A broad promenade situated in Nices Old Town, the Cours Saleya is the site of the citys famous open-air markets. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This tower with more than 100 years of history and built in iron is one of the most visited monuments in the world. France has 37 sites inscribed in the UNESCO's World Heritage List and features cities or sites of high cultural interest (Paris being the foremost, but also Loire Valley, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Lyon and others), beaches and seaside resorts, ski resorts, as well as rural regions that many enjoy for their beauty and tranquillity (green tourism). 38,015. Highlights of any trip to Versailles include the ceremonial Hall of Mirrors, the gem that is the Royal Opera, and the many royal residences that deck the area, especially the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon. Highlights of the Lascaux prehistoric cave paintings are the Salle des Taureaux (Hall of the Bulls) with panels featuring unicorns and bears and the Diverticule Axial, a narrow 30-meter-long hall with impressive drawings of bulls, cows, and horses. Not so with the Louvre, however. This list of 8 top-rated tourist attractions includes sites from Verdon Gorge to UNESCO sites. Accommodation: Where to Stay near the Palace of Versailles. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. For example, Alcatraz doesnt even make the top 50. Take a tour of Marseille, France - part of the World's Greatest Attractions series by GeoBeats.Hi, this is your host, Naomi. We have your complete guide for things to do in NYC today. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Rocamadour. Located about 12 miles outside Paris, the Palace of Versailles is the supreme symbol of France's Golden Age. The shining gem of Paris' skyline, the Eiffel Tower was first unveiled at the 1889 World Fair, and initially drew sharp criticism for its bold design. Rocamadour was also a stop on the medieval Way of Saint James pilgrimage trail to Santiago de la Compostela in Spain. The palace became Louis XIV's symbol of absolute power and set the standard for princely courts in Europe. The finest gothic cathedrals in France are to be found at: Paris - Notre Dame. This cookie is set by StatCounter Anaytics. All rights reserved. Even if you've never been to the Hexagon before, these five iconic attractions alone are worth the price of coming here. Belle-le-en-Mer, the largest of the Breton islands, appeals to vacationers in search of a peaceful seaside setting. Paris is a big city with so much to see and do that it can be overwhelming. The illustrious Notre-Dame Cathedral has seen many days since its construction commenced in 1160. Home Travel Guides France 15 Best Things to Do in Rennes (France) 15 Best Things to Do in Rennes (France) Rennes polls well in lists of Frances most liveable cities, which comes as no shock: The city is flush with green space, conserves its history with care and has the attractions of a big city on a walkable scale. As the years have passed, however, the landmark has experienced a massive surge in popularity, currently standing as the most-visited paid monument in the world. Today, it remains one of the most recognisable structures in the world and is the tallest tower in Paris. To English speakers, this glamorous seaside destination is known as the French Riviera, words that have a ring of sun-drenched decadence. The rich and famous are also found here in their lavish villas and luxury yachts. The Eiffel Tower. For those planning an Alsace vacation itinerary, Colmar is a good base to explore the Alsatian villages and surrounding nature trails. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The worlds most visited tourist attractions stretch from San Francisco to Paris to Beijing, but they might not be what you expect. 5. The Chateau is surrounded by Frances largest forest park. To its south is the majestic Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, a 19th-century neo-Byzantine church which is 150 meters above the water. Virtual reality exhibits and a 3-D film help bring the prehistoric period to life. To visit the Lascaux IV cave, tourists must go on a guided tour. The Eiffel Tower only sees about 7 million visitors each year, meaning it doesn't land in the top 20. For those interested in the South of France's less touristy side, Marseilles provides a glimpse of a real working city with a cosmopolitan vibe. Florida is Known as The Sunshine State, is heavily focused on the tourist trade. France, officially the French Republic (French: Rpublique Franaise), is a country with which almost every traveller has a relationship. The symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is a feat of ingenuity as much as it is a famous landmark. At the exhilarating height of 276 meters, the top level offers a sweeping outlook over the city of Paris and beyond. One of the best known tourist attractions in France, few places better showcase the opulence and grandeur of the French monarchy better than the Palace of Versailles. Tourist Attractions in France Paris: The capital city houses the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Montmartre, Arc de Triomphe, the river Seine, the Louvre Museum and many other great attractions. Other attractions include the Calanques National Park, Musee dHistoire de Marseille, La Corniche, Le Panier, and MuCEM. Just remember to settle on an itinerary that everybody's comfortable with and you're good to go. 2015 - 2021 Five Destinations. Must-see