フランスは過大評価されていると言われていたが…この20ヶ所を見てその考えは変わった
We begin in Paris, the city of light. No trip to France is complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower. But did you know you can picnic in Champ de Maras for free? For art lovers, the Louvre is a must, but arrive early or book a night visit to avoid crowds. A sane river cruise at sunset is magical. And don’t miss the bohemian charm of Mat where artists still paint in plaster. Hidden gem alert. Sant Chappelle has the most stunning stained glass in Paris and far fewer tourists than Notradam. Speaking of which, after the 2024 renovations, Notre Dame is back and more breathtaking than ever. Pro tip, climb the towers for a gargoyle’s eye view. For a local vibe, explore Laray, full of trendy boutiques, falafel spots, and historic mansions. And if you love history, Pale Cemetery is where legends like Jim Morrison and Oscar Wild rest. Next we head to the French Alps, home to Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest peak. In winter, Shamani is a skier’s paradise. But summer brings epic hiking. Take the Aguili cable car for jaw-dropping views. And if you’re brave, step onto the step into the void glass box. Just an hour away, Anacey is called the Venice of the Alps for its canals and pastel houses. Rent a bike, stroll the Sunday market, and try local bow cheese. For adventure lovers, paragliding over the lake is a must. Want a true alpine experience? Visit a traditional fromagerie to see how reblo the cheese in fondue is made. And if you’re here in summer, wildflower meadows and refuge huts offer unforgettable overnight stays. The French Riviera is all about glamour. Nice turquoise waters, K’s luxury yachts, and as cliffside views. Start in Ni, stroll the prominard donglay. Then hit the Corsa Market for soccer, a chickpea pancake. For art lovers, the Matise Museum is a hidden gem. A short bus ride away, a feels like a medieval dream. Hike the nature path for insane views, then visit the exotic garden at the top. Nearby, Menton is famous for its lemon festival and its quieter beaches. Feeling fancy? Monaco is the world’s most luxurious micro country. Even if you don’t gamble, the Prince’s Palace and Oceanographic Museum are worth it. Budget tip: Take the train from Nice. It’s only 20 minutes. For a more relaxed vibe, on has a stunning Picasso Museum inside a castle. And if you want secret beaches, hike the Capdante Coastal Path, locals favorite spot. Welcome to France’s fairy tale land, the Lir Valley. With over 300 chatau, this UNESCO listed region is where French royalty built their dream homes. The crown jewel is Chateau de Shambbor. Its double helix staircase was allegedly designed by Leonardo da Vinci himself. For a magical experience, take a hot air balloon ride at dawn when the mist rises from the river. Shenonso is called the lady’s castle because of the remarkable women who shaped its history. Walk through the flower gardens that Katherine Demedishi designed. Then visit the underground kitchens where they prepared 500 course banquetss. The Lir isn’t just about castles. It’s one of France’s premier wine regions. Try crisp sair whites in cozy cave dwellings or robust shenan reds in 15th century troglodite sellers. Budget tip. Many chatau offer free bike rentals when you buy a tasting. Provence is sensory overload in the best way. The purple haze of lavender fields, the golden light that inspired Van Go and the aroma of herbs de provence in every market. Time your visit for late June to July when the lavender blooms, but avoid August when all of Europe vacations here. ALS amphitheater has hosted gladiator battles for 2,000 years and still holds bull fights today. Just steps away, Stan Van Go painted starry night over the rone. The nearby asylum where he stayed now has a moving art therapy exhibit. Sunday markets are a provenal ritual at Leil Sulasog, the Venice of Provence. Hunt for antiques along canals lined with water wheels. You must try tapenade on fresh baguette and a glass of rosé from nearby Cassie. Bordeaux isn’t just a drink. It’s an entire world of wine culture. The neocclassical plaster labor becomes magical at night when the world’s largest reflecting pool lights up. For the ultimate wine experience, visit during the Fet Levan in June when the riverfront becomes one big tasting room. Just when you thought Bordeaux was all about wine, we take you to Europe’s tallest sand dune. Climb 110 m for insane Atlantic views. Then try sandboarding down. Pro tip: Stay for sunset when the dunes glow golden. In a former World War II submarine base, this digital art center projects masterpieces onto walls of water. Imagine Monet’s waterlies dancing across 12,000 square meters while floating on a walkway. This tidal island has captivated pilgrims for over 1,000 years. Time your visit with the super tides when the sea rushes in faster than a galloping horse. Local guides lead barefoot walks across the bay, sharing secrets of quicksand patches and World War II bunkers hidden in the sand. The abby’s closter is an architectural marvel. Notice how the columns are intentionally uneven to represent humanity’s imperfections before God. For photographers, the best light comes at 7 in the morning when day trippers haven’t arrived yet. After dark, the entire island becomes a light show. The abbey glows like a jewel while the vill’s lantern lit alleys feel straight from medieval times. Stay overnight at La Mer Pular. Their famous fluffy omelets have been served since 1888. Als France and