11 Best Places to Visit in France That You’ll Fall in Love With in 2022
There is a good reason why France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. There is something for everyone with its incredible architecture, beautiful countryside, and delicious food. While Paris may be the most well-known city in France, there are many more unique places to visit. There are many places to go to in France. The meals are delicious, and there are notable buildings. Deciding which one you need to peer first may be complicated; however, France has this sort of wealthy record that it’s a must. There are many things to do, including consuming croissants or traveling to the Louvre museum with many well-known paintings.
We travel to France, covering the beautiful villages, the charm of Northern France, the laid-back vibes of Southern France, rolling vineyards across the country, food, fashion, and culture, and of course, the capital Paris.
Best Locations to Visit in France & Top Things to do
Explore in Paris
Paris is a city that requires no introduction, but since you’re here, let’s move on to the most visited tourist destination on Earth.
10 Best Places to Visit in France
According to many people, Paris has more to offer than all the attractions in France. The landmarks of Paris are almost endless; Whether it’s the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe, Disneyland Paris, Notre Dame Cathedral, or the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, you’re sure to find something that captures your eye. But Paris is not only its landmark. The city is humming with culture, art, and fashion. One of the best things you can do in Paris joins a bus tour or an evening cruise on the Seine River. You can spend days browsing the city’s famous art galleries and museums or shopping in the chic Champs-Elysées. Of course, no journey to Paris would be made without trying some of the city’s favorite cuisines.
The Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum is the world’s largest and arguably most iconic museum. It is located in Paris and is the birthplace of several world-renowned art creations, including the most beautiful MonaLisa. The place of Louvre Museum was initially a palace built by King Philip II in the late 12th Century. The castle was added over the centuries, and in 1793 the Louvre became a public museum. The museum is now the motherland of more than 380,000 works of art, including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The gallery is open on weekdays from 9am to 6pm and on weekends from 9am to 9pm. Ticket entry to the Louvre Museum is €15 for adults and €7.50 for students. Buying tickets in advance for the Louvre Museum is essential, as the museum can be very crowded.
Take a one-day trip to Mont-Saint-Michel
Mont-Saint-Michel is a stony tidal island in Normandy, France. It is France’s most visited tourist magnet after the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Paris. The island has been a strategic fortress since the 8th Century and a Benedictine sanctuary since the eleventh Century. The monastery was founded by Archangel Michael. The isle has been linked to the mainland by a bridge since 1879. The island is best known for St. Michael’s Monastery, which welcomes over three million visitors annually. The abbey is an important pilgrimage site and a famous tourist destination. The monastery is on a rock and can only be visited at low tide. It was built in the Romanesque type in the 11th Century and is an excellent example of Norman architecture.
Chantilly Palace
Chantilly is a commune in the Oise division in the Hauts-de-France territory in northern France. It is located 25 miles (40 km) north of Paris. Chantilly is best known for the Château de Chantilly, a castle and estate now open to the people. Want to explore the castle with ease? Grab a Chantilly skip-the-line ticket and enjoy discovering the attraction of Chan. The Château was constructed in 1528 via way of means of Pierre Bontemps, a secretary to François I. It became the assets of Louis II de Bourbon, Prince de Condé, in 1602. The Château was settled by German troops during World War II and was severely damaged. It has since been repaired and is nowadays open to people. Château de Chantilly is enclosed by a large park with a racecourse, a golf course, and a deer park. There are also several small villages near Chantilly, including Gouvieux, Senlis, and Lassy. All these villages are worth exploring if you have time.
Château de Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is another prominent attraction in France. This royal palace has long been the home of France’s King and Queen. The palace is now open to the people, and travelers can explore the lavish interiors, manicured gardens, and incredible architecture. There is also a museum has a place that showcases relics from the palace’s history. The Palace of Versailles is located outside of Paris. Tourists can reach it from Paris city center by RER C train. The train journey takes almost half an hour, and visitors disembark at the entrance gate of the palace. Visitors are advised to purchase tickets for the Palace of Versailles in advance. This allows them to skip the long line and enter the palace.
Learn about D-Day on the Normandy Coastline
Normandy’s spectacular coastline is a must-see for any traveler looking for things to do in France and a must for history fans. The dramatic ridges and lovely beaches make for perfect scenery, and there are plenty of activities to enjoy here. Travelers can explore the WWII battlefields and old German fortifications, go hiking or biking through the attractive countryside, or simply relax on the beach. There are also many cities, towns, and villages near the Normandy beaches, such as Caen, Carentan, Bénouville, and Sainte-Mère-Église, havens for people interested in Operation Overlord, generally known as D-Day. Normandy is also heaven for some of the best seafood in France, so be sure to test the local cuisine during your visit. To reach Normandy from Paris, catch the TGV train from Gare du Nord station in Paris. The train will bring you directly to the Normandy coast, a scenic journey.
