Top 10 Destinations in France

A number of tourists destinations are available in France to spend your France holidays in an enjoyable manner. Some of the famous destinations are listed below.

1.  Alsace

Alsace

This is the smallest region in France. A very pretty location which extends between The Rhine and Vosges Mountain. The soil texture is such that it is perfect for growing grapes and production of wine. The villages are all very attractive with all houses made of timber. If the tourists follow the Alsace Wine Route they can enjoy the beauty of these half timbered housing villages.

2. Brittany
The capital of this region is Rennes. Brittany is located in the north-west region of France. This has English channel to the north part and Bay of Biscay to the south region. It has an attractive coastline, fishing villages, islands of the Breton coast, some of the historical architectures like the Morlaix and Quimper etc.

3. LLLe et Vilaine
This region comes to the eastern part of Brittany. This includes the region north of Rennes and the coastline west of Emerald Coast. The more beautiful Fougeres and its extremely beautiful castle is only few miles away from Vilaine.

4. Cotes de Armor
This beautiful coastline covers the famous and enchanting coast of pink granite around the Perros- Guirec and also Cap-Frehel. The largest port of Lannion is also found to the north of Cotes de Armor.

5. Corsica

Corsica

This is an island which lies to the south east direction of France. This has coastlines with perfect outline and extremely mountainous interior. Corsica has become a popular destination of France tour mainly due to the great weather, some of the world’s finest beaches, wonderful mountain scenery and attractive towns and marinas.

6. Dordogne
This is an area found in the south west corner of France. In combination with the Lot et Garonne this forms the inland called Aquitaine. There are almost 1001 castles in Dordogne. This place is well known on the basis of these castles. The warm and pleasant climate, the medieval villages and the beautiful country side has also made the place famous among the tourists.

7. Franche-Comte
Eastern area of France becomes a favorite tourist destination because of this great outdoors. The border of this place comes onto Switzerland. From here you come to leave the rolling country side and Jura mountain peak. The Parc Regional, Chapelle de Notre, towns of Besancon and Dole are the most attractive location that most tourists find in the region.

8. Loire Valley
This comes in the north central part of France. The official region name is Centre which is less known to people outside France. Mainly three historic regions of France are Eure et Loir to the north, Indre et Loire to the west, Loir et Cher to the middle, Loiret to the east and Indre and Cher to the south.

9. Midi-Pyrenees
The mountainous region of Pyrenees which comes in between France and Spain and a large swathe that is in the north ward direction is covered by midi-pyrenees. Tourists generally wish to see the mountains of the south, the awesome country side, the calm and marvelous attraction of the central region. The capital of the place is called as Toulouse.

10. Paris

Paris

Paris is a famous attraction of France that is liked by all the tourists of the world. Its shady boulevards, cafe life and general romantic environment greatly attract men. The famous Eiffel tower or Notre Dame Cathedral is all additional attractions of Paris.

Top 10 beaches in France

Porto-Pollo, Corsica, France

From Brittany to Corsica, France has a fantastic array of beaches for naturists, families, divers and campers. Here 10 connaisseurs des plages select their favourites

Best in Corsica: Porto-Pollo
by Jacqueline Mirtelli, France Tourism Development Agency
As a native of the French Riviera, I am very keen on the sea. For me, Corsica is a true paradise for beaches and it's only a two-hour flight from London or Manchester. Between Propriano and Bonifacio in sunny southern Corsica is Porto-Pollo beach, a long white arch of sand in a bay sheltered by green hills. I have been lucky to go to the Seychelles and Mauritius and it's like that – OK, a little bit less wild! Snorkelling is a must as the water is crystal clear and filled with fish.

Best Breton beach: Baie d'Audierne, Brittany
by Wendy Mewes, author of Footprint Brittany
With 2,000km of coastline you'll have more trouble avoiding Brittany's beaches than finding one. For sand less travelled, head to the Baie d'Audierne on the west coast of Finistère. This really feels like the edge of Europe; 30km in length, it offers calm relaxation on family-friendly beaches such as Pors Carn. But if you're after dramatic activity, check out the wild Atlantic breakers drawing surfers from afar to the Pointe de la Torche, where a second world war German bunker huddles beside a Neolithic grave.