tourist attractions are the double-circuited ramparts with 54 towers and the Basilique Saint-Nazaire with spectacular stained-glass windows. This cookie is set by Kissmetrics analytics service and provides information about how visitors use the site. This delightful village is one of the best places to visit in France for inspiring natural scenery and alpine accommodations. Source: pichetw / shutterstock. Rising dramatically from a rocky islet off the Normandy coast, the UNESCO-listed Mont Saint-Michel is one of France's most striking landmarks. The Louvre, Paris. Top 5 Attractions in Paris Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris) The Louvre (Muse du Louvre) Champs Elyses and Arc de Triomphe Versailles BUCHAREST, Romania - Romanian Tourism information regarding travel to and visiting Bucharest, Romania. Quimper is a picture-postcard historic town with handsome half-timbered houses, pleasant squares, and an impressive Gothic cathedral. About 145 kilometers from Limoges in the Limousin, Rocamadour is surrounded by the Parc Naturel Rgional des Causses du Quercy, a natural park of the Dordogne region. The Chartres Cathedral is renowned for its marvelous stained-glass windows, most dating to the 13th century. Other highlights of Brittany are the pristine sandy beaches, tiny remote islands, and ancient castles. From the boulevards of Paris to the fashionable seaside resorts of the Cte d'Azur, France offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Paris: Best Areas and Hotels. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. In terms of cultural value, Aix-en-Provence, Arles, and Avignon are must-see cities in Provence. Built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World Fair, held to commemorate the centennial of the Revolution, the Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) made headlines at the time as the world's tallest structure at 1,050 feet (320 meters). One of the other popular things to do here is view the Bastille Day fireworks on July 14th. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The highest mountain peak in Europe, Mont Blanc soars to 4,810 meters. The main tourist attraction, the Abbaye de Saint-Michel is a marvel of medieval architecture with soaring Gothic spires. Cheerful flowering balconies and pedestrian cobblestone streets add to the appeal. From April through October, the city of Chartres hosts a Festival of Lights (Chartres en Lumires). The first choice of tourists around the world is France. A vital local amenity the March dAligre trades six days a week, and has both outdoor stalls and a As a result, France has some of the worlds most-visited and famous tourist attractions. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This picturesque site would be impossibly gorgeous even if it were completely uninhabited. The main attractions and things to do in Cambridge can easily be explored on foot and you can walk from one side of the city centre to the other in under 20 minutes. It was the tallest building in the world for 41 years. Accommodation: Where to Stay in the Loire Valley. In a stately palace that was once a royal residence, the Louvre ranks among the top European collections of fine arts. Marie-Antoinette's hamlet originally had a working dairy and farm. Some museums are niche attractions, destined solely for those who are curious about the exhibitions they house. The cookie is used to determine whether a user is a first-time or a returning visitor and to estimate the accumulated unique visits per site. Marie-Antoinette also came here for walks and to visit with friends. This dazzling hall sparkles with sunlight that enters through the windows and is reflected off massive ornamental mirrors. The most emblematic space in the castle is the Hall of Mirrors, where courtiers waited for an audience with His Majesty. This "Pyramid of the Seas" is a mystical sight, perched 80 meters above the bay and surrounded by imposing defensive walls and bastions. Lets find out 1. The massive gardens that adorn Versailles are another must-see item. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Do you want to know the best attractions to visit in France? The imposing Palace of the Soviets, whose construction began in the late 1930s, was to serve as an administrative center, and ultimately as a show of Soviet power. The entire area of the Loire Valley, a lush area known as the "Garden of France," is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Eiffel Tower. The number of World Heritage sites whose are really famous tourist attractions in the country is 39! Colorful Riquewihr Village in the Alsace region of France. This cookie is set by doubleclick.net. Although it has always been an important part of French culture, its presence in Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre Dame is what really sealed its ubiquity. Its intricate exterior makes for wonderful photo opportunities, while its gorgeous interior will force even non-believers to think twice about the power of faith. Advertising cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Fascinating ancient ruins and traditional festivals distinguish the town of Arles. The rose windows are especially noteworthy for their incredible size and details. Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours. Chateau De Chambord in Loir et Cher. It does not store any personal data. Along with that, it is also known as one of the top tourist attractions in France. Then discover famous masterpieces of art at the Louvre Museum. The town of Nice has panoramic sea views and stellar art museums. For a challenging spiritual experience, pilgrims can ascend the steep flight of steps, with 12 Stations of the Cross, leading up to the chteau at the highest point in the village. