France attractions

With 47 miles (76 kilometers) of seafront and lakeside beaches, idyllic resort towns fringed with pine forests and marshlands, and Europe’s tallest sand dune, Arcachon Bay (Bassin d'Arcachon) is the retreat of choice for nature lovers heading to France’s Atlantic Coast.

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.

The Dijon Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon) is impressive not only for its collections, but also for its long history—it was founded in 1787 and its setting is the 14th-century Dijon Ducal Palace. Recently thoroughly renovated, the museum is simultaneously old and new, and is a must-visit attraction in central Dijon.

The Musée Fabre in Montpellier is celebrated for being one of the largest museums in France, showcasing European art from the 15th century to the present day. With thousands of paintings and drawings, it features masterpieces by artists such as Jacques-Louis David, Nicolas Poussin, Alessandro Allori, and Francisco Zurbarán, making it a true art lover’s wonderland.

A district of many monikers, Paris’ 3rd Arrondissement has come to be dubbed Upper Marais or Haut Marais, the Temple District, and le troisième (the 3rd). No matter what you call it, this trendy neighborhood is an interesting one, offering cultural attractions and nightlife, along with a diverse vibe from the expat, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ communities who live here. Among its visitor highlights are standout museums such as the Picasso Museum and cocktail bars that spill out onto the streets.

Located in the heart of Paris—a stone’s throw from the Louvre Museum—the Église Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in the French capital. The church boasts a centuries-long storied history: It served as a royal church in the 14th century, hosting kings and queens for Mass, and its bells signalled the start of the infamous 1572 St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre.

The Halles de Dijon, the indoor halls of the Dijon Market, might be the prettiest place you’ve ever done your weekly grocery shop. The building was constructed in the late 19th century and incorporates classically-influenced design features. Look up to see decorative animal and mythological motifs while picking out the freshest local cheese.

Built back in the mid-19th century, this historic racetrack remains one of Deauville’s most popular attractions. The venue is best known for “flat racing,” meaning horses run without jumps, fences, or other obstacles. A special sand racetrack enables races to run all throughout Normandy’s snowy winter.

Get a glimpse of ancient Rome in France at the archaeological site of Glanum, where excavations began in the early 1920s. Today, you can see the remains of temples, theaters, and a forum. You'll also get to view objects uncovered in the excavation, including sculptures made from local limestone and the remains of private houses decorated with mosaics.

Nothing says glamour quite like Deauville’s sandy stretch of coastline, which has been drawing luminaries like Coco Chanel to its shores for over 150 years. Forget the colorful excess of French Riviera hot spots like Saint-Tropez—here, it’s all about understated elegance. Visitors can still strut down Deauville’s famous boardwalk, take a dip in the frothy waves, or rent one of the famous beach parasols.

Founded over a century ago, Marché Forville is a traditional covered market in the heart of Cannes that highlights Provençal specialties. This bustling market is a must-see for foodies, with stalls selling everything from fresh local fish and extra-virgin olive oil to artisan cheese and charcuterie. The surrounding neighborhood is also known for its gourmet food shops, eclectic boutiques, cafés, and wine bars that frequently host live musicians.

Aromatic bunches of lavender, rosemary, and thyme welcome visitors to the L’Occitane factory in the heart of Provence. Tours of the factory floor and laboratory show how those Mediterranean plants are transformed into organic products that have won a global audience. An on-site boutique features the whole line, plus hits from the past.

One of Marseille's main museums, this massive institution houses a permanent collection of paintings and sculptures by French, Italian, Dutch, and Flemish artists, primarily from the 16th through the 19th centuries. It was established in 1801 and moved into the elegant Palais Longchamp upon the building's completion in 1869.

Located on the Left Bank of the Garonne River, the Graves wine subregion is known for turning out some of Bordeaux’s finest red, white, and sweet wines. In fact, it’s the only one of Bordeaux’s wine appellations that produces all three. One of the better-kept secrets among local wine lovers, Graves doesn’t get nearly as much attention from travelers as the more famous Médoc and Saint-Emilion subregions—which is all the more reason to visit.

Though Paris may be best known for arts and culture, Discovery Palace (Palais de la Découverte) is a must-see attraction for science enthusiasts. Open since 1937, the Palais hosts exhibits and interactive experiments on everything from acoustics to genetics. Though the planetarium show is only in French, English speakers enjoy a Palais tour.

