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France is a Western European country with overseas territories and a semi-presidential republic. Learn about its history from the Gauls to Napoleon, its geography from the Alps to the Atlantic, its culture from the Renaissance to the present, and its politics from the Revolution to the Fifth Republic.
2 days ago · Learn about France, a country of northwestern Europe with a rich and influential culture, history, and politics. Explore its geography, regions, capital, population, flag, anthem, and more.
- Paris
- Arcachon
- Parc National de La Vanoise
- The Loire Valley
- Bordeaux
- Normandy
- Côte d’Azur
- Rocamadour
- Corsica
- Lorraine
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Best for a city break in spring Elegant Paris, with its Haussmann boulevards and world-class art museums, is a heartthrob at any time of year: the city panorama from basilica-crowned Montmartre on a snowy winter day; cycling or playing the flaneur along the Seine or Canal St-Martin in fall; Cimetière du Père Lachaise after the rain; Sainte-Chapelle...
Best for old-school seaside charm Artists fell for the shimmering blues, grays and greens of northern France’s Côte d’Opale in the 19th century, and the Côte d’Azur’s golden light in the 20th. Neither has lost its razzle-dazzle. But for retro chic, Arcachon on the Atlantic Coast is the masterpiece. A deep, golden-sand beach laces the seafront of th...
Best for hiking and wildlife encounters Fizzing with adrenaline and natural beauty, France’s oldest national park embraces 529 sq km (204 sq miles) of mountain peaks, glaciers and pastoral valleys in the French Alps. World-class ski resorts Val d’Isère and Tignes (both open late November to April) are household names, particularly among powder addi...
Best for romantic château-hopping Nowhere does châteaux like France. For first-timers, the château-strewn Loire Valley – an hour's hop by train from Paris to Tours – assures instant immersion. Roman oenophiles first planted vines on the banks of the River Loire (look for Sancerre, Chinon, St-Nicolas de Bourgeuil and Montlouis-sur-Loire on wine list...
Best wine region for tasting Dégustation (tasting) is an essential part of daily life in France’s celebrated wine regions: Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, Alsace, the Loire and Rhône Valleys, Provence and Languedoc. But it’s the handsome wine city of Bordeaux– where English merchants rolled barrels of claret (red wine) from quayside to ship in the...
Best northern region for art fiends and foodies From prehistoric cave art at Lascaux to the Louvre’s Mona Lisa, France’s illustrious art portfolio spans all eras and genres. In northern France, Normandy’s extraordinary light spawned impressionism. French painter Claude Monet painted and repainted Rouen’s masterpiece cathedral obsessively in the lat...
Best for train travel (and winter sunshine) When the urge hits to rattle past a cinematic mirage of vineyards, fruit orchards and indigo blue water, ride the rails aboard a slow train along the Côte d’Azur (“Azure Coast”). Beach-blessed stops on the coastal route along the Med between unsung Hyères and Italianate Menton (lemons galore!) include red...
Best for a hilltop-village family adventure The Luberon in Provence is renowned for its flush of hilltop villages (foodie Bonnieux, chateau-capped Lacoste, and the scenic hike from lavender-stitched Abbaye de Sénanque to eagle-nest Gordes are undeniably gorgeous). Yet moving west, it is the less fabled Lotwhere the tourist horde suddenly dissipates...
Best for open-road escapes Journeys are measured in hours, not miles, on Corsica– nicknamed Île de Beauté (“Island of Beauty”) for good reason. Golden beaches, turquoise coves and fire-red rocks color road trips here, punctuated with unhurried stops at time-forgotten hilltop villages and ancient churches, prehistoric relics, wineries and an overdos...
Best for history geeks (and something different) Few linger in Lorraine, the industrial underdog in northeastern France with ample contemporary allure. History buffs naturally gravitate to Verdun’s WWI battlefields and the well-marked Remembrance Circuit, a 25km (15-mile) driving and cycling route along the Somme River, where one of WWI’s bloodiest...
Discover the natural and cultural treasures of France, from Paris to the Pyrenees, with this guide to the best destinations. Find tips on when to go, what to see and do, and where to eat and stay in each region.
- Paris. France’s chic, sexy capital has to be experienced at least once. Mix picture-postcard icons with simple Parisian moments and you'll truly fall in love with the city.
- Loire Valley. The lush Loire Valley is scattered with stunning French castles, or châteaux. Stand in awe of the Renaissance castle Château de Chambord, and graceful Château de Chenonceau astride the Cher River.
- French Riviera. This strip of seashore on the big blue Med has it all – hence the extreme crowds in summer. The seaside town of Nice is the queen of the Riviera with its cutting-edge art museums, belle époque architecture, pebble beaches and legendary promenade.
- Provence. Check all devices are fully charged: the extraordinary light and landscape in this part of France’s south demands constant snapping and sharing.
- As the world's best place to visit, it's no surprise that the electrifying City of Light tops this list. France's capital city is a year-round tourist destination with iconic attractions like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower and incredible architecture (think: the dazzling Basilique du Sacré-Coeur).
- The capital of the Alsace region offers the perfect mix of French and German culture thanks to its location on the France-Germany border.
- Rising above the sea like a castle in a fairy tale, Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy is one of France's most-visited sights.
- Dubbed La Ville Rose due to the prominence of distinctive clay bricks in its architecture, Toulouse is a feast for the eyes.
Aug 16, 2023 · Explore the geography, regions, and features of France with maps and facts. Learn about the North European Plain, the Paris Basin, the Massif Central, the Alps, the Pyrenees, and more.
Discover the best of France, from its culture, nature, and history to its events and sustainability. Find inspiration for your next trip with our selection of exhibitions, cities, spa towns, and more.
