Carved into the pine-forested mountains along the Cote d'Azur, between Nice and Menton, are three seaside roads with some of the most dramatic scenery and views in Europe: Grande Corniche, Basse Corniche, and Moyenne Corniche. Each one is different, holding a unique perspective and set of charms.
While Paris’ 1st Arrondissement is unabashedly a tourist part of town, its 2nd Arrondissement (le deuxième) is the place to see a more traditional, elegant side. The district showcases a mix of boulevards and buildings dating from before and after the city’s redevelopment in the mid-1800s. Here, historic cobblestone lanes and glass-covered arcades give way to bistros and boutiques in a place where you can find the historic textile district of Sentier, the restaurants of Montorgueil, and the financial district of Bourse.
It’s easy to rack up thousands of steps when exploring Paris, making green spaces like the Esplanade des Invalides a welcome spot for respite. This city park stretches from the Seine to the Les Invalides museums, with grassy lawns for picnicking and admiring the surrounding architecture, including the gilded Dôme des Invalides, Paris’ tallest building besides the Eiffel Tower.
The Beauvais–Tillé Airport (BVA, or Aéroport Paris Beauvais, opened in 1956 and is hub to a handful of budget airlines flying to and from 60 destinations in 21 countries throughout Europe—from Poland to Ireland—as well as North Africa. The airport has two terminals and handles nearly 4.5 million passengers each year.
Bordeaux’s original port is known as the Port of the Moon because it sat on a semi-circular part of the Garonne River. Historically the left bank of the port has been the center of commerce and culture and though it saw some decline after the invention of the automobile, today it’s a fun, trendy place to soak in local culture.
Gérard Mulot pâtisserie has been a Paris institution for nearly half a century. Founded in 1975, the Saint-Germain-des-Prés bakery has earned a stellar reputation for its breads and desserts. Recently renamed Maison Mulot, the patisserie offers a mix of classic and contemporary treats, including croissants, macarons, baguettes, and other classically French delicacies. This popular foodie stop is an elegant place to enjoy sweet and savory treats while soaking up the neighborhood’s romantic ambiance.
Dating back to the 13th century, the Eglise Notre Dame de l'Assomption is among Evian's key historical attractions. The exterior is a fantastic example of Savoyard-style Gothic architecture, but it's worth heading inside to see the church's large collection of art and its massive pipe organ.
Boasting nearly 1,000 years of history, Fontfroide Abbey (Abbaye de Fontfroide) was once one of Europe’s most powerful monasteries. Following its decline, the abbey was restored in the early 20th century by impressionist artist Gustave Fayet. Situated among the dramatic scenery of the Regional Nature Park of the Mediterranean Narbonnaise, Fontfroide Abbey is today a top historical, architectural, and natural attraction.
A city park with a small botanic garden, the Bordeaux Public Garden (Jardin Public) is a peaceful escape within a bustling city. Locals head here to walk or jog, bring kids to the playground, or picnic beneath the park’s tall trees. The central pond, where swans and ducks glide by, is a scenic place for a stroll, while the charming Guignol Guérin theater draws families to its long-running puppet show.
The City of Lights may be one of Europe’s more refined destinations, known for its rich literary, artistic, and intellectual heritage, but an evening of entertainment at Oh! César Cabaret offers travelers an experience that’s full of glitz, glam, and fun. Just like the 3-course dinners, the Oh César! show is oh so French and designed to impress.
At the base of Montagne Sainte-Victoire in the suburbs of Aix-en-Provence, Château de La Gaude is an 18th-century castle that has operated as an art-filled luxury hotel since 2019. Property highlights include gourmet restaurants, an opulent spa, and an estate vineyard.
Travel through the continents at the Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh–Menton, a 3.5-acre (1.5-hectare) pocket of greenery on the city outskirts. Developed by a succession of different owners, the exotic garden today offers a sense of well-planned disorder, with meandering pathways framed by leafy foliage giving way to bougainvillea, citrus trees, giant agave, bamboo, and more.
In the heart of Nancy, Place Stanislas is a massive town square that was erected in 1755 and has served as a popular meeting place ever since. It's one of a trio of 18th-century UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city (along with Place de la Carrière and Place d'Alliance).
The one-time home of the dukes of Savoy, Chambery’s centerpiece castle remains an important place today, functioning as the Savoy region’s administrative seat. Castle visits give the lowdown on the history of the site, from its medieval roots to its medley of architectural styles, which range from the 13th century to the present day.
For a panoramic view over Nimes, climb to the top of Magne Tower, a pre-Roman watchtower with a small viewing platform at the top. Once part of the city’s fortifications, this historic landmark sits at the top of Mont Cavalier and offers unobstructed views of the surrounding area.
