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17 Best Places to Visit in France

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The allure of France lingers in the consciousness of all travelers. Across the six corners of the l’Hexagone are a little something for everyone. It starts in Paris, a place that was so loved it became cool not to love it.

As you expound further, say hello to the bucolic countryside of Alsace, the castles of the Loire Valley, the luxuriation of the French Riviera, and finally, take a deep breath. In the French Alps.

It can be difficult to do it all in one go, but each time you visit, you’ll discover something different. Whether that be a new era of history, such as ancient Greek ports, Roman Catholicism, the Middle Ages or the Renaissance.

Map of France

France Map

Maybe it’s treating yourself to Cote d’Azur and Saint Tropez. Or maybe you head into the mountains for an entirely different adventure. There are always new places to visit in France and exciting attractions to discover. They say you can’t have it all. But in France, maybe you can.

17. Avignon

Avignon

Once the center of Roman Catholicism, this short-lived stint evolved into the culturally rich town we see today. The Pope may be long gone, but the array of canonical architecture remains.

Palace of the Popes

At the heart of this is the Palais des Papes, which is part striking fortress and part palace. It’s the biggest Gothic palace in history and was meant to showcase the might of the Roman Catholic Church in the years after its departure from Rome. Three-meter thick walls enveloped the palace and protected her vast halls, cavernous antechambers and eloquent chapels.

Beyond the palace, Avignon boasts mansions from the Renaissance and features a renowned annual theater festival. With the Rhone River meandering through, you’ll find a vibrant waterfront and wine from nearby vineyards.

16. Marseille

Marseille

One of Europe’s oldest cities and France’s second largest city, Marseille is a major Mediterranean seaport located off the southeast coast of France. Once a prominent Greek harbor, there remains a classic edginess to the city. But it’s evolved into a much richer, interesting culture.

Today, creativity runs through the city and can be seen in its live music, arts and cutting-edge museums. The same can be said of its progressive food scene.

Marseille Old Port

At the core of Marseille is its old port, Vieux Port. Dominated by two historic forts, this bustling harbor is lined with waterfront cafes, shops and bars. At the end of the harbor is the Quai des Belges where visitors can view luxury yachts, ferry boats and fishermen auctioning off their catch at the daily fish market.

One of Marseille’s best natural attractions, the Calanques are a series of small inlets with astonishing blue water and majestic limestone cliffs. Other must-sees include Fort St-Jean, Le Panier, MuCEM and the Basilique Notre Dame de Garde.

With some necessary exploration finished, head offshore to Chateau d’If, which was Immortalized by The Count of Monte Cristo. Finish up with a brilliant sunset while noshing on bouillabaisse.

15. Versailles

Versailles

Second to the Eiffel Tower, Versailles is the most popular landmark in France. Some 15 million arrive every year to experience this decadent symbol of power and history. Here’s the thing about traveling, sometimes you’re gonna have to deal with crowds.

And deal you will, as Versailles is well worth the time and effort. The palace dates back to the late 17th century, beginning life as a luxurious lodge for the monarchs in power. However, it was Louis XIV who moved the court and influence away from Paris to Versailles as tensions blossomed across France.

Versailles Garden

Today, with your pre-purchased ticket (avoid those lines, folks!) you can explore the gorgeous manicured grounds, the Trianon Estate and Queen’s Hamlet. However, it’s the 2,300 room Main Palace, home to the Hall of Mirrors and the King’s Apartments that makes a visit well worth it.

14. Gorges du Verdon

Gorges du Verdon

Calling the Gorges du Verdon “the Grand Canyon of France” seems like a stretch. And it is. But the canyon still belongs on your France itinerary. Gorges du Verdon descends 700 meters at a rapid rate towards the Verdon River with its rushing blue water carving it ever deeper.

It’s the largest canyon on the continent and its 25 kilometers of length creates an abundance of thrilling watersports and adventures. You can cruise the length of the canyon, marveling at the towering limestone cliffs. If this sounds too relaxing, then just switch the boat for a raft and ride the whitewater rapids.

For some of the best views, however, you’ll have to get about on foot…or even horseback. There are around 100 kilometers of trails that course along either side of the canyon, with endless viewpoints throughout.

Lyon

Located in east-central France, Lyon is the capital of the Rhone department. It is the place to stop and splurge on the good things in life. Once you’ve blown your budget at the bouchons Lyonnais (traditional bistros), you’ll still find much to do.

Top of this list should be a jaunt along the paths that snake through the Parc des Hauters. These lead you to the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere. Both the city and the Alps combine for an epic view.

