From May 26 to June 4, 1940, the beaches of Dunkirk played host to one of the largest military operations of World War II. The “miracle” mass evacuation of British and Allied soldiers from France’s north coast is the subject of the Dunkirk War Museum, which tells the heroic story of the war effort that rescued more than 338,000 soldiers.
Light, fluffy, and in an array of pretty colors, Ladurée macarons are a symbol of Parisian elegance. The bite-sized pastries, sold at beautifully styled stores across Paris (and the world), attract crowds of shoppers day after day. A visit to Ladurée for afternoon tea and a box of sweet treats to take away is a must-do for many tourists in the capital.
Every year, half a million visitors head to Monet’s Garden in Giverny to immerse themselves in a real-life work of art—the gardens that inspired French impressionist master Claude Monet. Giverny’s Museum of Impressionism (Musée des Impressionnismes) is a separate but related attraction in the small Normandy town that provides more artistic and historical context.
Delve into Napoleonic history and lore at the National Museum of Maison Bonaparte, set in the Bonaparte family’s ancestral home in Ajaccio, Corsica. See the room where Napoleon was born, admire the restored interiors with period furnishings and artworks, and learn about the family’s origins and Napoleon’s childhood via a variety of interesting displays and heirlooms.
Soft sands brush the eastern coast of the Cap d’Antibes peninsula, offering a wild yet exclusive stretch of coastline. This is where you’ll find the beautiful Plage de la Garoupe, with its private beach club, public sands, and seafront restaurants offering chilled rosé wine, seafood, and Mediterranean Sea views.
One of France’s most unusual military landmarks, Fort Boyard was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte and completed in 1857. The towering sea fort—located in the Pertuis d'Antioche strait between the Île-d'Aix and Île d'Oléron—looks imposing, but was never used defensively. Today, it serves as a set for the popular Fort Boyard game show.
Calanques National Park protects dozens of calanques—or dramatic, limestone fjords—along the southern French coast between Marseille and La Ciotat. Of these, the Calanque de Port-Miou is among the most accessible: Located just a quick trip from Cassis by car or on foot, the calanque (and former quarry) offers stellar views and access to coastal walking trails.
Not to be confused with the European Union Parliament in Brussels, European Parliament Strasbourg is a modern landmark where members of the European Parliament meet to debate and vote during plenary sessions in the city. Built in 1999 and known for its distinctive glass facade and semi-circular Hemicycle, it also hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions throughout the year, typically related to European culture or politics.
The Orange Velodrome Stadium, a symbol of Marseille since 1937, which once featured cycling competitions, has undergone three major renovations and now serves as a premier sports and music venue with a 67,000-seat capacity. The host of major tournaments, such as the Rugby World Cup, the UEFA European Football Championship, and matches during the 2024 Summer Olympics as well, the arena draws visitors for both events and behind-the-scenes tours.
A charming town used as a port since Roman times, Cassis is an idyllic seaside escape in the South of France. Begin your adventure in the Port de Cassis area—seafood restaurants, historic buildings, and souvenir shops ring the vibrant fishing, leisure, and commercial port.
Also known as the Bois de Vincennes Zoological Park, Paris Zoological Park is part of the National Museum of Natural History and focuses on showcasing animal behavior in a naturalistic setting. After an extensive renovation, the zoo is bigger and more impressive than ever, housing 255 species including ring-tailed lemurs, giraffes, zebras, jaguars, penguins, and pumas. Visitors who come here can explore different biozones and visit temporary exhibitions too.
Paris’ 11th Arrondissement is known for its densely populated, lively atmosphere and buzzing nightlife, which makes it a popular hangout spot for crowds of young and hip Parisians. Beyond its party scene, this vibrant eastern Paris district on the right bank of the River Seine has plenty to appeal to locals and visitors alike, with its revolutionary history, creative restaurants, and independent boutiques.
As the biggest and busiest airport in France and one of Europe’s most important international transport hubs, Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is visited by just about every traveler to Paris. Also known as the Roissy Airport, CDG also offers flights to more countries than any other airport and hosts more airlines.
The distinctive blue icefields of the Bossons Glacier (Glacier des Bossons hovers over the town of Chamonix just below the Mont Blanc massif. Once stretching from the Mont Blanc summit to the village of Les Bossons below, the glacier has retreated in recent years. With chairlift service and plenty of easy hiking trails, the Bossons Glacier is one of the most easily accessible glacier hikes from Chamonix.