Best for diving: L'Ile de Riou, Marseille
by Frederic Di Meglio, secretary general of the Fédération Française d'Etude et de Sport Sous-Marin
Wild, uninhabited and carefully preserved, L'Ile de Riou is accessible only by boat. Its small beach was in use 2,500 years ago by founders of Phocea, the town that evolved into present-day Marseille. Now the beach is the starting point for scuba expeditions around the archipelago, but in 2012 it will form the heart of the Parc National des Calanques, an undersea forest ideal for swimmers, snorkellers and scuba divers.

Best naturist: Euronat, Côte d'Argent, Aquitaine
by Nick Mayhew-Smith, author of The World's Best Nude Beaches
Backed by pine woods and untouched by mass tourism, the endless golden sands of the Côte d'Argent are a haven for back-to-nature beach lovers. Unsurprisingly, the coast is also home to some of Europe's best naturist resorts; a collection of laid-back villages where European families unwind – and go home with the perfect suntan. My pick is the stretch of beach at Euronat, with supervised swimming, beach cafes and uncrowded sands to explore on either side. Further south are Montalivet CHM, La Jenny and Arnaoutchot. Birthday suits are de rigueur on the wilder stretches of shore. Just take an extra bottle of sunscreen.

Best for watersports: Plage de l'Almanarre, Hyères, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
by Pascal Boulanger, world champion funboarder
The best beach for wind fanatics is a sandy spit that runs 4km from Hyères out to the pretty town of Giens. There is a superb consistent wind on one side, while the other is sheltered by the Porquerolles and Port-Cros islands. One area is reserved for windsurfers, kitesurfers and funboarders – the winds can be wild in winter. Calmer areas are perfect for paddleboards and kayaks. Behind the beach is a salt marsh where pink flamingos nest.

Best for motor homes and campervans: Plage de Ménéham, Brittany
by Meli George, editor of All the Aires France
Discover some of France's finest white sand beaches by taking the single-track coast road north of Kerlouan between the hamlets of Ménéham and Neis Vran. Every turn offers a vista of another stunning cove with rocky outcrops and deserted sandy shores. Motor homes and campervans are welcome to park overnight for free all year round. At Ménéham, a restored fisherman's cottage is a spectacular starting point for a coastal walk along the dunes with the beaches – including some naturist ones – stretching out on one side.

Best for celeb-spotting: Paloma Plage, French Riviera
by Gerard Spatafora, Clé d'Or and Concierge at the Fairmont Hotel Monte Carlo since 1980
La Paloma is calm, chic and sheltered. It's a favourite of the jet set and celebrities who arrive on superyachts in the bay. You could perhaps see Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie on a summer's day. France is democratic however, and half of the beach is public – reserved for non-millionaires. A lovely coastal path runs from Beaulieu-sur-Mer, past the former house of David Niven, all the way to Paloma Plage.

Best wild beach: Côte Sauvage, Poitou-Charentes
by Dominic Earle, editor of France: Time Out's Perfect Places
Due south of the Ile d'Oleron, the gloriously unspoilt Côte Sauvage is hemmed in by the towering pines of the Forêt de la Coubre. It's only accessible by a good 10-minute hike (or bike ride – two wheels are the ideal way to get around) from the D25 between Ronce-les-Bains and La Palmyre. After a slog up the dunes and through the coarse beach grass, the reward is 30km of unadulterated white sand and Atlantic rollers. There's not a beach umbrella or souvenir shop in sight.

Best for families: Argelès Plage, Languedoc-Roussillon
by Mirella Salomone, co-founder of findmybeach.com
Tucked up against the Pyrenees, the Languedoc's Mediterranean beaches are magnificent. Pick of the bunch is Argelès Plage, a 8km stretch of golden sand and clear blue waters that rarely gets crowded. French families have flocked here for years, and for good reason. It's beautifully maintained and has great on-site facilities such as a marina and a beach club for kids. A two-mile tree-lined promenade flanks the northern end of the beach and offers great shade from the soaring summer temperatures.

Best for children: Beaulieu-sur-Mer, French Riviera
by Samuel Landry (aged 8)
My favourite beach is the one in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. The best thing about it is that it's easy to swim out to a floating trampoline – you can bounce around on it, then jump off and into the water! I also like this beach because it's sandy and shallow. The sea here feels warmer than the water at other beaches. Nice is nearby but the water there is deep, and sometimes it's freezing.

