France attractions

There have been five chapels throughout the history of the Palace of Versailles, but today only the Royal Chapel remains. The majority of its use took place throughout the 1700s with daily masses, royal weddings (including that of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette), birth announcements, and baptisms.

Rising above the port of Nice, Mt. Boron (Mont Boron) is a green wilderness with spectacular views over the great views over the city, and the entire Côte d’Azur, especially nearby beauties, Villefranche and Cap Ferrat. Sign-posted trails for hiking and mountain biking make this nature reserve a popular place to escape the city.

The Seine divides Paris into two: to the north is the Right Bank (Rive Droite), and to the south is the Left Bank (Rive Gauche). Although home to some of the city’s top landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, the Left Bank retains a romantic, bohemian reputation thanks to its universities, famous former residents, and literary and artistic hangouts.

At the center of picturesque Aix-en-Provence is Cours Mirabeau, a plane tree–shaded avenue lined with chic stores, patisseries, and restaurants. Marked along its length by fountains, this street is the most popular place in town for a pre- or postlunch stroll and a must-visit stop on guided tours of the town.

Stretching more than 12 hectares (30 acres) along the banks of the Garonne River, Quinconces Square (Place des Quinconces) is Bordeaux’s largest square. Comprising a vast esplanade flanked by tree-lined walkways and fronted by the grand Monument to the Girondins, it’s among the most important sites of the city’s UNESCO-listed historic center.

A masterpiece of Provençal Romanesque architecture, the Monastère St Paul-de-Mausole (or the Saint-Paul de Mausole Monastery began as an Augustine monastery in the 12th century, but was later converted to an asylum famously housing artist Vincent Van Gogh after he notoriously cut off his year in 1889. Visitors are drawn to the monastery to see the landscapes that inspired Van Gogh’s most celebrated works.

Built for then-Bishop оf Strasbourg, Cardinal Armand Gaston Maximilien de Rohan, 18th-century Palais Rohan has hosted an impressive guest list throughout its history—Louis XV, Marie Antoinette, Napoléon Bonaparte, and Charles X. Now, the riverfront landmark on Grande Île plays host to three important cultural institutions: Musée des Beaux-Arts,xa0 Musée Archéologique, and Musée des Arts Décoratifs.

With its diverse mix of ethnicities and vibrant art scene, Belleville is among Paris’ most fashionable and eclectic districts, which draws a hip crowd of young locals, students, and creative types. It’s also a hub for the French capital’s dynamic street art movement and boasts one of the hottest food scenes in the city. It’s worth making the trip out here from central neighborhoods for the Eiffel Tower views alone.

Towering 15,771 feet (4,807 meters) above sea level, Mont Blanc is western Europe’s highest summit and a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Straddling the border of France and Italy, this iconic peak is considered the birthplace of modern mountaineering, and travelers still flock to Chamonix to experience it. As well as endless opportunities for hiking, mountaineering, and adventure sports, less active visitors can admire it from a cable car.

Fort du Mont Alban, a 16th-century hilltop fort in miraculous condition, is one of the most striking viewpoints along the French Riviera. You can walk up here from Nice or Villefranche-sur-Mer—once you get to the top, clear days mean views of Corsica. You’ll also get the honor of stepping foot on one of the most key landmarks of the former States of Savoy.

The historic Dome Church at Les Invalides (Dôme des Invalides) is hard to miss, with its golden dome rising more than 350 feet (107 meters) into the skyline. The church, which hosted the royal Mass under Louis XIV, is home to both Napoleon’s tomb and the Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée), making it a must-see for those interested in architecture or European history.

Set at the end of the Parc du Champ de Mars within sight of the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero, the 18th-century École Militaire houses several military training facilities. Alma mater of Napoleon Bonaparte, the French classical main hall–marked by bullets fired by retreating German units during World War II–is still home to the officers’ academy of the French army. The Champ de Mars park just outside the complex originally served as the school’s parade ground.

Steeped in history, the Paradis Latin is one of the most legendary French cabaret theaters in Paris. Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, it was rebuilt in 1889 by none other than Gustave Eiffel, and it retains its belle epoque-era décor to this day. The spectacular L’Oiseau Paradis show is an all-singing, all-dancing revue complete with dazzling costumes, acrobatics, and modern special effects—an unforgettable introduction to cabaret.

One of the most esteemed appellations of the Bordeaux region’s Right Bank, Pomerol is known for its red wines, which are made primarily with Merlot. Located between the city of Libourne and the celebrated Saint-Émilion, Pomerol is home to upwards of 140 wineries, including the world-renowned Château Pétrus.

