France Travel Guide

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Top Things to See

Carcassonne
Almost too picture-perfect to be true, the fortified town of Carcassonne is home to a wealth of monuments from different eras. Rising above the plains of the lower valley, it’s somewhere for history buffs and gastronomes alike.

Disneyland Resort Paris
A must if you’re traveling with kids (or kids at heart), Disneyland Paris (www.disneylandparis.co.uk) is Europe's own Magic Kingdom that comes complete with all the storybook characters and theme park rides that you’d expect. What’s more, it’s just 32km (20 miles) from the center of Paris.

Gorges du Verdon
Considered by many to be the most impressive river gorge in Europe (others have it as France’s answer to the Grand Canyon), the Gorges du Verdon reaches heights of up to 700 meters (2297ft) at its deepest, its steep banks blanketed in greenery.

Lyon
There’s a great deal more to France’s second-largest city than its fabled restaurant scene (although miss that at your peril, foodies) – art museums, a vibrant clubbing scene, riverside walks and a historical old town all add to its considerable appeal.

Millau Viaduct
Designed by British architect Norman Foster, the astonishing Millau Viaduct (www.leviaducdemillau.com) is today the tallest bridge in the world, its modernist structure made all the more impressive by its rural setting. It spans the valley of the River Tarn in the south.

Mont Saint Michel
Normandy’s most iconic sight draws thousands of visitors yearly with its impossibly photogenic setting. The rocky islet is linked to the mainland by a causeway, but it’s the lay-out of the monastic buildings - topped by the ornate spire of the abbey church – that really makes it special.

Paris
Anywhere that boasts the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre-Coeur and Notre Dame Cathedral (and they’re just the hors d’oeuvres) is more than just another city. Equal parts chic, edgy and drop-dead beautiful, Paris is cosmopolitan, ever-changing and unmissable.

Provence
This long-acclaimed region of southeast France is famed both for its countryside and its historical romance, which combine to create one of the most magical corners of the country. From medieval hilltop villages to purpled fields of lavender, Provence is one of the country's most seductive destinations.

St Tropez
Synonymous with glamour, glitz and all the other trappings of the jet-set, St Tropez was ‘discovered’ by Brigitte Bardot and has been a trendy destination ever since. Over the summer months the town's marina, which sits on the gleaming Côte d’Azur, is simply bursting with shiny mega-yachts.

Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is a magnificent royal chateau that acted as the center of political power in pre-revolutionary France. Today, the super-sized but beautiful structure remains delicately preserved, drawing huge crowds with its opulent apartments and landscaped gardens.

Top Things to Do

Absorb some café culture
France still has a proud café culture, and people-watching over a coffee and croissant is a quintessential way to pass the time. If you’re looking to imbibe something with a bit more pep, move on to a pastis.

Cannes Film Festival
The Côte d’Azur resort of Cannes bursts to life each spring when its world-famous Cannes Film Festival comes to town (www.festival-cannes.com), its seafront promenade becoming an A-list parade of directors, producers and Hollywood actors.

Cycle the Loire Valley
What better way to take in the medieval chateaux and sparkling wine caves of the Loire region than on two wheels? The gentle pace of life here has drawn countless artists and writers over the years – and plenty of cyclists too.

Hike in Corsica
The offshore island of Corsica is somewhere once visited, never forgotten. Ruffled with mountain ranges and edged by vertiginous cliffs, it’s a place of rugged beauty and age-old heritage. Its hiking trails are among the most celebrated in Europe.

Ski the Alps
The French Alps play host to some of the most famed ski resorts in Europe, among them Courchevel, Val-d’Isère, Méribel and L’Alpe d’Huez. The region as whole covers a colossal area and offers superb choice for skiers of all levels.

Take in the view from Montmartre
Traditionally one of Paris’ most bohemian quarters, Montmarte is dominated by the shapely white dome of Sacré-Coeur. Just as impressively, however, it gives some of the most panoramic views over the capital from anywhere in the city.

Tour de France
The annual cycling showcase that is the Tour de France tends to travel through some of the most picturesque parts of the country. Being part of the crowds that throng the roadsides makes for a fantastic experience.

Tour the Museums
Paris has 80 museums and 200 art galleries. Visit the Musée d'Orsay (www.musee-orsay.fr), located in a beautifully restored railway station, the phenomenal Palais du Louvre (www.louvre.fr), the Georges Pompidou Center of Modern Art (www.centerpompidou.fr) or the new Quai Branly Museum (www.quaibranly.fr).

Visit a wine region
France and wine make a natural pairing, and any serious oenophiles (or even those who just enjoy a tipple) should take time to visit one of its varied wine regions. Bordeaux, Bourgogne (Burgundy) and the Côtes du Rhône are three of many rewarding options.

Watch a game of boules
Few things are as redolent of the France of tradition as a game of boules (also called pétanque), in which players attempt to throw metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ‘jack’. Expect old men, cloth caps and a respectful hush.