France attractions

Nestled in the Cone Valley, halfway between Dijon and Paris, stands the idyllic village of Vézelay. The 9th-century hilltop fortress is home to one of the most remarkable basilicas in France—the Romanesque Basilica of St Magdalene—as well as a gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage Old Town.

Amid Strasbourg’s artful jumble of historic buildings, St. Thomas Church (Eglise St. Thomas stands out for its red brick façade and mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Dating back to the 12th century, the protestant church is one of the many highlights of Strasbourg’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Grand Île.

Occupying a 13th-century Dominican convent in the Alsace town of Colmar, the Unterlinden Museum (Musée Unterlinden) features a large collection of European art, spanning the period between the Middle Ages and the 20th century. Its best-known work is the altarpiece of Isenheim, created with a mix of sculpture and painting in the early 16th century.

Villages don’t get much tinier than Opio. A half-hour's drive from Cannes, this ancient spot—humans have been here since the Iron Age—has only a handful of buildings: the 12th-century St-Trophisme Church and one of the country’s last remaining olive-oil mills. In stark contrast, on the outskirts of “town,” you’ll find world-class golfing and a Club Med.

Over 3,000 years old, the Luxor Obelisk (Obélisque de Louxor)—which stands 75 feet (23 meters) high and is decorated with hieroglyphic carvings—was gifted to France by Egypt in 1829. Situated in Place de la Concorde, where guillotine executions were carried out during the French Revolution, the obelisk has since become a symbol of peace for the country.

Please note: The Tau Palace is temporarily closed. A former residence for French monarchs, previously occupied by the Archbishop of Reims, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, the Tau Palace (Palais du Tau) is one of Burgundy’s key historical landmarks. The palace’s name comes from its distinctive “T” shape (tau is the Greek equivalent of “T”), and its history dates back to the 6th century.

In the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps, the chic ski town of Megève is best known for its Mont Blanc views and understated elegance, which draws an A-list crowd. Rustic-luxe hotels, boutiques, and restaurants garner as much attention as Megève’s ski slopes, while its medieval, cobblestone streets give the town its romantic, old-world atmosphere.

Among Dijon’s most prominent religious landmarks, the Dijon Cathedral is recognizable for its turret-capped towers and its Gothic facade. Though a church has stood on the site since the 6th century, the version that stands today was constructed beginning in 1281. Today, the building is a symbol of the city and part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Center of Dijon.

Also known as the Palais Rohan, the Bordeaux Hôtel de Ville (Bordeaux City Hall was built in 1771 in the elegant Louis XIV neoclassical style. It was here that celebrated painter Eugène Delacroix, fascinated by the Pompeii-style trompe l’oeil fresco in the dining room, discovered his calling in the 1780s.

Home to the prestigious French Open, Stade Roland Garros is more than just a tennis venue—it’s a cornerstone of French sports history. Visitors can take a behind-the-scenes tour to explore areas like the locker rooms, press center, and Court Philippe-Chatrier, where you’ll get an up-close look at the famous red clay. Tournament season runs annually in May and June.

Château de Langeais is one of the Loire Valley's most interactive castles. Far from being just a remnant of the past, the interior features faithful recreations of not only the furniture and art that were once found in the rooms, but also period-correct lighting and even mannequins in period dress.

Built on a rocky promontory overlooking the Maine River, the Château d’Angers makes a powerful first impression. A sprawling medieval defensive castle featuring 17 towers, moats, and gardens, the 13th-century château is also home to the famed Apocalypse Tapestry. It’s been a French National Monument since 1875.

A more recent addition to the Parisian artistic landscape, La Seine Musicale opened its doors in 2017 and has fast become a celebrated performance venue. Housed in a futuristic glass dome shielded by a gigantic solar-paneled sail, it’s as notable for its impressive architecture and beautiful setting—on a small island along the Seine in Paris’s western suburbs—as it is for its eclectic mix of classical, jazz, ballet, and other performances.

Located on the outskirts of Paris, in the suburb of Saint-Denis, this magnificent basilica is renowned for housing the tombs of France’s monarchs: 43 kings and 32 queens, as well as 60 princes and princesses. With both Romanesque and Gothic design features, the Basilique de Saint-Denis also has stained glass windows dating back to the 12th century and intricate vaulted ceilings. While a bit far from the city center, it is well worth the detour.

The Musée des Arts et Métiers is one of Paris’ most unusual and fascinating cultural institutions. Housed in the former priory of Saint-Martin-des-Champs, the museum holds more than 80,000 scientific instruments and inventions that range from an original version of Foucault’s Pendulum to some of the world’s first planes.

The Museum of Illusions Paris is a fantastically mind-warping attraction, which is designed to challenge visitors’ powers of perception, and is home to a wide array of boundary-pushing exhibits, installations, and illusion rooms. Suitable for both young and old, and conveniently located in the heart of the French capital, it offers boundless opportunities for play and discovery, not to mention photo opportunities.

