France Travel Guide: Places to See and Things to do while in France.
French culture is a blend of Spanish, German and Italian flavors, resulting in a French attitude that is uniquely their own. Their love of life (joie de vivre) and beauty can be seen in their attention to detail, in the refinement of their art, their appreciation for history, in the delicacy of their food, in the flavors of their wine, in the sophistication of their fashion and in the leisurely pace they enjoy their coffee.
There’s something for everyone here in France. Travelers can appreciate the vast collection of art found at the Louvre in Paris. Those looking to appreciate architecture can take in the wonders of the various cathedrals and chateaus in the Loire Valley or the Eiffel Tower. Historians will bask in the many heritage sites found in the country. Foodies may enjoy the gastronomical delights found in the many cafés, patisseries and find restaurants in the city or enjoy the regional flavors in Provence. Shoppers will delight in the high fashion pieces offered at the Champs-Élysées. Photographers, artists, musicians and writers will find inspiration in the scenic valleys of country and the cosmopolitan lights of the city. Those who have wanderlust will also find that France serves as an excellent base point to journey around Europe, given its central location. No wonder France is the top tourist destination of the world.
Paris
Things to see in Paris
The Louvre, which is located on the right bank of the Seine, is another top tourist drawer of Paris. This is the home of over 35,000 works of art by some of the greatest artists from all over the world. This is where you can find the Mona Lisa, the sculpture of Cupid and Psyche, plus a host of other paintings and artworks by Rembrandt, Monet, Michelangelo and all the masters of the art world.
Those who wish to see more modern art will appreciate the display at the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. Those who wish to see works from specific artists can go to Musée d’Orsay for a vast collection of works by impressionist painters like Renoir, Seurat, Gauguin, Monet, Manet, Degas, Van Gogh, Sisley and Cézanne. Musée Picasso at the Hôtel Salé has more than 3,000 works of art by the famed artist as well as his personal collection of works by fellow artists such as Matisse, Degas and de Chirico or go to the Musée Rodin at the Hôtel Biron where the artist himself, Auguste Rodin donated his entire collection, as well as painting from some of his fellow artists Renoir and Van Gogh. One can see the original of famous works of Rodin, such as The Thinker, The Gates of Hell and The Kiss.
To the north of the Louvre, travelers can find the Opera Garnier. Built during the time of Napoleon III and designed by Charles Garnier, the concert hall is a jewel masterpiece featuring gilded mosaics, a Marc Chagal ceiling and a six-ton chandelier.
The Arc de Triomphe is another Parisian landmark not to be missed and is located at Place Charles de Gaulle. It was constructed in 1806 and completed in 1836 under Napoleon’s rule. The 50-meter monument is a tribute to all the soldiers who fought during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. The tomb of the Unknown Soldier rests here. It holds the distinction of being the largest triumphal arc in the world. The road to the Arc is always heavy with vehicular traffic that it will be next to impossible to cross it, as it is too dangerous. Use the underground passage to reach the Arc. Nine euros will give the traveler an access pass to get in and view an impressive exhibit.
The Notre Dame Cathedral is a 12th century medieval gothic architectural masterpiece. The flying buttresses, the stained glass windows and gargoyles are just some of the notable pieces of architecture to be admired.
The Pantheon is another important site to see in Paris and is located at the highest point of the Seine’s left bank. This religious site is the burial place of Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Rousseau, Pierre and Marie Curie and Louis Braille, to name a few. This is also the location of the famous Foucault’s Pendulum, which is scientifically significant as it proved that the earth rotated. With an admission price of 8 euros, the Pantheon is open to tourists daily from 10:30 am to 6 pm.
The Place de la Concorde is a public square located on the Champs-Élysées, which was completed in 1777 as a tribute to Louis X. There is an obelisk in the front called Obélisque de Luxor, a 75-foot (23 meters) high Egyptian obelisk, which is the oldest monument in Paris. It used to stand in front of the Luxor Temple in Egypt. Its twin remained in their original site. It was presented to King Louie-Philippe of France in 1826 by the Muhammad Ali, the ruler of Sudan and Egypt and erected at its site in 1833.
Things to do in Paris
Travelers can take their pick on what to do in Paris. Art lovers should take advantage and see the many different museums in the city. It’s a good idea to purchase a Carte Musées et Monuments, which is a pass that grants access to the 70 museums in the city. If you plan to see more than three museums, the cost of the pass will be worth the price. If you go to the Louvre, have your picture taken by I.M. Pei’s inverted glass Pyramid, after seeing the different artworks.
