If doesn’t matter whether you’re an armchair-traveller who yearns to explore far-flung vistas, or a seasoned tourist with a deliciously battered passport, France is one of those destinations that is bound to send a little chill of excitement up your wanderlust-ridden spine. Here are a few must-see French highlights to include on your itinerary when you hop across the pond.
Paris
This incredible city is home to some of the world’s most famous landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the palace at Versailles, Disneyland Paris, the Louvre and so much more. Stroll the boulevards, stop for coffee at an iconic French café, take a walk down the Champs-Elysees to do some window-shopping, and taste some of Europe’s best street side cuisine! There’s plenty to see and do in Paris, so make sure to tailor your itinerary according to your personal preferences and leave plenty of time for impromptu excursions.
Burgundy
If France is at the top of your travel destination list due to a fascination with the nation’s winemaking talents, Burgundy definitely deserves a place of honour on your French itinerary. The landscape around Beaune – Burgundy’s capital – is made up of lush vineyards, quaint homesteads and cobblestone walkways that lead to charming eateries where you can enjoy some of France’s top vintages while overlooking the region’s splendid scenery.
Avignon & the Pont du Gard
The ancient town of Avignon is renowned for its well-preserved medieval ramparts and historic city centre. If history is your thing, you’ll adore an outing to this outpost, which is often referred to as ‘the city of popes’ due its role in the Catholic schism in the 1300s. Major attractions include the Palace of the Popes and the Pont du Gard – an an ancient Roman aqueduct that was built in the 1st century.
Arles
A city with an illustrious history that dates back to 800 BC, Arles played a pivotal role in Roman times and is home to important archaeological finds like the Roman watermill complex, Arles Amphitheatre, and public baths that were commissioned by the emperor Constantine I. This is also the city where Vincent Van Gogh produced some of his most famous paintings, including the much-revered ‘Café Terrace by Night’.
The French Riviera
The Côte d’Azur is the Mediterranean coastline that runs along the southeast corner of France, including the state of Monaco. The region has been known as the playground of the wealthy since the coastline became the winter retreat of choice of British aristocracy at the end of the 18th century. These days, the French Riviera hosts up to half of the world’s superyachts each year! With 300+ days of sunshine per year, over 100km of coastline, 18 golf courses, 14 ski resorts and 3000 restaurants, it’s easy to see why this gorgeous destination is so popular with visitors from around the globe.
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If these French hotspots have you raring to live la belle vie, take a look at our tours of Europe that include a foray to la France. Many of our multi-country tours all touch down in the land of the Eiffel Tower and come highly recommended for travellers with a hankering after baguettes and berets. Bon voyage!