No French holiday can be complete without checking out the country’s incredibly charming tourist attractions. These beautiful places to visit in France have been the muse of many poets and artists. Furthermore, it has awe-inspiring cities and hubs for tourists from all over the world.
France is a beautiful country that boasts spectacular cities with picturesque topography, colourful culture, free-spirited people and delectable cuisine. Tick off some of the most popular European attractions first and then stay to explore the true vibe of the local towns and villages.
27 Places To Visit In France
To experience gorgeous places to visit in France in its most authentic essence, it’s important to visit these places and spend some time there. Scroll down to know what awaits you in this scenic land that has it all!
1. Paris
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The Eiffel Tower in Paris stands as one of the most famous places to visit in France. Paris serves as a significant hub of art, culture, architecture, food, and fashion. It also holds the title of the capital city and ranks as one of the most charming tourist places in France. Boasting one of the most beautiful cityscapes in European cities, Paris exudes a splendid old-world charm. Expansive boulevards intersect this city, with the River Seine flowing by its side. The city’s amazing historic monuments, museums, bustling river bank, and vibrant people attract tourists from all over the world, making Paris an immensely famous place in France.
Key attractions: Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Notre Dam Cathedral, Palace of Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, and Montmartre
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2. Bordeaux
A 5-and-a-half-hour drive from Paris takes you to the picturesque city of Bordeaux, perfect for unwinding and rejuvenating. Famous as a wine-growing region, Bordeaux stands out as one of the lively cities and an important place to visit in France. UNESCO has declared half of this port city as one of the largest World Heritage Sites. With its amazing museums, churches, cathedrals, and vintage mansions, Bordeaux ranks as one of the best places to visit in the South of France. Bordeaux’s amazing dining scene, spectacular coffee shops, enthralling food trucks, and incredibly good wine position it as one of the top tourist attractions in France. It ranks among the must-visit places in the south of France.
Key attractions: Cathédrale Saint-André, Le Grand Théâtre, Place de la Bourse, Basilique Saint-Michel, and Basilique Saint-Seurin.
3. Mont Saint-Michel
The beautiful island commune of Mont Saint-Michel is one of the famous places to visit in France. Located in Normandy France, Mont Saint-Michel is a beautiful island commune and one of the most popular tourist places in France. Snuggled at the mouth of Couesnon River, it offers breathtaking scenic views to tourists and travellers. Enclosed by natural fortification, this island houses an age-old monastery, from where its name has been derived.
Key attractions: The Abbey, Tidal Island, Eglise Saint Pierre, The Parish Church and Museums of History, and Maritime .
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4. French Riviera
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Situated on the Mediterranean Coast of France, French Riviera is one of the most famous tourist places to visit in France. It is known for its charming scenic beauty, mesmerising shoreline, vacation retreats and health resorts. This glamorous French destination is a popular name on the world tourism map . French Riviera is renowned for the Cannes Film Festival, quaint perched villages, amazing perfumeries, glass blowers, and potters.
Key attractions: Eze, Grasse, Monaco, Menton, and La Colline du Chateau.
5. Arles
One of the must-see places in France, Arles is now counted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a vintage city perched on a hillock where River Rhône bifurcates to meet the sea. This ancient city has an awesome cityscape that comprises vibrant sun-baked houses, lanes, and roads. Dotted with shops and restaurants, the city reflects old-world charm in every sense. Also, the ancient city of Arles had been an inspiration for eminent painter Vincent van Gogh and many of his famous works are about the town.
Key attractions: Arles Amphitheatre, Alyscamps, Montmajour Abbey, Church of St. Trophime, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Fondation Vincent van Gogh.
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6. Biarritz
If you are looking for a perfect seaside city and an idyllic summer resort on the Basque coast of France, Biarritz is the place. This is a popular destination and one of the top tourist attractions in France. Key attractions here are surfing activities and sizzling nightlife with happening pubs, clubs and Barrière – the marvellous beachfront Casino. The city also houses many surfing training schools and is the venue for the annual surfing competition.
Key attractions: Musee Bonnat, Herri Urrats, Uhabia, Grande Plage, Musée de la Mer, Phare de Biarritz, and Rocher de la Vierge.
7. Strasbourg
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A beautiful city nestled near the border of Germany is Strasbourg. The capital city of the Alsace region is renowned for being the official seat of the European Parliament. The cityscape reflects both French and German styles in architecture and structures. The famous and century-old Gothic cathedral has made it one of the not-to-miss places to visit in France. Strasbourg offers beautiful places to visit in northern France, from stunning Rhine River vistas and cruises to daily shows at Notre Dame.
Key attractions: Strasbourg Cathedral, Strasbourg Museum, Palais Rohan Strasbourg, Quartier des Tanneurs, Maison Kammerzell.