Burgundy’s long history of winemaking is the focus of the Musée du Vin de Bourgogne, housed in the 14th-century Hôtel des Ducs de Bourgogne. Inside, you can admire old wine presses and winemaking equipment through the ages, brush up on your knowledge of Burgundy wine, and learn about the UNESCO–listed Climats, terroirs of the region.

Deauville’s Villa Strassburger looks like a cross between a fairytale castle and a Tudor manor, but it’s not that old: it was built in 1907 for French playwright, Henri de Rothschild. It now belongs to Deauville and is open periodically for guided tours. History, art, and architecture enthusiasts will especially enjoy visiting.

Built in 1958 and launched in 1960, Submarine Espadon was France's first submarine to travel under ice. When in operation, it had a crew of 65 living in its cramped quarters and traveled 360,547 nautical miles, the equivalent of 17 times around the circumference of the earth. Visit to get a feel for what life was like under the sea.

Famed for its sandy beach and art deco-style boardwalk, Deauville, France, is one of Normandy’s seaside gems. Facing the resort town of Trouville, located just across the River Touques, this elegant destination is favored by big spenders here to shop and hit up the casino. A prestigious events calendar, which features an annual American Film Festival, also draws in the elite.

Located in the heart of the Champagne region, Pressoria Champagne Museum offers a deep dive into the world of the famed French drink. Housed in the former pressing room of Champagne Pommery, this interactive museum brings the story of Champagne to life through a multi-sensory, immersive experience.

The Paris Orly Airport (ORY), or Aéroport de Paris-Orly, was built in 1932 and is the city’s secondary airport, after Charles de Gaulle. However, with almost 30 million passengers per year, it could hardly be considered a small transportation hub, despite primarily serving budget and regional airlines.

Home to some of the most famous and best-preserved ancient cave paintings in the world, the Lascaux caves are a prehistoric marvel, hidden away in the Vézère Valley. While you won’t be able to visit the original UNESCO-listed cave network—it’s closed to the public for preservation—you can take a guided tour of the spectacular Lascaux Caves II, a careful reproduction that mimics the experience of seeing this treasured French landmark.

Bustling with cultural diversity, Paris’ 4th Arrondissement is home to large Jewish, LGBTQ+, and expat communities, as well as a near-constant throng of visitors who come to discover the bohemian Marais area, the Seine islands, and trendy museums, shops, and riverside promenades such as Quai de l’Hôtel de Ville. Though busy and expensive, it’s nethertheless a popular central Paris zone where both tourists and locals converge.

Art aficionados and anyone who loves a garden will enjoy Clos Normand, one of the gardens at Monet’s house and garden site in Giverny. Visitors can stroll through the colorful enclosed gardens that inspired some of the influential French impressionist artist's most famous paintings and tour his house, which the Clos Normand surrounds.

Perched on a hilltop in the heart of France’s Poitou region, Poitiers charms with its intact old town surrounding the ornate Notre-Dame la Grande church and 15th-century university—one of the oldest in the country. Stroll its cobblestone streets lined with student-filled cafés, funky boutiques, and bustling food markets.

Designed for nobles to play an early variant of tennis, the eponymous jeu de paume (palm game), this grand building stands proud in the Tuileries Garden. Rather than sports, the Jeu de Paume now houses Paris’ premier art center for photography, cinema, and video, exhibiting the works of iconic shooters such as Richard Avedon, Diane Arbus, and Cindy Sherman, as well as noteworthy newcomers.

One of the Saint-Tropez region’s most tucked-away corners, Cap Taillat is a sandy promontory that extends into the Mediterranean, a short trip south of the town center. Boasting unspoiled beaches and scenic hiking trails, it’s a protected wildlife area that’s reachable by foot or by boat, but is largely inaccessible to vehicles.

Sandy beaches, seafood restaurants, and sea views welcome sunseekers to Le Touquet, a chic seaside resort along France’s Opal Coast. Officially named Le Touquet-Paris-Plage (a nod to its popularity with Parisians) the northern beach town is equally adored by British vacationers who hop across the Channel to nearby Calais.

Dating back to the 17th century, the Pavillon Vendôme is a stately, 3-story structure surrounded by manicured gardens. It served as a residence (and, for a spell, as a Catholic boarding school) before it was ultimately transformed into the art exhibition space of today.

Aix-en-Provence Old Town (Vieil Aix) is the city’s ancient heart, where people have lived and worked since Roman times. The area is home to some of the city’s grandest buildings, as well as reminders of previous eras. It’s one of the city’s most vibrant quarters home to shops, restaurants, and museums.