The curious traveler has a wealth of options in France, including window shopping in Paris, wine tasting in Bordeaux, and sunbathing on the Côte d’Azur. And for Britons, traveling there is simple because there are frequent flights, trains, and boats. Consequently, here are some suggestions for where to go and what to do while in France, whether you’re a Francophile looking for inspiration or a first-time tourist.
1. Paris
No matter the time of year, Paris, with its charming street cafes, stylish shops, and famous sites like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, is the ideal location for a city holiday. They call it the City of Light, and you may stroll through La Ville Lumière for free from the glistening galleries of Galeries Lafayette to the Seine River banks that are under Unesco protection. In the meantime, the world-class museums in the French capital provide a who’s who of artistic, cultural, and fashion luminaries. It’s no surprise that Paris is the most visited city in the world when you combine this attraction with the parks, palaces, and top-notch stores there.
Normandy 2.
You can learn more about World War II and pay your condolences to the fallen warriors here. There are museums, memorials, and cemeteries all around the five D-Day beaches — Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword — that commemorate the day in June 1944 when 135,000 Allied soldiers landed in an operation that resulted in the liberation of France. You also must go to Bayeux to see the tapestry there, which depicts the Norman conquest of England in 1066. It is also worthwhile to visit Mont Saint-Michel, a pilgrimage site since the eighth century.
Champagne 3.
Just one hour east of Paris, the most renowned bubbles in the world are created. Near the River Marne, where bikers, kayakers, and drivers can pedal, paddle, and putter, are over 260 champagne houses. Bollinger and Veuve Clicquot’s vineyard terraces are situated close to attractive towns like Épernay and Reims for a reason: at over €1m per hectare, rural land prices are among the highest in the world. Champagne wines are aged in enormous cellars in part because of this. These can be explored with a lamp, and tastings can be done at night.
Burgundy 4.
Driving on open roads is the finest way to fully experience the size and variety of the French countryside, and Burgundy is a popular touring region. Visit some of the best wine producers in the nation while strolling through its quaint Medieval towns. Don’t forget to see the charming mustard center of Dijon and the grand medieval hunting park of Fontainebleau.
Provence, 5.
Few rural areas are as casually lovely as Provence, with its lavender fields, art galleries, and perfumeries. or equally lovely. The Provençal region, which includes Avignon and Aix-en-Provence to the west and the mountains to the east of Italy, has long served as a source of inspiration for artists and writers. Due to its café culture, the ruins of the Pont d’Avignon bridge from the 12th century, and the magnificent Palais des Papes, which served as the residence of the anti-popes in the 14th century, Avignon is especially charming.
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