The Musée de l’Homme in Paris is the city’s most famous anthropology museum. Located near the Eiffel Tower, this thought-provoking space showcases artifacts from around the world to chart human history and society from origin to evolution and looks at how we continue to adapt into the future.
59 Rivoli is an alternative arts space in central Paris, which provides an interesting contrast to the French capital’s many staid institutions. Once an artists’ squat settlement in an abandoned building, it was bought by the City of Paris in the early 2000s. Now, visitors can see artists at work in their studios and check out rotating exhibitions by local Parisians.
On the northern wall of the Dijon Cathedral (Cathedral of Saint Benignus of Dijon) sits a tiny stone owl that has become a popular symbol of the city. Many believe (or like to believe) that this tiny bird has wish-granting powers, so centuries of people rubbing it for good luck has caused the owl to wear down quite a bit.
A listed Historic Monument and part of the Loire Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Château de Saumur is celebrated for its classic medieval architecture and is associated with centuries of royal intrigue. Overlooking the Loire River, the château features museum exhibitions, extensive grounds, and a scenic belvedere.
Dating back to the 13th century, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Cecilia (aka the Albi Cathedral, was built after the Church vanquished the Cathars, whose desire to make a new church was considered heretical. It's filled with interior frescos and houses the Great Moucherel Organ, one of the most beautiful organs in France.
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—salt flats, rice fields, canals, and bull ranches form its backdrop. You can explore on foot, bike or horseback, or on a Jeep tour.
Limoges has long been known for its exquisite porcelain production that dates back to the 1770s, but this city offers more than ornate dishes. Explore the cobblestone lanes of the medieval Cité Quartier and high-end shopping and dining in the elegant Château Quartier, plus experience the student-fueled nightlife of this university town.
Jules Verne, acclaimed author of Around the World in 80 Days, was born in Nantes, where today a museum pays homage to his life and literary works. Personal objects, first-edition manuscripts, and handwritten edits are among the treasures inside, making a trip there a treat for book lovers and Verne enthusiasts alike.
The second-largest public park in Paris—and one of the city's beloved "green lungs"—the Bois de Boulogne is popular among both locals and visitors as a tranquil nature escape. Formerly royal hunting grounds, the sprawling parklands (more than twice the size of New York City's Central Park) contain botanical and rose gardens, walking trails, and recreational sites including a gallery, amusement park, and racecourses.
Following the age-old traditions of French classical dressage, the Academy of Equestrian Arts hosts performances in the former Royal Stables of the Palace of Versailles. The horseback spectacle is a modern-day equestrian ballet, featuring a mix of haute école, fencing, kyudo (Japanese archery), and performance art.
A surfing paradise, Plage de Capo di Feno is actually two separate beaches on the Gulf of Ajaccio. Grand Capo is the larger and more popular of the two, while Petit Capo (or Sevani Beach) is smaller and quieter. Both are among the top surfing spots along the western coast of Corsica, with high waves and strong currents that are ideal for surfing enthusiasts but can be tricky for swimmers.
One of the most famous of all the salt marshes in the Camargue Regional Natural Park, the Salin Aigues-Mortes is known for its unique bubblegum-pink color—caused by a rare type of algae found in some saltwater lakes. The vast salt marshes stretch over an area the size of Paris and produce about 500,000 tons of salt annually.
A short jaunt southeast of Paris, the Fontainebleau Forest draws in hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, and rock climbers who want a bit of respite from city life. Here you'll find hundreds of miles of trails that weave through a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees.
Taking pride of place in a square in old Nîmes, the Maison Carrée (Square House) is France’s best-preserved ancient monument and the world’s only still-intact Roman temple. Built by the Romans around 19 BC, this limestone masterpiece is a must-see in the city.
According to the legend, kiss your lover on this modest little footbridge and you’ll stay together forever. Or, you can simply take a photo on the Bridge of Love (Pont des Amours) and treasure the snapshot forever. With its romantic backdrop of Lake Annecy and the French Alps, this bridge has become a must-visit attraction, so choose a quiet morning to visit if you can.
Set in a cool 16th-century cellar vault within the Passy district’s historic limestone quarries, the Paris Wine Museum is a star find for wine connoisseurs (and those who want a break from the summer heat). Exhibits cover winemaking paraphernalia, such as historic grape presses and Cognac-making machines, and most admissions include a glass of wine from the museum’s own vineyard. The site is complemented by Les Echansons restaurant, which is open for lunch and on Friday evenings.
