One of two theme parks that comprise the larger Disneyland® Paris resort (alongside Walt Disney Studios® Park), Disneyland® Park is full of classic Disney attractions, rides, characters, and entertainment. A popular, family-friendly destination since 1992, the amusement park boasts five different themed areas for visitors to discover.
Most visitors to Disneyland® Paris—Europe’s biggest theme park—make a beeline for the Disneyland®Park, but the adjoining Disney Adventure World offers even more shows, rides, and Disney®-themed fun, especially for movie fans. Designed like a Hollywood movie studio, the park has four distinct areas—Front Lot, Toon Studios, Production Courtyard, and Backlot.
Located in the village of Auvers-sur-Oise northwest of Paris, the Maison de van Gogh was where Vincent van Gogh spent the final two months of his life. Today, the landmark’s 19th-century appearance has been preserved; on a guided tour, you can see the attic room where van Gogh lived and died, and watch an audiovisual presentation about his life in the adjacent room (formerly rented by another artist, Anton Hirschig).
With its white-stone buildings, Renaissance architecture, and traditional French market, Uzès is a picturesque pocket of Languedoc that’s all-too-often overlooked by visitors. The city’s Roman roots link it to the region’s most memorable monument, the UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard aqueduct, which delivered water from Uzès to Nîmes in ancient times.
Although built outside the city walls in medieval times, Place Gambetta is now the bustling center of Bordeaux, both figuratively and literally—the square is, technically, the kilometer zero milestone of Bordeaux, from which all distances are calculated. Recently renovated, it’s a popular meeting point, known for its tree-lined gardens.
A beloved icon of the city of Montpellier, the distinctive shape of Pic St-Loup is in view from just about everywhere within the Hérault department and makes for a nice day trip from the city. As a part of the lower end of Massif Central, the mountain’s micro-climate harbors unique flora and a thriving population of birds of prey.
The French town of Orange is a popular destination known not only for its sunny, picturesque charm, but also for its long history. Visit to see it’s impressive Roman architecture, which include some of the world’s most notable examples outside of Rome itself.
Set in the Luberon region of Provence, Fountain of Vaucluse (Fontaine-de-Vaucluse) is a small village famous for its hidden spring. The “fountain” feeds the Sorgue River and is a bit of a mystery, as the source of this underground spring is unknown. The Sorgue River is so crystal clear it appears emerald and is the area’s main attraction.
World War I history buffs interested in Australia’s role in the conflict will want to visit the Australian Corps Memorial Park, laid out by the Australian government in 1998 to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Hamel. The memorial commemorates the 100,000 Australians who served in the Australian Corps in France during WWI.
Among the most popular of Marseille's calanques—narrow limestone inlets that jut out into the Mediterranean Sea—the Calanque de Sormiou is a beautiful place for swimming, sunbathing, and just taking in the views. It's also one of the easier-to-access calanques in the area, and you can get there by car or bicycle.
The streets of Paris are filled with romance and excitement, but for travelers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, a stroll along the scenic Canal Saint-Martin offers a quieter, more laid-back vibe. Lined with leafy trees, footbridges, and waterside cafés, it’s a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike to people-watch, dine alfresco, and soak up the bohemian feel of the neighborhood.
The Bayeux War Cemetery in Normandy is the largest of 18 cemeteries dedicated to soldiers from the Commonwealth. It’s a peaceful place, and visitors come to remember those who died in the Second World War. For many, the cemetery is a stop on a tour of important WWII sites in northern France.
Albi is a beautiful town roughly 30 miles (50 kilometers) from Toulouse, with a history linked to the Crusades against the Cathar heretics. Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the town is home to Albi Cathedral (Basilique Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d’Albi), a unique, imposing church, and the Palais de la Berbie, which displays the works of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who was born in Albi.
Fashioned from the blueprint of London’s world-renowned Madame Tussauds, the Grévin Museum (Musée Grévin), Paris’ own waxwork museum, has been sculpting famous faces since it was founded back in 1882. Today, more than 200 waxwork figures—including politicians, movie stars, and historic icons—are on display, making this a popular destination for tourists and visiting families.
