France attractions

Also known as the Cimetière du Nord, the Montmartre Cemetery is the third-largest burial ground in Paris, after Père Lachaise Cemetery and Montparnasse Cemetery. The storied necropolis contains some 20,000 graves, including those of luminaries such as author Émile Zola, painter Edgar Degas, and composer Hector Berlioz. Offering a break from the hectic sightseeing, it's a peaceful and evocative place for a stroll.

The colorful heart of Colmar earns its nickname from the canal-like Lauch River that divides its two banks, each lined with half-timbered fishermen’s homes that seem plucked straight from a fairytale. Soak up its quintessential Alsatian charm that's an easy day trip from Rhine River cruise ports.

The Marc Chagall National Museum (Musée National Marc Chagall) in Nice hosts the largest public collection of the Russian-born artist's works. Within the space, fans encounter a range of works—from practice sketches to some of Chagall’s largest and most iconic paintings and stained glass pieces—but the centerpiece is the artists' Old Testament scenes.

Merville Battery (Batterie de Merville) was a coastal fortification built by the Nazis in Merville-Franceville as part of the Atlantic Wall during World War II. Because this particular battery was better fortified than similar installations, it was one of the first to be attacked by Allied forces on D-Day. The on-site museum contains a reconstituted gun chamber and an educational trail explaining the battery's operation.

The Chateau d’If, situated just off the coast of Marseille, is a former French naval base and prison that was immortalized by Alexandre Dumas in the novelThe Count of Monte Cristo. Visit the island fortress to see its jail cells and enjoy panoramic views of the city of Marseille.

Nestled in the village of Ranville near Caen, Ranville War Cemetery contains the graves of 2,235 World War II Commonwealth soldiers killed on D-Day on June 6 1944, when the Allies landed on Normandy’s beaches. The cemetery is open to those wishing to pay their respects and is a stop on several WWII battlefield tours.

Although France's Champagne region is far from the sea, it has its own lighthouse. It was conceived in 1909 as a marketing gimmick by Champagne producer Joseph Goulet, who wanted to draw attention to his brand. Today, it’s a popular tourist attraction, complete with an interactive museum, a tasting room, and a gift shop.

A memorial at this historic church pays tribute to Canadian soldiers killed at the Ardenne Abbey massacre in 1944. Founded in the 12th century, the French Gothic abbey is now on the trail of Second World War sites in Normandy. In addition to the Canadian flag that adorns the small memorial, visitors leave flowers and notes in memoriam.

Housed in the former Hugues-Aîné perfumery, the International Museum of Perfume in Grasse takes a deep dive into the world of perfume with fun interactive touches. It’s a great place to learn about the history of perfume making, in France and around the world.

Perched on the edge of Thiepval Wood by the Ancre River, the Ulster Tower sits along the frontlines of the notorious Battle of the Somme of World War I. Erected in 1921, it was the first official memorial built to commemorate the war, and is dedicated to the Irish soldiers who lost their lives on the Somme battlefields.

Perched beside the magnificent Palace of the Popes (Palais des Papes) right next door, Avignon Cathedral (Cathedrale Notre-Dame des Doms) is the oldest monument of the medieval palace complex. The cathedral dates to the 12th century and is renowned for its Romanesque style and a bell tower capped with a 30-foot (6-meter) gilded statue of the Virgin Mary.

Wander amidst the picturesque splendor of a ruined chateau at one of the French Riviera’s top botanical gardens, the Exotic Garden of Eze (Jardin Exotique d’Eze). Poised 1,408 feet (429 meters) above the sea, the garden’s views overlooking the Mediterrean are as much of a draw as its many succulents, cacti, and other plant species.

Discover the hidden treasures of Dunkirk (Dunkerque), a historic community in northern France. Many people know of the city's role in the Second World War, but beyond its wartime significance, this destination has plenty of surprises. From museums to art galleries and beaches, Dunkirk has become a popular family-friendly summer destination in France.

Way back in the 3rd century, the Palais Gallien was used for gladiatorial bouts and could hold some 20,000 spectators. Although only the ruined walls remain, this atmospheric location will take you right back to centuries past. It’s one of the few remaining remnants of Roman life in Bordeaux.

This World War I memorial commemorates the 21 soldiers thought to have been buried alive when a shell explosion during the Battle of Verdun overwhelmed the trench. Several years later, bayonets were found sticking out of the ground, and the story spread. The present-day Trench of the Bayonets (Tranchée des Baïonnettes) memorial was designed by French architect and veteran André Ventre.