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8. Fontainebleau
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A town on the very threshold of Paris whose royal history shines undiminished is Fontainebleau. Perched 55.5 km from Paris, this marvellous town is a popular holiday retreat and one of the most famous places to visit in France. The city is surrounded by plush green forests and offers ample opportunities for trekking and rock climbing. The world-famous Chateau is the most fascinating attraction of this place. Fontainebleau is enclosed by a protective forest. Moreover, it has offered a multitude of recreational activities both sporting and cultural for centuries.
Key attractions: Chateau de Fontainebleau, Foret de Fontainebleau and Entrance to Chateau de Fontainebleau Grounds
9. Lourdes
Lourdes is a very significant and awe-inspiring pilgrimage site, known for Our Lady shrine. Located at the foothills of the Pyrenees, offers a unique experience to the visitors. This market town is a must-see among all the places to visit in France. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is open all year and various celebrations are held here. The pilgrimage season covers the period from Easter to the end of October
Key attractions: Rosary Basilica, Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Ossau Valley, Jardin Massey, and Chateau Fort de Lourdes
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10. Lyon
Want to witness the beauty of France? Lyon is the paradise for you. It is the third largest city and one of the most popular tourist places in France. Nestled at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone Rivers, the city offers astonishing museums and palaces and has some pubs and clubs too. Fantastic shopping experiences and delectable cuisine are a delight for travellers.
Key attractions: Museum of Fine Arts, Vieux, Lyon Cathedral, Parc de la Tete d’Or, Palace Bellecour, Fourviere, and Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourviere
11. Chambord
The city of Chambord has grown around the world-famous Chateau, a spectacular construction of the Renaissance era. As one of the most famous places in France, Chambord is reputed for its marvellous architecture, vintage structural design, artwork, and vibrant style. The first floor has the main chambers of the King and his Queen. The double-helix staircase in the centre takes you to the rooftop, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the surroundings.
Key attractions: Château de Chambord, Eglise Saint Louis de Chambord, Domaine national de Chambord, and Maison des Vinas a Chambord
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12. Burgundy
The erstwhile territory of east-central France, Burgundy is one of the most picturesque and famous tourist places in France. Burgundy is characterised by plenty of crisscrossing winding canals, wine, palaces, museums, and rolling green hill slopes. This stunning French countryside offering amazing and mesmerising views is one of the popular choices for complete serenity and relaxation.
Key attractions: Dijon, Nevers, Beaune, Macon, Autun, Auxerre, Vezelay, Avallon and Cluny
13. Nice
Nice is a famous mesmerising city that is on the list of top places to visit in France. This awesome seaside retreat is popular for its superb sunny climate, breathtaking scenery, and the perfect blend of contemporary and medieval styling in the city’s profile. The beach dotted with eating joints, a bustling market, and marvellous architecture have made it one of the most famous tourist places in France. It is the reason people flock here in large numbers, all round year.
Key attractions: Promenade des Anglais, Vieille Ville, Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Opera de Nice, Colline du Château, Musée Matisse, Monastère Notre-Dame-de-Cimiez, Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain, and Jardin Albert I
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14. Annecy
Annecy is a river town snuggled at the confluence of River Thiou and Lac d’Annecy. As one of the most famous places in France, this alpine city reflects the heritage and glories of ancient days, especially in its buildings, streets, meandering canals, and vibrant houses of the old town. The city museum displays alpine furniture, various art, and sculptures of the medieval period.
Key attractions: Palais de L’isle, Chateau d’Annecy, Semnoz, Basilique de la Visitation, Thiou, La Tournette and Pont des Amours
15. Noumea
Noumea is the capital of the French territory of New Caledonia, located on the mainland of Grande Terre. This is a sunny and stunning beach destination that showcases the perfect blend of French and Kanak styles in its architecture. The coastal destination is famous for a bustling square called Place des Cocotiers, landscaped gardens, a vibrant bustling shoreline, and cheerful local people. The stunning coastline makes it one of the best places to visit in France with family.
Key attractions: Noumea Cathedral, Aquarium de Lagons Nouvelle Caledonie, Amedee Lighthouse Island, Tjibaou Cultural Centre and beaches like Anse Vata, and Plage de la Baie des Citrons
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16. Lascaux Cave Paintings
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The Dordogne region of France has incredible prehistoric sites which are just perfect attractions for history buffs and historians to explore the pages of their history textbooks in person. A part of the UNESCO world heritage site, this place contains beautiful prehistoric paintings which are some of the greatest examples of Paleolithic art in the world. Although the cave has been closed to visitors to prevent damage, there is a replica of the cave near the Lascaux II site. Furthermore, you can also visit the Grotte de Rouffignac, situated in the Vézère Valley which is full of paintings of cows, horses, deer, and most noteworthy of all Mammoths. There’s also the Grotte du Mas d’Azil and Grotte De Niaux which have rock paintings that date from 14,000 to 10,000 BC.
