Discover France
France, one of the most beautiful places in the world, offers numerous reasons to visit with family and friends like gorgeous rural scenery, world-class wines, rich cultural heritage, and delicious cuisines. From Paris, Saint-Tropez, and Loire Valley to Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune, France has countless beautiful places to offer some unforgettable memories with your family.
Starting from the rolling vineyards, plunging canyons, towering sand dunes and majestic villages, these carefully selected top 10 destinations of France will lead you to some of the most beautiful places in the country. After thorough research, we were able to come up with top 10 best places to visit in France for a delightful solo, couple or family trip.
10 best places to visit in France
1, Paris
2. Chamonix
3. Loire Valley
4. Corsica
5. Bordeaux
6. Normandy
7. Gorges du Verdon
8. Mont Saint-Michel
9. Dunne du Pilat
10. Rocomadour
Paris
Visit Paris, the city of love that has a timeless appeal and tops the list of best places to visit in France for a chic city getaway. It is a magnet for visitors as the world’s top athletes and millions of sports fans flock to the capital for the summer Olympic games. So you must visit before July or after September to avoid Olympic crowds and enjoy a more classic Parisian holiday.
Grab some amazing views of the city in new light as you float down the Seine, walk, and admire the views of iconic Paris landmarks, starting from the most famous Eiffel Tower, which is France’s symbol in the world. Explore the Musee du Louvre’s collection of famous French paintings, including Monalisa, and works by Flemish and Dutch painters of the Baroque period which is a cheer to the artist’s eyes. Visit the famous architecture and observe the rich history and cultural significance of Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe, which honors the martyrs of France during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.
Stroll the romantic streets, dine at an authentic bistro and explore numerous galleries of the city in the afternoon. A visit to the Sacre Coeur offers you breathtaking views over the city, enjoy a risque show full of dance, comedy, and burlesque, and you can also visit the quirky shops and cosmopolitan cafes of Montmartre with family or friends to explore local cuisine.
Chamonix
Visit the French Alps, home to some of the world’s most sought-after ski resorts and an adventurous place to enjoy winter sports. Located at the base of Mont Blanc, the stylish resort town of Chamonix is also a famous attraction for tourists. Chamonix is best known as an upmarket skiing destination with luxurious Savoyard chalets and exceptional slopes with amazing views of Mont Blanc.
Apart from the winter sports activities, you can also enjoy hiking in Chamonix to see the beauty of Alpine landscapes when bursts of colorful wildflowers are in bloom.
Loire Valley
Visit Loire Valley or the “Garden of France” to observe French royalty and nobility. Explore 300 elaborate chateaux dating back to the 9th century and telling their own stories. Observing the stunning French architecture and the surrounding deer park, the Chateau of Chambord is one of the most famous attractions in the valley.
You will learn about the unique collaboration between Gothic and Renaissance architecture at the Chateau of Chambord, hovering over the Cher River. The medieval fairy tale castle Château de Sully-sur-Loire, which has hosted several famous historical figures, including Joan of Arc and Louis XIV, offers an unnatural beauty. Visit one of the numerous vineyards and explore the beautiful chateaux throughout the region. Taste some world-class wines of the Loire Valley, such as Saumur, Cabernet Franc, Anjou wine, Gamay, Chenin Blanc, Sancerre, and Vouvray.
Corsica
Step onto the beautiful Mediterranean island of Corsica and indulge in the endless beauty of nature. Located between France and Italy Corsica is unique and one of the best places to visit as it embraces the best of both cultures. With stylish coastal towns, rocky granite peaks, and pristine forests Corsica is truly an island of beauty. It is also famous as the birthplace of Napoleon.
Enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving in the turquoise waters of Corsica or sunbathing in one of the island’s many pristine beaches and spend a peaceful day at the beautiful Palombaggia Beach with your family away from the hustle and bustle of town.
Bordeaux
Visit the rolling vineyards, enjoy scenic beauty, try some sample exquisite dishes made from the rural region’s fabulous produce, and sip some of Europe’s finest dishes at Bordeaux. Visit the famous Medoc region which is a jewel in Bordeaux’s crown and well-known for its lavish chateaux, such as Château de Malle and Chateau La Louviere.
Explore the world-class appellations, including Cadillac and Saint-Emilion, or absorb the pleasant atmosphere of these picturesque locations. Good Housekeeping readers can enjoy an eight-day river cruise through the Medoc onboard Uniworld’s luxurious ship Bon Voyage.
Wander through archaeological marvels, historic landmarks, and magnificent vineyards, where you will be treated to tastings of the finest vintages. Enjoy a scenic drive from Blaye to Bourg along the Route de la Corniche Fleurie where you can marvel at the sights of Blaye Fortress and Lansac Windmill along the way.
Normandy
One of the closest parts of France to the UK, and easy to reach by boat destination is Normandy. You must visit this destination in search of its wartime history, rich cultural heritage, varied architecture and picturesque coastlines.
