Places You Need To Visit in France
It might come as a shock to many that visiting Paris alone is shortchanging your touristy inclinations. There are many places to go in France and of course many things to do all year round. The west European country is home to some of the most beautiful cities, towns, and even countrysides in the world. For serial travelers, France cuts it on every metric, from engaging sightseeing adventures to relaxing wine retreats, and gripping architectures and arts. There is enough for everyone!
Here is a List of Places You Should Add to Your France Itinerary:
Paris
We start with the obvious. Paris is an exciting city with beautiful landmarks that make it one of the top tourist destinations in the world. The French capital attracts visitors year-round with popular attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre while the dining and shopping scenes are second to none. If you are a lover of arts, you will be spoiled for choices with the long strip of museums and imposing architectures scattered across the city.
Luxembourg Gardens
Visiting Paris with a family or group even gets better. And do not forget to walk through Luxembourg Gardens and take the kids for a real spin on the classic carousel in Tuileries Gardens. The ride will undoubtedly furnish them with much vigor and amusement. A cruise on the Seine offers a distinct view of the well-known landmarks of the city. You also have the chance to rest after a busy, entertaining, and demanding day.
Musée d’Orsay
If you really want to get the hype that Paris enjoys, explore its rich heritage and spend long afternoons taking on the Musée d’Orsay. Do not stop there. Bend in and out of Paris’s numerous historical churches that will still strike you with their classic majestic charm. And for more modern tastes, there is plenty of exploring to be done in the less-visited outer arrondissements- from art centers on the steeped streets of Belleville to the dive bars of Pigalle and to the boutique hotels.
Burgundy
Wine probably is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Burgundy. That’s an educated guess actually because the eastern French city is famous across the globe majorly because of its wines. Asides the vinery areas in the city, you should see the rural places too as they have a great deal in-store. Renaissance chateaux, medieval abbeys, and fortified villages all bear testament to Burgundy’s proud history.
In the middle of the city is the Morvan National Park, marked with picturesque villages, and lakes. Many of the small restaurants here, mostly positioned in their tree-shaded squares, are family-owned. You should indulge some of native Burgundy cuisines for some toothsome culinary experience. For example, the Boeuf bourguignon is all shades of awesomeness. One of France’s most famous cheeses, Epoisses, is also native to a village with the same name.
Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a fortified city located in the plain of the river Aude between historic trade routes, connecting the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea, and the Massif Central to the Pyrenees. Just from a distance, the cité of the city looks as though it recently descended on its hilltop fresh from a starring role in a medieval story.
The arrangement of ramparts, pointy-roofed towers, and large buildings is a sight to behold when you visit. There are about 52 towers and massive walls that survived the Middle Ages, guarding the frontier against the Spanish. But by the 19th-century, the whole place was devastated. Though there were efforts to salvage what is left, Carcassonne has one of the finest fortified medieval cities in the continent. Visit the old stones throb with multi-colored gift shops, and more eateries than one can get round in a month of lunchtimes. The city is a perfect destination for good food, comfort, and music.
Montpellier
As you draft your French itinerary, make sure to add Montpellier, and you would not regret you did. Located in the Languedoc region in the central-south region of France, this is a relatively young and vibrant place. Given the presence of universities in Montpellier, there is a dense population of students here. That is why the town is vibrant and voguish.
La Place de la Comedie
The town’s large center square, La Place de la Comedie, is one of the chicest you will find in Europe. The square is also surrounded by cafes, which are ideal for observing the environment. By one side of La Comedie are a stunning opera house and the tree-lined Esplanade Charles de Gaulle at the other.
Musee Fabre
Musee Fabre is a fascinating museum that adults and artists will adorn because it features impressive Renaissance to contemporary arts. Walkthrough the Promenade Royale du Peyrou to see Louis XIV on horseback, a Roman aqueduct, Port du Peyrou, and water tower. This gorgeous spot has formal gardens that look over Montpellier and out to the impressive Cévennes parklands. Fruit and vegetable markets display the splendor colors and fragrance of Southern France admixture, at one end. And you have the opportunity to purchase unique gifts and artifacts at a big Saturday flea market close by.
