France attractions

A popular stop for French Riviera travelers en route to Monaco, Eze has all you need for a calm couple of hours. Its narrow alleys give way to medieval architecture and flower-bedecked stone houses, and there are plenty of terrace restaurants that satisfy you with Mediterranean Sea views alone. The village is also home to the historic Fragonard perfumery and the Exotic Garden of Eze, where tropical foliage abounds.

Built under the orders of Louis XIV, Les Invalides was established as a care center for veterans. In addition to its original purpose, the vast complex today comprises the Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée), one of the world’s largest collections dedicated to military history and art. The site is also home to the Dome Church, which contains the tombs of notable figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte.

One of France’s greatest Gothic masterpieces, the Reims Cathedral dates to the 13th century and is hallowed as the coronation site of many French kings. The UNESCO-listed landmark—recognizable for its twin bell towers and rose stained-glass window—was shelled during World War I but has since been restored to its former glory.

Discover the captivating story of Sainte-Mère-Église, a once little-known village that gained notoriety during World War II. It was here that American troops made their mark on June 6, 1944, liberating the village from Nazi occupation as part of Operation Overlord. You can learn about the fascinating history of this town in Normandy, while admiring the tranquility of rural France.

The colossal Film Festival Palace hosts high-profile media and business events, most notably, the Cannes Film Festival, which draws movie stars and media from all over the world for two dizzying weeks in May. Its privileged location, across from the sun-kissed Boulevard de la Croisette and the Mediterranean Sea, is appropriately glamorous.

The Palais Bourbon is one of France’s most important seats of power, as the meeting place of the Assemblée Nationale (National Assembly), France’s lower house of Parliament. Built in the early 17th century, the building is attractively positioned overlooking the River Seine and is steeped in history and architectural grandeur.

Regularly ranked among France’s most beautiful villages, the medieval Gourdon is a sightseeing highlight of Provence’s craggy interior. Poised atop a dramatic, rocky spur, the village offers panoramic views stretching as far as the Mediterranean. Gourdon is also celebrated for its château and its elegant gardens.

Flanked by red marble columns and featuring a grandiose sculpture of the archangel Michael reigning triumphantly over the devil, the Fontaine Saint-Michel is one of the most notable landmarks of Paris’ Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin). Built during the Second Empire, the fountain’s bronze centerpiece is inspired by the Raphael painting Saint Michael Vanquishing Satan, which is on display across the river in the Louvre.

Rising up over the eastern end of Quai des États-Unis, the 300-foot Castle Hill (Colline du Château) affords fantastic views over the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Old Town of Vieux Nice, the Baie des Anges, and the glittering Côte d’Azur.

With its checkerboard paving stones and elegant palms, Massena Square is the heart of Nice, hosting events from summer festivals to a Christmas village. It’s also a focal point of the 29-acre (12-hectare) Paillon Promenade, which offers green space near some of the top attractions in Nice’s old town.

Perched atop the city’s highest hill, the magnificent Notre-Dame de la Garde, which is visible from all over the Marseille, is one of the city’s most striking landmarks. The Romano-Byzantine basilica dates back to the 19th century and is best known for its grand bell tower, which is capped with a gleaming gold statue of the Virgin Mary.

Picturesque, colorful, and with astounding views of the countryside, this village in the Vaucluse couldn’t be more charmingly Provençal if it tried. Perched atop towering red cliffs and one of the world’s largest ocher quarries, Roussillon’s dramatic setting and historic Old Town have earned it a place among France’s most beautiful villages.

Crazy Horse cabaret’s burlesque-style show celebrates femininity and the art of seduction, with elaborately choreographed routines performed by dancers wearing custom-made red-soled Louboutins, bob wigs, bright red lipstick—and often little else. Avant-garde artist Alain Bernardin established the intimate underground venue in 1951, and it remains a popular spot for Parisian nights out today. Shows star the Crazy Girls, as well as an ever-changing lineup of (often famous) guest artists.

The beating heart of Cannes, La Croisette Boulevard (Boulevard de la Croisette) is an oceanfront promenade lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants, and thronged with both vacationers and glamorous locals. Whether you’re stopping for lunch, dinner, or people-watching as you walk along, a stroll along this iconic street is a must-do for Cannes visitors.

The village of La Turbie is just outside Monaco, yet it feels another world away. Those looking for a taste of old Provence will find it in La Turbie’s medieval Old Town; plus, there are French Riviera vistas aplenty from the Trophy of the Alps. The Roman monument was built around 7BC and is La Turbie’s star sight.

One of Bordeaux’s most famous sights, the Place de la Bourse combines ancient and modern influences to create a welcoming public square. Built in the 18th century, the buildings here once housed the Bordeaux stock exchange as well as several private houses. The addition of the striking Mirror of Water feature in 2006 has turned this grand space into a must-visit destination.

