France attractions

One of Reims’ four UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Abbey of Saint-Remi (Abbaye Saint-Rémi) is also one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in northern France. The 11th-century abbey church houses Saint Rémi’s tomb, while the adjacent buildings host the Saint-Remi Museum’s exhibition spaces.

Through immersive storytelling, interactive exhibitions, and more than 15,000 WWII artifacts, the Normandy Victory Museum—also known as the Battle of the Hedge Museum—takes visitors on a journey through the 100 days following the D-Day landings. Built on a former American airfield, it’s one of the region’s most engaging museums, playing a key role in preserving Normandy’s WWII history.

Parc de Bercy stretches across 34 acres (14 hectares) of the Seine’s right bank, in a location that previously served as a wine warehouse district. The park blends its historical legacy, still visible in its vineyard and an old railway line, with more modern park elements to create an open and lush green setting that’s perfect for a stroll.

Located in a building that overlooks La Rochelle’s Old Port (Vieux-Port), the Aquarium La Rochelle is one of the largest aquariums in France and attracts nearly 1 million visitors annually. Learn about more than 600 species—including rays, sharks, and jellyfish—in display areas dedicated to animals from a variety of habitats.

With extensive Roman ruins and a lively café scene, the southern French town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence has both historical importance and modern appeal. Nostradamus was born here, and Van Gogh spent one of his most productive periods in Saint-Rémy, so there’s plenty to do for art lovers and visitors interested in the region’s history.

Housed in the former residence of the archbishops of Avignon, the Musée de Petit Palais brings together an impressive collection of Renaissance paintings in the surroundings of a 13th-century palace.

In the heart of Provence, the Coustellet Lavender Museum is a showcase, educational center and production facility promoting the beauty and medicinal benefits of the fragrant purple plant. Run by the Lincelé family for five generations, lavender is grown and harvested in their farm and distilled in an old factory into various products for purchase in the boutique.

The 5th arrondissement—also known as the Latin Quarter—is a district of Paris on the left bank of the River Seine, where ancient Gallo-Roman ruins are situated. As home to the Sorbonne University, the area often bustles with students. Among its highlights are the Panthéon, a crypt housing famous French artists and intellectuals, and the Jardin des Plantes, a large botanical garden containing several museums.

Founded in the 12th century, but abandoned from the 17th century until after World War II, Commarque Castle (Château de Commarque) is a ruined medieval chateau. Visit to see the ruins and a cave with prehistoric art, as well as caves once used as homes. Participate in games, workshops, and treasure hunts held on school vacations.

With its medieval buildings and fairy-tale turrets encircled by landscaped gardens, lush woodlands, and bursts of lavender and roses—Chȃteau du Rivau is among the most underrated of the Loire Valley castles. Once visited by Joan of Arc, the 15th-century castle is also renowned for its Royal Stables.

For a new-fangled take on old-fashioned entertainment, head to Futuroscope, the futuristic amusement park that offers high-tech interactive and immersive experiences for the whole family. Take in shows at IMAX and dynamic cinemas, hop on thrilling adventure rides, and learn about science and technology via engaging exhibits.

Laid out by Louis XIV, the Grands Boulevards were the original Parisian boulevards: a series of eight tree-lined promenades that would later become the heart of Belle Époque Paris. Today, the Grands Boulevards is a lively district, where you can wander through opulent 19th-century shopping arcades, admire magnificent Haussmannian mansions, and watch a show at some of Paris’ most legendary theaters.

Château Mouton Rothschild wine needs little introduction. This esteemed and expensive Bordeaux tops the list of the world’s most coveted reds, so an outing to this Rothschild estate is similarly exclusive. Appointment-only visits showcase the château, vat room, and cellars, along with the on-site Museum of Wine in Art, where some of the Rothschild’s private art collection awaits.

Lille’s main public square, the Grand Place—which also goes by the Place du Général de Gaulle—is a top gathering point in this northerly city. Grand Palace is ringed by many of the city’s historic buildings and attractions, including the Vieille Bourse, and located in Lille’s atmospheric Old Town (Vieux-Lille).

Bone-crafted artifacts and stone tools abound at the National Prehistoric Museum in Les Eyzies, offering Dordogne visitors a voyage into the past. Located near the Vézère Valley—a region known as the capital of prehistory—the museum showcases some 18,000 artifacts, all curated to retrace millennia of human life in the region and beyond.

