Top 10 Best Places To Visit In France | Travel Guide

There's a good reason why France is one of the most popular tourist destinations, receiving 82 million foreign tourists each year. With its stunning architecture, beautiful countryside, sophisticated culture, fine wines, and delicious food, it has something for everyone. While Paris may be the most famous city in France, there are many other amazing places to visit as well. Here's a look at the best places to visit 1. Paris The question isn't what to do in Paris, but rather how to decide. With so many wonderful and varied options, it can be hard to plan your itinerary, whether you're an art lover, a history buff, or a serious shopper. Paris' most iconic attraction, the Eiffel Tower, was constructed for the 1889 World Exposition and reaches an astonishing height of over 300 meters. A ride on its elevator will bring you to the top of the tower where you can absorb a panorama and find the engineer Gustave Eiffel's secret apartment on display. If you only had time to visit one museum in Paris, it should undoubtedly be the Louvre Museum where you can find Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the museum's biggest star. The Louvre is not only widely considered to be one of the best art museums in Europe, but one of the best in the world as well. Paris Opera House is an awe-inspiring monument built during the mid to late 1800s. It isn't hard to understand why this was the place to be seen at the height of its popularity. The interior of the Opera House is filled with rich decoration and excessive ornamentation. Think gold everywhere. Some of the must-see places in Paris are Montmartre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Pompidou Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Versailles to only list a few. Moving on to number two, Lyon. Lyon is one large world heritage site with a big Renaissance old town, Roman ruins, historic industrial districts, and fine dining restaurants from world-famous chef Paul Bocuse, cinema museums from the pioneering Lumière brothers, as well as ancient Roman theaters. Fourvière Basilica is in the oldest part of the city, Lyon's pilgrimage site where several Roman sites have been discovered. Go inside to see the extravagant interiors and the Museum of Sacred Art, and ascend the North Tower for one of Lyon's best photo ops. Lyon boasts several markets to supply ingredients for both professional chefs and home cooks alike. Some popular food markets you can nibble your way through are Saint Antoine Market, La Croix-Rouse Market, and if you are in the mood for something a bit fancier, Les Halles de Lyon. The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon is one of the finest. Set inside a former abbey, this museum is the largest fine art gallery in France after the Louvre. Step inside its doors, and you'll discover 70 rooms full of remarkable artwork. Lyon is also home to two Roman theaters, which are classic examples of the stone-tiered outdoor theaters of the Roman Empire, which still host the annual Music and Arts Festival each summer. Number 3. Nice Famous for its sunny climbs, gorgeous beaches, and colorful architecture, the newly UNESCO-listed French city of Nice is also packed with art culture and world-class things to see and do. When in Nice, make sure to walk the Promenade d'Anglais, which is more than just a grand walkway next to the Mediterranean. The Promenade bends for 7 kilometers, and on the eastern side is skirted by regal 19th-century palaces. Another must-see in Nice is its Old Town with its shady alleyways, colorful facades, and typically Mediterranean shutters. When you visit the Old Town of Nice, I also recommend you to see the Rossetti Square, where the magnificent St. Rapparato Cathedral is located, and the St. Francis Square and its small fish market. Number 4. Cannes A trip to the French Riviera wouldn't be complete without visiting Cannes. While many visit for the annual Cannes Film Festival, there's plenty to see in this Mediterranean town beyond famous actors. Every morning you can go on a journey through province without ever leaving Cannes. All you have to do is visit this covered market where seasonal produce and regional flavors are sourced from around the south of France. It's also favored by locals, which is grand because glimpses of real everyday life can be rare in this ritzy city. What's on offer can range from fruit, flowers, and fragrant herbs right up to exquisite hand-crafted confectionery, truffles, and gourmet olive oils. Boulevard de la Croisette is one of the most fashionable streets on the French Riviera. This palm-lined boulevard is the center of tourist activity in Cannes. The Boulevard de la Croisette is lined with opulent villas, upscale boutiques, and lavish Belle Époque hotels such as the legendary Carleton, a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture designed by Charles Dalmas. Most of Cannes is sleek and modern, but Le Souquet is another story. Le Souquet is Cannes' oldest neighborhood and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Cannes. Looming above the city, you can wander through the streets enjoying the pastel-colored buildings that have stood since the 18th and 19th centuries. Originally a Roman settlement, today Le Souquet is a maze of narrow ascending streets, underground bars, and family restaurants. So take the time to wander and explore this lovely neighborhood. Number 5. Mont Saint-Michel Rising out of the sea like a beacon, Mont Saint-Michel is a soul-inspiring site. The magnificent Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ranks high on the list of top attractions in Normandy. La Grande Rue is the main street of the island. You won't be able to miss it since it begins soon after entering the island's main gate. It's often crowded but for good reason since many of the island's restaurants and souvenir shops can be found here. Walking along this narrow cobblestone street will take you back to medieval times. By far the best thing to do on the island is to visit its abbey. A stunning place of worship, prayer, and pilgrimage for centuries, today the abbey receives more tourists than pilgrims. It's been officially declared a historical monument since 1874 and boasts incredible architecture. If you don't visit the abbey you really aren't seeing the heart and soul of Mont Saint-Michel. The great halls, corridors, and courtyards will leave you spellbound. Now, before you plan your next trip to France make sure to check out the first link in the description where you can find the best deals for your flight, hotel, and car rentals in France. 