France attractions

A historical, turret-topped castle located in Burgundy, the Château de Bazoches is one of the region’s most revered landmarks. Built in the 12th century and expanded by the Marshal de Vauban in the 17th century, the castle is still owned by his descendants. Today, it’s a listed Historic Monument, and open to the public.

Leafy forests in the scenic Black Mountain region of southern France shelter winding trails, clear streams, and cave entrances. Hiking, cycling, fishing, caving, and other outdoor pursuits lie within easy day-tripping distance of Carcassonne, while the towns of Mazamet and Hautpoul are windows into the region’s religious Cathar heritage.

Normandy Museum is an memorable family-friendly museum that puts this popular region into perspective without getting into the events of World War II. Exhibits trace the the formation of history, the culture of the people back to the prehistoric ages,xa0 and following through to various eras of migration.

The Falaise Memorial (Mémorial de Falaise)—also known as the Civilians in Wartime Memorial (Mémorial des Civils dans la Guerre)—offers exhibits about the lives of French civilians during World War II. Artifacts, videos, and other powerful objects and testimonials tell the story of life during the war and under occupation.

Located on the French Basque coast south of Biarritz, Saint-Jean-De-Luz is a former fishing village turned destination resort town. The site of King Louis XIV's marriage to Marie-Thérèse of Austria in 1660, Saint-Jean-De-Luz is today home to a bustling harbor, a golden, sandy beach, and pedestrianized shopping and dining streets.

Restaurant Les Ombres—whose name translates to "The Shadows"—is more than just a typical fine-dining destination in Paris. Situated on the roof of the Quai Branly Museum (Musée du Quai Branly), the restaurant is best known for its up-close views of the neighboring Eiffel Tower, offering patrons a great opportunity to enjoy French gastronomy and sightseeing at the same time.

Located in the heart of Paris’s 1st arrondissement, Les Caves du Louvre are dedicated to all things related to French wine: tastings, workshops, and meals with wine pairings, among other special events. Even better, everything takes place in a historic private mansion that has been associated with wine since the days of French royalty: It once belonged to a wine merchant from the 18th-century court of Louis XV.

Formerly known as 58 Tour Eiffel, the dining destination on the Eiffel Tower’s first level has been reborn as Madame Brasserie. Overseen by star chef Thierry Marx, the two-story restaurant and lounge offers seasonal, French-Asian cuisine. Its several dining areas welcome casual daytime visitors or those looking for a formal evening meal, and its Paris views are hard to beat.

The Café de Flore is one of Paris’ most storied cafés. Once frequented by artists and intellectuals such as Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus, Pablo Picasso, and Ernest Hemingway, the art deco café in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood is a Paris institution and a throwback to the Left Bank’s era as a bohemian enclave.

One of Paris’ most popular cabaret revue theaters, La Nouvelle Eve is situated on the edge of bohemian Montmartre. The elegant venue—originally dubbed Fantaisies Parisiennes, and undergoing many incarnations over the decades—was built in 1898 and still exudes an old Parisian vibe. But it’s the exhilarating, contemporary, and occasionally erotic performances that ultimately draw visitors. Watch the show only or combine your experience with Champagne or a full dinner.

One of the best-loved public beaches between Nice and Cap Ferrat, the Plage de la Marinière is an arc of sand that stretches around the bay opposite Villefranche-sur-Mer. While it’s often deemed a fine-pebble beach, the ground feels more like sand—especially at its furthest end, away from town. It's popular with families seeking bucket-and-sand fun, shallow water, and easy access.

A picturesque medieval town with panoramic views, St. Paul de Vence is quintessential Provence and one of the most loved hilltop villages in the South of France. Visitors come from far and wide to stroll the winding streets, relax in the charming cafés, and soak up the bright sunshine.

The Aiguille du Midi peak near Chamonix sits at a dizzying altitude of 12, 391 feet (3,777 meters), making it the closest point that sightseers can get to the Mont Blanc summit. Accessed via cable car, the peak offers viewing platforms, photo attractions, and a gondola to Italy; serious skiers use it as the starting point for the famous off-piste Vallée Blanche descent.

The pilgrimage route called Camino di Santiago (sometimes translated as Way of St. James) stretches across Europe into northern Spain and down to Santiago di Compostela. This sacred path has been followed since medieval times by faithful Christians who seek to worship at the tomb of St. James, as well as other hikers who are inspired by the spiritual “way.”

Just a short trip from the bustle of Nice, the hilltop Château de Bellet produces some of the Riviera’s finest wines. A historic winery, which dates to the 18th century, the château produces top-rated wines using the region’s indigenous grape varietals, including rolle, folle noire, and braquet. A tasting session and tour of its pretty grounds is a must.

One of Paris’ most mind-bending attractions, the Paradox Museum challenges visitors’ perceptions (and even seems to bend the space-time continuum). Home to dozens of immersive installations and optical illusions, the museum invites travelers of all ages to navigate its wonderfully perplexing exhibits, and to take advantage of the many photo opportunities along the way.

