Best Places to Visit in France: Planning Your Perfect Trip to France
If you’re planning a trip to France, you may be wondering where to go. There are so many amazing places to visit in France that it can be hard to decide, but this list of the best places to visit in France will give you a great starting point.
This list of the best places to visit in France will outline the top destination to visit in France. Whether you’re interested in wine country, charming villages, or famous cities like Paris and Marseille, France has something for everyone.
In each of these different locations, there is so much history, food, nature, etc., which will allow each visitor to find exactly what they are looking for. The real problem will be figuring out how to squeeze in everything that you want to see in one trip! Don’t worry, though; you can always make plans to visit again.
The other great thing about visiting France is that it can be explored as a solo traveler, as a couple or small group of friends, or as a family. There is plenty to see and do for every type of travel group, and you can do it at the pace that works best for you and your group.
And when you go to plan your trip to France, our lists of the best travel sites and best travel accessories will have you covered. These lists will ensure that you have everything you need for your trip and will allow you to save money and time scheduling and booking your trip.
Top 15 Places to Visit in France:
1. Paris
Highlights: Museums full of famous art, amazing eats that will make your friends jealous, and fabulous fashion.
About Destination: Known as the “City of Light,” Paris is the historic capital of France. Not only is it likely the most popular destination in the country, but it is also ranked one of the best places to visit in the world. Paris is home to some of the most famous places in France, such as the Louvre (one of the best museums in the world) and the Eiffel Tower.
It is also recognized globally as one of the top destinations for fashion enthusiasts. Don’t forget to stop at a café for a croissant (and maybe snap a photo for Instagram), as the world knows Paris for its eye-catching cuisine and sophisticated locals.
2. Marseille
Highlights: Lovely port city with old architecture and historical significance.
About Destination: Marseille is the oldest city in France, making it one of the oldest cities in Western Europe. It is a gorgeous water-front locale that can be found on the southern coast of the country, its historical significance makes it overall one of the best places in France, and it only opened for tourism around the turn of the 20th century.
You can visit many historical sites, and all can be accessed by foot, starting from the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations. Take the time to meander through the old architecture and appreciate structures from as far back as the 12th century.
3. Nice
Highlights: Perfect climate, beaches for days, and interesting shops to keep you busy.
About Destination: With its deep blue water and world-renowned beaches, Nice is a popular destination for travelers. It is known for having wonderful weather and a generous coastline peppered with gorgeous beaches. Nice is by far one of the most beautiful places in France and barely missed our list of the best beaches in the world.
Nice is considered one of the most important cities on the French Riviera. It is also home to many parks and museums, as well as the Nice Old Town, which is full of tiny streets and crammed with interesting shops.
4. Bordeaux
Highlights: Museums, art galleries, and world-famous wine to sip as you take in the sights.
About Destination: If you like wine, you have already heard of Bordeaux. It is considered the wine capital of the world, but that isn’t the only reason it’s among the best cities to visit in France. With museums, architecture, and shopping to rival global hot spots, it’s no wonder that even the sophisticated Parisians are flocking to Bordeaux.
You can stroll along the beautiful Garonne River or visit one of the many art galleries that pepper the region. If you prefer to stick to the wine-tasting, you might also consider Perth or Napa as great spots to check out.
5. Toulon
Highlights: Gorgeous beaches, cultural and historical sites, and is great for walking.
About Destination: Toulon is a beautiful city on the French Mediterranean coast. Most people know Toulon for its beautiful weather and four gorgeous beaches just a short walk from the city center. If beaches aren’t your thing, you can also visit the famous World War II fortress, the Musée Mémorial du Débarquement, which watches over the town from its mountain perch.
Also, free-to-the-public, you can find the Hôtel des Arts (Art Gallery) and easily spend time taking in each exhibit. They change frequently, so you can always count on finding something interesting no matter how you feel about art.
6. Mont Saint-Michel
Highlights: Historic and beautiful scenery, you can book a carriage ride for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
About Destination: Almost a lost treasure, this destination has recently been the subject of a huge restoration project. Monks built this grand abbey into the rockface on the mountain that makes up the tiny island. Tourists must park 1.5 miles away to ride the shuttle to the abbey, though if you are feeling adventurous, you can always walk.
Better yet, you can take a horse-drawn carriage ride over. The Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel once drew scholars from the world around, but now its narrow streets are lined with little shops, dining, and museums for the modern-day tourists. However, it’s the breathtaking view that makes this one of the best places to visit in France.
7. Avignon
Highlights: Historic architecture, vibrant market, and scenery that is the subject of world-renowned paintings.
About Destination: Avignon makes our list of the best places to visit in France because it makes you feel like you just stepped into the little village from Beauty and the Beast. Avignon exists as the gateway of Provence and often serves as a hub for those exploring the greater area.