Don’t forget to bring your credit cards when you go to Paris. This is home to a number of a number of luxury brands and designer fashion houses. Take a stroll down the Champs-Élysées and take a look at the many boutiques. Here, you’ll find the creative displays of Chanel, Christian Dior, Nina Ricci and Lanvin. You can also shop and eat while at department stores such as Au Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. The oldest department store in Paris is Au Bon Marche, another great place to find designer clothes, home furnishings and accessories.
Travelers looking for some entertainment will do well to get a copy of Pariscope, which provides a list of the week’s entertainment options. There are many free concerts, especially during the summer season. Check out The American Churches in Paris, Église de Saint-Germain-des-Pres and the Église Saint-Merri as venues for some free shows.
For those who want a bit of opera, then the place to be is the L’Opéra Bastille where opera and ballet performances are held regularly. On the other hand, the Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris performances as well as symphonies and chamber music are held at the Opera Garnier. For some French humor, get a seat at the La Comédie Française. Jazz lovers will enjoy the sounds at the Au Duc des Lombards. Those who don’t want to pay a cover charge can go to Aux Trois Mailletz.
If you want to go on a wine tasting tour without leaving the city, try the Ô Château wine tasting bar located near the Louvre. If you want to take a break from all that sight seeing, head down to any of the beautiful parks and gardens in Paris. One not to be missed is the Luxembourg gardens. If you can stay in Paris for a while, sign up for a class at the Le Cordon Bleu Academie d’Art Culinaire. This is a century-old cooking school where Julia Child and many other great chefs have learned to master their culinary skills. Best of all, you get to eat what you make.
When you get hungry in Paris, there are a number of choices available. For quick snacks or to take a break, buy some café au lait from any cafés and enjoy some people watching. Savor the sights and sounds of Paris and you may be inspired to read a book, or perhaps even write one of your own. If you’re looking for some authentic fine dining French cuisine, try Le Relais de l’isle, located at the Marais district. Au Petit Sud Quest is another popular place to have lunch or dinner. For something more casual, the French bistro Les Papilles is a good option. For crêpes or if you’re dining with children, try Little Breizh. Vegetarians will like Le Lotus Blanc. If you don’t want to blow your entire budget on food, try the more affordable dining options found on Rue Didot, Rue de Vaugirard and Rue du Commerce.
To get around Paris, simply take the Métropolitain or the Paris Metro. The trains run starting at 5:30 in the morning all the way to past midnight. Taxis are also widely available. If you prefer, rent a bike and explore Paris while pedaling your way throughout one of the most amazing cities in the world.
Finally, many day trips outside of Paris can be organized to make your trip more enjoyable. A day trip to Versailles is one of the most popular to do. This golden palace built by Louis XIV is only 12 kilometers away from Paris and yet seems to take the traveler back to grander times. Here, you’ll find the Hall of Mirrors and gardens that are exquisitely designed and lawns littered with fountains.
Chartres is a testament to the grandeur and magnificence of medieval architecture. This cathedral is a must see, if only for the stained glass windows, the 13th century sculptures or the crypt.
Art lovers will appreciate a trip to Giverny, where the house of Monet is located. In the spring and summer, the area is filled with blooms, and it’s easy to see how one of the world’s greatest impressionists got inspired to create some of his best works.
If you have children with you, you may want to consider a day trip to Disneyland Paris or Euro Disney. It is located at Marne la Vallée, about 32 kilometers away from Paris. Disneyland Paris and the adjacent park, Walt Disney Studios Park has brought in about 15 million visitors. Although park visitors are still less than what was originally projected, Disneyland Paris remains one of the most visited places in Europe.
Loire Valley
Things to see in Loire Valley
Orléans is known for its connection with Joan of Arc. It is here where in the 15th century, she marched on Rue de Bourgogne. Cathédrale Saint-Croix d’Orléans shows the life story of Joan.
Blois is a historical city in the Loire Valley, as it was once home to Louis XII and Francois I. Visit the Musée de Beaux Arts for some 16th century artwork, or the Musée d’Archéologie for archeological finds. From Blois, you can take a trip to see Chambord, one of the most extravagant chateaus in the region. It has a double helix staircase, 440 rooms and over 300 fireplaces, making it the Versailles of its time. Cheverny is another chateau that can be visited from Blois.