Top 10 Travel Destinations in France

France is the home of fine wine, great cheese and Gallic humor where a restaurant chef is as likely to chase you out of a restaurant for asking for ketchup as he is to feed you cordon bleu cuisine. Notoriously fickle, with a language that has a sexy accent but sounds like someone is speaking with a mouth full of marbles, the French are a race unto themselves, but then they have plenty of reason to be full of themselves.

10. The Eiffel Tower, Paris

The Eiffel Tower

The landmark which defines Paris and France together as its most famous icon , but which was scorned by the French themselves as a monstrosity par excellence. Today it is regarded as a modern wonder of the world, affording breathtaking views of Paris but be warned, it is not for those who suffer from vertigo.

Visitor tip: ascend the Eiffel Tower towards the end of the day, so you get to see Paris by day and by night.

9. Notre Dame, Paris
The Cathedral of Our Lady was made famous by Victor Hugo and the Hunchback of Notre Dame. “Do you think I’m ugly?” cries the anti-hero to Esmeralda, however there is nothing ugly about the cathedral or the setting on the banks of the Seine.
A beautiful piece of Gothic architecture which should not be missed.

8. The Louvre, Paris

The Louvre

The Louvre has to be the most famous of all art galleries, and it is home to more art and history than you can shake a baguette at. Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa (La Giaconda) smiles her enigmatic smirk, but you will find more than 35,000 other pieces here, from antiquities through to modern art.

Bonus tip: spot the modern pyramid addition to the Louvre, which honors France’s fascination with Ancient Egypt (and used as a location for the Da Vinci Code).

7. Palace of Versailles, Versailles
Moving out of Paris and into the hinterland we find the Palace of Versailles, the home of France’s kings and queens until La Guillotine took off their heads.  The Palace remains and it is a beautiful way to spend a day with the Hall of Mirrors, magnificent gardens and fountains and surrounded by a city which has some of the finest restaurants in the region (including Paris).

6. Bayeux & the Normandy Beaches
Now we head northwest from Paris to the Normandy coast and the bocage country. Bayeux is the home of the Bayeux Tapestry which documents the invasion of England by William, Duke of Normandy in 1066. To the north are the invasion beaches; scenic, flat, open and beautiful with rolling swells of seawater on a sunny day, except on June 6th, 1944 the sea was red with the blood of the Allies who fell storming Hitler’s Festung Europa (Fortress Europe).

5. Rocamadour, Occitan
Now we head south of Paris to Rocamadour and its beautiful gorge and cliffs through which a tributary of the River Dordogne flows. The town is also home to numerous religious relics as it was claimed to be the resting place of The Virgin Mary. This claim ensured Rocamadour was a major pilgrim destination which has resulted in numerous historical buildings and monuments being erected over the centuries.

Bonus tip: avoid going around Easter time if you are squeamish – a local ‘gift’ are freeze dried chicks which are ‘frozen’ when a day or two old and sold as gifts to the tourists.

4. Cannes & Monaco, The French Riviera

The French Riviera

The French Riviera is a favorite beach destination for the glitterati, with some of the most exotic beaches in the world backed by some of the most luxurious hotels, dining opportunities and shopping distractions to be found anywhere on the planet.

The weather is warm in winter and hot in summer, but don’t miss the Cannes Film Festival and the world’s biggest movie stars if you at all possible.

3. Lourdes, Haute-Pyrenees
Now we travel directly west, and eventually away from the coast and into the Pyrenees, the mountains which form the border between France and Spain. Probably the most famous town in France, from a religious perspective, this is the site of the appearance of The Virgin Mary to a miller’s daughter. A place of miracles, Lourdes has long been a destination for the sick and infirm seeking respite or a cure. It doesn’t hurt that it is placed in a magnificently beautiful setting.

2. The City of Lyon – The Capital of Gastronomy
Now we head back northeast, towards the center of the central eastern portion of the country. You may think that Paris would have the reputation for the best French cuisine; however Lyon is actually the chief place for training and practicing haute cuisine. There is no doubt that the very best in French cuisine originates from Lyon – do not stay too long if you want to maintain your figure!

1. Besancon, Franche-Comte
We continue northeast to the ancient city of Besancon in the Franche-Comte. Besancon is probably the best city to visit if you wish to get a taste of France throughout all of its history, from pre-Roman times, through the Roman occupation to the Dark Ages and eventually the Renaissance and the Modern Age. If you get bored with culture, the Alps and skiing are a short journey away, but Besancon is so laid back it is unlikely you will want to leave.

