France is a stunning country and should be at the top of your list of places to visit. It has so many different things that you will want to explore from its cultural attractions, renowned food and wine, to its alluring landscapes.
"In France, we have a saying, 'Joie de vivre,' which actually doesn't exist in the English language. It means looking at your life as something that is to be taken with great pleasure and enjoy it."
- Mireille Guiliano
There's a reason why France is the most visited country on the planet and in this post, we are going to explore some of those reasons.
France has it all: vibrant, exciting cities, picturesque countryside, storybook villages, wide, sandy beaches, breathtaking vineyards and a rich history. So where do we start?
Ok so if you're not excited about your trip to France yet, in about two seconds you will be, we're going to start off this French must-see bucket list with one of my personal favourites.
5 Lourdes
Yes, the top-visited pilgrimage site in France and one of the top pilgrimage sites in the Christian world is my number one spot to visit in France.
Why?
Lourdes is beautiful.
I mean yes, it receives around 6 million pilgrims every year who come in the belief that they may be cleansed of their sins, and in the hope of being cured because it is believed that spring water from the grotto can heal people if they are sick. Lourdes is a global centre of the Marian pilgrimage, many Catholics believe that the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, appeared 18 times at the Grotto to a young girl, Saint Bernadette Soubirous.
Religion aside, Lourdes is still breathtaking, the Lourdes Architecture is stunning, like, everywhere you look it's right there on a level with Rome. According to popular travel guides the favourite architectural spots of visitors are:
- Basilica of St. Pius X
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary
- Massabielle Grotto, Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
- Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
- Grotto of Massabielle
Oh and guys the cafes are amazing!
4 Provence / Marseille
Provence is famous for its picturesque and diverse landscapes with blossoming lavender in the summer months. It is also famous for the delicious wines and rosés that have been produced in the region for centuries.
From the gates of Nice to the Camargue region, the Provence wine route takes you from the seaside to mountains and scenic villages perched up high. It combines 430 vineyards and cooperative wine cellars, all of which are committed to quality, this region is particularly famous for its rosé.
Marseille is the second largest city in France and the capital of Provence. It has a unique Mediterranean character and is probably the most multicultural city in Europe. Marseille is the capital of Provence and borders the French Riviera. June to August means beach life and parties on the sand. June kicks off festival season World music spills across the streets of ethnically diverse Noailles and live jazz makes toes tap at a quartet of atmospheric outdoor venues, including Centre de la Vieille Charité, MuCEM and Abbaye St-Victor.
If you're thinking of checking out this beautiful location, why not take a vineyard tour?
3 Paris & Champagne
There are endless reasons to visit Paris, an abundance of landmarks, museums and cathedrals to visit, from the iconic Eiffel Tower to the gothic Notre Dame to the Louvre and gardens galore. Let's not forget Disneyland! Yes, I'm a 30+ year old and I still can't visit Paris without at least getting a day pass to the magic, 1-Day undated ticket, from €105: valid for 1 whole year, perfect for a gift!
Paris is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in the world. It is also one of the most visited destinations, with over 150 million tourists annually. However, your trip doesn't have to stop there, why not try a day trip to Champagne?
Champagne is such a contrast to Paris. It's definitely worth dedicating a day to exploring the countryside and tasting France's most famous drink. The best time of year to visit is probably May to October, summer (June-August) is a particularly good time to visit the Champagne region. The fall harvest begins in late September and that's when the champagne houses are at their busiest, both on the production side and the tourism side. It takes an average of 1h 54m to travel from Paris to Champagne-Ardenne by train. There are so many wine tours available in this area.
2 Bordeaux
Put simply Bordeaux has it all.
Exquisite architecture, fresh seafood, a vibrant city with a historic core, and some of the best wines in the world. the city is completely walkable, with pedestrian-only areas and welcoming squares. In less than an hour, you can also visit the beach or make your way to castle-like chateaux producing superb wine in fairy-tale settings.
There are so many things to do in Bordeaux that it would be easy to spend a few weeks exploring. But, if your time is limited to a long weekend, it’s still possible to see the highlights of this lovely region and experience some of the best that Bordeaux has to offer.
3 Things You Have to Do in Bordeaux:
- Visit Basilica of Saint Michael - The Basilica of Saint Michael is impossible to miss because you can see its famous bell tower piercing the sky from just about anywhere in the city. Climb up the bell tower in front of the church for a great view of the city, one of the best things to see in Bordeaux.
- Visit a Local Market - Markets around the city feature food, flowers, clothing, crafts, and books year-round. Marché des Capucins is the city’s largest market, and visiting it is one of the top things to do in Bordeaux.
- Discover the History and Wine of Saint-Emilion - The sloping, cobbled lanes of Saint-Emilion have welcomed visitors for centuries. Just a 30-minute train ride, this ancient village is an ideal location for a day trip from Bordeaux. Saint-Emilion is renowned primarily for two things—its Monolithic Church and the rich red wines produced in the surrounding area. The tourism office runs tours of the church, the catacombs, and related sites, which is the only way to get an inside look at this part of the village’s history. There are thousands of wineries to choose from across the Bordeaux wine region. They vary in age, size, facilities, and the wines they produce so while you're already on you're tour of Saint-Emilion it makes sense to visit a winery there.
1 French Riviera / Nice
Nice on the French Riviera has a little bit of everything for everyone which is why it gets our top spot. Nice is in an excellent location, tucked perfectly between the magnificent mountains of the Alps and the sparkling blue Mediterranean sea. Nice is famous all over the world for its gorgeous beaches! Spend mornings visiting bustling food markets, enjoy afternoons climbing hillside viewpoints, and your evenings in beachside bars and bistros.
Old Nice (Vieux Nice) is where the charming history, churches, and squares of the city are located. Walk through the vibrant narrow and pastel-coloured streets and feel like stepping back in time. After each new corner, you’ll find small restaurants and beautiful squares with the echoing sound of live music.
There’s no shortage of beautiful places to eat in Nice! Because of its location near the Italian border, it’s a melting pot of French and Italian cuisine, and there are enough ice cream shops to last a lifetime.
I hope you enjoyed the countdown of our top 5 places to visit in France!
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