Situated overlooking the city of Amboise and one of hundreds of UNESCO-listed Châteaux of the Loire, the grand Château d’Amboise was home to French royalty from the 15th–19th centuries. Built in the Gothic and Renaissance styles in the late 15th century, the hilltop castle is accessible on foot, and just over an hour from Paris by train.

The imperial tomb of French statesman and military leader Napoleon Bonaparte sits inside the 17th-century Dome Church, topped by a gilded dome that’s the tallest in the city. Surrounded by grand statues in the church’s crypt, Napoleon’s Tomb is a highlight of Les Invalides, a vast museum complex comprising the Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée) and other exhibits related to France’s military history.

Part of the sweeping complex at Les Invalides, the Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée) was officially founded in 1905, when the Musée d’Artillerie and Musée Historique de l’Armée merged. History buffs, take heed: It’s the largest museum of military history in France, containing thousands of rare weapons and artifacts dating from antiquity to the 20th century.

The sweeping Place Vendôme is one of Paris’ most rarefied public squares, home to elegant hotels, storied couturiers, jewelry houses, and even the Ministry of Justice. Commissioned by King Louis XIV in the 18th century, the square is famed for its history, impressive architecture, and the Napoleonic Vendôme Column at its center. Its convenient location near the Louvre and other highlights of the 1st arrondissement make it a mainstay of Paris sightseeing.

A honeycomb of narrow streets dotted with baroque churches, lively markets, bustling squares, and a thriving nightlife scene, Nice’s Old Town (Vieux Nice) remains the buzzing heart the modern French city. This seafront historic center offers an atmospheric introduction to Nice.

The Wall of Love (Le Mur des Je T’aime) is a massive work of art featuring the words “I love you” written in over 250 languages. This piece by artist Frédéric Baron and calligrapher Claire Kito, composed of 612 dark blue tiles, is a favorite meeting spot for lovers. It’s yet another example proving that Paris is, in fact, the City of Love.

With its gothic turrets, cathedral-esque spire, and dramatic central arch, Porte Cailhau gives off fairy tale castle vibes. Built in 1495 to commemorate King Charles VIII’s Italian War victory, the historic city gate once formed part of Bordeaux’s medieval city walls. Today, it’s a landmark and viewpoint linking Place du Palais and the Garonne waterfront.

Named after former French President Georges Pompidou, who commissioned the building in 1969, Centre Pompidou is a multidisciplinary cultural venue that’s home to the National Museum of Contemporary Art. Visitors come to see famous paintings by legendary artists—such as Henri Matisse, Frida Kahlo, and Wassily Kandinsky—and to marvel at Centre Pompidou’s postmodern architecture, which features multicolored utility pipes routed around the building’s glass and metal exterior.

Translated literally as “the pope’s new castle,” the wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape was developed by medieval pontiffs who tended to the vines between prayers. The resulting terroir that now surrounds the small village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape has become famous for its production of complex red wines that improve with age, drawing travelers for tastings in this picturesque locale.

Nice's Cours Saleya Flower Market (Marché aux Fleurs Cours Saleya) is a veritable feast for the senses—floral fragrances rise in the air, vendors call out in French to mingling locals, and flower bouquets burst forth from every stall. Add the fresh produce market, sidewalk cafes, and weekly antiques fair, and it’s no wonder the market is a must while in Provence.

Blending revolutionary history and bohemian-cool atmosphere, the Bastille neighborhood of Paris is a hub for the city’s creative culture. At its heart is Place de la Bastille—where crowds stormed the Bastille prison—while the modern-day Bastille Opera House (Opéra Bastille) hosts cutting-edge performances. Browsing its covered markets, art galleries, workshops, and gardens is a chance to immerse oneself in the Parisian way of life. Nightlife draws revelers from across Paris to the neighborhood’s many venues, from cocktail bars to gourmet eateries and wine cafés.

For more than 130 years, Galeries Lafayette has been a popular destination store for Paris’ well-heeled shoppers. Beneath the building’s massive art nouveau domed ceiling are thousands of items from luxury fashion brands including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Christian Dior. In addition to a rooftop terrace with views of the Eiffel Tower, Galeries Lafayette has a 5-story gourmet food store and dining court, and it hosts weekly fashion shows on Friday afternoons.

Once the city’s commercial maritime hub, the Old Port of Marseille (Vieux Port) has been in use since antiquity and is now used by yachts, fishing craft, and pleasure boats. The picturesque and vibrant quays are the setting for fish markets and historical buildings, as well as cafés and restaurants that specialize in fresh-from-the-boat seafood.

Marseille is France’s largest and busiest port, welcoming over 1.5 million cruise passengers to its shores each year. As the gateway to Provence and the south of France, Marseille is a popular stop on Europe cruise itineraries, and offers ferry connections to Corsica, Sardinia, Algeria, and Tunisia.