay Musée d'Orsay

U.S. News Insider Tip: Visit on the first Sunday of the month for free entry (when it’s also free to enter the Centre Pompidou, Musée de l'Orangerie, Musée du Rodin, Musée Picasso and several other attractions). – Laura French

Although the extensive Louvre may appear to get most of the Parisian limelight, recent travelers seem to enjoy the Musée d'Orsay more. Travelers say the museum is much more manageable than the often-overwhelming Louvre and note that there are also significantly fewer crowds here. Many visitors confidently report that you can easily get through this museum in a few hours. As for the art, travelers loved the museum's colorful collection of paintings as well as the building itself, with many calling the Belle Epoque architecture of the d'Orsay a work of art on its own.

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Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg) Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg) free

U.S. News Insider Tip:  Pick up picnic provisions at a nearby farmer's market, such as Marché Raspail, to enjoy in the gardens. –  Ann Henson, Assistant Managing Editor

A warm-weather oasis that offers the simplest of pleasures, the Luxembourg Gardens provide ample green space (60 acres) for sun-soaking and people-watching, plus there are plenty of activities to keep kids entertained. When the city bustle becomes too overwhelming, meander around the paths and formal gardens, or just relax with a picnic. Kids can float sailboats at the Grand Basin, ride ponies, take a spin on the merry-go-round, or catch a puppet show at the on-site Theatre des Marionnettes. Adults might delight in the on-site Musée du Luxembourg, the first French museum that was opened to the public. Though with 106 sculptures to its name, including a replica of the Statue of Liberty, the Luxembourg Gardens could easily be considered an open-air museum itself.

Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre (Sacre-Coeur) Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre (Sacre-Coeur) free

Rising high above Paris, the Sacré-Coeur (meaning "Sacred Heart") looks more like a white castle than a basilica. Towering over the eclectic neighborhood of Montmartre (once a hangout for Paris' bohemian crowd), this Roman-Byzantine, 19th-century masterpiece is easily recognized by its ornate ivory domes. As blanched as it may appear on the outside, the basilica's interior is a sight worth beholding: The ceilings glitter with France's largest mosaic, which depicts Jesus rising alongside the Virgin Mary and Joan of Arc.

You'll also likely be left in awe with the panoramic views found from atop the Sacré-Coeur's outdoor staircase. But for an even better photo-op, climb all 300 steps to the top of the dome. The dome is accessible to visitors every day from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mass is held multiple times a day every day.

Centre Pompidou Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou is one of the most visited cultural sites in Paris. But keep this in mind – and recent travelers attest to this – if you're not a fan of modern art, you probably won't enjoy this museum. The Pompidou is all modern and contemporary art (think cubist, surrealist and pop art, among others). Even its exterior is a little "out there," with its insides (piping, plumbing, elevators, escalators, etc.) exposed on the outside.

Inside the inside-out museum, you'll find one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the world (more than 120,000 pieces of art are in its complete collection). The most notable attraction within is France's National Museum of Modern Art, which features works from 20th and 21st-century artists. Here, you can find big names such as Matisse, Picasso and even Andy Warhol. Also within the Centre Pompidou is additional exhibition and entertainment spaces as well as a library, rooftop restaurant and cinemas.

Jardin des Tuileries Jardin des Tuileries free

U.S. News Insider Tip: While you’re here, don’t miss Angelina, just across the street on Rue de Rivoli. This historic, belle epoque-style salon de thé opened in 1903 and serves excellent French delicacies and pastries alongside its famous, indulgently rich hot chocolate. – Laura French

Centrally located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, the Jardin des Tuileries is a free public garden that spans approximately 55 acres. Though it was initially designed solely for the use of the royal family and court, the park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1991 (as part of the Banks of the Seine) and has been open to the public since the 17th century.

Sainte-Chapelle Sainte-Chapelle

Nowhere in Paris does stained-glass windows quite as well as Sainte-Chapelle. The panes – dating back to the chapel's construction in the 13th century – depict 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible in vivid color. Sainte-Chapelle, which took just seven years to build, is a treasured example of French Gothic architecture and originally held Christian artifacts acquired by Louis IX. The building underwent a rigorous restoration between 2008 and 2014 and now welcomes visitors every day of the year except Christmas Day, New Year's Day and May 1 (France's Labor Day). Admission costs 13 euros (about $14) per person ages 18 and older. Audio guides are available in English (among other languages) for an additional 3 euros (about $3.50). 

