Located on the picturesque Place des Vosges in the Marais district of Paris, the Maison de Victor Hugo pays tribute to the French poet and novelist famous for such classics as Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Today, the Hugo family apartment is a museum dedicated to the author’s life and works. The Maison de Victor Hugo contains manuscripts and correspondence belonging to Hugo, including some first editions of his work.
Inspired by the lavish villas of ancient Greece but built in the early 20th century, Villa Kerylos is the vision of French archaeologist Théodore Reinach. Now preserved as a National Monument, it’s a striking sight, perched on the seafront of the French Riviera against a backdrop of the soaring cliffs of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
Bordeaux’s main shopping street stretches 1.2 km (0.7 miles through the city center and is one of the longest pedestrianized shopping streets in Europe. Rue Sainte-Catherine is book-ended by the Place de la Comédie in the north, which is home to the city’s Neo-Classical Grand Theater, and the Place de la Victoire to the south.
Standing more than 360 feet (110 meters) above sea level in Bordeaux, France, Pyla Dune (Dune du Pilat) is the tallest sand dune in Europe. In the summer months, a staircase is constructed to allow visitors to climb the dune—an activity that draws over one million visitors every year.
As the former seat of the Counts of Carcassonne, Carcassonne Citadel (Cité de Carcassonne) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of France’s most visited historic landmarks. Perched on a hilltop above the River Aude, the walled citadel is crowned by the Château Comtal.
Originally founded in the 11th century by Benedictine monks, Cimiez Monastery (Monastère de Cimiez or Monastère Notre Dame de Cimiez) is now a Franciscan monastery with a small museum explaining the austere Franciscan way of life throughout the centuries, with ancient artwork, frescoes, documents, and a replica monk's cell. Its gardens have sweeping views of Nice.
The Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge in Toulouse. Spanning the river Garonne, the bridge (whose name actually means "new bridge") has been part of the city fabric for over 400 years, and is a lasting testament to 16th-century engineering.
Considered one of Nantes’ most important landmarks, the Château des Ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany) has been a listed Historic Monument since 1862. Built by the last Duke of Brittany, François II, in the late 15th century, the castle is now home to the Museum of the History of Nantes (Musée d’Histoire de Nantes).
All of Bordeaux’s high streets lead to Place de la Comédie, making the lively square an inevitable stop on any itinerary. Dating back to Gallo-Roman times, the pedestrianized square is home to one of Bordeaux’s most impressive architectural landmarks, the Grand Theatre, and it leads the way to the Golden Triangle luxury shopping district.
Right in the heart of Provence, the Château Font du Broc is both an award-winning winery and a villa whose scenery typifies the region’s splendor. With a focus on classic varietals like syrah, grenache, mourvèdre, and cabernet sauvignon (as well as rolle, or vermentino), it produces a range of red, white, and rosé wines.
Housed in two grand manors in the Marais, the Carnavalet Museum (Musée Carnavalet) is one of Paris’ most important institutions. The official museum that charts the history of Paris—and the oldest City of Paris museum, dating back to 1880—it houses over 600,000 objects, from rare paintings to articles once owned by Napoleon. If you seek to understand the City of Light, start here.
Just across the river from the Eiffel Tower in the grand Palais de Chaillot building, the Architecture and Heritage City is a museum that presents the architectural history of France from the Middle Ages to today. The permanent collection comprises three floors of exhibits, offering a gem of a find for visitors interested in the evolution of French architecture.
One of the few Reims Champagne houses to have retained its independence, Taittinger is a popular stop for bubbly enthusiasts. With origins dating to 1734, the family-run winery stores and ages its Champagnes in chaulk vaults that date back to Roman times.
Mirrored by the waters of the Indre River, the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is known by insiders as one of the loveliest spots around the Loire Valley. But this French Renaissance castle with its turreted towers and honeyed walls isn’t just a pretty face. Inside, 19th-century drawing rooms, tapestries, and an art collection provide a rich experience for visitors.
As the largest German WWII cemetery in France, La Cambe German War Cemetery serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost on both sides of the war. It’s a moving site, with its gray schist crosses and dark, flat headstones affording a more somber atmosphere than that of the American and Commonwealth cemeteries nearby.
Grasse in Provence has long been considered the heart of the French perfume industry—and Molinard Perfumery (Maison Molinard) has been one of its essential stops since its founding in 1849. Today, its headquarters are home to a perfume museum, historical laboratory, and shop, where visitors can pick up scents or even blend their own.
