Founded in 1785, Bouchard Ainé & Fils is among Burgundy’s oldest and most prestigious winemakers, with a vast estate that includes Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards. At the Maison Bouchard Ainé & Fils in Beaune, you can enjoy tours and tastings in the historic cellars of the historic Hôtel du Conseiller du Roy.
For every visitor who rolls their eyes at the Promenade des Anglais establishment, there is an equal number of visitors (and locals) who are thrilled about the Hard Rock Cafe Nice. Its exterior blends in quite nicely with the facades along this famous strip, and its location ensures that it will be around for the long haul.
One of France’s most important aquariums, Oceanopolis (Océanopolis), in Brest, is both a traditional aquarium and a center for oceanography. The site is made up of three main pavilions divided into tropical, polar, and temperate exhibition areas, each of which hosts a variety of sea life, from anemones to seals.
For wine lovers, few names are more hallowed than Gevrey-Chambertin, the largest wine-producing village in Burgundy’s golden Côte d’Or—and Philippe Leclerc Wine Cellar offers visitors an opportunity to taste what makes the region famous. Open to tasters daily, the sprawling cellars have the added attraction of a small museum, which showcases the tools of the viniculture trade.
If wine forms the body of France, the Fronton wine region is surely the country’s soul. Thought to be one of the oldest wine-growing areas in the country, the region’s first vines were planted by the Romans. Famous largely for its red wines, but with a 12 percent rosé production, Fronton sees 2,000-odd hours of annual sunshine per year—perfect for growing grapes.
The city of Bordeaux is 60 miles (97 kilometers) inland from the Bay of Biscay and is the gateway to France’s most famous wine region. Smaller ships can travel up the Garonne River and dock in the city center at the Port de la Lune, but larger ships must dock in Verdon at the Gironde estuary, about two hours' drive from the city.
Now a household name, selling more than 150,000 bottles around the world, Château Plaisance started life as a small, family-run business in the late 19th century. Winner of numerous awards, the château recently transitioned to fully organic wine production and produces 10 varieties of wines (five reds, four rosés, and a white).
With its perfectly preserved medieval architecture and two working drawbridges, Château de Montmuran is a highlight of the Rennes countryside. Join a guided tour to explore its two original 12th-century towers, as well as the imposing gatehouse, guardroom, dungeon, and chapel, plus take in views over the lush Dinan landscape dotted with more than 20 bell towers from atop the fortress walls.
On the banks of Lake Geneva, the Palais Lumière was once a thriving spa and bathhouse, offering visitors and residents a convenient way to "take the waters." Today, this neoclassical building functions as a museum and meeting center, with conference rooms and a public exhibition hall.
At the heart of Strasbourg’s historic La Petite France quarter, the 16th-century Tanners House (Maison des Tanneurs) is one of the area’s most famous landmarks. Tucked amid the half-timbered houses and snaking canals of La Petite France, it’s a lasting vestige of the city’s old tanners’ district.
Nice’s enchanting old port is a lovely place to wander and find the perfect little restaurant for an authentic meal with a romantic view of the Mediterranean Sea. Soak up the atmosphere of the yacht-filled port, then stroll over to the hilly green park, Colline du Château, or the adjacent Quartier Segurane, known for its antique shops and flea market.