10 Top Tourist Attractions in France

Famous for its wines and cheeses, France is the world’s most popular tourist destination receiving 82 million foreign tourists annual. Visitors are attracted by historic cities, a beautiful countryside, the castles of the Loire Valley, and Brittany and Normandy. In addition, France offers an agreeable climate, some excellent beaches on the French Riviera, the Atlantic coast and the island of Corsica, wide possibilities for winter sports , most notably in the Alps and the Pyrenees , and a rich culture with food and wines that are among the most celebrated in the world.

The top tourist attractions in France:

10. Chartres Cathedral
The almost perfectly preserved Chartres Cathedral is one of the finest examples of the French High Gothic style. The majority of the original stained glass windows survive intact, while the architecture has seen only minor changes since the early 13th century.

9. Dune of Pyla
Located in the in the Arcachon Bay area, the Dune of Pyla is the tallest sand dune in Europe. At the summit of the dune the view is spectacular with the Atlantic coast and the inlet of the bay on one side and a large pine forest on another.

8. Palais des Papes
One of the largest and most important Gothic buildings in the world, the Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace) was built when Pope Clement V abandoned Rome in 1309 and settled in Avignon. The 3 meter (10 feet) thick walls, portcullises and watchtowers emphasize the castle-like look of the palace.

7. Chateau de Chambord
This second most visited château in France (after Versailles), is a masterpiece of the French Renaissance. Construction of the Chateau de Chambord started in 1519 by King François I so he could hunt in the nearby forests. The cold and massive 440 rooms of the Château made it unpopular as an actual residence and François I himself stayed here for less than 40 days in total.

6. Gorge du Verdon
The Gorge du Verdon is a 25 kilometer (15 miles) long canyon and rises a spectacular 700 meters (2,300 feet) from the Verdon river below. The river, which is named after its startling green emerald color, is one of the Gorge du Verdon’s most beautiful features. Water sport opportunities here include rafting, kayaking, sailing and water skiing.

5. Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michael

Mont Saint Michel is a small tidal island located just off the coast of Normandy. A spectacular and well-preserved Norman Benedictine Abbey of St Michel stands at the peak of the rocky island, surrounded by the winding streets and convoluted architecture of the medieval town.

4. Palace of Versaille
Built in 1624 by Louis XIII, the Palace of Versailles remained the official residence of the Kings of France until October 1789 when the royal family was forced to return to Paris during the French Revolution.

3. Chamonix
Chamonix is a famous ski resort in the French Alps at the foot of Mont Blanc. It was the site of the first Winter Olympic games in 1924. In winter world-class skiers and boarders push themselves to extremes on Europe’s most challenging slopes while in the summer months Chamonix is a mecca for alpine mountaineers and mountain bikers.

2. St Tropez
Located on the French Riviera, St Tropez is known for its famous and extremely wealthy summer guests. It has been dubbed the playground of the jetset, fashion models, and millionaires. Outside peak summer there are less celebrities to spot but you’ll also instantly appreciate what lured artists, writers and film makers to this picturesque village.

1. Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of Paris and one of the top tourist attractions in France. The tower was built by Gustave Eiffel as the entrance arch for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889. Since its construction more than 200,000,000 people have visited the Eiffel Tower making it the most visited paid tourist attraction in the world.

Top 10 Paris Sights and Attractions

First visits to Paris can be daunting: nearly every square inch of the city seems to be seeping with history and beauty. All of it is worth seeing and exploring, but there are some Paris tourist attractions that simply shouldn't be missed. Here are ten of the best Paris sights and attractions, chosen for their mass popularity, historical importance, or sheer aesthetic appeal. If you want to experience Paris' most essential attractions, this guide will help you pinpoint what to see and do first.

1. The Louvre

The Louvre

To learn the Louvre in and out, you might need a lifetime. Still, one has to start somewhere. The site of the world's largest and most diverse collection of pre-20th century painting, sculpture, and decorative objects, The Louvre is definitely one of Paris' best attractions. Not forgetting the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, bask in the works of Vermeer, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and countless others. The palace itself is testament to a rich history spanning from the medieval period to the present. The adjacent Tuileries gardens are perfect for a stroll pre-or post-visit.