6. Toulouse Although it's a major industrial city, Toulouse is one of the most pleasant cities in France and has a laid-back vibe. Toulouse has the nickname the Pink City. That's because so many of the city's great buildings are made with a pinkish brick, giving the cityscape a look that you can't compare with any other city. The Capitole de Toulouse architecturally magnificent square is one of the key emblems in the historic core of the city. It's lined with cafes giving you a front-seat view of the sensational pink stone former grand palace built in the late 18th century. It once housed the magistrates but now it's home to the city's theater, a fittingly grand setting for some of the most famous operas in the world. The Basilica of St. Cerny is one of the most important and magnificent churches on the medieval pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Built in the 11th to 13th centuries, this impressive basilica ranks as the largest Romanesque church in Europe still in existence. 7. Strasbourg Strasbourg is an absolutely enchanting city in the Alsace region. It has been the subject of a centuries-long tug-of-war between France and Germany and is all the more exciting and beautiful for it. The spellbinding sandstone Strasbourg Cathedral was the tallest building in the world and is still the highest surviving structure to have been built entirely during the medieval period. It dates to the 1100s including the entirety of the apse on the east side of the building. You cannot turn down a trip to the top of the north tower completed in 1439 with views as far as the Black Forest 30 km away. Apart from the striking cathedral, there are many medieval churches that are Romanesque and Neo-Gothic. You can also spot Baroque-style buildings and Wilhelmine and contemporary architectures. The Rohan Palace is one of the important buildings in Strasbourg. Built between 1732 and 1742, this is one of the beautiful creations of French 18th-century architecture. Now, the palace is home to the Archaeological and Fine Art Museum. Number 8. The Loire Valley Known as the Garden of France, the Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that enchants visitors with fairy-tale-like castles, exquisite gardens, charming towns, and unforgettable wine. In a majestic location on the left bank of the Loire River, the Château de Chambord is the emblematic Renaissance monument in France. A breathtaking sight to behold, this magnificent royal castle provided inspiration for the building of the Château de Versailles. Make sure to also visit the Chartres Cathedral with its gorgeous stained glass and workmanship. This famous Gothic cathedral attracts pilgrims and tourists from across the globe. In the summertime, you want to stay until the evening for a light show, which is projected on the exterior of the cathedral when night falls. If you like French wine, we recommend adding a visit to one or two wineries in the Loire Valley where you'll learn about the history of the land and get to taste several local wines paired with delicious cheeses. Number 9. Reims Visiting Reims the Champagne and Coronation City means discovering an important part of France's history as well as the Champagne vineyards. With numerous points of interest and a total of four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it's a town you shouldn't miss during your trip to France. Built in the 13th century, the Cathedral Notre-Dame, also named Our Lady of Reims, is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. It features stained glass windows, a 12-petal rose window, a Gothic organ case, and an astronomical clock built in the 15th century. If the city of Reims is known all over the world, it is not only for its magnificent cathedral, as you certainly know the second major attraction of the city is undoubtedly the visit of one of the best Champagne houses. My favorite part is certainly the discovery of the Choc Caves where Champagne bottles are stocked. Their constant temperature of 10 degrees Celsius all year round makes them the ideal place to shelter the sellers of Champagne. Number 10. Lille The capital of the northern France region, Lille has a reputation as a hard-working industrial city and as a fabulous historical center. Until it was invaded by Louis XIV in 1667, Lille was actually Flemish, and this heritage is clear in the city's architecture. Commonly called the Grand Place, the General de Gaulle Square sits just northeast of the city center. This lively square lined with a mix of historical and modern buildings is one of the favorite meeting spots in the city. The Grand Place covers almost 10,000 square meters and features one of the city's landmarks in its central part, a fountain with the Column of the Goddess. Bars and restaurants surround the square making it a great place to do some people watching. The Town Hall Belfry dominates Lille from a height of 104 meters. It offers a unique 360-degree panoramic view of the city. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Town Hall was built in the early 20th century in a classic Flemish style.