Pont du Gard Roman Aqueduct & Garden of the Three Graces (Aigues-Mortes)
This is an ancient Roman moat in Nîmes, southern France. It is one of the best-preserved Roman tombstones in the world and is a must-see destination for anyone visiting the place. The Pont du Gard is a vast structure spanning almost 50 meters and is constructed wholly of limestone. The moat supplied water to the city of Nîmes and is a fantastic sight. There are several other places to visit in the area. A stroll from the Pont du Gard, Three Graces Park is a beautiful park with stunning gardens and fountains. There is also an archaeological museum on site, which is well worth a visit if you are interested in discovering more about the area’s history.
Cirque de Gavarnie in Pyrenees Mountains
Cirque de Gavarnie is a majestic sight in the Pyrenees. It is a large limestone plain with many waterfalls and is listed as a World Heritage area. The park is a picturesque area spread across Spain and France, full of lush forests and valleys. The site has many walking trails to enjoy and is a popular destination for pilgrims and nature lovers. There are many beautiful things to do near the Cirque de Gavarnie. One of the most popular activities is a hiking, where you may join a hiking tour. Many beautiful trails lead through forests and mountains. The region is also home to several villages that offer an opportunity to explore traditional French culture. And, of course, nearby spa towns provide a chance to relax and rejuvenate.
Colmar
Colmar is a beautiful fairy town in eastern France near the German border. It has inspired many famous novels and films, including Studio Ghibli’s adaptation of Howl’s Moving Castle. The city’s historic district is dotted with beautiful miniature structures that line up perfectly with its extensive canal system. Every city frame offers a “waterfront” view, and several architectural landmarks are dotted around, including St. Martin’s Church and the Bartholdi Museum. It’s practically a blend of Paris, Venice, and Amsterdam, with its own unique charm and remarkable historic preservation.
If you love wine, Colmar is an excellent place. It is located in the Alsace province, famous for its white wine production. Several vineyards in and around town offer tours and tastings, and the best part is most of these are free. This would be it if there was a city that could be called charming. Everything in Colmar is a little smaller (and cuter). La Petite Venise (or Little Venice), part of the old town, has some lovely little restaurants, cafes, hotels, and bars where you can lose yourself in the afternoon. Because the city survived the devastation of France’s previous wars and revolutions, it is home to some of the country’s oldest buildings and streets that still stand in their original state. We think this is a fantastic place to visit for a few days, but it also makes an easy day trip from Paris or even a day trip from Strasbourg.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is a historic city with a thriving culture and heritage in the heart of the Alsace province. It is located on the edge of France and Germany, making it a “best of both worlds” city. There is much stuff to do in Strasbourg, consisting of traveling to the ancient center, exploring museums, or taking a boat trip to the river. Tourists should visit this city as it is a great destination to see the culture and history of France and Germany. The old town of Strasbourg looks like something out of a Disney Princess movie with its narrow streets and canals. A Segway tour of the city drives it easy to navigate around the city. Strasbourg Cathedral is internationally identified as one of the world’s finest models of Gothic architecture, and you cannot miss it when you visit the city. It is one of the most famous and prominent structures in the city. The cuisine in Strasbourg is excellent. The city’s fusion of German and French cultures influences the cuisine, resulting in various dishes. The city has a stunning riverfront and is an excellent place to take a leisurely stroll. You can ride a boat or troll Strasbourg’s many parks and gardens.
The Palace of Fontainebleau
The Palace of Fontainebleau is a marvelous palace built initially by Francis I of France in the 16th Century. The palace is in the commune of Fontainebleau, in the Île-de-France region in France. Many French monarchs have used the palace as a royal residence, which is nowadays a UNESCO World Heritage area. This is one of the largest castles in France, covering an area of about 630 hectares. The Palace of Fontainebleau has more than 1500 rooms and covers about 100 hectares of gardens, forests, and parks. This palace is a famous tourist destination with over 700,000 tourists yearly. The palace is approximately 55 kilometers from Paris and can be reached by train or car. The Fontainebleau-Avon railway station serves the palace about 2 kilometers from the castle. The nearest airport to the castle is the Paris-Orly Airport, located about 45 kilometers from the court.
