Why visit France?

Paris

Whether you're coming here because you love fashion, arts, or you're up for a romantic weekend getaway, the City of Love will welcome you with open arms. Have a glass of wine in one of the small alleys around Montmartre, go window shopping around Champs-Élysées, and enjoy the breathtaking view from the top of the Eiffel tower. Spice it all up with a visit to Moulin Rouge or spend a relaxing afternoon wandering around the corridors of the Louvre if that's your cup of tea. One thing is sure, Paris won't disappoint you, and we're sure you'll come back for more.

Nice

Located on the shores of Baie des Anges, this gem is a must-see for every traveler who wants to explore Cote-d-Azur and its turquoise waters. As one of the most prominent Mediterranean tourist centers, Nice attracts numerous visitors from all over the world who are not hesitating to book a room in some of Nice’s luxury hotels. If you appreciate nice architecture, fine wine, and arts, this is your ideal holiday destination. You can visit museums of renowned artists such as Henri Mattise and Marc Chaggal in your breaks between sunbathing and fine dining. The pleasant Mediterranean climate is another reason why Nice an ideal spot is to visit year-round.

Cannes

If you want to feel a dash of glamour and probably spot a few celebrities, you can visit the city during the famous Cannes Film Festival, but since it can be hard to get a hotel room around that time, you can visit Cannes year-round, since it does have a lot to offer. Private beaches might be pricey, but there are a number of public ones that will allow you to experience Cote-d-Azur at its finest. If you're a seafood lover, you'll feel like you're in heaven because pretty much every restaurant serves everything there is, from shrimps to lobsters, and we recommend you focus on the smaller, family-owned ones.

Lyon

Located at the junction of two rivers lies Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that used to be famous after silk production and is now the culinary capital of the world. If you're a foodie, Lyon should be on your itinerary because it has some of the best food markets in France where you can catch some great delicacies if you're an early bird. If you prefer restaurants, there are plenty of them with Michelin stars that will satisfy the cravings of even the pickiest foodies out there. And if you go for a walk around the city, you can't miss the stunning gothic cathedral - make sure to go inside and admire the original stained-glass windows from the 14th century.

Bordeaux

Located in the southwestern part of France, Bordeaux is known as the place to be for all wine lovers, that is, the place of origin of one of the most famous red wines. Make sure you go on a little tour and explore some local wineries or at least do some wine tasting to get a chance to see what this region is all about. But besides wine, there are some other things that make this city so charming, such as the Garonne River that goes through the city, mystical The Mirror fountain, and beautiful 18th-century architecture buildings in its core.

Porto-Vecchio

This small port town in Corsica is something you can hardly miss if you're coming here by boat, but you shouldn't just drive through it since it has a lot to offer. Find accommodation in the heart of the old town and enjoy exploring numerous small squares, cafes, restaurants, and the labyrinth of narrow streets. Beautiful sandy beaches are an additional reason why Porto-Vecchio is a must-see for everyone who wants to explore the island properly. If you go up to the 16th century Genovese citadel, you can enjoy a mesmerizing view over the town's marina and numerous yachts, so make sure to bring some comfortable walking shoes.

Marseille

Although Marseille is the second-largest city in the country, it is actually the oldest one, founded back in 600 BC, which also makes it one of the oldest cities in entire Europe. Since its early days, this port city has been an important point for trading and immigration, and now it is also one of the most popular tourist hotspots in the country. Besides exploring the part around the old port, basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde and Museum of European and Mediterranean civilizations are a must-see, as well as the city's graffiti street art, which you can even explore on a special street tour.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is one of the most favorite resort areas among skiing aficionados in France and entire Europe. Being the highest mountain in western Europe, Mont Blanc attracts many mountain climbers and winter sports lovers who flock to Chamonix during the winter months. Due to some stunning views over the Chamonix valley, the place earned itself the nickname The Roof of Europe. Here, cable cars operate year-round to take visitors to several breathtaking viewpoints, so although you'll miss the winter wonderland atmosphere, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is also worth visiting during the off-season summer months.