One of Lyon’s most significant Roman–era landmarks, the UNESCO-listed Ancient Theatre of Fourvière (Théâtre Antique de Lyon is a living testament to the city’s millennia-long history. Built around 15 BC, when Lyon was still known as “Lugdunum,” the arena could once seat 10,000 spectators, and is still used for performances today.
Toulouse Cathedral, or Cathedrale St-Etienne, is a cathedral with a unique design that merges two different structures. With its mixture of architectural styles and lopsided appearance, it presents quite a change from the classic imposing grandeur of French cathedrals.
Lyon’s covered Les Halles Market (Les Halles Paul Bocuse has been open since 1970. They’re named in honor of Paul Bocuse, a legendary figure on both the French and international cooking scene. More than 95% of the shops are run by business owners who really know their products.
Steep cliffs, waterfalls, and the turquoise hue of the Loup River make Gorges du Loup one of the most popular natural escapes from the French Riviera. The area is a hub for hikers, rock climbers, and outdoor adventurers.
Perched atop a rocky outcrop in Provence, Les Baux-de-Provence is among France’s most beautiful villages, and one of the region’s most popular destinations. Visitors come here to wander its narrow cobbled streets filled with cafés, galleries, shops, and historic buildings, and to see the Carrières des Lumières art installations. The location boasts stunning panoramic views, which you can enjoy from the hilltop Château des Baux-de-Provence.
With a history dating back to the Bronze Age, Nimes is one of France’s oldest cities. Its Roman ruins—which include the UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard aqueduct and Colosseum-inspired Arènes de Nîmes—still take centerstage in the modern city.
Vieux-Lille—the city’s Old Town—is its most historic quarter, with notable Flemish-style architecture and major landmarks. The area, located just north of the city center, dates back centuries. Come for the history, architecture, and its gourmet food and drink offerings.
Trouville-sur-Mer, nicknamed “Queen of Beaches” in the 19th century, is slightly less flashy than its famous neighbor Deauville, but it is nonetheless polished. With half-timber buildings, a long, wooden boardwalk, and a plethora of upmarket hotels and restaurants, it’s popular with Parisians looking for sand between their perfectly pedicured toes.
Hidden under Notre-Dame Cathedral’s square, the Archaeological Crypt of the Île de la Cité is a fascinating descent into more than 2,000 years of Paris history. Excavated during the 1960s and 1970s, the crypt reveals the city’s architectural layers, from the ruins of the Gallo-Roman town of Lutetia, the predecessor of present-day Paris, to major developments in the 18th and 19th centuries.
An Italian-style mansion on Cap Ferrat in the French Riviera, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is the former home of socialite and banking heiress Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild. The villa and its extensive gardens are now open to the public.
The intricate facade of the Basilica of St. Michael (Basilique St. Michel) in central Bordeaux is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. It took more than 200 years to build, from the end of the 14th century to the end of the 16th century. The freestanding belfry, with its ornate decorations, also draws many visitors.
Two soaring towers mark the spot at 11th-century Bayeux Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux), the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry. While the tapestry is now at the Tapestry Museum (Musée de la Tapisserie), the cathedral’s mix of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles makes this one of Bayeux’s most fascinating sites.
Among the best-known producers in the Champagne region, Champagne Mercier is a great place to learn about all that goes into France's beloved bubbly. Here you can take a mini-train ride through a maze of subterranean champagne caves, check out the world's largest wine cask, and sample Champagne right where it's produced.
Set on France’s western coast at the mouth of the English Channel and the Seine River, the Le Havre Cruise Port (Terminal Croisières Le Havre) serves as a popular stop for European cruise liners and is considered the “gateway to Paris.” Once on shore, explore the World War II history of the UNESCO-listed Le Havre and take advantage of the town’s proximity to Normandy.
For some of the best views of the Mediterranean, head to France's highest sea cliff: Cap Canaille. Standing at just under 1,300 feet (396 meters), this headland in the Calanque National Park is nothing if not dramatic, offering great views of neighboring cliffs, beaches, and communities, particularly on clear days.
Inspired by the lavish villas of ancient Greece but built in the early 20th century, Villa Kerylos is the vision of French archaeologist Théodore Reinach. Now preserved as a National Monument, it’s a striking sight, perched on the seafront of the French Riviera against a backdrop of the soaring cliffs of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
