Best Places to Visit in France

The so-called “City of Lights,” oozes romance, but it’s a destination for every type of traveler, which is why it’s long been the world’s No. 1 tourist destination. Visitors can enjoy the rich culture, fashion, fine fare, magnificent architecture, world-class museums, and more while exploring atmospheric streets. Soak it up at a café while nibbling on cheese paired with French wine, or a pastry with a café au lait. Don’t miss visiting the top of the Eiffel Tower for a panorama of it all from above, or exploring the Louvre, the world’s largest museum, home to da Vinci’s Mona Lisa among many other artistic treasures.

Many consider Lyon to be the world’s gastronomy capital, a must for foodies and anyone with an appetite. It’s filled with top-notch for all budgets, and, as it sits in the heart of the Beaujolais and Cotes du Rhone wine regions, many of its eateries offer menus featuring fantastic wines. Beyond that, you’ll find history to explore with Roman ruins and centuries-old churches, along with highlights like the Musee des Beaux-Arts, Musee Gallo-Romain de Lyon-Fourviere, Musee d’Art Contemporain de Lyon, and Musee des Tissus et des Arts Decoratif.

Bordeaux is one of the most famous wine regions in France and more than half the city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bringing lots of opportunities to delve into history and architecture too, including the 1780 Grand Theatre with its Corinthian columns. Wine touring and tasting here is a must, but you’ll find many gourmet eateries with wine lists focusing on the nearby vineyards too. Its popular Capuchin Farmer’s Market is where chefs come for their ingredients, and you’ll find lots of locals doing their shopping here too, with colorful stalls filled with produce, meats, fish, breads, pastries, and cheeses.

Located near the eastern border of Germany, Strasbourg offers an interesting mix with its medieval past and progressive future. It boasts a dazzling Gothic cathedral and winding alleyways lined with crooked half-timbered homes that look as if they’re part of a Grimm fairytale. Enjoy indulging in delicious meals at canal-side Alsatian taverns in Petite France, its most romantic and picturesque district, and explore the Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Visit at Christmas to enjoy the series of themed Christmas villages that transform the city into a holiday wonderland.

Set along the southern banks of the Loire River in the Loire Valley, a region renowned for its picturesque vineyards, charming historic villages, glorious chateaus, and breathtaking, scenery, Amboise is crowned by a royal chateau with beautiful gardens and a chapel, which also happens to be Leonardo da Vinci’s final resting place. The Renaissance town that was the childhood home of Charles VIII also offers bustling markets and an enviable selection of fantastic restaurants, making it an outstanding base for exploring the countryside.