2. Notre Dame Cathedral
No first trip to Paris is complete without a visit to this marvel of gothic architecture. One of the most singular and beautiful cathedrals of Europe, Notre Dame Cathedral's dramatic towers, spire, stained glass and statuary are guaranteed to take your breath away. Witness firsthand the spot that was once the heartbeat of medieval Paris, and that took over 100 years of hard labor to complete. Climbing the North tower to see Paris from the hunchback Quasimodo's vantage is essential, too. You'll soon understand why Notre Dame is one of Paris' top attractions.

3. Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower

More than any other landmark, the Eiffel Tower has come to represent an elegant and contemporary Paris. The iron tower, which was built for the 1889 World Exposition by Gustave Eiffel, was wildly unpopular with Parisians when it was unveiled, and was nearly torn down. It has since attracted over 220 million visitors, and it would be hard to imagine Paris now without it. The tower crowns the Paris night sky with its festive light, and glitters up a storm every hour. Cliché? Maybe. But essential.

4. Musée d'Orsay
Walk over the bridge from the Louvre to the Musée d'Orsay-- and see the bridge between classical and modern art. Housing the world's most important collection of impressionist and post-impressionist painting, the Musée d'Orsay's light, airy rooms whir you through three floors of modern wonders, from Degas' ethereal dancers to Monet's water lilies, all the way to Gaugin's leafy jungles. Major works by Van Gogh, Delacroix, Manet, and others await you, too.

5. The Sorbonne and the Latin Quarter
The Sorbonne University is the historic soul of the Latin Quarter, where higher learning has flourished for centuries. Founded in 1257 for a small group of theology students, the Sorbonne is one of Europe's oldest universities. It has hosted countless great thinkers, including philosophers René Descartes, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir. Enjoy a drink on the café terrace in front of the college before exploring the winding little streets of the Latin Quarter behind it.

6. Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées
The 164-foot Arc de Triomphe commissioned by Emperor Napoléon I does exactly what it was made to do: evoke sheer military power and triumph. It was built in an age when leaders erected monuments in their own honor, and scaled to their egos. The arch's beautiful sculptures and reliefs commemorate Napoléon's generals and soldiers. Visit the Arc de Triomphe to begin or culminate a walk down the equally grandiose Avenue des Champs-Elysées. You can't help but feel grand yourself.


7. Centre Georges Pompidou and the "Beaubourg" Neighborhood
Parisians consider the Centre Georges Pompidou to be the cultural pulse of the city. This modern art museum and cultural center, located in the neighborhood affectionately dubbed Beaubourg by locals, opened in 1977 to honor president Georges Pompidou. The Center's signature skeletal design, which evokes bones and blood vessels, is either loved or reviled-- no in-betweens. If wacky design isn't your cup of tea, the permanent collection at the National Museum of Modern Art is a must and features works by Modigliani and Matisse. Rooftop views of the city are also in order.

8. Sacre Coeur and Montmartre
With its unmistakeable white dome, the Sacre Coeur sits at the highest point of Paris on the Montmartre knoll, or butte. This basilica, which was consecrated in 1909, is best-known for its garish gold mosaic interiors and for its dramatic terrace, from which you can expect sweeping views of Paris on a clear day. Take the funicular up with a metro ticket and stop off at Sacre Coeur before exploring the winding, village-like streets of Montmartre. And after expending all your energy climbing Montmartre's formidable hills and stairs, consider a traditional Parisian cabaret at the legendary Moulin Rouge.

9. Père Lachaise Cemetery
Paris counts within its walls many of the world's most poetic cemeteries-- but Père Lachaise outdoes them all. Countless famous figures are buried here: the most popular being The Doors lead singer Jim Morrison, whose tomb is kept constant vigil by fans. The French playwright Molière, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, and Richard Wright are a few others. On a sunny day, climbing to the cemetery's summit and looking down on the lavishly designed crypts can be surprisingly joyful.

10. Boat Tour of the Seine River

Seine River

Seeing some of Paris' most beautiful sites glide past as you drift down the Seine river is an unforgettable and essential experience. Companies such as Bateaux Parisiens offer 1-hour tours of the Seine year-round for about 10 Euros. You can hop on near Notre Dame or the Eiffel Tower. Go at night to enjoy the shimmering play of light on the water, and dress warmly-- the wind from off the Seine can be chilly. You can also take tours of some of Paris' canals and waterways, which will allow you to see a semi-hidden side of the city of light.