In the heart of Toulouse, Saint-Sernin Basilica is an outstanding building, notable for being the largest Romanesque structure in Europe. For centuries it has welcomed pilgrims walking along the Camino de Santiago, or Way of Saint James.

Dominating the landscape around Aix-en-Provence, Sainte-Victoire Mountain (Montagne Sainte-Victoire) is a limestone ridge immortalized by Aix-en-Provence painter Paul Cézanne. Whether you bike or hike to the top or just admire the silhouette from afar, its angular profile can be seen for miles around.

Set between the dramatic landscapes of the Verdon Gorge and the Valensole plateau, the man-madeLake of Sainte-Croix (Lac de Sainte-Croix) is among Provence’s most popular vacation spots. With sandy lakeside beaches, water temperatures rivaling those of the Mediterranean Sea, and fewer crowds than the French Riviera, it’s the ideal summer destination.

Between its colorful facades and picturesque harbor, it is no small wonder Honfleur was a favorite among artists from Claude Monet to Gustave Courbet. Galleries and restaurants crowd its strollable estuary waterfront, where pleasure boats bob in the Vieux Bassin. The town also boasts a few major historic sites, such as St. Catherine’s Church (Eglise Sainte-Catherine) and the vaulted Greniers à Sel salt warehouses.

Tête d'Or Park was designed by landscape architect Denis Bühler and opened in 1856. It’s home to one of France's leading botanical gardens, with more than 20,000 plant varieties, where you’ll find an international rose garden and a zoological area devoted to species of the African plains.

Black bulls, white horses, and pink flamingos are the standout sights in Camargue Regional Nature Park, a rugged marshland between the Rhône Delta and the Mediterranean. Wildlife aside, the coastal scenery here is unique, with salt flats, rice fields, canals, and bull ranches forming the backdrop of this so-called cowboy country.

The Bayeux Tapestry (Tapisserie de Bayeux) might be almost 1,000 years old, but it’s still one of the top tourist attractions in northern France. Housed in a purpose-built museum and depicting the infamous Norman invasion of England, its detailed needlework and impressive size draw hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the world every year.

The Marseille History Museum presents the story of Europe and beyond through the ages. It takes visitors back in time through the multimedia displays and well-preserved artifacts that make up its permanent collection. The museum usually has several temporary exhibits running concurrently, most themed around an era or historical subject.

Once an almshouse and now a museum, the Centre de la Vieille Charité in Marseille is home to a number of museums and also hosts cultural events covering a wide range of themes.

Experience the faded grandeur of Marseille’s famous boulevard, La Canabière, and explore the many layers of history and commerce that make up this vibrant city.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hospices de Beaune (aka the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune is one of Burgundy’s most storied buildings. Founded as a charitable hospital in 1443, the landmark is known for its turrets, colorful roof tiles, and pretty courtyards—as well as the annual wine auction it hosts. The on-site museum also draws art lovers.

One of Brittany’s most striking port cities, Saint-Malo is known for its walled fortifications, idyllic beaches, and rich gastronomy. The ancient city’s turbulent past includes a legacy of piracy and devastating bombing in World War II. But today, this glittering, seaside gem is best known as a relaxing vacation destination.

Discover the charm of Croix-Rousse, a vibrant hilltop neighborhood in Lyon, France. The area is characterized by its traboules (hidden passageways) used by silk workers in the past, and its contemporary street-art scene. Today, La Croix-Rousse attracts visitors with its art studios, boutiques, markets, and authentic Lyonnaise culinary experiences.

One of France’s greatest wine routes, the Route des Grand Crus (the Road of Great Wines) weaves 37 miles (60 kilometers) south from Dijon to Beaune and Santenay through the Burgundy wine region. Visitors trace the trail through rolling vineyards, pausing at estates, châteaux, and wine villages to taste and learn about the much-lauded wines.

Built in the 17th century, the grand Palais du Luxembourg served as a royal palace, a prison, and a Nazi headquarters before becoming the seat of the French Senate at the start of the Fifth Republic. The landmark building is a highlight of Paris’ 6th arrondissement and overlooks the formal gardens and tree-lined walkways of the Jardin du Luxembourg.

The work of Salvador Dalí is celebrated at this fascinating gallery in Paris, which displays sculptures, lithographs, drawings, and furniture. It's a key stop for Dalí aficionados, but also offers an approachable introduction to the artist’s work, and one that doesn’t require a trip to Dalí’s home of northern Spain. In addition to the permanent collection, past temporary exhibits have explored a range of themes related to the artist, including street art, jewelry, and letters.