Recent travelers say the chapel is a true masterpiece and not to be missed, though some visitors did note it was smaller than they anticipated. Still, they say it's worth taking your time to have a closer look at each of the stained-glass windows, as they all tell a different story. Some travelers also recommended touring the Conciergerie next door, a palace turned prison that was erected in the 14th century. If you plan to tour both sites, consider purchasing a joint ticket for 20 euros (about $22).   

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Pantheon Pantheon

Situated in the Latin Quarter – or the 5th arrondissement – of Paris, the Panthéon is a large church and burial ground with a storied history. The structure was completed in 1790 at the start of the French Revolution, and it served as a mausoleum, a church and an art gallery throughout its early years. In 1851, scientist Leon Foucault installed the Foucault pendulum within the building to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth. The pendulum was removed and replaced a number of times, and a replica was installed in 1995 and is still in operation today. The Panthéon also contains a crypt where a number of important historians, philosophers, scientists and writers are buried, including Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Marie Curie.

Most recent travelers loved seeing the museum's noteworthy gravesites and Foucault's pendulum. They also recommended taking a dome tour for exceptional views of Paris; you’ll see the Eiffel Tower from the top, as well as many other well-known landmarks. Still, some visitors said the admission fee is too high.

Palais Garnier - Opera National de Paris Palais Garnier - Opera National de Paris

A masterpiece of architectural opulence, the Opéra Garnier – also known as the Palais Garnier – still exudes the opulence it radiated in the late 1800s. This palpable sense of intrigue and mystery that permeates the opera is due in part to its awe-inspiring Old-World interiors as well as Gaston Leroux, the author of "Phantom of the Opera," for which the Garnier served as his inspiration. Leroux claimed the phantom was indeed real, successfully incorporating real life opera occurrences (such as the chandelier falling and killing a bystander) into his fiction. The Garnier's lack of a robust historical record, as well as Leroux's writing talents, have left many wondering if there really was a dweller that lurked beneath the opera. Staff have claimed otherwise, but say with the opera's very real underground "lake" (water tank), it's easy to see how the story could be so convincing. Without Napoleon III, who was responsible for commissioning the opera, Leroux's tale may never have never come to fruition.

The best way to fully experience the Palais Garnier is by purchasing a ballet or opera ticket. Remember to book your tickets several months in advance, as performances are highly coveted. If you won't be in town for a performance or aren't up for forking over the oftentimes high price of a performance, you can explore the building's magnificent interiors on your own.

Le Marais Le Marais free

U.S. News Insider Tip: On Place des Vosges, Paris’s oldest square, you’ll find the former house of Victor Hugo, which is now a museum that’s free to enter. – Laura French

Straddling the 3rd and 4th arrondissements (districts), Le Marais is one of Paris' oldest and coolest districts – so cool, in fact, that French writer Victor Hugo (author of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Les Misérables") called it home. With all of its cobblestone streets, stately stone architecture and tucked away courtyards, it's easy to feel as if you're strolling through medieval Paris. Back in the day, Le Marais housed some notable French royalty. King Henry IV was the one responsible for the construction of the Place des Vosges, Paris' oldest square. And Louis XIV called this neighborhood home for a while until he decided to move his family and court to Versailles . Much of Le Marais also survived the destruction of the French Revolution.

Versailles Palace (Chateau de Versailles) Versailles Palace (Chateau de Versailles)

U.S. News Insider Tip: In summer, the palace hosts weekend fountain shows in the gardens, featuring music and special effects; come on a Saturday night to see the best, with grounds lit up to magical effect and a firework display at the end. – Laura French

The Château de Versailles, the sprawling palace and former seat of power, is located 10 miles southwest of Paris in Versailles. Every year, nearly 10 million travelers make the trek from Paris to bear witness to the chateau's world-famous grandeur in person. But between all of the gold figurines, dramatic frescoes and cascading crystal chandeliers you'll no doubt find in bulk throughout the chateau, you might be surprised to learn that King Louis XIV's extravagant former residence had pretty humble-ish beginnings.