Germany have a delicious cultural mix. The route diva winds through storybook villages like Rickavir frozen in the 16th century. Each September, harvest festivals feature folk dancers in traditional costumes stomping grapes. Beyond the cathedral’s mesmerizing clock, explore Strasborg’s hidden covered bridges and medieval watermills. The petite France district’s leaning houses were once tanneries. December transforms Alzas into a winter wonderland. The Christkindles Marik in Strasburg dates back to 1570. Try breadalle cookies warm from the oven and vans shaw served in collectible mugs. The new Lasco 4 Center uses VR to bring 17,000-year-old art to life. Touchscreens reveal how prehistoric artists use the cave’s natural contours to create three-dimensional effects. Nearby, try flintnapping or lamplit cave tours at Font Deome. Join a truffle hunter and his dog at dawn. These black diamonds sell for €800 per kilogram. At Salat Saturday Market, watch chefs debate over fuagra while you sample walnut oil cakes. The best view of Bay Castle from a canoe. Paddle past cliffs where Crow Magnon man once fished. End your day at a fair May obe for duck confi made the same way since the hundred years war. Europe’s largest medieval fortress has layers of history. Literally, archaeologists found Visigothth jewelry under Roman foundations. Join the night watchman’s tour to see secret symbols carved by Cathar heretics. Every July, the city hosts Europe’s most authentic medieval festival. Blacksmiths demonstrate sword making while jesters perform fire eating acts. Try your hand at archery or chain mail weaving. Enjoy a cassule cooking class. This slowcooked bean dish fueled soldiers during the Hundred Years War. Local chefs insist the secret is duck fat and 48 hours of baking. [Music] The cool dark tunnels are where champagne gets its crisp minerality. At smaller houses like Champagne Cole, you can blend your own cuet. The region comes alive during the habit dummier festival when Vintner’s dress in 18th century finery. In this hilltop village, Dom Perin perfected the metood champs. His tombstone reads, “He brought light to the wine, quite literally.” The abbey’s stained glass casts rainbow hues on ancient wine presses. Look for the famous smiling angel statue that survived World War I bombing. The cathedral’s light show transforms its facade into a kaleidoscope of champagne bubbles and coronation scenes. Lion’s 400 secret passageways tell stories of silk merchants and resistance fighters. These travels were escape routes during World War II, and today locals still use them as shortcuts. Look for the Bronze Lions head markers that indicate public passages. This food temple honors Chef Paul Bususe, the pope of French cuisine. Watch chefs select breast chickens with blue feet. Then try his famous truffle soup at Lenor. For budget eats, grab a Leon sausage at a bush and notice the checkered tablecloths marking authentic spots. Lion was Europe’s silk capital for 500 years. At Maison de Canoe, master weavers demonstrate jackard looms that inspired early computers. The secret 4,000 threads per inch for designs fit for kings. Limestone fjords glow electric blue at noon when sunlight penetrates 30 m depths. Start early to beat the crowds. The trail to Envo reveals a beach accessible only by ladder. Local tip: September offers warm water without summer’s wildfire risks. Marles’s olive oil soap has been made the same way since 1688. At La Savoner Darai, watch artisans cut 100 kg blocks with wires. The green variety contains seaweed for sailor’s skin. Authentic Bulabes requires four local fish and saffron infused rui. Chefs like Michelle at Laurel still serve it in two courses, broth first, then fish, just as fisherman’s wives did 200 years ago. This vertical village has drawn pilgrims since the 12th century. The faithful still climb the 216 step Grand Escalier on their knees. Notice the grooves worn into stone by centuries of devotion. Roamador cheese must mature in the same caves where monks aged it. At Ferme de Labori, hand feed the goats whose milk makes this creamy delicacy. The best comes from animals grazing on coarse limestone pastures. After dark, a light show transforms the cliff into a medieval manuscript. Watch for the legend of Roland’s sword. Locals claim the night through Durandal into these very rocks. At low tide, you can still see remnants of Malbury Harbors, the floating peers that supplied Allied troops. Local guides like Mark Laurenso share heartbreaking letters found on soldiers and point out shrapnel marks on seaside hotels. The 70 m Bayou tapestry hides Viking era jokes. Look for the nude figure in the border. Nearby, Musea de La Tapisi demonstrates how medieval women embroidered wool onto linen using just 10 stitch types. Normandy’s apple orchards fueled troops with calvados. At Felme Deilli, third generation producers still use wooden presses. Taste the 20-year-old pear magla that locals call liquid gold. The granite eyelets are a snorkeler’s paradise. Look for red coral and barracuda schools. Local legend says a 19th century shipwreck here inspired Dumar’s count of Monte Cristo. Corsican cheese like brochu must be made within hours of milking. Shepherds still use chestnut wood fires to smoke their tome. Join the transhumans festival when flocks parade through coastal towns. Bonafasio’s clifftop citadel has guarded this straight since the 9th century. For the best photos, take the steps of the king of Araggon, 187 steps carved by besieging troops in 1420. The