Ever-changing exhibits spanning sculpture, video, graffiti, and paintings draw crowds to the Palais de Tokyo, the largest contemporary art center in Europe. In fact, the museum has no permanent collection—one way the space maintains its place at the city’s cutting edge after more than two decades. For visitors, it’s a chance to explore the vibrant modern art scene in Paris (and browse a gift shop that’s a destination in its own right).
Few Parisian monuments are as symbolic of the French Republic as the 30-foot (9-meter) tall bronze statue of Marianne that stands at the center of the grand Place de la République. Representing the French values of “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity,” the monument presides over the pedestrianized square where Parisians meet for national events, political demonstrations, or to people-watch from one of the terrace cafés—all quintessentially French pastimes.
One of central Paris’ storied thoroughfares, Rue Montorgueil has a reputation as a culinary hub. Once home to Les Halles—Paris’ major food market, demolished in 1971—today, the street is lined with bistros, pastry shops, and other delectable addresses. Visit celebrated highlights including Stohrer, Paris’ oldest pastry shop; l’Escargot Montorgueil, a restaurant founded in 1832; and Au Pied de Cochon, a 24-hour eatery that specializes in pig trotters and other traditional fare.
Editor's note: Montparnasse Tower is closed for major renovations. A key element of Paris’ skyline, the 59-story Montparnasse Tower (Tour Montparnasse) stands in monolithic, modern contrast to the Haussmannian boulevards below. Debuted in 1973, the tower was France’s tallest building for decades; its stark look has caused controversy since its unveiling, and the city banned other construction taller than seven stories for years after it was completed. However, there’s no arguing with the panoramic views from its observation deck 656 feet (200 meters) above street level.
Lourmarin Castle (Château de Lourmarin) is a castle in the village of the same name in the Luberon region of southern France. Originally built as a medieval fortress in the 12th century, the Renaissance-style castle draws visitors today with its remarkable stonework, gorgeous gardens, and summer concerts on the castle terrace.
Built after the Franco-Prussian War, Fort Douaumont was Verdun’s largest and highest fortress. Today, the once mighty fort lies in ruins, but visitors can still tour the bunkers, barracks, and command posts that once accommodated up to 600 soldiers; admire the machine gun turrets; and take in the views from the fort’s hilltop perch.
Home to one of France’s most outstanding art collections, the Lyon Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon) is often described as the “little Louvre.” Housed in a restored, 17th-century convent, the museum’s collection spans from antiquity to the modern age—so you can explore Egyptian artifacts and Cubist canvases under one roof.
The Îles du Frioul is a collection of four small islands just off the coast of Marseille. In their long history, the islands have been used as the site of a fortress and prison, and a quarantine zone for people suspected of carrying the plague cholera. Nowadays visitors come to hike the islands and visit the famous Chateau d’If.
A trio of bridges arching over the canal ways of the River Ill, the Strasbourg Covered Bridges (Ponts Couverts) are an iconic symbol of the city, marking the gateway to its central Grande-Île. A lasting vestige of Strasbourg’s medieval fortifications, the bridges once featured wooden roofs which offered soldiers protection.
Architecture lovers, history buffs, foodies, and shoppers alike will enjoy perusing the aisles of Printemps, the luxury department store beloved by Parisians since 1865. Spread out across 27 floors and three buildings on Paris’ Boulevard Haussmann, this is the flagship store of the luxury French chain of the same name and offers everything from home goods to beauty products, food to high-end fashion.
Founded by William the Conqueror, this former Benedictine monastery is one of the most important Romanesque buildings in Normandy, inspiring many churches on the other side of the Channel to adopt its style. Also known as Abbey of Saint-Étienne, the Abbaye aux Hommes (Men’s Abbey) is now the city hall (Hôtel de Ville).
The French Riviera reaches its glamorous pinnacle at Antibes' Port Vauban. Fortified by Louis XIV’s military engineer, Marquis de Vauban, in the 17th century, the harbor is now a hub for jetsetters and their superyachts. The port is home to the International Yacht Club Antibes, and is big enough to accommodate the record-breaking Dilbar superyacht.
Although now in ruins, Lastours Castles (Châteaux de Lastours played a major role in the defense of the area during the height of Catharism in the 13th century. The main castle is called Cabaret, and is surrounded by three smaller fortresses. The ruins of a Romanesque church also sit on the site.
A highlight along the Alsace Wine Route, Colmar’s compact and lovingly preserved medieval center is renowned for its postcard-worthy prettiness. Come here to admire the town’s half-timbered buildings painted rainbow colors, fishing boats bobbing along the flower-lined canal ways, and a maze of cobblestone lanes dotted with small cafés and artisan shops.