Musée Rodin Musée Rodin

A hidden jewel in the city, the Musée Rodin is actually the former residence of famed 19th-century sculptor Auguste Rodin. But in the place of furniture and kitschy lawn ornaments are Rodin's emotive sculptures, including The Walking Man, The Kiss and The Thinker, among many more. In addition to the sculptures, the museum houses 8,000 of the artist's drawings in its collection – a fraction of those are on display –  as well as an area dedicated to the work of his muse and mistress, artist Camille Claudel. Visitors will also get to view pieces from the Rodin's personal art collection, including paintings by Van Gogh.

Recent travelers found Rodin's sculptures to be nothing short of stunning, and highly recommend a visit even if you don't consider yourself an art buff. Another big favorite, and for some visitors as much of a highlight as the art, were the beautiful on-site gardens. To travelers, the gardens, in combination with the museum's manageable size, created a serene and peaceful atmosphere not easily found at other top Parisian museums.

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Saint-Germain-des-Prés Saint-Germain-des-Prés free

The arts abound in Paris. Although visual art gets the most attention here, the city is also a historic literary center. Saint-Germain, in the 6th arrondissement, is known as a 19th- and 20th-century intellectual hub. Here, great writers, thinkers and artists mixed and mingled in their homes and nearby establishments. Anyone battling writer's block will want to spend an afternoon wandering its picturesque streets, stopping by famous literary cafes or enjoying one of the museums located in the neighborhood's borders.

After filling your mind at the Musée Delacroix, Musée du Luxembourg or Musée de Mineralogie, unwind at Les Deux Magots or Café de Flore. The former was visited by everyone from Ernest Hemingway, Simone de Beauvoir, James Joyce, Jean-Paul Sartre, and more recently, Julia Child. Nearby Café de Flore opened in the 1800s as well, and claims visitors from Leon Trotsky to Albert Camus to Picasso. Sartre worked from here – using the space as a historical Starbucks – while New Wave celebrities like Bridget Bardot or fashionista Karl Lagerfeld graced its seats later on, in the 1960s. There are plenty of mouthwatering pastry shops and bridge views, too. Recent visitors noted that this is a perfect neighborhood for strolling, shopping or staying – there are plenty of upscale hotels . Many of the best Paris tours also include guided walks through the neighborhood.

Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann free

Whether or not you plan to shop, the Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann department store is a sight to be seen. What started as a small novelty shop in 1893 has since grown into an approximately 750,000-square-foot megastore containing hundreds of brands, from budget-friendly options like Levi's and Carhartt to high-end labels like Prada and Cartier. And while you might be dazzled by the unending collection of fashionable goods, don’t forget to look up. The pièce de résistance of the luxury bazaar is the stunning neo-Byzantine glass dome 141 feet above the ground. There's also a glass walkway on the top floor of the building that allows the bravest of visitors to stand above all the action below. 

Several recent visitors called Galeries Lafayette the most beautiful shopping center in the world, pointing out that even if you aren't there to buy luxury products, the stunning building is a destination in itself. They also recommend going up to the roof of the complex (accessible from the eighth floor), which is open to visitors free of charge, to take in breathtaking views of the city below. From the roof, you'll be able to spot the Eiffel Tower , Sacré Cœur and Notre Dame .

Paris Catacombs (Les Catacombes de Paris) Paris Catacombs (Les Catacombes de Paris)

Not every inch of Paris is as romantic as you think – in fact, the Catacombs are downright chilling. Prior to the creation of the Catacombs in the late 18th century, Parisians buried their dead in cemeteries. But as the city continued to grow, burial grounds ran out of space, graves started to become exposed and stunk up surrounding neighborhoods. The limestone quarries located 65 feet beneath Paris eventually became the solution, providing ample and safe space for the city's deceased loved ones. It took years to move millions of bodies from all the Parisian graves.