Vieux Lyon

Lyon also has several interesting neighborhoods to explore. For example, Presqu’île is the heart of the city with its restaurants, bars and clubs while Croix-Rousse is known for its hundreds of hidden passageways known as traboules. Eventually you’ll end up in Vieux Lyon, the historic center featuring narrow, cobblestone streets, Renaissance architecture and landmarks like St. Jean Cathedral with its astronomical clock.

In the summer months, get in quick for a concert at the Theatre Romain. The original foundation goes back to 15BC when Lyon was all but a small Roman settlement. Continue the arts theme by discovering some of Lyon’s 100+ outdoor murals.

While Lyon frequently illuminates its major monuments year-round, the Festival of Lights is an annual event with various celebrations of candle lightings and professional sound-and-light shows.

12. Normandy

Normandy

Along the northwest coast of France, Normandy is synonymous with modern history. The coast’s lengthy beaches have become famous thanks to D-Day. And while the rugged coast harbors rich WWII history, it’s just the beginning.

Beyond the vast shores is a region steeped in literary history. There’s the bucolic countryside that features not one but four protected cheese origins. But better than them all is Mont St-Michel, which stands along like a mesmerizing iceberg off the coast.

Rouen

Lovers of cheese can’t pass up a cheese tour of Normandy. This will take you to the towns of Camembert, Livarot, Pont l’Eveque and Neufchatel. Beyond their tasty creations lie charming towns that evoke welcome authenticity.

Speaking of memorable towns, be sure to stop by Barneville-Carteret from DIY shucked oysters or Honfleur. The latter is laden by half-timbered homes and marks the end of the Seine.

11. Corsica

Corsica

In the French Mediterranean, the island of Corsica embraces its surrounds. Enveloped with sparkling emerald water, Corsica has as much Italian influence as it does French.

Known as the Island of Beauty, Corsica takes the best of both and boasts coastal towns backed by serene forests and granite mountain tops. It’s no small, dainty island either. There are over 1,000 kilometers of coastline to explore and plenty of chances to get away from it all.

Calanche

Along these coastlines are turquoise waters that harbor beautiful underwater worlds. Chances to snorkel and even scuba dive are ever present. Days spent swimming are rewarded by captivating sunsets in Bastia where you’ll also find a great collection of restaurants and taverns.

The next day you can mix it up by trekking into the forests and mountains that are affixed with snow in the colder months.

10. Bordeaux

Bordeaux

Some great wine regions have made it into our list. But Bordeaux can lay claim to being the best of them. As the country’s wine capital, there is an air of elegance to Bordeaux. This is elevated by the cocktail of 18th century architecture.

Cutting through the center of town are the streets of Place du Parlemant and Saint-Pierre. High culture mingles on these streets that are lined by chic cafes and outdoor seating to bathe under the sun.

Before you venture and experience some of the area’s best vineyards, explore the La Cite du Vin. This museum showcased the history of wine from around Bordeaux and is set in a captivating building. To get there, take a leisurely stroll down the River Garonne.

Bordeaux vineyard

Now you’re all set to try the local tipple. Some of Bordeaux’s best wineries surround elegant chateaus that make for the perfect wine tasting spot.

9. Lake Annecy

Lake Annecy

Chamonix may garner the most attention, but we believe the best of the French Alps lies surrounding the beautiful Lake Annecy. One of the largest lakes in Europe, it can also lay claim to being the cleanest thanks to its pristine high alpine surrounds.

In the summer months, Lake Annecy is a dreamy destination. The sapphire-hued jewel sits enveloped in lush green mountains with the odd dash of granite. As the sun bounces along the lake the azure waters become even more obvious and call you in for a dip.

Annecy

Such is its size, you can do more than swim. Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular and you’ll see several boats making use of the conditions to sail around.

The views of the water are matched by the surrounding mountains including the snowy peaks of Tournette Mountain. Any visit here should also take in the old town of Annecy , which is a picture-perfect alpine village.

8. Carcassonne

Carcassonne

The walled city of Carcassonne sits atop a hill on the banks of the Aude River. The original fortifications date back to Roman occupation in 100 BC, although much has changed since then.

With surrounding threats long gone, you can make your way into the medieval city. The often steep walk requires a break for breath but it’s immediately rewarded once you step beyond the turreted towers that adorn the walls and over the drawbridge.

On the other side of Narbonne Gate, you’ll find the old city is a scene straight from a Disney fairy tale. Cobbled streets guide you along the fortified walls where you’re half expecting a soldier from the Middle Ages to stop you in your tracks.

Along your journey back in time, you’ll cross paths with the Chateau Comtal from the 12th century, adorned with cathedrals and even access a subterranean dungeon.

