Bonjour! If you’re planning a trip to France, prepare to be mesmerized by the sights and sounds that you’ll be treated to throughout this beautiful country. Wherever you go in France, don’t be surprised if you often find yourself feeling as if you’re a character in a fairy tale, or that you’ve stepped into a Claude Monet painting.
From Paris and Gordes to Dijon and Bordeaux, France and its denizens will welcome you and your travel companions with open arms. As the largest country in Western Europe, France has so much to offer. We encourage you to put some time and thought into crafting an itinerary that aligns with your interests and will take you places you won’t soon forget.
The city of Paris most recently hosted the 2024 Summer Olympics. If you had a chance to watch the Olympics, you may have enjoyed seeing those beautiful aerial views of the city and its most popular landmark: the Eiffel Tower.
Paris should be added to your list of places to visit in France if you want to see all the sights that have made this city so famous and, on that note, retains the no. 1 spot on our best places to visit in Europe list.
In addition to visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower, make a point to visit the Louvre, where some of the world’s most renowned paintings (including the Mona Lisa) are on display. France's capital city—also known as City of Light—features cobblestone streets, inviting cafés and pastry shoppes, eclectic shopping districts, top-rated restaurants, and museums galore.
In other words, you’ll be glad you visited Paris. It’s charming, gorgeous, and magnetic in every possible way.
Picture, if you will, standing in a field of lavender, zigzagging through historic streets, or venturing into an underground archeological site that will give you a glimpse of life in the Middle Ages.
Gordes is as unique as all of its attractions. Take that underground archeological site, for example: it’s called The Cellars of the Saint Firmin Palace. It follows the slope of the village, and you’ll be amazed that this site was dug and carved by man.
If you decide to explore Gordes, we also recommend stopping by The Abbey of Sénanque, a Cistercian monastery founded in 1148 that remains a functioning monastic community. This will be your chance to stand in front of the lavender fields as well as one of the most picturesque Abbeys in all of France.
This hilltop village built on the foothills of the Monts of Vaucluse is beloved by tourists and artists alike. Expect to be charmed by the old hamlets, huts, windmills, fountains, and, of course, the famous Gordes Castle.
Dijon is the capital of Burgundy, a region in Eastern France well-known for its vineyards and wine, phenomenal restaurants, vibrant art, and rich history. This is where the Dukes of Burgundy (some of the wealthiest and most powerful rulers in Europe) held court during their reign.
We recommend visiting the Palace of the Dukes and States of Burgundy, which houses the tombs of both Philip the Bold and John the Fearless. Their funerary monuments are fascinating, as they’re intricately sculpted, decorated, and painted in a way that reflects the grandeur of the Burgundian court and symbolizes their undeniable power and influence.
If you’re a fan of mustard, be sure to taste the flavorful mustard that shares its name with this city! You can visit The Fallot Mustard Mill, for example, to learn about their mustard-making process, sample flavors at “the mustard bar,” and even fill your own jar.
One more suggestion: there’s a trail in Dijon called “The Owl Trail.” In French, that’s “Parcours de la Chouette.” This walking tour will ensure that you see all the major highlights throughout downtown Dijon, plus it will lead you to the small owl sculpted into a buttress of Notre-Dame Cathedral. The owl is known as the “lucky charm of Dijon.” Passersby are encouraged to rub the owl and make a wish . . . just make sure you rub the owl with your left hand since that’s the hand closest to your heart!
It was on June 6, 1944, when Allied troops landed on five beaches in Normandy, France. Those five beaches—Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword—were of strategic importance as the largest amphibious invasion in history (D-Day) commenced. The soldiers sought to establish their foothold in Europe and even though they succeeded, nearly 3,000 Allied servicemen lost their lives during the operation. Their bravery and sacrifices made way for an incredibly pivotal moment in World War II in that it helped lead to the liberation of France from Nazi occupation.
Today, travelers visit Normandy to learn about D-Day. You can spend a day or more strolling through the museums, visiting the memorials along the shore, and even paying your respects at the cemeteries. You are welcome to explore Normandy on foot, bicycle, or by minibus or coach, and there are guided tours as well as self-guided tours available.
In addition to the D-Day landing beaches, we recommend visiting the medieval castles throughout Normandy. These castles are all so striking to behold, especially if you stop and think about the stories they hold. Take Chateau de Pirou, for example: built by the Lords of Pirou with the intention of defending the nearby harbor, this castle has a fascinating legend surrounding it that has to do with geese and their annual return to the castle.
Do you love drinking wine and admiring breathtaking countrysides? Situated on France’s west coast is a city called Bordeaux. This city should be included on your list of places to visit if you want to try some of the best wines (especially red wines) you’ll ever have the pleasure of swirling and sipping.
France remains one of the most famed wine-producing countries, and Bordeaux is a city that emphasizes why. There’s even a massive, interactive wine museum here called La Cite du Vin; it comes complete with a remarkable scent station, and the building itself is shaped like a red wine decanter.
While you’re in Bordeaux, make a point to cross Pont de Pierre, an elegant stone bridge, and visit the city’s royal square, Place de la Bourse. The latter was commissioned by King Louis XV, and it’s well-known for its reflecting pool (“water mirror”) and Fountain of the Three Graces.
Another reason to put Bordeaux on your list of places to visit in France is because it’s home to The Bassins de Lumières, a former submarine base that has been transformed into the world's largest digital art center. You’ll be enamored by the immersive digital exhibitions around every corner.
You deserve to have such an amazing time in France, and we hope you will.
Whether you’ve been to France before or this upcoming trip will mark your first time in the country, you’re going to be impressed by the landscapes, architecture, food, history, and art. Every minute spent in this country will be an opportunity for you to see and better understand what makes France so special and beloved by people around the world.
Are you going to France for a couple days? A week? Perhaps a bit longer? When it comes time for you to depart, you’ll probably feel as if you’re not quite ready. France is that type of country—the kind that, if anthropomorphized, would be the lover you can’t stop thinking about, the friend you’ll be forever glad you met.
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