Montpellier Zoo
How about a trip to the zoo to see nature’s engrossing diversity? Established in 1964 and bordered by a nature reserve on the rough banks of the Lez River, the Montpellier Zoological Park is one of the city’s landmarks. Henri de Lunaret, who owned the Hôtel des Trésoriers, also has the ownership of the historic estate where Montpellier’s zoo is set. He bequeathed the land to the city as long as it would have a charitable purpose.
In the zoo, there are over 750 animals from 140 species, including giraffes, white rhinos, Syrian brown bears, and cheetahs. Enclosures are in six different “biozones”, blending habitats from around the world.
Nice
Fondly called the queen of the French Riviera, Nice is the major hub on the pretty Côte de d’Azur. Nice is amazing for all it offers. Its dazzling Belle Époque architecture and miles of beach on the Mediterranean are part of what to see.
Nice is said to have 300 days of sunshine a year, which is a favorable condition for walks during vacation. Walk the Promenade Anglais and prepare for the beachfront atmosphere before swimming. Nice, like most cities in the Mediterranean, experience warm weather almost year-round with average temperature reaching 80s in the summer and as low as 40s in the winter. As such, spring is an excellent time to visit Nice and the Côte d’Azur. The best time to visit will be in late spring and early summer to enjoy Nice.Â
Vieux Nice
Visit the Vieux Nice for all its glory. It has narrow streets to can walk while you discover gratifying shopping, dining, and some of Nice’s hippest bars. It spans from the foot of Castle Hill to the Place Massena, which is the city’s main square. Vieux Nice is very much marked with wide promenades, while the medieval quarter reminds of the time when the city was allied with Italian states.
It is still one of the best places to taste Nice’s Niçois-style pizzas and pastries. As attractive as this destination is, be careful not to go alone, especially late in the day. Vieux Nice has dark alleys that can be a cover for thieves and questionable characters.
Visit Castle Hill Park
Another spot to see is Castle Hill Park. High above the Nice coastline, where the Castle Hill Park rests today was the first place to be inhabited the Greeks about two thousand years ago. It used to be seen as unconquerable until it was destroyed by King Louis XIV in 1706. It is has designed into a modern park today, and this charmingly simple site is a place you should visit for its shady trees, a pleasant oasis of greenery, and rushing waterfalls.
Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll and take in the magnificent park views at the Castle Hill. And while having a great time at the park, you can always visit some great restaurants around where you can grab some bite. Other places worth checking out are boutiques and the ruins of two old churches. The Castle Hill Park is lit up with special lighting effects every night. Tourists and other visitors can arrive at the park by foot from the Old Town of Nice or take an Art-Deco lift or escalator from Place Garibaldi.
Pays De La Loire
It is cooling, green, and refined than Southern France. The Loire is an enchanted land of expansive castles, verdant landscapes, and top-quality vineyards. Immersed in majesty, the Loire is the country’s Valley of the Kings by far. An impressive cast of renaissance men from Francis I to Louis XIV- made the region their playground, with the result that is medieval past is still its support today. Painters and poets have been enchanted by France’s Loire too. There are almost as many wine appellations as turrets.
Marseille
Mediterranean luxury, southern France’s homely treat, and others are what Marseille has for you. With a busy harbor and vibrant urban vibe, the city lushly exudes an irresistible allure to tourists from all over the world. And that is what you might need to feed your tourist inclinations. Being the country’s oldest city and trailing Paris as the second largest, Marseilles has lots to offer from history and arts to sumptuous cuisines to peachy beaches.