7. Loire Valley

Loire Valley

Teaming with castles, medieval villages and endless vineyards, the Loire Valley is the personification of art de vivre. Rolling effortlessly through the valley is the Loire River, the last remaining wild river in Europe.

It all combines into an area that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The landscape alive with the life source of the river creates head-turning scenery. Something that’s only matched by the local culture and one so steeped in history.

At the center of this is the Chateau de Chenonceau. The 16th century masterpiece features the Grande Galerie, which spans 60 meters across the Cher River. In the winter and autumn, the sun sets in the perfect spot, reflecting the dwindling light across the water. Other famous chateaux include Chambord, Rivau and Chinon.

But it’s the Loire River that connects it all. You can cycle along it for over 500km going from town to town, or you can simply do a bite-sized chunk. Either way, with destinations like Angers, Amboise and Nantes, there’s no losing.

Luberon

Auburn sandstone cottages with terracotta rooftops adorn the hilltop towns around Luberon. They rise and fall along the rolling hills and are the only interruptions to fields of pine and symmetric vineyards.

Luberon is a collection of hilltop villages that run through the Provence from east to west. Cavaillon and Manosque are the region’s bookends and along with harboring the aforementioned beauty, it’s the slow pace of life that you’ll love just as much.

The agrarian region remains tied in with its traditional roots. There’s no rush here, with plenty of time to enjoy the region’s fine wine and even tastier food. It’s no wonder the markets held weekly through Luberon have you salivating upon entrance.

Beyond the townships, you can get to know the countryside on foot by exploring the Cedar Forest near Bonnieux. The overarching trees provide relief from the summer heat and lead to captivating views of the hilltop towns.

Alsace

Jumping between the banners of France and Germany, the Alsace Region is distinct from the rest of the country. The dual influence has marked the region with an old-world charm and harmonious countryside that just can’t be replicated.

Germany’s influence is seen in both its cuisine and architecture. The villages throughout Alsace are renowned for their half-timbered homes and striking Gothic churches. The capital Strasbourg is no exception with beautiful homes found in both La Petite France and Grande Ile neighborhoods.

Taking the Alsace Wine Route, you’ll drive through 170 kilometers of bucolic countryside where every stop features a delightful village and yes, great food and wine. Highlights of the route include Colmar . This town encapsulates all that is good here in the Alsace Region. The surrounding hills make the rest of the world feel far away.

You can look forward to half-timbered homes and balconies draped with flowers. Vineyards flow over the hillside like blankets and the Rhine River is the cherry on top of a fairy tale village.

4. Chamonix

Chamonix

In the shadows of Mont Blanc, Chamonix has long inspired mountain lovers and fans of chalets alike. One of France’s oldest alpine resorts, the splendor of its scenery, is matched by the oft-bougie mountain culture.

Epic skiing, mountaineering and the odd marathon fill the outdoor calendar in Chamonix. Such are the epic mountains, you can ski and board here year round. While at the La Vallee Blanche glacier, you can ski uninterrupted for over 20 kilometers.

But you’ll find just as much to do here if these thrills don’t quite pique your interest. The area’s year-round community and the delight of Chamonix Town ensure there’s much to do off-piste. Cafes line the pedestrianized main street and the picturesque village will have you reaching often for your camera.

After a day of adventure, you can partake in the après-ski of your fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Live music flows through the surrounding streets, leading to dancing and a few too many cocktails.

3. Dordogne

Dordogne

In southwestern France, the Dordogne region is incredibly enticing thanks to its array of undulating landscapes, tranquil villages and medieval bastides. It’s a place to discover some of the best of France’s countryside, both the towns and nature.

The Dordogne River courses through the region and is the source of much of its lush nature. Come the summer, the cool waters of the river welcome kayakers, swimmers and those who dabble in fishing. You’ll also spot plenty lining the riverbank basking in the sun. Away from the river, the rolling hills attract hikers and mountain bikers. There are towering craggy cliffs that bring the chalky hands of climbers.

For a more relaxed pace, you can bounce between the idyllic villages, such as La Roque-Gageac. This town features a collection of sandstone homes surrounded by palms at the base of a rising cliff. Then there’s the 13th century settlement of Domme.

The bastide village has an archway entrance and a vibrant old town with artisan shops and restaurants set within medieval buildings.

2. French Riviera

French Riviera

Encompassing a splendid stretch of the Mediterranean, the French Riviera (Cote d’ Azur) is an opulent escape. In southern France, this region is soaked in sun most of the year. This exacerbates the color of the azure waters to heavenly status.