mountain lake stays miraculously clean thanks to 60 underground springs. Rent a pedal boat to visit the 12th century Chateau de Duang on its private island. The owner sometimes invites visitors for apparatifi’s ray blushon cheese was originally made from second milking. Farmers would hide extra milk from tax collectors. At Lafam devlu help make tomorrow’s batch using 17th century copper vats. Adrenaline junkies can scale the Leonet cliffs on iron rungs. The reward, a panorama of Mont Blancc from 2,350 m. Pack a picnic of local abundance cheese and rye bread. This entire town sits a top limestone quaries. The 12th century monolithic church was carved downward. Architects removed 15,000 cub m of stone to create this subterranean marvel. During von join grape pickers at Chatau Sutar before dawn. After sorting clusters by hand, taste the first juice called buru. Naturally fizzy and packed with antioxidants. at Chatau Cannon sample Grand Crew wines in 18th century closters. Their 1947 vintage recently sold for €24,000, but the 30 tour includes a surprisingly affordable tasting of current releases. Manet designed every inch of this living artwork. From the willow cutings imported from Egypt to the waterlies he hybridized himself. Time your visit for May when Wisteria drapes the bridge in purple. The restored studio reveals Monet’s color secrets. He used 14 different blues. Local artists demonstrate how he layered complimentary hues to create that famous shimmering effect. Follow the shemand deant to exact spots where Monae painted. The contemporary art museum nearby displays works by modern artists continuing his legacy. Don’t miss the holographic water lily installation. Cancal’s flatbottomed boats have farmed oysters since Roman times. At low tide, join the parkur’s hand, turning each shell for perfect shape. Then shuck your reward right on the pier. Carax 3,000 standing stones predate Stonehenge by 2,000 years. New research suggests they were seismic sensors. The stones resonate at frequencies that detect underground water movements. In Britany, gallettes, which are buckwheat craps, are a way of life. At Chef Phillip in Dino, watch how the roselle wooden spreader creates the perfect lace thin edge. You must try the complate with egg, ham, and artisal bordier
France is a treasure trove of iconic cities, picturesque villages, and breathtaking landscapes. Here’s a curated list of 20 must see places to visit in France, blending famous landmarks with hidden gems, based on expert recommendations and traveler favorites:
Paris:
The “City of Light” tops every list with its timeless allure—Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre-Dame (reopened post-2024 renovations). Stroll Montmartre or sip coffee at a sidewalk café for quintessential Parisian charm.
French Alps (Chamonix-Mont-Blanc):
Home to Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc, this region offers world-class skiing, hiking, and alpine villages like Annecy, the “Venice of the Alps”.
French Riviera (Côte d’Azur):
From glamorous Nice and Cannes to hilltop Èze and Menton’s lemon groves, the Riviera blends beaches, art (Matisse Museum), and luxury.
Loire Valley:
A UNESCO-listed region dotted with fairy-tale châteaux (Chenonceau, Chambord) and vineyards. Perfect for cycling and garden tours.
Provence:
Lavender fields, Roman ruins (Pont du Gard), and villages like Gordes and Roussillon define this sun-drenched region. Don’t miss Aix-en-Provence’s Cézanne trail.
Bordeaux:
Wine lovers rejoice! Explore grand châteaux, La Cité du Vin, and the neoclassical Place de la Bourse. Pair with a trip to Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune.
Mont Saint-Michel:
This tidal island abbey in Normandy is a Gothic masterpiece, especially magical at sunrise or lit at night.
Alsace (Colmar & Strasbourg):
Half-timbered houses, canals (Petite France), and Christmas markets make Colmar and Strasbourg storybook destinations. Wine routes add to the charm.
Dordogne Valley:
Prehistoric caves (Lascaux), medieval towns (Sarlat), and canoeing past castles like Beynac create a rustic adventure.
Carcassonne:
A fully walled medieval city with turrets and cobblestone lanes—best explored at dawn or dusk to avoid crowds.
Champagne Region:
Tour Reims’ cathedral and Épernay’s champagne houses (Moët & Chandon) along the Avenue de Champagne.
Lyon:
France’s gastronomic capital boasts bouchons, silk history, and Roman amphitheaters. A quieter alternative to Paris.
Marseille:
Vibrant port city with calanques (cliff-lined coves), multicultural cuisine, and the Mucem museum.
Rocamadour:
A cliffside pilgrimage site in the Lot Valley, famed for its cheese and dramatic setting.
Normandy’s D-Day Beaches:
Historic WWII sites like Omaha Beach and the Bayeux Tapestry offer poignant insight.
Corsica:
Wild beaches (Palombaggia), mountain trails, and Bonifacio’s cliffside old town showcase its rugged beauty.
Annecy:
Crystal-clear lake, flower-lined canals, and alpine vistas make this town a year-round gem.
Saint-Émilion:
A Bordeaux-region medieval village surrounded by vineyards, perfect for wine tastings.
Giverny:
Monet’s home and water lily gardens, immortalized in his paintings, are a serene escape.
Brittany (Saint-Malo & Cancale):
Fortified coastal towns, oyster farms, and the Pink Granite Coast offer Celtic-flavored charm.
Pro Tip: For fewer crowds, visit popular spots like Paris in winter or the Riviera in shoulder seasons (March–April or September–October)
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