France

Famed artists, writers, gourmands, and bon vivants have all been put under France’s intoxicating spell. And travelers can still relish the same enchanting attractions, from Matisse’s coastal villages to Hemingway’s Parisian cafés to Marie-Antoinette’s pastoral escape inside Versailles. France is a gastronomic wonderland, an artistic mecca, and a historical pop-up book. Vineyards blanket the wine regions, cathedrals crown the cities, and sandy beaches drape the coastline. With all these riches, you may start plotting your return visit before you even return home.

Highlights

Paris

Paris

Lingering over pain au chocolat in a sidewalk café, relaxing after a day of strolling along the Seine and marveling at icons like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe… the perfect Paris experience combines leisure and liveliness with enough time to savor both an exquisite meal and exhibits at the Louvre.

Main Attractions:

  • ~The Eiffel Tower
  • ~The Arc de Triomphe
  • ~The Louvre
  • ~The Palace of Versailles
  • ~Siene River Cruise
  • ~Notre Dame de Paris
  • ~Sacre Cour
Lyon

Lyon

Lyon France is a historic metropolis with enough food and modern culture to satisfy every member of the family. Within striking distance of Switzerland, Italy, and the Alps, Lyon France is a cultural fest of restaurants, Renaissance buildings, and museums.

Check out this video from the Lyon Tourism Office: 2 Days in Lyon and read this CNN article: 8 Reasons Lyon is Better Than Paris

Main Attractions

  • ~Parc de la Tete d'Or
  • ~Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere
  • ~Nuits de Fourviere Festival
  • ~Institut Lumiere
  • ~Gallo Roman Museum
Nice

Nice, France

(Pronounced Niece) The deep blue waters of the Cote d’Azur are the dramatic backdrop for elegant Nice. Breathe in the fresh Mediterranean air as you stroll the waterfront promenade, or get an eagle eye of the whole city from atop Castle Hill. The pedestrians-only Place Rossetti is the heart of the city, with a grand fountain, vibrant buildings, and the beautiful Sainte-Réparate cathedral giving it a provincial French feel.

Main Attractions

  • ~Vieille Ville (Old Town)
  • ~Promenade des Anglais
  • ~Colline du Château (Castle Hill)
  • ~Musée Matisse
  • ~ Monastère Notre-Dame-de-Cimiez
  • ~Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe Saint-Nicolas
Marseille

Marseille

Marseille is a rich, pulsing port city bubbling over with history, cutting-edge creative spaces and hip multicultural urbanites.

Main Attractions

  • ~Viex Port
  • ~Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée
  • ~Le Panier
  • ~Cours Julien
  • ~Château d'If
loire-valley

The Loire Valley

The Loire Valley offers something for everyone. The Loire Valley chateaux are magnificent; there are gardens to wander through full of orchards of fruit trees and sweet smelling flowers, plus great accommodation, festivals to enjoy, vineyards to sample and now the Loire Valley cycle route.

Learn more here:
~Castles of Loire Valley ~The Best Chateaux of the Loire Valley

Other Main Attractions

  • ~Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire Chateau
  • ~Bourges Cathedral
Provence

Provence & Cote d'Azure

Whether it's cruising the cliff-top roads, sunbathing on the beaches or browsing for goodies at the weekly market, Provence and the Côte d'Azur sum up the essence of France – sexy, sun-drenched and irresistibly seductive.

Main Attractions:

  • ~St-Saturnin-Lès-Apt
  • ~Pont du Gard
  • ~Vieux Nice
  • ~Provence Lavender Fields Tour
  • ~Les Baux de Provence
  • ~ Le Bistrot d’Antoine