You’ll find a handful of enchanting towns along this coast from Saint-Tropez to Menton. These hug the coast with glee, forming a waterfront destination that has been drawing travelers since the 1800s.

Eze

Although the Riviera is famous for the glamour of St. Tropez, Monaco or the Cannes Film Festival , there are many other less well known destinations, such as the perched villages of Eze and Saint-Paul de Vence , and the perfumeries of Grasse to name a few. The Riviera has been the inspiration for many well-known artists such as Picasso and many of their works are on display in local museums and art galleries.

And then there’s Nice . Arguably the best of the lot. There’s something for everyone, from the region’s patented beachfront to plenty of history. As you discover Nice, you’ll have the pleasure of doing so along her cobbled streets and tree-flanked avenues. There are art galleries and museums and southern French cuisine for a flavor explosion in your mouth.

Paris

There may be no destination on earth that tops bucket lists as much as Paris . Yes, you’ll find the crowds here. But it’s a city that has stood the test of time. If anything, it’s made it all the more romantic.

The grandiose city, home to the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral, still sparks the heart of even the most stoic traveler. It’s a place of rich heritage, one that’s written on the facades of buildings throughout the inner city.

Louvre

There are museums to discover , even beyond the Louvre. Such as the Musee de l’Orangerie and the Musee d’Orsay. What’s more, Paris boasts magnificent gardens such as the Luxembourg Gardens. But it’s the people, the living culture that is most captivating. Any aimless wander down the Champs-Élysées, the Latin Quarter or the Seine will attest to this.

The best and cheapest way to get around Paris is on foot, and secondly, using the excellent underground train system, known as the Métro.

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Reader interactions.

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June 29, 2018 at 7:55 am

France has some many great things to offer. The city that i like is Narbonne and the beaches next to it (Gruissan, La Franqui) . These are the typical south villages that YOU must visit.

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September 21, 2017 at 2:25 am

Guys you really have to go to Biarritz! The city is located in “Basque Country” which is one the most beautiful place in France with lot of culture, beautiful architecture, wonderful landscapes and a tasty cuisine. Furthermore you are close to Spain and the stunning city of San Sebastian. Lots of beautiful towns to discover in Basque country, such as “Saint Jean de Luz”, “Bayonne”, “Guéthary”, “Espelette”. Try to go there during April, May and June. Summer is overcrowded by tourists.

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September 13, 2017 at 7:59 pm

I went to France it was so magical like as if you were in a fairytale or in a book. I got to see the Eiffel Tower it was bigger than I thought. I would love to go there again????

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June 20, 2017 at 4:00 am

I have been to France several times i suggest going to Mon Saint Michel and to a little town called Sainte Anastasie

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June 12, 2016 at 11:56 pm

Everybody’s opinion is different… What one dislikes another may enjoy.

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February 28, 2016 at 8:51 pm

So my wife and I toured Western Franc back in ’99. We both love Paris, but the countryside and smaller towns is where the magic is. We found Saint-Emilion our favorite. A beautiful medieval town with great food and atmosphere. The seaside city of La Rochelle was wonderful as well, what a great place to walk around and great seafood. We really enjoyed Mont Saint-Michel. We stayed in a manor in Pontorson and thoroughly enjoyed it – that stay was somewhat of a high point (great food). Angers also felt like a hidden gem; the castle was beautiful and a great walking town. The chateaux in the Loire were phenomenal – we enjoyed Azay-le-Rideaux, Chenonceaux, Chambord, and Davinci’s home in Amboise. We also took a trip up to Vendôme and say the abbey and checked out the ruined acqueduct outside Luynes. A dolmen in Cognac was also really cool. These nuggest away from the big cities IMHO are highlights. That said, the big cities are great – good food and things to see, but French culture and spirit is more captured when you leave them.

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February 24, 2016 at 6:57 am

totally wrong : this rank does mostly consider big cities, not much countryside. The true spirit of France is not in Paris, sorry, and not in French Riviera either ! Go and visit the countryside, average cities, small villages… The best villages are not in the Loire valley..: go to south Lemuel is wrong : if you look for turquoise beaches and clean sand go to west Brittany, or Corsica. Beach near Nice are ugly and dirty…

(a guy born in France)

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March 18, 2015 at 4:10 am

I’ve always been a huge fan of Paris and don’t think that’ll ever change. That said, you’ve made the Loire valley look pretty tempting too! I can hardly believe that chateau 🙂 Is it open to the public?

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January 7, 2015 at 5:44 am

Arles is a fantastic city to visit for all the reasons you mention. If your readers like Arles they will find Avignon nearby, which is just as fascinating to visit with its medieval history, stunning buildings and Papal connections.

