France

01The Must-Sees of France

France has 49 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the fourth most of any country in the world. From the arenas of Nîmes to Vauban’s fortifications, from the stained glass of Chartres to the volcanoes of Auvergne, every region holds treasures of extraordinary richness.

Paris, of course, remains a must: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the banks of the Seine. But the true face of France is also revealed in the classified villages — Saint-Cirq-Lapopie clinging to its cliff, Gordes overlooking the lavender fields, Eguisheim nestled among Alsatian vineyards.

02Region by Region: Where to Go?

Provence and the Côte d’Azur

South-eastern France is an explosion of colours and scents. The lavender fields of the Valensole plateau in June–July, the ochres of Roussillon, the calanques of Cassis with their turquoise waters. Nice, Antibes, Saint-Tropez for glamour; the Luberon and Alpilles for authenticity.

Brittany and Normandy

The great west offers wild coastlines of striking beauty. The cliffs of Étretat, the Crozon peninsula, the Pink Granite Coast, the D-Day beaches. Mont-Saint-Michel, between Normandy and Brittany, remains one of Europe’s most majestic sites.

The Loire Valley

Nicknamed the Garden of France, this valley is home to the finest Renaissance châteaux: Chambord with its 440 rooms, Chenonceau spanning the Cher river, Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci lived. An ideal region to explore by bike along the Loire à Vélo cycle path (900 km of marked trails).

The Alps and Mont Blanc

The roof of Western Europe stands at 4,808 metres at Mont Blanc. Chamonix, Annecy with its crystal-clear lake, the resorts of Courchevel and Val d’Isère in winter, the GR5 trail in summer. The French Alps combine mountain sports with Savoyard gastronomy — fondue, raclette, beaufort cheese.

03Gastronomy: The Heart of the Journey

French gastronomy has been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage list since 2010. Every terroir has its specialities: cassoulet in Toulouse, bouillabaisse in Marseille, choucroute in Alsace, crêpes in Brittany, gratin dauphinois in the Alps.

Markets remain the best way to discover authentic France. The Sarlat market in the Dordogne (truffles, foie gras), the Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse (cheeses, charcuterie), the Nice flower market on Cours Saleya.

04Getting Around France

France has an excellent transport network. The TGV connects Paris to Marseille in 3 hours, to Bordeaux in 2 hours, to Lyon in 2 hours. The network is comparable to Italy’s in terms of coverage. For rural areas, a car remains essential — the departmental roads offer the most beautiful routes.

• TGV and regional trains — SNCF network, book on sncf-connect.com
• Car rental — ideal for Provence, Brittany, the Dordogne
• Cycling — Loire à Vélo, ViaRhôna, Vélodyssée along the Atlantic coast
• Domestic flights — useful only for Corsica or long routes (Paris–Nice)

05Budget and Practical Tips

France can be visited on any budget. An average budget of €80 to €150 per day (accommodation + meals + transport) allows you to travel comfortably. Paris is significantly more expensive than the rest of the country.

1. 01Accommodation: from €25 (hostel/camping) to €150+ (boutique hotel). Gîtes and chambres d’hôtes offer the best value for authenticity.
2. 02Meals: a lunch menu at a brasserie costs €14–18, a fine dining restaurant €50 to €200.
3. 03Transport: TGV Max card (€79/month, under 27), Navigo pass in Paris (€86.40/month).
4. 04Museums: free on the first Sunday of each month. The Paris Museum Pass (2/4/6 days) pays for itself after 3 visits.

06When to Visit France?

France can be visited year-round, but the best periods vary by region. The south is best from May to October, Brittany and Normandy are sublime in June–September, the Alps attract skiers from December to March and hikers from June to September.

07France Off the Beaten Path

Beyond the classics, France is brimming with hidden gems. The Jura and its waterfalls, the Basque Country between mountains and ocean, the Gorges du Verdon (Europe’s Grand Canyon), the Aubrac and its lunar landscapes. Want to explore beyond the borders? Discover Greece or browse all our destinations.

For wine lovers, the wine routes of Burgundy (Romanée-Conti, Clos de Vougeot) and Bordeaux (Saint-Émilion, UNESCO-listed) offer unforgettable experiences of tastings and rolling landscapes.

08Formalities and Practical Information

For EU, Swiss and many other nationals, no visa is required for stays of less than 90 days. A valid ID card or passport is sufficient.

• Currency: Euro (€). Bank cards accepted almost everywhere.
• Language: French. English is understood in tourist areas.
• Time zone: UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer).
• Emergencies: 112 (European number), 15 (ambulance), 18 (fire).
• Electricity: 230V, type C and E plugs.