France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Every year, millions of people visit the country to see its iconic landmarks and experience its unique culture. If you’re planning a trip to France, here’s a guide to the most visited places.
Paris is the capital of France and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The city is home to some of the most famous landmarks in the world, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Champs-Élysées.
Provence is a region in southern France that is renowned for its stunning scenery and medieval towns. Some of the most popular places to visit in Provence include Avignon, Arles, and Pont du Gard.
The French Riviera is another popular destination in France. The Riviera stretches along the Mediterranean coast from Nice to Monaco. Along this coast, you’ll find glamorous resort towns like Cannes and Saint-Tropez.
Bordeaux is a wine-producing region in southwestern France. The area is home to some of the best vineyards in the country and produces some of France’s finest wines. Bordeaux also has several beautiful medieval towns, such as Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.
The Loire Valley is a picturesque region in central France known for its fairytale castles and vineyards. Some of the most popular places to visit.
Paris
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, and it’s a must-see when you’re in Paris. Standing at 1,063 feet tall, it’s the tallest structure in Paris and offers amazing views of the city from its observation decks. You can take an elevator to the top, or if you’re feeling adventurous, hike up the stairs (there are 1,665 of them!).
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The Louvre
The Louvre is one of the largest museums in the world, and its home to some of the most famous works of art, like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Even if you’re not an art lover, it’s worth a visit just to see the incredible architecture of the building itself. Make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to explore – there are over 35,000 works of art on display!
Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous Gothic cathedrals in Europe, and it’s located right in the heart of Paris. It’s free to enter (donations are welcome), and you can explore both the exterior and interior of the cathedral. If you want to climb to the top of Notre Dame, there are stairs (and an elevator) that will take you up for amazing views over Paris.
The Champs-Élysées
The Champs-Élysées is a wide avenue that runs for almost 2 miles through central Paris – from Place de la Concorde all the way to Arc de Triomphe. It’s one of the most famous streets in Europe (maybe even in the world!), and it’s lined with high-end shops, restaurants, cafes, and more. Even if you don’t want to spend any money while you’re here, it’s still fun just to window shop or people watch!
Avignon
The walled city of Avignon is located in the heart of Provence in southern France. It is best known for being the home of the Popes during the 14th century. The Palais des Pape’s, or Palace of the Popes, is the largest gothic palace in all of Europe and a must-see when visiting Avignon. Other notable sights include the Pont Avignon, or Avignon Bridge, which was featured in the popular children’s song “Sur le Pont d’Avignon”, and the Rue des Teinturiers, or dyers street, which is a lovely medieval lane lined with shops and restaurants.
Arles
Arles is a small city located in southeastern France, about 30 minutes from Avignon by train. It is most famous for its association with Vincent van Gogh, who lived and worked here for over a year. Some of his most famous paintings were done in Arles, including “Starry Night over the Rhone” and “Cafe Terrace at Night”. Today, you can visit the places where van Gogh lived and worked, as well as see many of his original paintings at the Musee de l’Orangerie des Arts Contemporains. In addition to its art history, Arles is also known for its Roman ruins, which include an amphitheater that is still used for concerts and events today.
The Pont du Gard
The Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge that spans across the Grand river near Nimes in southern France. It was built in the 1st century AD to transport water from a spring to the city of Nimes and is one of the best-preserved Roman structures in existence today. Visitors can explore the site on foot or by boat and even swim in some of the pools below the bridge during summer months.
The French Riviera
Nice
Nice is the capital of the French Riviera and one of the most popular tourist destinations in France. It is known for its beautiful beaches, Mediterranean climate, and luxurious lifestyle. The city has a long history dating back to the Roman Empire, and its architecture reflects this rich heritage. Visitors to Nice can explore its historic center, visit the famous Promenade des Anglais, or enjoy the many shops and restaurants along the seafront.
Cannes is a small town on the French Riviera that is best known for its film festival. Every year, Hollywood celebrities and movie industry professionals descend on Cannes for two weeks of screenings and parties. However, there is more to Cannes than just the film festival. The town has a lovely old port, stunning beaches, and plenty of shopping and dining options. Visitors can also take boat trips from Cannes to see some of the nearby islands such as Saint-Tropez or Île Sainte-Marguerite.
Monaco is an independent city-state located on the French Riviera. It is best known as a playground for the wealthy, with its luxury hotels, casinos, and yachts. However, there is much more to Monaco than just wealth and glamour. The city has a beautiful old town, a world-famous Formula One race track, and spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea. Visitors can also take day trips from Monaco to see some of the nearby towns such as Menton or Eze Village.
Bordeaux
The Médoc is one of the most famous wine regions in the world, and it’s easy to see why. With its rolling hills and picturesque châteaux, the Médoc is a beautiful place to spend a few days. And of course, the wine is excellent. There are dozens of great wineries in the Médoc, so it can be tough to know where to start. But here are a few that are definitely worth a visit:
Château Margaux is one of the most prestigious names in Bordeaux wines, and their estate is absolutely stunning. If you’re looking for a splurge, Château Mouton Rothschild is another top-notch producer with an impressive estate. For something more affordable, Château Leoville Las Cases makes great wines that won’t break the bank.
Saint-Émilion
Saint-Émilion is another renowned wine region, located just east of Bordeaux city. This area is known for its red wines made from Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. The town of Saint-Émilion itself is very charming, with cobbled streets and medieval buildings. And there are plenty of great wineries to visit in the vicinity. Some highlights include:
Château Angelus is one of the most famous producers in Saint-Émilion, and their wines are truly exceptional. If you’re looking for something a little cheaper, Château Figeac makes excellent wines at more reasonable prices. For something really different, check out Domaine de la Mondotte – they make some of the most unique wines in all of Bordeaux.
Pomerol
Pomerol is a small wine region located just south of Saint-Émilion (and just east of Bordeaux city). Despite its relatively small size, this region produces some of the most sought-after wines in all of Bordeaux – including Château Pétrus, which regularly fetches high prices at auction.” Pomerol’s vineyards are located on a plateau known as “La Gravette de Pomerol” which has ideal conditions for growing Merlot grapes.” Other notable producers from this region include: Le Pin (another very expensive wine), Vieux Château Certan (owned by the same family as Angelus), and L’Evangile (owned by Lafite Rothschild).
Loire Valley
Chenonceau
The first stop in the Loire Valley is Chenonceau, a beautiful castle that was once the home of six French queens. The castle is surrounded by lovely gardens, and you can even go for a swim in the moat!
Chambord
Chambord is another stunning castle in the Loire Valley, and it’s one of the largest castles in all of Europe! With over 400 rooms, there’s plenty to explore here. Be sure to climb to the top of the tower for some incredible views.
Villandry
Last but not least, Villandry is a must-see while in the Loire Valley. This castle is famous for its beautiful gardens, which are divided into three different sections: the Flower Garden, the Kitchen Garden, and the Water Garden.
