France is a place that you can visit over and over, discovering all sorts of new places, having new experiences and being constantly changed by the people, food, and atmosphere. Obviously you want to see the main destinations like Bordeaux and Paris, but there are plenty of other towns that see fewer visitors and have just as much, if not more to offer than the sights you typically see in movies.
France is the top tourist destination in the world, and there’s a reason why so many people continue to return. The country is bursting with amazing scenery, friendly people, delicious food, historical sites, museums and more. Be sure to book your airport transfers in advance though, so you can spend more time exploring and less time trying to find your way around when you first arrive.
Here are the best places to visit in France:
Paris
Obviously Paris is a must for anyone visiting France, and if you’ve been before, you’ll find that it’s easy to get lost down alleyways and discover new things to add to your Instagram.
Head up the Eiffel Tower or have a picnic while you gaze at one of the most famous scenes in the world, before visiting the gorgeous Notre Dame or wandering through the Louvre.
The capital of France needs to be explored by all travellers at least once in their lives, and it’s unlikely that you won’t fall in love with this chic city. Grab a coffee at Cafe Saint-Regis or visit Shakespeare & Company, one of the most famous bookshops around.
Nice
While unlikely to be a budget destination, Nice is the perfect place to visit if you’re hoping to relax on the beach. It also has a surprising amount of free things to do, including jaw dropping views on many of the hikes, live music, street performers and more.
Loire Valley
You’ll find gorgoeous chateaux scattered around Loire Valley, so be sure to visit the huge castle Chateau de Chambord and explore the gardens at Chateau de Villandry at night. Make like a tourist (it’s worth it, I promise), and bike along the riverbanks to see just a little of what Loire has to offer.
Provence
Don’t forget your camera, since the extraordinary landscape and light in this part of the south of France will require constant snapping. The coastline is like something straight out of a movie and you’ll find cherry orchards, lavender fields, food markets and hilltop villages in the Vancluse and Luberon regions.
Champagne
Visit medieval villages here and sip your way through centuries-old champagne cellars. Be sure to head to Reims where you can climb up the tower of a cathedral where many French kings were lucky enough to be crowned or hire a car and get a real look at some of the incredible scenery.
French Alps
This huge outdoor playground is crazy from December to April, when the ski season lures adrenalin junkies to the challenging slopes. If you feel like partying, Chamoix is the place to go, and you can take the Aiguille du Midi cable car for incredible views.