One of the largest mosques in France, the Grand Mosque of Paris (Grande Mosquée de Paris) is a haven of tranquility within Paris’ Latin Quarter. Open to visitors, it’s celebrated for its ornamental architecture with Hispano-Moorish-style courtyards, lush gardens, and soaring minaret. The mosque’s on-site North African restaurant, tearoom, and women-only hammam make it an oasis of calm within the big city.

Lyon is full of clandestine alleyways, seemingly tucked away from the eyes of those passing through. But these historic UNESCO-listed traboules and courtyards are actually open to the public to explore, offering a labyrinth of passageways, staircases, and tunnels that link streets together, providing shortcuts for those in the know.

The Jacquemart-André Museum (Musee Jacquemart-Andre) is housed in a lavish 19th-century mansion that once belonged to Edouard André and Nélie Jacquemart, a globetrotting, art-collecting couple. It is just as famous for its Belle Epoque setting as its art collection—expect wallpapered libraries and elegant fireplaces that showcase the glamour of France’s bygone Gilded Age. The artworks also comprise a veritable treasure trove: Italian Renaissance paintings, works from Dutch masters, intricate French furniture, and medieval Islamic ceramics.

In the heart of the UNESCO-listed Champagne region, travelers can step into a world of French heritage, craftsmanship, and winemaking. Located in Ay, a quaint village surrounded by rolling vineyards that have been part of the region’s wine culture for centuries, Champagne Bollinger offers visitors the chance to explore its cellars and taste its offerings.

The Atelier des Lumières, Paris’ first digital arts museum, is housed in a former steel foundry. Within the vast venue, 140 projectors create larger-than-life art and light shows that visitors can immerse themselves in. The museum has hosted a range of exhibitions since its 2018 debut, each dedicated to topics ranging from Ancient Egypt to the Impressionists and Van Gogh.

With its twin-towered facade and interior murals by Eugène Delacroix, Saint-Sulpice Church (Église Saint-Sulpice) is a must-see for fans of architecture and art. The third-largest church in Paris, this Italianate masterpiece towers over the Latin Quarter and neighboring Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Music lovers can stop by on Sundays to hear the historic organ, considered one of the most beautiful in the world.

Crowning the hilltopcité (citadel) of Carcassonne—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—the imposing Château Comtal dates back to the 12th century, although the site’s historic roots stretch back as far as Roman times. A classic medieval castle, with fairy-tale towers and dramatic ramparts, the restored château is now open to the public as a museum.

Set along one of the most exclusive stretches of coastline on the French Riviera, Plage Mala is a paradise of pebbles lapped by the turquoise waters of the Bay of Saint-Laurent and bookended by the dramatic cliffs of Cap Mala and Saint-Laurent. A short drive from Monaco and Cap Ferrat, this Côte d'Azur hot spot is a popular beach break destination.

La Moutarderie Fallo is Burgundy’s last independent and family-run mustard mill. The artisan producer in Beaune has created the condiment since the mid-1800s, and today it continues its production at the mill. Tours give you a glimpse into how mustard is made and feature interactive activities for family fun.

Ultra-blue waters, vineyards and olive groves, along with 11th-century ruins, set the scene at Île Saint-Honorat, home to the winemaking monks of the Lérins Abbey. Aside from a peek at monastic life among peaceful nature, there’s a lot to explore on this quaint island: seven chapels, a seaside fortress, the grand monastery tower, and old furnaces used to heat cannon balls during Napoleon Bonaparte’s reign.

Central Aix-en-Provence's Musée Granet showcases a mix of archeological artifacts and European art and sculpture, mostly dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Just around the corner, an annex branch of the museum displays much of the collection of the late art collector Jean Planque, including works by Cezanne, Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas.

The Arena of Nimes is a Roman amphitheater known for being one of the best-preserved structures of its kind. Originally hosting gladiator and wild animal battles for 24,000 spectators, it transitioned from a fortress to a walled town in medieval times. Today, it hosts concerts, and historical reenactments, continuing its legacy as a venue for public events.

The 5th arrondissement forms the heart of the Latin Quarter, the neighborhood that flourished around the Sorbonne, but it spills into the 6th arrondissement. Quieter, more stately, and chic, the 6th arrondissement is home to landmarks like the historic churches of Saint-Germain-des-Près and Saint-Sulpice Church (Église Saint-Sulpice) and the sprawling, picturesque Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg). The winding, cobbled streets are tailor-made for wandering, and the district rewards visitors who take their time to explore.

From its origin in the Swiss Alps, the Rhône River flows 505 miles (813 kilometers through southeastern France and into the Mediterranean. En route, it passes through Lyon, Avignon, Arles, and Côte du Rhône, one of France’s top wine regions.