Over at Amboise, the Château d’Amboise boasts of having the remains of Leonardo da Vinci at Chapelle Saint Hubert. At the Clos Lucé Manor, travelers can see Da Vinci’s things, as this is where he spent the last few years of his life.
Things to do in Loire Valley
Take the wine tasting tours offered at the chateaus. If you aren’t into wine, visit the Musée Cointreau at Angers, which gives tours of the factory that makes this world famous liqueur. It is also here where the world’s largest tapestry can be seen.
When visiting the Loire Valley, it’s a must to sample the cheeses. The goat cheese is excellent, as well as the unique pyramid shaped cheeses called Valençay and Pouligny-Saint-Pierre. If you’re looking for presents for loved ones back home, pick up some treats from Hardouin delicatessen in Vouvray or sweets from Cotignac d’Orléans. Gâtinais Saffron is another item to purchase here and comes in delicately packaged bottles. It is considered to the world’s finest saffron.
Before you leave, be sure to take lots of pictures, as the Loire Valley is one of the most picturesque places to visit in France.
The French Riviera
Things to see in the French Riviera
When it’s not the film festival season, the boardwalk of Cannes can be explored at leisure. There are sandy beaches to enjoy and high end boutique shops to buy trinkets. Head down to Rue d’Antibes or Boulevard de la Croisette for some high end window shopping.
Over at Antibes, the beaches are free are more accessible compared to those in Saint-Tropez. Try Plage du Ponteil or Plage de la Salis. If you want some culture, visit the Musee Picasso located at the Chateau Grimaldi.
At Nice, the city’s oldest church, Église Saint-Martin, can be visited. If you want a more medieval feel, walk down to the Vieux Nice. If you want to stay indoors and look at some spectacular works of art, go to the Musée National Message Biblique Marc-Chagall. Musée Matisse is another museum not to be missed while in Nice.
While in Monaco, take the time to visit the Palais Princier, home of Prince Rainier. The Cathédrale de Monaco is another sight to behold. This is where Princess Grace married her Prince Rainier. It is also the final resting place of the Grimaldi family.
Things to do in the French Riviera
Over at Nice, the Carnaval is the festival to be in at the start of the Lenten season in February. The beaches of Nice tend to be covered with pebbles, but it doesn’t stop the tourists from soaking up the sun. Try the Vieux Nice for some open air markets. In the summer, Nice is known to host some pretty fun jazz festivals at the Parc des Arènes de Cimiez.
Gambling is also another popular pastime on the French Riviera. One to try is the Le Casino Croisette. Check out the various bars, clubs and cafes by the waterfront. At night, you can also try the haunts found on rue Dr. G. Monod. Those coming from Nice may want to consider a day trip to Monaco, as this tiny city showcases extravagance and high living at its finest. The world famous casino in Monte Carlo is worth a visit, but you must be dressed appropriately and at least 21 to get in.
Keep in mind that you need to dress appropriately if you want to get into some establishments, especially casinos. No jeans, sneakers and t-shirts are allowed as a rule of thumb.
Normandy
Things to see in Normandy
To visit the D-Day beaches, a good starting point is Bayeux. Some of the D-Day beaches are Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach. Travelers can still see the old bunkers and gravestones from the war. There’s the Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie as well as the British Cemetery. Aside from World War II memorials, travelers can also admire the Tapisserie de Bayeaux. This piece of tapestry is nine centuries old. The Bayeaux Tapestry is a 70-meter long embroidered cloth that chronicles the events the led to the conquest of Britain by Normandy.
Things to do in Normandy
Visit Le Mont Saint-Michel, a spectacular castle complete with spires and labyrinth mazes and is located on an island. Pass by the La Merveille, the abbey located right next to it.
Take a stroll down the coast and see why this is the birthplace of Impressionism art. You may want to set up your own easel or capture the scenic views with your camera.
For those who want to enjoy the outdoors, Normandy is known for its many horses so rent a horse and go horseback riding along the coast. Hiking can also be enjoyed, as well as golf. Since this is a coastal, there are many water sports activities available especially during the summer.
Food lovers will be pleased to know that many French dairy products are sourced from Normandy. Take a tour of the Camembert cheese farm. The area is also known for its delicious apples. Try the local cuisine and bring home some treats from the Normandie Caramels or the Chocolatarium-Cluizel Chocolat Company. Try the La Maison du Biscuit for some freshly baked treats made from almonds and fresh pastry. For some wine tasting, go to the Palais Benedictine and the different Calvados distilleries.
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