Today, the solemn, skull-and-boned lined tunnels weave beneath the heart of the City of Love, beckoning to visitors with an interest in the departed. The catacombs stretch for miles all over the city, but visitors are only allowed to access about a mile's worth for 45 minutes at the Denfert-Rochereau (lines 4,6 and RER B) metro station. Trying to access the catacombs at any other entrance throughout the city is illegal. You'll want to wear sturdy footwear as the paths inside are full of gravel, uneven and even slippery in some sections. What's more, you'll have to descend 131 steps and climb 112 steps back up. As such, the catacombs are not wheelchair-accessible. And because of the attraction's unique nature and popularity, expect a queue.

Pere-Lachaise Cemetery (Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise) Pere-Lachaise Cemetery (Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise) free

A cemetery as a tourist attraction? If any city can pull it off, it's Paris. Covering nearly 110 acres of the 20th arrondissement (district), the Père-Lachaise Cemetery is considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world. It's also Paris' largest green space. Père-Lachaise is a maze of cobblestone pathways lined with leafy, cascading trees which perfectly shade the striking 19th-century burial chambers that permeate the grounds. Aesthetics aside, Père-Lachaise is one of the world's most famous burial grounds: Everyone from Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison to Edith Piaf and Gertrude Stein can be found here. Make sure to pick up a map before you venture in, there are more than 100,000 burial plots here (exact estimates vary dramatically).

Travelers admitted the main reason they made the trek to Père-Lachaise was to visit the famous faces buried here, though after discovering the enchanting grounds, they were happy to stay and wander. Visitors found the architecture of the individual tombstones and burial chambers to be stunning, especially with the many dramatic statues included with the plots. Others particularly appreciate the overall peaceful atmosphere of Père-Lachaise. Because the cemetery is so big, visitors say it's unlikely you'll be sharing lots of space with fellow visitors or tourists at any given time.

Bateaux Mouches Bateaux Mouches

For those who want to cruise down the Seine River , hopping on one of the six Bateaux-Mouches boats is a go-to option. Just about any meal you can think of is offered as you glide along the river – or as the company puts it, Paris's "most beautiful avenue." There are also hourlong cruise-only trips, for those who want to efficiently view some of the city's most iconic sights, including Notre Dame and the Musée d'Orsay . These cruises are among the best Paris tours . Combo tickets that include a bus tour or a cabaret show are also available.

Travelers who recently took a cruise loved the views from the boat and the informational nature of the tour. Many people took a night cruise, which was frequently lauded for its romantic atmosphere. However, a few visitors expressed disappointment with meal portions and the check-in process.

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Musee de l'Orangerie Musee de l'Orangerie

An extension of Musée d'Orsay , Musée de l'Orangerie features a wide selection of impressionist and post-impressionist art. It is best known for its enlarged "Water Lilies" paintings by Claude Monet. The eight massive paintings are divided across two oval rooms that are filled with natural light from a glass roof. Monet increased the size of these paintings with the intention of fully immersing viewers in their beauty, especially after the hardships of World War I. Beyond the "Water Lilies" series, Musée de l'Orangerie houses the Jean Walter-Paul Guillaume collection, which features works by artists like Renoir, Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse and more.  

Museum visitors – especially Monet fans – said this gallery is a must-see. They were pleased to discover it was a relatively small building, meaning it can be seen fairly quickly if you short on time. The smaller space also translates to less crowds, which many museumgoers appreciated.

Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck

U.S. News Insider Tip: Walk about 10 minutes around the corner and you’ll find the Montparnasse Cemetery – a fascinating alternative to Père Lachaise , home to the burial places of artists and intellectuals, including Jean-Paul Sartre, Samuel Beckett, Guy de Maupassant and Charles Baudelaire. – Laura French

The Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck claims to have the best views in Paris – and once you reach the top, it's easy to see why. The lower deck stands more than 650 feet high and overlooks major attractions, like the Eiffel Tower , through floor-to-ceiling windows. Travel another 32 feet upward to the rooftop terrace, and you'll find panoramic vistas of the City of Lights 365 days a year. On a clear day, you can see as far as 25 miles in every direction.