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The coastal region of Brittany offers the old-world charm of quaint fishing villages and ancient seaports, while the French Alps reveals the region's hearty cuisine of cheese fondue and charcuterie served in cozy chalets near ski slopes. Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in France. Vistas extend as far as 70 kilometers on a clear day. The museum portion of the visit is self guided. Paris: Musee de Louvre. This idyllic spot was designed as a place for Marie-Antoinette to escape court life and spend time with her children. The vibrant scenery has enchanted many famous artists, including Czanne, Matisse, Chagall, and Picasso. Throughout the enchanting countryside of woodlands and river valleys are fairy-tale castles complete with moats and turreted towers. The Eiffel Tower's gracefulness has earned it the nickname of "Iron Lady." These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The cookie is used to remember the user consent for the cookies under the category "Analytics". Toulon is another authentic seaport with tourist appeal. Some come to follow the trail of France's great philosophers, writers and artists, or to immerse in the beautiful language it gave the world. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Cte d'Azur. As it stands, Mont-Saint-Michel seems taken straight out of a fairytale, with Medieval fortifications and old-timey houses that are a breath of fresh air to witness in person. Top 10 Most Popular Tourist Attractions of France 10 Basilica of Sacred Heart of Paris. Another "Most Beautiful Village" is Mittelbergheim, known for its gastronomy and gorgeous pastoral landscape, at the foot of the verdant Mont Saint-Odile. Out of all the countries in Europe, France is perhaps the one that registers most as a must-visit tourist destination. This cookie is set by StatCounter Anaytics. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. The following list names them from most to the least number of annual visitors. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent WordPress Plugin to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement". Biarritz is a fashionable beach town on the beautiful Bay of Biscay in France's Basque country. We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). Suspended between heaven and earth on a sheer limestone cliff, Rocamadour is an unforgettable sacred site. 1. Many dream of its joie de vivre shown by the countless restaurants, picturesque villages and world-famous gastronomy. Even tiny villages, like Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Saint-Rmy, and Gordes, have amazing historic sites, fantastic museums, and an irresistibly quaint ambience. architecture of the same time period. Opened in 2016, the sleek ultra-modern International Centre for Cave Art presents a complete replica (Lascaux IV) of the original Lascaux Cave along with museum exhibits that provide context for the prehistoric artworks. It's impossible to see it all in a day or even in a week. Some of the prettiest villages in France are tucked away in the green, rolling hills of Alsace, where the Vosges Mountains border the Rhine River of Germany. 3. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Carcassonne. Or spend a day of learning at the National Aquarium, Maryland Zoo or Maryland Science Center. Lest you walk away from your French adventure thinking that all the country has to offer are historical buildings and museums, make time to visit Mont-Saint-Michel, the small island located just off the coast of Normandy. However, the most famous Loire chteaux are sumptuous Renaissance palaces that were designed purely for enjoyment and entertaining, as an extension of court life outside of Paris. Several companies also offer guided walking tours or you can grab a booklet from one of the Cambridge Tourist Information centres and see the sights at your own pace. Discovered in 1940, the Lascaux Cave contains exquisite prehistoric paintings, but in 1963 was closed to the public to prevent damage. One of most recognizable landmarks in Paris, a roman catholic church, located at 9 Pont Du Gard Bridge, Nime. Within la Cit, the 12th-century Chteau Comtal is particularly interesting and reveals the fascinating heritage of the Cathar country in the Languedoc region. Gorges du Verdon is a popular haven for rock climbing, fly fishing, canoeing, rafting, and paragliding. This large sandy beach, with its broad seafront promenade, has attracted high-society vacation goers since the Belle Epoque. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Saint-Tropez offers fabulous public and private beaches along with the charm of a Provenal fishing village, while Monaco seduces with its exclusive ambience and stunning scenery. The hamlet is one of the best places to visit at the Chteau de Versailles to get a glimpse of the private world of Marie-Antoinette. Other popular sites tend to include the Somme battlefields, Notre Dame and of course the Eiffel Tower. The cathedral's stained-glass windows are particularly noteworthy for their lush beauty, as is the detailed iconography that depicts many biblical passages in visual form. The Merlin Magical London Pass is the best way to see the city's top attractions for less.