Key attractions: Explore the town of Tarascon-sur-Ariège to see more sites, like the Grotte de Lombrives, the Grotte de Bédeilhac, and the Grotte de la Vache.
17. Rocamadour: A Medieval Pilgrimage Destination
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Situated on a sheer cliff in the Dordogne region, Rocamadour is a site which looks like it is trying to ascend to heaven. An important Christian pilgrimage site in the 11th century, only third to Jerusalem and Rome. It was an important stop on the way of the Saint James route to Santiago de la Compostela, Spain. The village has seven sanctuaries which date back to the medieval era. The most famous Chapelle Notre-Dame has the figure of the ‘Black Virgin’, carved out of walnut wood.
Key attractions: Basilique Saint-Sauveur, Ville d’Art et d’Histoire, and Périgueux.
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18. Louvre Museum
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Once a residence of France’s Kings, Lourve currently is a beautiful museum dedicated to the fine arts. You will enter the venue through the courtyard of the former palace. In 1917 the glass pyramid designed by Ieoh Ming Pei. Visitors witness more than 30,000 works of fine art which range from antiquities to medieval ones. It is honestly, impossible to see it all in just one visit. So it is advisable to just focus on one of the galleries like Italian Renaissance, classical sculpture, French paintings of the 17th century and more. Sign up for a three-hour walking tour to skip the lines and gain easy access to the arts.
Key Attractions: Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the Venus de Milo sculpture, the Wedding Feast at Cana painting by Veronese, Botticelli’s frescoes and Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix.
19. Jardin des Tuileries
Located just beside the Louvre, is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Paris. French architect André Le Nôtre designed the park over at Versailles. He constructed the Tuileries Gardens in a very formal and classic French style. There’s also a quaint cafe restaurant there with outdoor seating.
Key attractions: decorative pools, manicured trees, and park benches.
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20. Avenue des Champs-Élysées
What is now a monumental Boulevard was a desolate marshland till the 16th century. The Champs-Élysée is divided into two sections and there is the Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées at its intersection. The lower part of this venue borders the Place du Concorde, Petit Palais Fine Arts Museum and the Jardin des Champs-Élysées. The upper part which extends out to the Arc de Triomphe is filled with restaurants, cafes, hotel shops, theatres, and cinemas. Check out the designer boutiques like Tiffany and Co, Louis-Vuitton and Cartier. There are also top restaurants here like the Brasserie du Luxe restaurant.
Key attractions: Maison Ladurée, and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon.
21. Palais Garnier Opera House
Music breathes in France and the biggest proponent of it is this venue. The Palais Garnier Opera is a notable Neo-Baroque theatre and was constructed by Charles Garnier. The venue features sculptures of the muses- Poetry, Idyll, Music, Song, Recitation, Drama and Dance. The loggia here depicts busts of renowned composers like Meyerbeer, Halévy, Beethoven, Spontini, Mozart and more. The floor plan of Garnier is a whopping 11,000 square meters and the seating holds 2,200 people.
Key attractions: Notice that at the top of the building are four gilded groups which glorify fame and poetry. See the grand foyer, marble staircases, and the lavishly gilded lamps. The opulent gold and red auditorium has a painting on its ceiling by Chagall.
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22. The Bibliotèchque-Musée de l’Opera
No talks about opera can be complete without visiting the Bibliotèchque-Musée de l’Opera, whose name means the Library-Museum of the Opera House. The said library and museum carry three centuries of carefully documented archives which pertain to the art of the opera. The venue hosts thematic exhibits like a presentation of Ballets Suédois which is an avant-garde dance. Thus, it is one of the unique places to visit in France.
Key attractions: costume drawings, paintings of the opera houses, the scale models. ballet or opera performance
23. Place de la Concorde
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Constructed between 1755 and 1775, this octagonal square was once the throbbing heart of Paris in the 18th century. It also witnessed too many key historical moments including the execution of King Louis XVI. From here, visitors can see scenic views of the route going towards the Arc de Triomphe and the Défense. In Place de la Concorde one can also see the sensational path which heads to the Louvre along with the Madeleine and Palais Bourbon. At the very center of it all is a curious Egyptian Obelisk which was a gift from the Viceroy of Egypt to Charles X.
Key attractions: The Egyptian Obelisk, the panoramic 360°visions of the city’s major attractions.
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24. Sacré-Coeur
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Looking like a sensational ornamental decoration and sitting right at the highest mark in Paris. The Basilique Sacré-Coeur has an alabaster facade which is a blend of Byzantine and Romanesque styles. Inside is a mosaic of Christ with a flaming heart which gives this venue its emotional purity. The Place is a vision to behold when it is illuminated with candles as then it acts as a contrast to the sombre and dark ambience. Because of this, it is one of the top places to visit in France. Visitors here can spend their time on the terrace to see some splendid views of Paris. There’s even a tower for getting some higher perspectives.