Moulin Rouge Moulin Rouge

If you're looking for the famed Parisian nightlife experience, Moulin Rouge will likely fit the bill. The legendary cabaret club opened in 1889, wowing crowds with dazzling dancers, free-flowing Champagne and outrageous elements like a gigantic model elephant in the garden. With its rich history and extravagant performances, Moulin Rouge has become an important staple in the City of Lights.

On a night at the Moulin Rouge, visitors can be wined and dined while watching talented burlesque dancers adorned in feathers, rhinestones and sequins. (The costumes are known to be a bit risqué, so travelers should note that the venue may not be the most suitable for children.) While many recent travelers felt that the show was a spectacular must-see while vacationing in Paris, others felt it was overhyped and overcrowded. However, those who opted for the dinner show said the food was fantastic with top-notch service to match.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont Parc des Buttes-Chaumont free

Paris is home to many beautiful public parks, where visitors and locals alike relax in grassy squares during periods of pleasant weather. Parc de Buttes-Chaumont's 61 acres boasts this – plus a lake, a suspension bridge and walking paths – and a dark history. Its name comes from the bare hill once occupying the site. Stone was mined here, sewage dumped and even horse carcasses discarded. When Napoleon III renovated Paris in the 19th century, it was selected as a large park site, and the artificial lake created. That transformation also washed away its medieval reputation as a gallows. Known as Gibbet of Montfaucon at that time, the bodies of people executed in the city were sometimes displayed here for months on end.

If you can put that history behind you, cross the Gustave Eiffel-designed suspension bridge, or ascend the hill with the Temple de la Sybille for beautiful views of Montmartre. Inside the hillside, quarrying created a cavern. Napoleon's park builders took the opportunity to add a human-made waterfall to the 65-foot-tall space. Summer visitors will especially enjoy the misty reprieve from Paris's heat and humidity.

Conciergerie Conciergerie

Located next to Sainte-Chapelle , the Conciergerie was once a royal residence for various French leaders. At the end of the 14th century, King Charles V and the rest of the palace's inhabitants moved to new residences at the Louvre . The abandoned building was then turned into a new parliament and office space for the kingdom. However, during the French Revolution (and for many decades thereafter), the Conciergerie served as a prison compound to hold both political and common criminals. Most famously, it held Marie Antoinette, the fallen queen of France, in the weeks before she was executed by guillotine in October 1793. In the 19th century, Antoinette's cell was transformed into a chapel, and in 1914 the entire building was deemed a historic monument and opened to the public.

Recent travelers said the site is a delight for history buffs. Still, others noted that if you aren’t particularly interested in the French Revolution or Marie Antoinette, you may find the empty jail cells and barren halls a bit dull. All visitors are given a "HistoPad" (available in six languages) to help enhance their experience. The iPad allows visitors to see what the rooms would've looked like centuries ago with the help of augmented reality, 3D reconstructions and interactive functionalities.What everyone seemed to agree on was the medieval architecture, which is said to be stunning both inside and out.

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Rue de Rivoli Rue de Rivoli free

One of the most famous shopping streets in Paris, the elegant Rue de Rivoli is lined with neoclassical buildings housing designer boutiques, galleries, cafes and restaurants built into historic arcades. Named after Napoleon's victory at the Battle of Rivoli and stretching from Place de la Bastille in the east to Place de la Concorde, it's where you'll find the Louvre , the Jardin des Tuileries , Hôtel de Ville (Paris's elaborate city hall) and other attractions. It's also home to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville – an elaborate department store founded in 1856. Other shops range from affordable brands like Sephora, L'Occitane and Mango to high-end designer stores and local French boutiques.

Recent travelers highly recommended strolling along the street to browse its historic arcades and shops, and many were impressed by the elaborate architecture. They also enjoyed the quiet atmosphere; the street went car-free in 2020, with only pedestrians, cyclists, buses and taxis now allowed here (its former lanes have been turned into a wide bike path, so it provides a welcome respite from the city's at-times hectic traffic). Others said it was a great spot for people-watching, although some said the shops can feel a little commercial.

