France Travel Guide
France Travel Guide
Enter the romantic country of France and explore historic Paris, beautiful coastal cities, fairytale towns, and the rolling French countryside. No matter what you are looking to do, a relaxing tour through Paris, a road-trip along the countryside, or an exploration of the country’s history, France has countless things to offer. Get ready to fall in love with this enchanting country!
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Top Experiences in France
Paris. Fall in love with Paris, one of Europe’s loveliest cities. Famed by poets and enchanted by artists, this city has become a hub for culture, art, and fashion. Stroll from Parisian cafes to historic streets to colorful gardens. Climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower for a view over the city, tour the world’s most famous art museum, and lookout over Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Versailles. Versailles is a royal chateau located on the outskirts of Paris. For a little more than 100 years, this was the seat of government for France. That ended in 1789 with the French Revolution.
The French Riviera and Provence. Explore the beautiful coastal cities, glitzy beaches and vineyards and indulge on one of the world’s best cuisines.
Explore fairytale towns along the Alsace Wine Route. Located in eastern France, the Alsace Wine Route
spans 170 km, starting near Strasbourg in the north and ending just south of Colmar. This area is a wonderful blend of French and German culture.
Colmar. Colmar is the heart of the Alsace wine route. And the heart of Colmar is “la Petite Venise,” also called Little Venice. Half-timbered buildings line the canals in central Colmar, creating a city center that feels similar to Venice, in more ways than one.
Normandy. If you are eager to visit a place rich in European history, Normandy is a must-visit for you. From Viking invasions to the Hundreds Year War to D-Day, Normandy has seen its share of war and conflict. And you won’t want to miss Normandy’s beautiful chalk-white cliffs and blue seas at the Alabaster Coast.
Mont St. Michel. Travel to the fairytale town of Mont St. Michel. This town is set on a small island in a shallow bay just off the coast of Normandy and Brittany. Fortified ramparts surround the town, and at the heart of the island lies an impressive Gothic abbey. Mont St. Michel makes a perfect day trip for those looking to explore a quaint medieval town and to learn some of France’s ancient history.
Bordeaux. World famous wineries, medieval architecture, cathedrals, delicious food, and beautiful beaches… Bordeaux is wonderful place to visit with much to do. Explore the old town, learn the city’s history, tour art museums, and visit the picturesque reflecting pool in front of Place de la Bourse.
The Loire Valley. As the home to the French royalty, the Loire Valley is filled with beautiful châteaus and lush vineyards. Touring these ancient castles and going wine tasting in this region makes for a great day trip from Paris.
Chamonix. The mountain town of Chamonix is a perfect base for venturing into the Alps. From the town you get a great view of Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in the Alps. Cable cars will take you up into the mountains, there are many beautiful hikes to do, and the town is teeming with delicious food and adventure seekers.
Lake Annecy. Fall in love with the beauty of Annecy, a medieval town set amongst the Alps and a glittering blue lake. Rivers run through the town which make Annecy appear like a little French Venice. And towering over the old town is the Château d’Annecy, a glorious castle to explore.
Corsica. Explore France’s Mediterranean island, Corsica. This island is a land of beautiful beaches, coastal cities, and inland mountains. Come and see the colorful town of Bonifacio perched on top of rocky cliffs, learn the ancient history of Ajaccio, and explore the beautiful area of la Balagne.
How Many Days Do You Need in France?
On the shortest of visits, you could spend just a few days in France, either visiting Paris or another French city.
With more time, you can go on a road trip through the French Riviera, link Paris and the Alsace together for a lovely 7 days in France, make Paris a home base and day trip to nearby sights, or spend weeks in France, road tripping to the long list of towns, historical sights, castles, vineyards and beaches.
Best Time to Visit France
France can be visited year-round and there will be different experiences offered depending on when you visit. The best weather is between April and October. Yet, some places such as Paris and the French Riviera get insanely crowded in July and August so it is better to avoid traveling here during these months.
If you are visiting the Alsace Wine Region, you can visit during one of its many festive seasons. From late March through early April, Colmar is decorated for Easter and you can go shopping at the Easter markets. In early July, classical musical artists perform at the Colmar International Festival. At the end of July into early August, Colmar hosts the Alsace Wine Fair. And finally, the streets in Colmar fill with smalls shops and decorations during the Christmas market season.
The busiest times to visit the Alsace are during the summer months and from late November through December, when it is the Christmas market season. If you want to avoid the crowds, visit the Alsace Wine Route in late winter and early spring, in between New Year’s and Easter.
Late spring and early fall are also nice times to visit France. This is the shoulder season so crowds and hotel prices are lower.