In the heart of the Latin Quarter, Rue Mouffetard is one of Paris’ busiest and most beloved market streets. The thoroughfare hosts cheese sellers, vegetable vendors, bakeries, and other artisanal food outlets, as well as numerous bars and cafés. Its proximity to the Sorbonne makes it popular among local students. Go there in the morning to purchase picnic items or food for self-catering, or later in the day to eat at a restaurant.

Also known as the Ablain Saint-Nazaire French Military Cemetery, Notre Dame de Lorette is the world’s largest French military cemetery. Located in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, the 60-acre (25-hectare site contains the remains of more than 40,000 soldiers and is a poignant reminder of the Great War’s devastation.

If you’ve ever wondered how coins are minted or what French francs looked like through the ages, a visit to the Paris Mint Museum (Musée de la Monnaie de Paris) provides a deep dive into the process of coining. Housed in the city’s oldest factory, which has been minting coins since the ninth century and still produces commemorative coins today, museum visitors can watch artisans at work, learn about the art of making coins, and admire the vast coin collection.

See birds in their natural habitats at Pont de Gau Ornithological Park (Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau), a top natural attraction in France. Of particular note are hundreds of pink flamingos that feed off its salt marshes. The park is spread out over 150 acres (60 hectares) inside Camargue National Reserve in the south of France.

Abbaye aux Dames in Caen (also known as the Abbey of Sainte-Trinité, or the Holy Trinity Abbey) is a Benedictine convent nearly one thousand years old. A bit worse for the wear, the abbey survived the Hundred Years War, during which it lost its original spires, and is now home to the Regional offices for Lower Normandy.

The Bois de Vincennes is beloved as Paris’ largest green space, sprawling across 2,459 acres (995 hectares), which is roughly three times the size of Central Park in New York. Once a royal hunting ground, the park now boasts an array of attractions: a zoo, several lakes, botanical gardens, a working farm, a Buddhist temple, and the Château de Vincennes medieval fortress.

Housed in the 12th-century Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the National Archaeological Museum (Musée d’Archéologie Nationale) is one of France’s top museums. Established by Napoleon III in 1862, the museum is home to the largest collection of prehistoric art in the world, and the works on display run from the Paleolithic period to the Middle Ages.

Crowning the hillside above St-Tropez is the town’s citadel, a striking hexagonal tower as popular for its views as its history. Visitors today can admire the citadel’s well-preserved cannons and bastions that date back to the early 17th century and learn about St-Tropez’s seafaring history at the on-site maritime history museum.

This Roman abbey in Marseille has a long and interesting history dating back 1,500 years. Visitors come to tour the basilica and learn more about the building and the community of monks that once lived here.

The Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery is one of France’s largest military cemeteries and a major World War I landmark. The final resting place of some 70,000 Commonwealth troops (more than half of whom are unidentified), it has a particularly moving connection for Canadians: Canada’s Unknown Soldier was first buried here before later being repatriated.

Thespians and theater enthusiasts shouldn't miss Lyon's historic Célestins Theater (Théâtre des Célestins, which has been operating for more than 200 years. Visitors can attend a performance, or uncover the theater's history on a behind-the-scenes tour. Enjoy the lavish foyer, ornate bar, and lovingly renovated red and gold auditorium.

Housed in an Italianate neoclassical villa fronting the Promenade des Anglais, the Massena Art and History Museum (Musée Masséna) focuses on the shared history of the city of Nice and Napoleon Bonaparte, through the personal effects, artifacts, and artwork of the Masséna family. The manicured grounds are also a high point.

Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Matisse Museum (Musée Matisse), an homage to the life and work of Nice’s hometown art hero and world-renowned French painter Henri Matisse. Though small, the museum provides detailed information about Matisse’s life and examines the evolution of his work through key sketches, paintings, and sculptures.

Mickey Mouse might be the star of the show at Disneyland Paris, but arguably the most famous cartoon in France is Astérix, based on the adventures of the small but mighty Gaulish warrior and his sidekick, Obelix. Parc Astérix, France’s second most popular theme park, has roller coasters, family-friendly rides, live shows, and a set inspired by ancient Roman, Greek, and Egyptian history.

Home to one of the largest collections of Asian art outside Asia, the Guimet Museum (Musée Guimet) houses over 60,000 objects drawn from around the continent, from China to Afghanistan, including sculptures, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and scrolls. The Paris museum hosts several temporary exhibitions each year.