Toulouse

Located in the heart of southwest France, Toulouse is known as The Pink City due to its numerous buildings made of terracotta bricks, which are more red than pink, and it is also the fourth largest city in France. Canal du Midi and Garonne River are only some of the popular landmarks in the city center, where you can also admire the maze of narrow streets and numerous small cafes where you can have a break and just enjoy people watching. The city is also home to many art galleries and museums and to a unique Space City Museum located on the outskirts.

Strasbourg

Get a dash of Germany in France by visiting Strasbourg in the historic region of Alsace. The city became French in the 17th century, then two centuries later it was German again, and in 1918 with the end of World War, it was returned to France. Today, the charming architecture, canals, and bridges of the old town are the reason thousands of tourists come here every year, but also its beautiful Christmas market, one of the oldest ones in Europe. If you're a foodie, you'll appreciate the fact that here you can find the best of French and German cuisine.

Saint Malo

Step back in time by going for a walk around the cobblestone streets of the beautiful old town of Saint Malo, a historic port town located in Brittany, on the coast of the English Channel. Get lost in the streets of the walled city, find an accommodation with a nice view, shop souvenirs at local stores, visit the cathedral, the castle museum, or if you're adventurous, wait for the low tide to get to two tiny uninhabited islands nearby. Just pay attention to the guidelines on when you have to go back, otherwise, you might stay stuck there alone for a night.

Lourdes

Located on the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, Lourdes is a small market town also known as a major pilgrimage site. Every year, millions come here to visit the Grotto of Massabielle and bathe in its spring water, the place where, allegedly, the Virgin Mary showed herself to a local woman in 1858. But besides religious tourism, Lourdes has a few other things to offer. Go around the local market to get some fresh ingredients and delicacies, visit some of the local museums, or go on a hike to Pic du Jer, just make sure you bring a bottle of water and wear something comfortable.

Avignon

Located in southeastern France, Avignon, also known as the Getaway to Provence, is a small-town favorite among tourists. Due to its location, Avignon often serves as a base for exploring the region since there are many day trips you can take from here, but Avignon itself is worth visiting. Once known as the residence of catholic popes, today, Avignon's historic center with the Palais des Papes, cathedral, and Pont d'Avignon, is the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rich history, numerous medieval monuments in the town's core, and the annual festival helped Avignon become a major tourist center in this part of the country.

Lille

This medieval city located in northern France, close to the Belgian border, has always been an important commercial and cultural hub. The historic district of Lille, with its baroque architecture, will leave you speechless, so make sure that after a nice stroll, you find a nice spot in a cafe from where you can admire these facades. If you're an art lover, the fact that the local Palais des Beaux-Arts is France's second-largest museum after the Louvre will certainly force you to change your plans and spend a few hours exploring this collection. Besides that, you can visit the local zoo completely free.

Carcassonne

Located in southern France, Carcassonne is a hilltop town known for its medieval citadel that was restored in the mid-19th century and added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. After exploring the medieval walls that surround the city, you can relax with a glass of fine local wine since this area is also known for winemaking. The museum of masonry and the basilica of Saint-Nazaire with its gothic statues and stained-glass windows are something you shouldn't skip visiting while here, but if it happens, you're here between June and August, you'll get to enjoy the rich program of the Carcassonne Festival.

Morzine

This small market town in southeastern France is a part of the Portes du Soleil ski area, and therefore a favorite destination among winter sports lovers, especially those who are into skiing. Modern ski facilities, gorgeous views, nice hotels, and restaurants made Morzine one of the winter hotspots. However, that's not all. Morzine is lively and worth visiting during the summer months as well, since it offers mountain biking with tracks of different difficulty levels, caving, golfing, hiking, and swimming in an Olympic-sized pool. It is also well-connected to several nearby resorts, so if you come by car, you can explore the surroundings.

Honfleur

Located in the northern region of Normandy, Honfleur is one port town that you won't forget easily. The old scenic port with boats surrounded by colorful and tightly packed houses was an inspiration to artists such as Courbet, Monet, and Boudin, who formed the so-called Honfleur school, and we are sure you won't resist taking a few pics here. Besides admiring Vieux Bassin, which is the heart of the port, you can go on a boat ride to observe the city from a different perspective, admire art in one of many galleries and museums, or just explore the streets of this charming town and wander around.