Normandy holds an important place in the Second World War also as the invasion of Normandy enabled American, British, Canadian, French and other forces to join the Russians in defeating Germany and also helped them to advance far to the eastern region to prevent Soviet suzerainty over most of the Western part of Europe after the war.
Normandy is a home to some wonderful scenic waterfront towns, including the enchanting Honfleur where young Claude Monet first started painting landscapes outdoors and a home to many artists. Discover the famous cuisines of Normandy, including a wonderful range of cheeses.
Enjoy a six-day cruise ride from Normandy and the Channel Islands to Guernsey and the Isles of Scilly on the stylish ship Borealis. Taste some unique local apple brandy Calvados and discover the commune’s varied history at Honfleur.
Gorges du Verdon
Visit the breathtaking views of Gorges du Verdon, the 700 meter deep Grand Canyon of France nestled in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southeastern France. Carved by the Verdon River, the plunging limestone canyon is the largest in Europe. Enjoy the huge number of activities and watersports that Gorges du Verdon has to offer.
Take a wonderful experience of cruising along the 25-kilometer-long stretch of mesmerizing turquoise waters that flow into the artificial Lac de SainteCroix. To have more adventure you can prefer to brave white-water rafting along the rapids. However, to spend a relaxing day at Gorges du Verdon, enjoy hiking around the 100-kilometer rim of the canyon or hop on horseback and weave your way through the vertical limestone cliffs.
Don’t forget to capture some wonderful memories at this breathtaking place of France with your family and friends.
Mont Saint-Michel
Visit one of the otherworldly places of France, Mont Saint-Michel with its majestic abbey. Located on the rocky island of Mont Saint-Michel, 600 meters off the coast of Normandy, this striking medieval monastery looks like a fairytale castle. With narrow, winding streets and pretty timbered-framed houses Mont Saint creates more magic in the eyes. Rapunzel’s Tower and the Kingdom of Corona in Disney’s Tangled movie were inspired by this magical village.
This majestic island village which served as a great Christian pilgrim site once is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts more than three million tourists every year. Spend two days on the sea shore of this magical island just on the lap of a vast ocean and sandbank.
Dune du Pilat
Visit Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune and enjoy the breathtaking 360 degree views from the top. Located in La Teste-de-Buch in the Arcachon Bay area, this magnificent natural wonder is one of the best places to visit in France. Have an experience of climbing the 154 wooden steps to the top and walking along the 2.7-kilometer-long bridge.
You will get an amazing view of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean on one side and deep green pine forests on another. Explore some of the most beautiful natural views offered by the towering dune. Enjoy paragliding activities or other outdoor sports and enjoy camping at five nearby campsites of Dune du Pilat with family or friends. The Corniche Beach located at the foot of the dune offers you a refreshing spot to enjoy a dip that is easily accessible through the main entrance.
Rocamadour
Feel the holy peace in the air of the sacred hilltop pilgrimage Rocamadour which is the second most visited attraction in France, after Mont-Saint-Michel. Perching high on the side of a limestone cliff overlooking the Alzou Canyon in the Dordogne region you will find this majestic village. This medieval town houses a 15th-century statue of the Black Madonna that stands within the Chapelle Notre Dame de Rocamadour and some old famous sanctuaries.
You can explore the chapel along with seven other religious buildings, after climbing the 216 steps (Le Grand Escalier) to the square at the top. Witness the heavenly views of Rocamadour, the Alzou Canyon, and the wild and unspoiled landscape down from the top of the village.
Don’t miss a boat ride to the nearby Gouffre de Padirac to visit some gigantic rock formations, underground pools, and huge stalactites and stalagmites and have a lively underground experience if you have at least half a day in your hand.
To sum up…
France has it all. Whether it is the romantic city of Paris, the beautiful Palombaggia Beach and turquoise water of Corsica, medieval townhouses of Rocamadour, there are some heavenly destinations in France for a perfect spring vacation with your family in 2024.
FAQs on France
The best time to visit France is from April to June and September to November with fewer crowds and moderate temperatures outside the sweltering summer period. However, for winter activities like skiing you must visit the mountain slopes any time between December and early April.
France is famous for its iconic landmarks, picturesque landscapes, fairytale villages, sandy beaches, turquoise water, and long legacy. With its proud heritage as the birthplace of legendary artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet, and Vincent van Gogh, the country is a unique place of art and creativity.
France has a well-developed high-speed train network known as the TGV (Train a Grande Vitesse). These trains connect major cities and regions providing a fast and comfortable travel experience. TER (Transport Express Regional) trains connect smaller towns and cities within regions.
French cuisine is famous for using fresh, high-quality ingredients to create exceptional flavors. Hence, Boeuf Bourguignon is the most popular French dish for its authentic taste transforming a simple piece of meat into an intensely flavored dish, only composed with national ingredients.
