- Take a walking tour in Paris.
- In Paris, walk up to Basilique du Sacré-Coeur.
- Visit Étretat in Upper Normandy.
- Clermont-Ferrand offers hiking opportunities. And a creepy granite church.
- Sète is the place to try oysters. Or see a junk museum.
- Ushant/Ouessant is an island , way off the beaten path.
- Aigues-Mortes is a fortified town.
- Conques is the place with no cars allowed on the streets.
- Drink wine in Châlons-en-Champagne.
Why you should add France to your RTW travel list
Of course visiting France wouldn’t be complete without seeing some of the sights the country is famous for. Here are some ideas on what to do if you’ve never been there or plan on staying for a while.- See Paris’ famous sights: Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Louvre.
- Take interesting photos of Eiffel Tower.
- Fall in love in Paris. Or plan a romantic getaway with your loved one. Better yet, spend Valentine’s Day in Paris.
- Ski . Chamonix and Les Arcs are just two options for your winter vacation.
- Visit the Castles on the Loire Valley.
- Drink wine in Bordeaux.
- Celebrate carnival in Nice.
- Food, oh the French food. Not the French fries, but everything else. Crepes anyone?
- Plan to spend your honeymoon in Saint-Tropez.
- Shop. Better yet show up for the sales in June or July.
- Take a road trip in Provence.
- See Vieux Port in Marseille.
- Visit a Christmas Market.
Why you should not add France to your RTW travel list
- Generally, France is an expensive country to visit. But there are always tips and tricks to lower that budget: from cheap eats, to staying in hostels and walking as much as possible.
- Avoid traveling in August, especially to Paris. Many shops, restaurants and museums are closed because this is the month for vacation.
- At least try to speak some French. You can get away with English but it’s always nice to be able to use the basic phrases, including “parlez-vous anglais?” (do you speak English?)
Overview
France is the most visited country in the world for good reason. Between the beautiful art and architecture, quaint villages, bustling streets of Paris and the food (how could you ever forget the food), it is no wonder in 2003 75 million people flocked to Paris as tourists. But with as many sites as types of cheeses (and potential wine pairings) the only hard part about visiting France is deciding where to go.
What to do
When people think of France that almost always immediately jump to images of the Eiffel Tower and the country's capital and largest city, Paris. And for good reason. As one of the most beautiful, diverse and culturally rich cities in the world, the City of Lights is certainly not a place to be missed on any trip to France. Paris is detailed almost daily on our Paris Logue , where you can get insider tips on where to stay, what to do and what areas you should avoid. Consider it a nice supplement to the travel guides that you (and everyone else) already own.
Whether you are looking to ski the alps, visit Mont Saint Michel, float down the Dordogne or spend some time near the glamour of the French Riviera, there are plenty of ways to get off the beaten path even in this heavily tourist trafficked country. The France Travel Guide has an insiders tips on where to go, where to stay and how to properly enjoy this beautiful country.
Once you've decided where you'd like t visit in France, you may need help learning how to conquer the menu and fully appreciate French food, or you may want to know just a little bit more about the Carla Bruni, the supermodel First Lady of France. Wondering what the weather is supposed to be like during your visit? From learning how to save money and stay in quaint bed and breakfasts to learning the latest news out of France, the France Travel Guide is a one-stop resource in helping you know how to travel to and better understand France.
Getting there
If you are looking for cheap flights to France you are in luck. The prices vary from season to season but there are usually deals to be found on our international airfare finder. You may also want to consider looking into flights to neighboring countries where you might get a better deal. Since France is so close to just about everywhere in Europe sometimes it pays to fly in elsewhere and then hop on a train to the country. Our Eurail passes can help you save serious money on train travel in France and the rest of Europe.
Where to stay
Since the country is so bloody popular, you are best served booking your hotels and hostels reservations well in advance. Don't get shut out by waiting until the last minute. Rooms fill up quickly, especially during the summer months.
For more tips from insiders, check out our France travel stories and our community message boards.
Vive la France!