Aix-en-Provence

Located in southern France, Aix-en-Provence, or just Aix as they call it, is a place where you can feel the authentic Provencal charm and slow-paced lifestyle. It used to be known as the City of Counts, and today several palaces testify about the city's rich history. There are more than a hundred fountains, so it is no wonder that the city's unofficial nickname is The City of Fountains. You can enjoy wandering through the streets of Old Town or having a drink at the Cours Mirabeau, a lively avenue favorite among tourists and locals. While here, don't skip visiting the atelier of Paul Cezanne.

Antibes

Conveniently located on the Cote d'Azur, right between Nice and Cannes, lies Antibes, a popular resort town that is almost as popular as its neighboring cities. This vibrant Mediterranean seaside town has a very active yachting community and is home to numerous festivals happening throughout the year. Picasso also loved Antibes and spent much of his time here, which is why you shouldn't miss visiting his museum, but we also recommend that in the breaks of sunbathing on beautiful beaches of Antibes and clubbing, you take a stroll around Fort Carré, or go on a hiking tour to the Garoupe Lighthouse.

Annecy

This alpine town is located in southeastern France, between the mountains and picturesque Lake Annecy, which earned him the nickname Pearl of the French Alps. Cobblestone streets, canals, and charming pastel-colored houses will make you fall in love with this picture-perfect town. The lake offers numerous options for water activities, from paddleboarding to scuba diving, and, of course, many beaches surround it. If you're up for a picnic, visit the local farmers market early in the morning, get a baguette, some cheese, a bottle of wine, and go across the Lovers Bridge to get to the beautiful Gardens of Europe where you can relax and enjoy being outdoors.

Montpellier

The beautiful city of Montpellier is located in southern France, only 10km away from the Mediterranean Sea, and if you take tram number 3, you can quickly find yourself on a nice beach. Once known after winemaking, today Montpellier is a growing student city since one-third of its population are students. Book a room with a nice view of the picturesque old town whose streets will probably enchant you, but keep in mind there's more to do here than eating macarons, tasting wine, and shopping for souvenirs. We recommend visiting Jardin des Plantes, a botanical garden that has a free entry, Promenade du Peyrou, Cathédrale St Pierre, or Fabre Museum.

La Rochelle

This seaport town in the Bay of Biscay is one of the most important French ports and the only deepwater French port on the Atlantic coast. Since medieval times the city has been an important fishing and trading spot, and the remains of that tradition reflect on the old port. If you want to try some seafood delicacies, go to the local market in the former fisherman's district, and enjoy everything from oysters, cheeses to seasonal fruits. We also recommend taking a boat ride or going to the local aquarium. La Rochelle is home to one of the biggest aquariums in Europe that is home to more than 12,000 animals.

Saint-Tropez

The glitz and glam of a popular party destination are well-known, but Saint Tropez has much more to offer than just open-air parties. This charming coastal town used to be a fishing village, very popular among artists before it became a jet-set destination. If you move further from the yachts, you'll get to explore the narrow streets of Saint Tropez, La Ponche quarter, the fortress dating all the way back to the 17th century, or the museum of butterflies Maison des Papillons. And, of course, you can spend your days sunbathing on one of the numerous sandy beaches of Saint Tropez, enjoying cocktails and clear turquoise water.

Biarritz

This seaside town on the coast of Basque is a popular resort and surfing destination with beautiful sandy beaches and several surf schools. A rock that used to be a whale watching platform is now a popular photo op, connected to the coast with a wooden bridge and known as Rocher de la Vierge. Another popular postcard-like spot is the Biarritz Lighthouse, which is especially beautiful around sunset hours. If you would like to test your luck, visit Casino Municipal, but make sure to follow the dress code. Since the casino is conveniently located across the main public beach, you shouldn't stop by in your beach attire.

Dijon

Since Dijon is the former capital of the Duchy of Burgundy, it only makes sense to start exploring it by visiting the Ducal Palace. You can continue your tour around Rue des Forges, where you can admire beautiful old buildings and do some shopping. At the very center of the old town, you'll find the gothic Church of Notre-Dame, and on the northern side, an owl carved in stone, which you should touch with your left hand and make a wish. The local cuisine is delicious, and you should not skip tasting the onion soup, Coq au Vin, and Dijon mustard (made of snails).