Bois de Vincennes Bois de Vincennes free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Come in the summer to catch the Paris Jazz Festival, when the Parc Floral hosts performers from Paris and beyond. – Laura French

Used as a royal hunting ground from the 12th century, this scenic, easterly refuge is Paris's biggest park, sprawling nearly 2,500 acres (making it nearly three times larger than New York's Central Park , and slightly bigger than its westerly sister, the Bois de Boulogne). It's home to verdant woodland as well as the Parc Floral, a botanical garden with its own mini golf course and various other family-friendly attractions. You'll also find four artificial lakes in the park – boats are available to rent on the Lac Daumesnil – alongside the Parc Zoologique de Paris, several cafes and restaurants and the Château de Vincennes, a lavish former royal residence built in the medieval era.

Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen free

Set on the northern edge of Paris and home to the highest concentration of antiques dealers in the world, this famous flea market is a must for anyone looking to browse and buy vintage treasures. Spread across twelve covered markets and five streets, the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen houses everything from 17th-century furnishings to vintage jewelry, designer clothes, art, books and beyond. When your feet need a break, there are also a handful of restaurants.

At its heart is the Marché Vernaison, an eclectic mishmash of nearly a million objects, spread across nearly 100,000 square feet and selling pretty much anything you can think of. Equally unmissable is the Marché Dauphine, which sells books, vintage records, clothes and more in a huge pavilion, and the Marché Paul Bert Serpette, an upmarket spot specializing in avant-garde interior design that's seen everyone from Julia Roberts to Mick Jagger grace its floors.

Louis Vuitton Foundation Louis Vuitton Foundation

Open to the public since October 2014, the Louis Vuitton Foundation is the brainchild of the LVMH Group (which owns luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton) and famed American architect Frank Gehry. In addition to the art gallery, Gehry also designed the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles , among other renowned museums, university buildings and residences. Outfitted with curved panels of glass and smooth concrete, the foundation's daring and modern design stands out among Paris' abundance of centuries-old buildings. Inside, you'll find collections of modern and contemporary art housed in both permanent and temporary exhibits. The museum's goal is to promote art and culture on the outskirts of Paris, and it succeeds by attracting more than 1 million visitors each year. 

Though the museum is a bit off the beaten path in the Bois de Boulogne in the 16th arrondissement, visitors loved taking in the architectural wonder and its surrounding gardens, as well as the unique exhibits inside. One common criticism was that the building was a bit far from the nearest metro station (about a 15-minute walk), so keep that in mind when planning your visit.

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Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in France 2019-2022

Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in France in 2019 and 2022 (in billion euros)

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Leading inbound travel markets in France over the previous 30 and 90 days as of October 2023, ranked by growth in travel demand on Google

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Number of outbound tourist trips from France from 2012 to 2022, by mode of transport (in millions)

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Domestic tourism

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Accommodation

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• The First MICHELIN Key Hotels: All the Keys in France

The MICHELIN Guide announces top honors for French hotels in 2024.

MICHELIN Keys France Hotels

Paris by The MICHELIN Guide

See the Paris guide

On April 8, 2024, the MICHELIN Guide revealed the brand new One, Two, and Three Key distinctions for the most outstanding hotels in France.

This announcement comes four years into a comprehensive refresh of our hotel selection. The MICHELIN Guide now includes over 5,000 hotels across the world, and not a single one is simply a room for the night. These are places that significantly add to your experience as a traveler, each vetted and judged excellent in five categories: architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and a significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting. Which brings us back to the Keys. The culmination of countless hours of evaluation by our team of experts, the Key hotels below represent the highlights of our broader selection. Like the MICHELIN Stars for restaurants, the MICHELIN Keys are our most outstanding hotels. In total, the 2024 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection in France includes 24 Three Key hotels, 38 Two Key hotels, and 127 One Key hotels. Want to know more about the MICHELIN Key? Here’s everything you need to know . Or, head below to look at all the Keys.

How To Look Through the List

Jump straight to the list or take a deeper dive into select key hotels..

Take a peek at the top-floor suite of the only chateau hotel in Paris. See what makes this hotel among the greatest art museums in the country. Or find out more about the wine hotel that uses an entire town as its foundation. Subscribe to our newsletter for more like this.