Key attractions: The architecture, mosaic and panoramic views that this sanctuary offers.
25. Quartier Montmartre
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What was once a quaint medieval village, is now a modern avant-garde venue which retains its old charm. The Bohemian spirit of the Montmartre can still be seen in its cobblestone streets and charming squares. Furthermore, its traces can be found around the Carré Roland Dorgelès and Place du Tertre. Once the home of artists like Edgar Degas and Toulouse Lautrec during the Belle Epoque, it now represents the spirit of a new age in France.
Key attractions: The Espace Dali and the Musée de Montmartre. Stroll around this place to discover many unseen treasures.
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26. Place de Vosges
In the beautiful Marais district lies the Place de Vosges. It is Paris’s oldest public square and is laid out in a very uniform style. This square was the original model for other squares like Place de la Concorde and Place Vendôme. In the days of old, it was the site for weddings, festive occasions and even for duels. Built between 1605 and 1612, the Place des Vosges was called Place Royale because it was filled with aristocratic residences. The square has a harmonical symmetrical form and is lined with red houses full of beautiful stone detailing and pitched slate roofs.
Key attractions: Check out the Picasso Museum, the Mariage Frères (a tea salon) and L’As
27. Place Vendome
Originally called the Place Louis le Grand, the facades of the residences here were built between 1686 and 1701. Its original purpose was to house the Royal academics, the Royal library, the mint as well as a hotel for the foreign envoys. This beautiful mansion was sold to new wealthy owners who rebuilt it, complete with gardens and courtyards. It was in the Ritz Hotel itself where Ernest Hemingway resided once. Moreover, it is on the list of one of the famous places to visit in France.
Key attractions: Check out the jewellery shops here like Chanel, Boucheron, Arpels, Van Cleef, Cartier and more. At the centre is a 44-meter bronze column called Colonne de la Grande.
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France Visa Process
If an individual is planning to visit France, a Visa is required for which you have to fill out an application form. After filling out the form, one has to choose the right agency and compile all the required documents. Thereupon, an interview is scheduled and finally, the fee for the Visa is to be paid. Foreigners, who are travelling for less than 90 days, are issued a France Schengen Visa. If the travel duration is more than 90 days, you can apply for a French Long Stay Visa.
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France is the most visited tourist destination, and the opulence, luxury, and aristocracy of its monuments remind one of the cultures once prevalent. Tourists here will enjoy the sights, smells, and tastes of a world which is in the new 21st century but still retains its old-world charms. The list of beautiful tourist places in France is ready with you. Let us know when you are visiting them. So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip to France with your friends and family for an experience like never before!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In France
Which is the most beautiful city in France?
It is hard to choose one. France is destined to have so many beautiful places in its territory. Paris is famous for the Eiffel Tower. Nice is one of the well-known French coastal towns. Bordeaux is known for its wine villages and Toulouse is known as the Pink City because of its architecture.
Where should I visit in France?
There are so many places to visit in France beside France. You could explore the charming countryside of Provence or relax by the coast in Cote d’Azur. If someone is a lover of history and art, you could visit Reims for its magnificent buildings. Bordeaux is a place for wine lovers and Nice is where you can relax by the beaches.
Which is the most visited place in Paris?
Notre Dame is the most visited place in Paris visited by 13 million every year. It is followed by the Louvre Museums and Eiffel Tower in terms of comparison.
Why is France such a popular destination?
The reason why France is such a popular destination is that it is considered to be one of the most beautiful and romantic places on earth. France is also known as a place of arts, culture, and history. French cuisine is another thing that puts France on the world map.
What is France most known for?
Apart from being the most romantic and passionate, France is known for its delicious cuisine, art, and literature. When someone take a vacation to France, make sure you try quiche, soufflés, mousses, pâté, croissants, crêpes in the French bakeries. Visit the museums in France to enlighten yourself with French art and literature. French people are very passionate about philosophy. So, you will find many people to have a debate with.
How close is Nice to Paris?
The driving distance between Paris and Nice is 986 km. So, it is not too close to Paris.
What is France’s most famous food?
Onion Soup and Souffle are the most famous foods in France. There are so many other things in French cuisine that you should try like crepes, French breads, ratatouille, Nicoise Salad, and more
How many days do one need in Paris?
You need a minimum of three days to explore Paris. It is up to the person how long one wishes to stay once you fall in love with this place.
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A book lover and fun-loving, overtly emotional mom with a wanderlust soul, Sukanya has completed her Master Degree in Geography and currently perusing her passion for writing as a profession. Nothing detoxes her more than trying new recipes and travelling to offbeat places is ultimate Therapy for her.