Take a stroll along the winding city streets or visit the famous Les Halles Food Market for a bite to eat. For a break from the busy marketplace, catch a ferry ride to the island of Barthelasse and find yourself in a peaceful sanctuary that is just perfect for a picnic.
8. French Riviera
Highlights: Mediterranean views, world-famous beaches, and so many Michelin-starred restaurants you won’t know where to begin.
About Destination: Tourists all over the world flock to the French Riviera. You can browse through thousands of shops and top hotels (which are hard not to fall in love with) regardless of where you happen to land. The French Riviera is famous for its cuisine. No matter where you stop, you will discover fine dining (even Michelin-starred restaurants!) in just about every village.
To save money in this luxurious destination, consider traveling during the off-season between March and October. Before you leave, spend some time in Nice. It made our list of the best honeymoon destinations due to its elegant architecture, fine dining, and gorgeous beaches.
9. Lyon
Highlights: You will find cobbled streets, gorgeous sights, and not one but two famous Roman amphitheaters.
About Destination: Like many others on this list of the best places to visit in France, Lyon is like a time capsule to an era that has long passed. It is popular with tourists due to its world-famous shopping and dining. It is also home to two Roman amphitheaters that still play host to modern performers today.
Another sight that you surely cannot miss is Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon), one of the biggest and best-preserved Renaissance neighborhoods in all of Europe. All of this, combined with the famous Lyon Cathedral and the largest fine art museum after the Louvre, make this little city one of the best places to visit in France.
10. Luberon
Highlights: Some of the most beautiful scenery in all of France, great places to walk or sit and people-watch.
About Destination: Luberon is located in Provence., and people have said many times over that it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in France. Luberon is full of unique architecture and charming little mountain villages, and almost everything is within walking distance. You will never want for interesting sights.
The crowned jewel of the region sits on top of a hill right at the foot of the Vaucluse Mountains. Gordes is the name, and it has been home to many famous artists throughout history. You will quickly find that it is also one of the trendiest spots in all of France.
11. Normandy
Highlights: Stunning architecture, gorgeous beaches, and some of the finest seafood around.
About Destination: Normandy is a beautiful region in France that offers stunning architecture, gorgeous beaches, and some of the finest seafood around. This is an ideal destination for travelers who want to experience all that France has to offer. From the towering cliffs of Etretat to the rolling hills of Rouen, there’s something for everyone in Normandy.
12. Burgundy
Highlights: Rolling hills, peaceful canals, and world-famous vineyards that have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.
About Destination: If you’re looking for a wine-inspired vacation that’s a little less touristy than France’s more popular destinations, Burgundy is the place for you. With its rolling hills blanketed in vineyards and peaceful canals, Burgundy offers an idyllic escape into the French countryside. And don’t forget to explore the region’s world-famous vineyards – they’ve been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status for good reason.
13. Champagne
Highlights: Delicious and sophisticated wines, plenty to see and do, and you can learn about the history and processes behind Champagne wine-making.
About Destination: Champagne is one of the most iconic French exports, and for good reason: the sparkling wines from this region are delicious and sophisticated. If you’re looking to explore the history and processes behind Champagne wine-making, then check out Épernay – the regional capital. There’s plenty to see and do in this lush, green region, so raise a glass (or two) and enjoy.
14. Strasbourg
Highlights: Situated perfectly on the border of France and Germany, home to many important European institutions.
About Destination: Strasbourg is a blend of cultures and languages, situated perfectly on the border of France and Germany. This historic city is home to many important European institutions, including the European Parliament and the Council of Europe. The city’s Grande Ile district is a must-visit for its beautiful architecture and museums.
15. Dordogne
Highlights: Rolling hills, scenic river backdrop, and ancient castles.
About Destination: The Dordogne region of southwestern France is a beautiful place to visit, with its rolling hills and scenic river backdrop. There’s plenty to see and do here, from exploring ancient castles and caves to simply enjoying the area’s natural beauty. So if you’re looking for an amazing European vacation destination, be sure to add the Dordogne to your list.
Best Places to Visit in France Conclusion
If you’re looking for an amazing and varied travel destination, France is the perfect place for you. With wine country, charming villages, and world-famous cities, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful country. And while you could spend your whole trip at just one of these amazing locations within France, many of them are also close enough that you can visit multiple spots on your trip.
This will allow you to get a better view of France as a whole and experience more of what this fantastic country has to offer.
Also, if food and drink are an important part of your vacation, you will be in heaven with this trip. France is known for having some of the best culinary experiences in the world, as well as some of the best wine tastings. So not only will you get to explore all the sites and culture of France, but you can also sit back and enjoy some of the best food and drink in the world as well.
Have you been to any of these destinations in France? If you have, we would love to hear what you liked about them in the comments below.