Highlights of the France 2024 Key Hotel List

The Palaces: A Distinctly French High Luxury

Expect: Butler service, high quality spas, and sumptuous spare-no-expense design. The government of France itself bestows an official Palace designation, with French tourism officials judging the most luxurious hotels in France to ensure they provide particular amenities and services (a spa, a multilingual check-in desk, a concierge service, etc.) and an excellent representation of the country. Out of 31 official palace hotels in France, many earned at least one Key — and several make up our Three Key hotels. Of the palaces that earned at least One Key, you’ll find a mix of the most historic ( the Four Seasons George V ), the most modern ( Le K2 Palace ), and the newer takes on the traditional form ( La Réserve Paris ). All are exceptional. Also read: Every Three Key Hotel in Paris

The Country Darlings: Chateaus and Vineyards

Our first annual list of Key hotels in France confirms the supremacy of these two mainstays: chateau and vineyard accommodations. Look to Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey and Château de la Gaude as particular examples of Two Key hotels that combine both. Or look just outside Bordeaux, to Les Sources de Caudalie . Built on a natural hot spring and operated by the famous Caudalie beauty brand, it’s a particularly fascinating Three Key property on the grounds of the Château Smith Haut-Lafitte vineyard.

Paris 2024: Little Boutiques Full of Hip, Trendy Design and Endless Color

We’re thrilled that in our inaugural Key distinctions we can celebrate an especially strong crop of small, design-forward boutique hotels that are anything but content to be conventional. With bright, colorful design that’s of the moment, they’re grounded in technical know-how, impeccable taste, and informed by a fascinating, sometimes quirky history. Explore Hôtel Le Ballu , La Fantaisie , Providence , Les Bains , and Norman Hôtel & Spa to see just what we mean. Also read: Inside Hôtel Le Ballu: A singular, artsy refuge in the heart of Paris

Click below to jump to each distinction: 

The three key hotels.

Antibes: Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc Bordeaux: Les Sources de Caudalie Champillon: Le Royal Champagne Courchevel: Cheval Blanc Courchevel Courchevel: Le K2 Palace Gordes: La Bastide de Gordes Le Castellet: Hôtel du Castellet Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade: Villa La Coste Les Baux-de-Provence: Baumanière Megève: Four Seasons Megeve Monte-Carlo: Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo Paris: Villeroy Paris: La Réserve Paris Paris: Saint James Paris Paris: Four Seasons George V Paris: Cheval Blanc Paris Paris: Ritz Paris Paris: Le Bristol Paris Paris: Le Meurice Paris: Plaza Athénée Reims: Domaine Les Crayères Saint Tropez: La Reserve Ramatuelle Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: Grand Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat Versailles:  Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle

NEW: Paris by The MICHELIN Guide – expert insights on where to dine, stay and explore

The two key hotels.

Aix-en-Provence: Château de la Gaude Avignon: La Mirande Biarritz: Hôtel du Palais Bommes: Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey Busnes: Le Château de Beaulieu Cassis: Les Roches Blanches Cheverny: Les Sources de Cheverny Cognac: Chais Monnet Courchevel: Aman Le Mélézin Courchevel: L'Apogée Courchevel Dinard: Castelbrac Eugenie les Bains: Les Pres d’Eugenie - Michel Guerard Èze: Château Eza Èze: Château de la Chèvre d'Or Gargas: Coquillade - Provence Honfleur: La Ferme Saint-Siméon Lauris: Domaine de Fontenille Le Grand-Lucé: Château du Grand-Lucé Massignac: Domaine des Étangs Monte-Carlo: Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo Montpellier: Domaine de Biar Nice: Le Negresco Paris: Crillon Paris: J.K. Place Paris Paris: Lutetia Paris: Nolinski Paris: Bulgari Hôtel Paris Paris: Le Royal Monceau Paris: The Peninsula Paris Paris: Shangri-La Paris Porto-Vecchio: Casadelmar Roquebrune-Cap-Martin: The Maybourne Riviera Sabran: Château de Montcaud Saint Tropez: Airelles Saint-Tropez Château de la Messardière Saint Tropez: Cheval Blanc St-Tropez Saint-Méloir-des-Ondes: Château Richeux - Les Maisons de Bricourt Saint-Paul-de-Vence: Le Domaine du Mas de Pierre Val-d'Isère: Le K2 Chogori