Specially poised, its gorgeous seaside scenery is strikingly beautiful. Whether strolling in an old street or feeling the refreshing breeze that is always imposing, visitors are close to the tranquil blue waters everywhere in the city. Marseille is a culturally diverse and colorful city with a multiethnic heritage soul. Therefore, you will have the chance to experience not French culture alone but a potpourri of cultures. Its sizeable community of North Africans lends credence to this.
Appreciate Nature at the Calanques National Park
The city’s southern and eastern suburbs are developed in an area of breathtaking natural beauty. The Calanques are rocky white limestone cliffs and creeks that reach astonishing heights and descends sharply to the sea. Whether by land or sea, nature lovers would adore this national park for its unique natural compositions and craggy elegance.
You can hike as well, and if you do, you might need a courage spirit, as the GR 98 from Marseille to Cassis usually takes about 11 hours as it leads you into some tough country. However, the captivating scenery evens up for the toil. Also, there are mini-cruises that leaves from the old Port and guided kayaking adventures. It sounds very much like fun.
Relax at one of the city’s beaches like the famous Plage du Prado. Plage du Prado enjoy the titles of the most popular and the main beach in Marseille. You can take a bus or taxi from the main part of Marseille to convey you to this beautiful and exciting beach. Accommodation ad relaxation is common themes here as you will find bars and restaurants close to the beach. More so, its attention-grabbing credentials won the beach the 2008 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup hosting right. Major sports events in beach volleyball, football, and other sports have all been hosted on Plage du Prado’s sandy areas in recent times.
Avignon
Famous for its walls, among other things, the Avignon is located in south-central France in the region of Provence. The city used to be the seat of the papacy for about 67 years, and today it is one of France’s top tourist destinations. It is also home to some of the most brilliant museums and splendid architecture. Place de l’Horloge is the city’s main square, while the Pope’s palace is another attention-grabbing landmark.
The city also has a well-known theatre festival, as it is the host for contemporary works in the performing arts. Also, Avignon is an important center for culinary peculiar to the Provence region. Illustrious chefs prepare local and innovative menus in alluring restaurants throughout the city. And you can have a great time on a wine tour as the city is the capital of the Côtes-du-Rhône wines, as you relish every taste you have.
Throughout the city are fascinating attractions that will remind you of how beautiful France is. And although there are many good hotels in Avignon, they get quickly booked-up when the summer tourist season begins.
Avignon is easy to reach by train from Marseille, Paris, and other European cities. And although it does boats of its own airport, lots of visitors arrive through the Marseille Provence airport. Among the most exciting things that visitors do in the city is an interesting river cruise on the Rhone.
Normandy
This city is a great place to teach and remember world history for adults and children. It is a place to reflect on what has happened in the past and how events have shaped today. When you visit this part of northwestern France, stop at the Caen Memorial Museum, which will give your family the history lessons you need to know.
You might proceed with a trip to each of the American, Canadian, and British beaches popular during the Second World War: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. You should also see the American cemetery of Saint-Laurent, the final resting place of almost 10,000 soldiers who died in this region during the war.
Monte Carlo
Famed for many things, including gambling casinos, great hotels, peachy beaches, and awesome views of the French Riviera, Monte Carlo is a tourist’s paradise! Located in the Principality of Monaco, this beautiful city has some of the most pulsating scenes in the world. It also has a reputation for being a tax haven (as long as residents do not pay any income tax).Â
However, Monte Carol, an independent state, is not a tax-free country. For some of the most luxurious goods you will find in Europe, Monaco boasts of sprawling stores that provide this. If you are looking to have a priceless and unique Riviera experience on your visit, Monte Carlo is a must-do.
Best Places to Visit in France – Summary
No place in the world inspires more like the way France does. The streetlights and cobblestones of Paris, the snow-capped Alps, the vibrant museums, the castle-strewn banks of the Loire- each has a brilliance that allures writer, artists, musicians, and philosophers from all over the world. France is definitely a must-see destination.