With a history dating back to 1140, Sens Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Etienne de Sens) is one of the oldest Gothic buildings in France and was once one of the most important in the country—Louis IX married here in 1234. Its elaborately decorated facade and exquisite stained-glass windows make it the undisputed star attraction of Sens.

Old-fashioned magic tricks and antique curiosities await at this little museum, tucked away in a 16th-century underground cellar in central Paris. It isn’t well-known, and a visit won’t take more than an hour of your time, but it’s entertaining for kids and budding magicians, especially thanks to the mini magic show that’s included with the entrance fee.

The Citadel of Blaye is a 17th-century fortress in the town of Blaye north of Bordeaux, France. The walled city was built around a parade ground, a monastery dedicated to the Minims order, and several army barracks. King Louis XIV ordered the Marquis de Vauban to build the fortress in order to protect Bordeaux from attack.

Located in the Loire Valley, the Château de Nitray is celebrated for its Renaissance architecture and has been a listed historic monument since 1947. But today, the castle is best known for its wine. Home to vines since the 18th century, the celebrated winery grows six grape varietals and produces red, white, rosé and sparkling wines.

The Living Museum of the Horse (Musée Vivant du Cheval) is housed in the Château de Chantilly’s Great Stables, the largest in Europe. The museum’s exhibits trace the historical relationship between human and horse, from domestication to the horse’s role in war, hunting, and recreation. The highlight is a chance to see the resident horses in action during dressage demonstrations and equestrian shows.

Tucked away in one of the lesser-known French wine regions is Le Pallet village, and it’s here that you can find the Nantes Wine Museum. Dedicated to the history of this muscadet grape region, the museum is a oenophile’s joy with exhibits such as a huge 19th-century wine press, plus vineyards and a refreshing family-friendly vibe.

With its storybook towers, wide moat, and series of drawbridges, the Château du Plessis-Bourré is part fairy-tale castle, part imposing fortress. Set against the lush landscapes of the western Loire Valley, the 15th-century château was the lavish residence of its namesake, Jean Bourré, the treasurer of King Louis XI, and is a prized example of French “transition” style.

Chatou, on the banks of the Seine in the far west of Paris, is known for the Île des Impressionnistes (Island of the Impressionists), where Monet, Manet, Renoir, and others set up their easels to immortalize the sparkling waters and lazy bathers. Many visitors don’t even think of venturing out this far, but those who do will find small museums, riverside walks, and architectural charm.

The neoclassical facade and pediments of the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Daurade are an impressive sight on the riverfront promenade in Toulouse. There’s been a church on this site for over 1,500 years, and there’s plenty of history and intrigue to explore here.

At the meeting point of Colmar’s two main boulevards, the Old Customs House (Koïfhus), also known as the “Ancienne Douane,” is hard to miss. Once an important center of Alsatian commerce, the 15th-century landmark is now protected as a National Historical Monument. It is celebrated for its distinctive Gothic and Renaissance architecture, most notably its colorfully tiled roof.

Nestled in the south of France’s Burgundy region, the medieval town of Cluny developed around its 10th-century Benedictine abbey. Today, visitors admire what remains of this once-powerful establishment before discovering the town’s Gothic and Romanesque architecture, church, and other treasures.

The Space City (Cite de l'Espace) lets you realize your dreams of visiting space without having to undergo years of astronaut training. Here, you can explore inside a space station or space rocket; try on a space suit; and experience the sensation of walking on the moon.

At the Old Port in Marseilles, the L-shaped Place aux Huiles is where boats filled with barrels of olive oil would float up a canal once here. Now paved over to make a wide avenue, the relaxing pedestrian-only square is lined with some of the best restaurants and bars in town.

Housed in the 20th-century Chamonix Palace, the Alpine Museum (or Le Musee Alpin celebrates the history of the Chamonix Valley and notable ascents of Mont Blanc. The museum’s collection of vintage mountain climbing equipment, old photographs, and maps draw visitors interested in mountaineering history and the development of tourism in the valley.

Built at the turn of the 16th century to guard the former border of France and Catalonia, the Fortress of Salses boasts a strategic location between the Corbières Mountains and the coastal lake of Étang de Salses. Remarkably preserved, it’s notable for its medieval architecture and impressive fortifications.