Known for its imposing Cluniac-style architecture, the 13th-century Collegiate Basilica of Notre Dame is one of Beaune’s most striking landmarks. Widely regarded among Burgundy’s most beautiful churches, it’s notable for its Renaissance-era bell tower, Gothic renovations, and series of 16th-century tapestries.
Red and rosé wines star in this lesser-known wine region north of the medieval city of Carcassonne. The nearby Black Mountains (Montagne Noire) keep the climate relatively cool, and the most popular grape varieties include cabernet, grenache, merlot, and syrah. Many vineyards in the region welcome visitors for tours and tastings.
The most impressively preserved of Provence’s Cistercian abbeys, the Abbey of Thoronet was built between 1160 and 1230. Renowned for its sparse yet precise architecture and remarkable acoustics and now protected as a National Monument, the abbey offers fascinating insight into life under the Cistercian order of Saint Bernard.
Impressionist artists including Claude Monet and Eugène Boudin were so moved by the beauty of the Vieux Bassin—the Old Harbor of Honfleur—that they captured its colorful homes and fishing boats in now-famous paintings. Behold the spectacle for yourself while strolling around the scenic waterfront, which has plenty of outdoor cafés for sitting and 16th-century buildings for admiring as their reflections dance in the water below.
Stretching over 310 square miles (500 square kilometers between Arles and Avignon, the Alpilles Natural Regional Park combines traditional villages, olive groves, and vineyards with mountainous landscapes and abundant wildlife. Vincent Van Gogh spent time at the foot of the Alpilles range and these mountains are featured in the background of many of his works.
Ground zero for shopping in Aix-en-Provence, Le Grand Marche (which translates to "the big market") is a massive outdoor market where vendors sell everything from souvenirs to textiles. The three-day-a-week market is a great place to pick up local handicrafts and textiles, as well as vintage second-hand finds and fresh produce.
To learn more about Burgundian life and history beyond the vineyards, check out Dijon’s Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne (Museum of Burgundian Life). Located in an attractive 17th-century Cistercian convent, it exhibits items related to life in Burgundy in the 19th and 20th centuries, including clothing, crafts, and a model street with imitation stores.
Fort de Mutzig was built by Germany in the late 1800s to defend Strasbourg and Metz during the Franco-Prussian War. It is comprised of a number of dispersed units that are connected by tunnels, which provided shelter and also allowed for the dispersal of artillery—a design that later influenced the layout of the Maginot Line.
Set on top of a 19th-century reservoir, and named after the engineer who first brought fresh drinking water to Dijon, the Darcy Garden (Jardin Darcy) is both a historic landmark and one of the city’s prettiest green spaces. With its fountains, waterfalls, and flower beds—plus sculptures and architectural features—it’s a great destination for visitors of all ages.
The Greniers à Sel are side-by-side salt warehouses with identical medieval stone structures and tiled roofs, which are a fixture of the Honfleur skyline, just steps away from Le Vieux Bassin and the Old Harbor. Though the 17th-century site is no longer used for its original purpose—preserving cod and herring with tons of salt—it’s now a cultural space that hosts a changing roster of events.
The Grands Appartements du Roi are a succession of salons, including the most spectacular room at the UNESCO-listed Versailles, the Hall of Mirrors (“Galerie des Glaces”) where the Treaty of Versailles was signed at the end of WW1. A highlight of a palace visit, the apartments were built for Louis XIV by Louis Le Vau in the 1670s.
Picturesque apple orchards meet historic towns, half-timbered manor houses, and farm-fresh products in the Pays d’Auge, an area of Normandy that exudes rural charm. Located between the cities of Caen and Rouen, the hilly region is a hub for tasting cider, calvados brandy, and cheeses including Camembert, Livarot, and Pont-l’Évêque.
Encircled by the River Ill and the Canal du Faux Rempart, the Grande Île or “Big Island,” is the UNESCO–listed historic center of Strasbourg and home to the majority of the city’s top attractions. The islet serves as the prime focus of sightseeing tours and hosts the city’s world-famous Christmas market during the festive season.
In the French port city of Saint-Nazaire, near Nantes, get a glimpse of what life would have been like aboard a historic ocean-going vessel. Escal’Atlantic, an interactive museum dedicated to “the historical ocean-liner experience,” displays more than 200 artifacts, all of which hail from ships built in Saint-Nazaire.
From the outside, this pastry shop resembles a high-end jeweler—and it is true that founder Pierre Hermé, the "Picasso of Pastry," puts out immaculate creations that are as pretty (and nearly as expensive) as rare gems. The Left Bank flagship location of Hermé's now-thriving bakery chain offers an assortment of rainbow-hued macarons, exquisite chocolates, decadent jams, and other inventive treats.