Fittingly located within the Paris-Le Bourget business airport, the Air and Space Museum is one of the world’s largest and oldest museums dedicated to aeronautics. Inside the cavernous hangar, there’s a planetarium with flight simulators, plus more than 150 aircraft, including a 747, Concorde, DC3, Mirage, and an Ariane rocket. There’s also an array of rare aviation memorabilia, dating back as far as the 16th century.

Completed in 1929, Villa Savoye is a sleek, minimalist country house in the suburbs of Paris, which represents one of the most groundbreaking designs in 20th-century architecture. Designed by legendary Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, who was inspired by steamships and other modern technologies, the building illustrates his famous saying: “The house is a machine for living.” Villa Savoye is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with other Le Corbusier-designed locations in India, Japan, and Argentina.

Located within the Cité de la Musique with its white walls and Colosseum-like curves, the Musée de la Musique has a collection of thousands of rare instruments and artistic objects, and hosts daily concerts in its galleries. From long halls housing rows of intricately crafted concert harps to a lively percussion room with painted drums hanging from the ceiling, the exhibits at the Musée de la Musique explore traditions of music from around the world.

Château de Rambouillet, dating back to the 14th century, is one of the grandest and most historic castles in the Île-de-France region. Frequented by kings and queens, emperors and presidents, it has served as everything from a royal retreat to a setting for international diplomacy. Today, it remains an architectural and cultural gem.

An exceptional example of 18th-century French classical architecture, the Château de Champs-sur-Marne is one of the finest châteaux in the Île-de-France region. Constructed in 1707 for King Louis XIV’s financier, it was later owned by regal figures including the Marquise de Pompadour, the Princess of Conti, and the Duke of Vallière.

With a highly distinctive focus, the Musée des Plans-Reliefs in Paris is home to a collection of 3-dimensional military scale models (known as plans-reliefs), some of which date back to the mid-17th century. Set inside the Hôtel des Invalides, the museum lets you experience how fortified towns in France and beyond once looked.

Our Lady of the Assumption Church in St-Tropez might not be as grand as its name suggests, but this charming little church by the sea is worth a look. Instantly recognizable by its pink-and-yellow bell tower that graces many St-Tropez postcards, the 18th-century church is a great find for those wanting a peaceful moment or a prayer while exploring the town.

Admire a wide array of contemporary and modern art at the Louis Vuitton Foundation, which epitomizes the luxury brand’s commitment to art and culture. Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry (of Guggenheim Museum Bilbao fame), the innovative, glass-paneled structure is a work of art in itself. One of the top examples of contemporary buildings in Paris, it’s a must-see for architecture buffs.

The largest artificial “lake” in Paris, the Bassin de la Villette (La Villette Basin) was built in the 19th century as a link between the Canal Saint-Martin and the Canal de l’Ourcq. Measuring 2,624 feet (800 meters) in length and 230 feet (70 meters) in width, the lake is especially popular in the summer, when locals come to swim and enjoy festivals and other outdoor events.

Paris’ most famous ice cream shop has had visitors queuing up for a scoop since it opened in 1954. Using a secret recipe passed down and perfected through the ages—made with all-natural ingredients, no sweeteners, and no preservatives—the family-run tea room and shop on Île Saint-Louis has more than 70 different ice cream and sorbet flavors. Grab a cone to go or sit down to indulge in a cream and pistachio-topped sundae.

Memphis Slim, Wild Bill Davis, Sidney Bechet, and Lionel Hampton are among the legendary jazz musicians who have taken the stage at Le Caveau de la Huchette over its more than 75-year history. The intimate jazz club remains one of the liveliest music venues in the Latin Quarter, hosting nightly live jazz every night of the week. Grab a seat in the basement to check out Paris’ jazz and swing scene.

Among Europe’s most popular Christmas markets, Strasbourg’s annual Christkindelsmärik sees the city transform into a whirlwind of festivity. More than 2 million yearly visitors flock to the seasonal market, which includes craft and gift stalls andvin chaud (mulled wine) vendors, as well as an ice rink and carolers.

France’s longest river winds its way past magnificent royal chateaux, ancient forests, medieval towns, and award-winning vineyards. Starting in the Massif Central, it passes through 12 French departments, including the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Loire Valley and the cities of Orleans, Tours, Angers, Saumur, and Nantes.

Located amidst the bustle of Place de la Bastille, the Bastille Opera House (Opéra Bastille) has been an important cultural landmark for more than three decades. One of Paris’ two primary opera houses and home to Opéra National de Paris, it’s renowned for its modern, cutting-edge looks. Designed by architect Carlos Ott and unveiled in 1989, the striking building is a premier cultural venue and a must-see for fans of modern architecture.