The One Key Hotels

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Bourgogne-franche-comté, centre-val de loire, haut-de-france, île-de-france, nouvelle-aquitaine, pays de la loire, provence-alpes-côte d'azur.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten On His New York

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Paris in the Spring: 15 Things to See and Do

Have you booked a short break in Paris? Explore our list of Inspector-approved activities to enjoy the warmer weather in the French capital.

In Photos: Every Three Key Hotel in Paris

The ins and outs of the most outstanding hotels in the city.

One, Two and Three MICHELIN Keys

Just as the MICHELIN Stars recognize outstanding restaurants, hotels now have their own distinction.

Keep Exploring - Stories we think you will enjoy reading

How To Turn an Entire Town Into a Bright Pink, One Key Wine Hotel

As you stroll the remote French village of Assignan, you can’t miss the colors of Chateau & Village Castigno, a wine hotel that’s been splashed throughout the town.

Three Keys in Bordeaux: The Hot Spring Hotel in Wine Country

Les Sources de Caudalie combines Vinotherapy from the famous French brand with a natural hot spring and an ancient vineyard.

Inside Room 311 of the Only Three Key Château in Paris

The so-called 'Piano Suite' is an exclusive oasis atop a completely singular Parisian manor.

Inside a Historic Tapestry of French Design: Provence's Two Key La Mirande

In the heart of Provence and steps from the palace where seven Popes once reigned, La Mirande is a time capsule of centuries of French decorative arts — all in an unmistakably luxurious hotel.

Where Bowie and Jagger Partied: Now a Dazzling One Key Hotel in Paris

Les Bains Paris was a spa for Proust and a nightclub for Bowie and Jagger. Now, it might be the city's hippest design hotel — recently awarded one of Paris' first MICHELIN Keys.

Three Key Dreamland: An Art-Drenched Wine Estate Decorated by Gehry and Dylan

Patrick McKillen turned an old French vineyard into a striking hotel with a collection of art and architecture to rival the world’s very best. It's among the first Three Key hotels in France.

Everything You Need to Know About the MICHELIN Key for Hotels

In April 2024, the MICHELIN Guide debuts a brand new distinction: the MICHELIN Key. While the MICHELIN Star recognizes the most outstanding restaurants in the world, the MICHELIN Key does the same for outstanding hotels. Here’s everything you need to know about the new distinction.

MICHELIN Hotel Lobbies Redefine Coworking for Modern Professionals

Discover the best hotel lobbies for communal working.

Aggro-Tourism: 12 Hotels for Blowing Off Steam

When the real world gets too heavy, you could escape to a comfy chair on a quiet beach. Or, you could release all that stress via more aggressive means. These hotels are for the latter.

This Week’s New Hotels

MICHELIN Guide hotel experts share their most exciting discoveries for the week of March 25.

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Last update on April 11, 2024, 4:50 pm

Tourism April 11, 2024 | 10:53 am

Dominican Republic enhances air connectivity with France

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader and Minister of Tourism David Collado convened with Cristine Ourmieres, CEO of Air Caraïbes, reaffirming the imminent launch of a direct flight from Paris to Santo Domingo. Additionally, they coordinated the continuation of the seven weekly flights to the tourist hotspot of Punta Cana, aiming to fortify the country’s tourism sector. The meeting, hosted at the National Palace, also saw the participation of Paola Rainieri, Chief Marketing Officer of the Puntacana Group, to ensure the continuity of the aforementioned flight operations through the Punta Cana airport.

Collado shared the developments on social media, stating, “Today, alongside Air Caraïbes, with whom we are bolstering our tourism efforts in the French market, we engaged in productive discussions with its leadership team, committed to exploring new avenues to enhance our air connectivity with France.” He reiterated the significance of strengthening air connectivity with France in boosting tourism in the Dominican Republic.

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