Top 10 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in France

The Eiffel Tower is an iconic symbol of Paris, but there are many other amazing sights to discover in this wonderful country. For example, southwestern France’s Camargue region boasts untamed natural beauty including wetlands, reed beds, and free-roaming white horses.

The Alps and Pyrenees offer vertiginous peaks and dramatic valleys. And the Loire Valley’s regal chateaux are a reminder of Renaissance resplendence.

1. The Louvre

The Louvre (French: Musee du Louvre) is the world’s largest art museum and housed in a vast palace that was once a medieval fortress and later a royal residence. Its tens of thousands of pieces range from Mesopotamian and Egyptian antiquities to masterpieces by artists such as da Vinci (the Mona Lisa).

Visiting the museum, where crowds gather around Leonardo's enigmatic masterpiece to snap pictures and take selfies, can feel like standing in front of a circus tent. Luckily, the Louvre offers several tools to help visitors navigate the massive space including an "Art History in 30 Seconds" visitor trail, and maps of the floor plans.

The newest addition to the Louvre is the Pavillon des Sessions, a streamlined exhibition space that showcases non-western art. It was designed by architect I.M. Pei and was originally unpopular, but it has since become a beloved part of Paris's landscape.

2. Strasbourg Cathedral

The Cathedral of Strasbourg is an exquisite work of art with a fascinating history. Its single bell tower surmounted by a spire is one of the best-known symbols of the city.

Thousands of ornate sculptures and figures decorate the west front, which is considered one of the most elaborate examples of medieval decoration in existence. Elaborate portals bordered by statuary catch the eye, but it’s the magnificent rose window that stands out above all else. Designed by Erwin von Steinbach, this unique piece shows ears of wheat instead of saints, which was a symbol of the commercial power of the city in the Middle Ages.

The cathedral is also home to the enormous Astronomical Clock, a Renaissance masterpiece that was built by sculptors, painters, mathematicians and Swiss watchmakers. Visitors flock to see the mechanism that shows the position of the sun, moon and stars at a given time.

3. Saint-Emilion

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saint-Emilion is the living epicenter of one of France’s most famous wine regions. The town’s storied past blends with breathtaking vineyards and iconic wines to create a unique experience for visitors.

Strolling the streets is like walking through an open-air museum. There are several monuments to discover, such as the 12th-century Monolithic Church, whose underground structure includes catacombs and was dug out of the limestone over the course of 13 centuries.

It is also easy to escape the hustle and bustle of the village by taking a hot air balloon flight for a bird’s eye view of the UNESCO vineyards. The landscape is dotted with chateaux, including Clos Saint Julien, Ausone and Grandes Murailles. Take in the scene as you sip a glass of local Bordeaux and contemplate the centuries of history swirling around you.

4. Etretat

One of France’s most beautiful places to visit, Etretat is famous for its dramatic cliffs and rock formations. Erosion has created extraordinary arches and needle-like structures in the white chalk cliffs, including the Porte d’Aval arch and the Aiguille (the Needle).

Visitors can stroll along the little beach at Etretat, which is also protected by the surrounding cliffs, or take the steep stairway up to the Chapelle Notre Dame de la Garde for spectacular views over the town and the cliffs. Other highlights of a visit include the half-timbered houses, an old market hall, and the villa of Madame Thebault, who invited Claude Monet to paint her home.

The gardens at Etretat are a must-visit, as they serve as a bona fide art gallery. Designed by vanguard landscape icon Alexandre Grivko, they offer stunning views of the cliffs and beach.

5. Dijon

Located between Paris and Lyon, Dijon is a bustling centre of commerce and culture. The town's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring a grid pattern of cobbled streets and half-timbered buildings. The city's architecture is also known for the 'toits bourguignons', Burgundian polychrome roof tiles, which are typically terracotta, yellow, green and black.

Highlights include the Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy, built in the 14th and 15th centuries. This central landmark is complemented by the tower of Philip the Good, and houses the Museum of Beaux-Arts, which has an impressive collection of European art. There are many churches and cathedrals dotted around this 'city of a hundred steeples'. Dijon has a great gastronomic reputation, with plenty of restaurants serving up traditional and modern French cuisine. The Kir cocktail is also a local speciality, made with blackcurrant liqueur creme de cassis.

