France Tourism, Europe

France is considered a hub of avant-garde fashion and shopping. The Provence region is famous for beautiful countryside and outdoor thrills. The vineyards in Bordeaux produce some of the finest wines in Europe. The region of Burgundy is dotted with picturesque villages, lakes, and medieval monuments. In 2012, the country has recorded 83 million footfalls of tourists, making France the world’s number one tourist destination.

Language in France

French is the official and also the most popular language in the country. Occitan, Breton, Catalan, and Basque are other common dialects spoken in France. English, Spanish, and German are other foreign languages popular in the country.

Main Food in France

Up north, butter is used to cook traditional dishes while olive oil is the main ingredient in food down south. Cassoulet, Choucroute, Quiche, and Tapenade are some of the flavorsome local dishes in France. A meal is mostly served in three courses: starter, main, and dessert. France’s finest products are wines such as Champagne and Bordeaux along with a variety of cheeses like Camembert and Roquefort. Food and wine are the two most important things in French Cuisine. Do try out Soupe à l'oignon, Cassoulet, Chocolate Soufflé, and Ratatouille when you visit France; Ratatouille is the signature dish of peasants of the country. The gourmet food such as Croissants, Jambon, and Brie cheese must be tried as well. But if you are there, do not forget to take a sip of gourmet beverages such as Cognac and Champagne. 

Romantic Places in France

Beaches along the sun-soaked French Riviera and islands such as Corsica are popular places for a perfect honeymoon in France. Paris in France is the City of Lights. It has been given the name of the ‘City of Romance’ too. You don’t need to be in love to visit this beautiful city, but being here will surely make you miss your would-be or better half. So, come to the city with a few days in hand to walk through the cobbled streets, explore the art galleries, attend the fashion shows, and tour around the historical structures. 

Pont des Arts in Paris is that famous spot where couples "lock" their love. You will find innumerable locks on either sides of the bridge. Do not miss out on this during a trip to France with your loved one. 

Little Venice in Colmar, Alsace, is another romantic place so similar to the fairytale architecture and tiny canals. 

Visit Miroir des Quais in Bordeaux, which is the largest water mirror in the world. It is a tradition among couples where they stand at gaze at their reflection. 

Head to Saint-Valentin which is famously known as the "village of love" in the Loire Valley. 

Shopping Tour in France

Boulevard Saint Germain and Rue Du Bac are well-known streets to hunt for clothes and souvenirs in Paris. From luxury brands to street vendors, these boulevards in Paris are known for the ultimate shopping experience. The seafront market in Cannes, Rue Saint Catherine in Bordeaux, and Rue de la République in Lyon are also popular spots for shopping in France. Some of the best places to enjoy shopping in France are - 

Louvre and Tuileries District which is famous for buying Crème de la crème designer fashion outfits and chic home furnishings. Shop for high quality cosmetics here. 

Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards are the two most popular markets in France. If you are looking for high-end fashion collections for everyone, gourmet food hunting, home decor, fashion jewelry, and more. 

The Marais is a boutique shop which is famous for high-end fashion and eclectic wear. You can also stop here if you are looking for premium chains, handcrafted jewelry, fine art galleries, cosmetics and perfumes. 

Historical Places in France

History is definitely a part of tourism in France. Many beautiful ancient buildings that carry a long history brighten this city for all to see. The Notre Dame is one such structure. Towers that represents the 13th-century Cathedral with flying buttresses and gargoyles, make the Hugo novel come alive. If you adore the story of Notre Dame, you must visit this breathtaking venue and bring home wonderful memories of it. The Arc de Triomphe was built to commemorate victories of Napoleon. This Arc comes with an observation deck that you can climb up and get a beautiful view of the city. Located at Charles de Gaulle, you can take pictures of it to bring back home. Some of the other historical places that also deserve all the attention in the world are the Palace of Versailles which used to be the hunting lodge for King Louis XIII of France; Nimes Arena which is now preserved as one of the best Roman amphitheatres in the world;and the Sainte Chapelle which is also known as the “Holy Chapel”, a gothic church which was commanded to be built by St Louis in Ile de la Cité, central Paris. 

Top Museums in France

France has a lot to say about the Louvre Museum too, which is located at Rue de Rivoli. It is a known historical palace in France, which is known for its amazing art collections. It has approximately 38,000 collections, including the exhibits dating to the pre-historic era, the 1st century and the famous painting of Mona Lisa, created by Roman Sculpture Da Vinci. Now a museum, it was a fortress made by Phillip II in the 12th Century.

Musee d’Orsay is another amazing place that makes its way into the must-visit list on your France tour. It is a museum located at Seine’s Left Bank. It has a collection of Arts and Artifacts made between the 19th & 20th centuries. This famous place which is now a museum, was actually a former railway station, housing European art collections. If you are a lover of vintage collections and impressionist images, this is a place for you to be.

Reasons to Visit France

One of the world’s famous architectural buildings is the Eiffel Tower. Located at the Champ de Mars in France, this building was apparently named after the Engineer who built it and named Gustave Eiffel. His company designed and built this amazing one of a kind tower. The Eiffel Tower is the most visited location in Paris both by the locals as well as international tourists coming from all over the world. This building is the second tallest man-made structure in France.

Most of the tourist locations in France are easily reachable whether you choose to walk, take a taxi or even use the local train services. Tourism in France has always been a form of attractions that wants to bring people from every part of the world to land here. Although this is a city of fashion shows, art galleries, and museums. There are many historical places as well like Palaces of Versailles, Palais des Papes, Champs-Elysées, the Tuileries Garden, and Montmartre.

Last year alone, France attracted over 84 million tourists and discover what France has to offer. Lights, sights, and sounds make every visitor come back again and again. Although the weather of France is temperate year-round, the best time to visit France is April through June and September-November. Summer is the perfect time to hit the beaches on a trip to south of France.

Festivals in France

Bastille Day commemorates the National Day of France on July 14 with the oldest military parade in Europe. Cannes Film Festival is a major event during the summer season in France. Tour de France is an iconic cycling competition that goes on for three weeks. Cyclists from all over the world pedal their way through beautiful countryside in Brittany. Mardi Gras is celebrated during the end of the winter season with fireworks displays and colorful parades and music concerts.

All of it makes France one of the most visited countries in the world. However, some of the top attractions that lure people to France are Paris, Versailles, Provence, Côte d'Azur, Mont Saint-Michel, Loire Valley, Reims, Brittany, Biarritz, The Alsace Region, Mont-Blanc, Dordogne, Rocamadour, Bordeaux, Pyrenees,  Lourdes, Lyon, Gascony, Parc Régional de Camargue, Island of Corsica, etc. A trip to France is sure to leave you spellbound. On an exhilarating trip to France, you will go through various tourist attractions, offbeat places, and historical sites. Apart from this, France is also a fashion destination that will make any shopaholic dream come true.