6. Corsica

Located to the west of Italy, southeast of France and north of Sardinia, Corsica is a rugged island where natural attractions & historic sites are abundant. The region is particularly known as one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s final resting places in the city of Ajaccio, whose cathedral houses his remains.

The rest of the island is characterized by a stunning landscape with steep mountain ranges soaring to the sky with 20 peaks rising above 2,000m. Corsicans are incredibly proud of their island home and the unique culture they have built here. They still use a variety of superstitions and religious beliefs like the belief that the first eggs laid on Ascension Day are magic!

Visit the northern capital of Bastia and explore its Terra Vecchia neighborhood above the harbor. Also, make sure to see the terrific Musee de Bastia, tracing the city’s history.

7. The Dordogne

A region bursting with natural wonders and stunning medieval villages, the Dordogne is a popular destination year in and out. From the spectacular limestone cliffs and castles of Beynac and Castelnaud to the world-famous cave drawings of Lascaux, the region’s beauty is unsurpassed.

Lace up your hiking boots and explore the region’s countless trails, which meander through sunflower fields, pastures dotted with grazing cows, and vineyards full of ripening grapes. Or, take to the water and enjoy a leisurely cruise on one of the mighty rivers or reservoirs.

Don’t miss out on a trip to the picturesque medieval village of La Roque-Gageac, which sits atop a magnificent limestone cliff and offers amazing countryside views. The kids will have a blast exploring the seven-tower citadel, and you can join in with activities like battle recreations and armour workshops at the Chateau de Castelnaud.

8. The Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of airy chateaux and magnificent modern gardens that look like something out of a fairytale. It’s a great place to wander around, especially if you’re a wine lover since it produces some of the country’s best grapes.

The region’s many castles are a real highlight. The most famous is Chenonceau, whose arches span the River Cher. Dubbed ‘the ladies’ castle’, its Renaissance architecture mixes Gothic and early Renaissance styles. Other must-sees include Chambord with its ridiculous scale, Azay-le-Rideau seemingly floating on the water and Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci died.

The valley also has some interesting military history and you can still see traces of World War II battles in places like Vouvray. The area’s tuffeau hills make for great vineyards too, with delicious wines to try in cellars throughout the region.

9. The French Riviera

The French Riviera has always been synonymous with luxury and beauty. This stretch of coast is home to glamorous resorts, swanky designer boutiques and stunning beaches. It’s also a playground for the rich and famous, with celebrities like Ringo Starr, Shirley Bassey and Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall owning property here, as well as Formula One drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, tennis players Caroline Wozniacki and Novak Djokovic and U2 frontman Bono.

Explore the Promenade des Anglais, where you can see the famous beachfront villas of the Belle Epoque era. Discover the gorgeous hilltop town of Saint-Paul de Vence, where artists including Picasso, Marc Chagall and Jaume Plensa stayed and painted, and dine at the iconic Colombe d’Or restaurant. The Riviera’s history stretches back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, with evidence of their presence in many ruins and medieval castles.

10. Mont Saint-Michel

Like a fairy tale castle rising from the sea, Mont Saint-Michel has captivated pilgrims and travelers for centuries. This timeless tidal island is a World Heritage Site, famous for its medieval abbey surrounded by a picturesque fortified village. It’s also a source of mystery, with a number of questions still unsolved.

The massive stone ramparts, designed to defend against invaders, surround the island. Vantage points along the ramparts offer sweeping views of the bay and surrounding countryside.

The narrow streets are filled with souvenir shops and restaurants. Be sure to check out the Logis Tiphaine, the 14th-century home of knight Bertrand du Guesclin and his wife, Tiphaine de Raguenel, a prominent astrologer. The well-preserved house is full of fascinating history. You can also stroll through the dungeon, which has been recreated as an interactive museum. This is a great place to see what life was like for the residents of this mysterious island.