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December 23, 2014 at 3:06 am

france is my dream. after i graduate i will go here and cherish every moment. see you soon FRANCE 🙂 God’s will.

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June 30, 2014 at 1:36 am

I want to visit France in the month of September. I am looking for back packers to stay. Which place would be ideal to stay to travel around France ?

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June 4, 2014 at 8:18 pm

france is my dream. after i graduate i will go here and cherish every moment. see you soon FRANCE 🙂 God’s will.

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May 21, 2014 at 9:30 am

i am planning to visit France soon. Can anyone suggest what’s the best way to go to Nice form Paris(cheap and fast)

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March 3, 2014 at 10:37 am

love love Paris

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July 17, 2013 at 10:09 pm

You forgot Mont Saint Michel…

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June 19, 2013 at 10:02 pm

I love Loire Valley and Nice. If you enjoy villages, you gotta check Loire valley, very beautiful. And if you love turquiose beach with clean sand and neat environment you gotta try Nice.

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15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in France

Written by Lisa Alexander Updated Sep 26, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Lisa Alexander spent two years living in Paris after college, enjoys returning to France as often as possible, and most recently visited France in March 2023.

Take a dream vacation in a country that's full of dreamy destinations. Fairy-tale castles, storybook country villages, fashionable seaside resorts, snowcapped mountains, and of course Paris , the elegant City of Light.

View from the village of Eze

Begin with the Eiffel Tower, the modern emblem of France. Then discover famous masterpieces of art at the Louvre Museum. Spend a day pretending to be royalty at the elegant Palace of Versailles. Save time for leisurely gourmet meals. Traditional French gastronomy has been inscribed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Each region of France boasts its own distinctive cuisine and culture. The coastal region of Brittany offers the old-world charm of quaint fishing villages and ancient seaports, while the French Alps boasts a hearty cuisine of cheese fondue and charcuterie served in cozy chalets near ski slopes.

Every corner of the country has a certain magic. Discover the wonders of travelers' favorite places and learn about the best things to do with my list of the top attractions in France.

1. Eiffel Tower

2. musée du louvre, 3. château de versailles, 4. côte d'azur, 5. mont saint-michel, 6. castles of the loire valley, 7. cathédrale notre-dame de chartres, 8. provence, 9. chamonix-mont-blanc, 10. alsace villages, 11. carcassonne, 12. brittany, 13. biarritz, 14. rocamadour, 15. prehistoric cave paintings in lascaux.

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is a feat of ingenuity as much as it is a famous landmark. This structure of 8,000 metallic parts was designed by Gustave Eiffel as a temporary exhibit for the World Fair of 1889. Originally loathed by critics, the 330-meter-high tower is now a beloved and irreplaceable fixture of the Paris skyline.

Upon the first glimpse, you'll be impressed by the tower's delicate airiness despite its monumental size. Next, the panoramas at each of the three levels will take your breath away.

You can dine with a view on the 1st floor or indulge at the Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne restaurant on the 2nd floor. At the exhilarating height of 276 meters, the top floor offers a sweeping outlook over the city of Paris and beyond. Vistas extend as far as 70 kilometers on a clear day.

Louvre Museum

The most prestigious museum in Paris, the Louvre ranks among the top European collections of fine arts. Many of Western Civilization's most famous works are found here, including the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the Wedding Feast at Cana by Veronese, and the 1st-century-BC Venus de Milo sculpture.

The collection owes its wealth to the contributions of various kings who lived in the Louvre, in centuries past when it was a royal palace. Other pieces were added as a result of France's treaties with the Vatican and the Republic of Venice, and from the spoils of Napoléon I.

The Louvre displays around 35,000 artworks, including countless masterpieces. It's impossible to see it all in a day or even in a week. Take a private guided tour or focus on a shortlist of key artworks for the most rewarding experience.

Château de Versailles

The UNESCO-listed Château de Versailles immerses you in France's glorious regal history. Step back in time to the era of the ancien régime , when Louis XIV (the "Sun King"), Louis XV, and Louis XVI ruled France. During that period, the Palace of Versailles set the standard for princely courts in Europe.

The most spectacular space in the palace is the Hall of Mirrors , where courtiers waited for an audience with His Majesty. This dazzling gallery sparkles with sunlight that enters through the windows and is reflected off hundreds of ornamental mirrors, while dozens of glittering chandeliers and gilded details make the overall impression even more marvelous.

Versailles is equally renowned for Les Jardins , formal French gardens featuring decorative pools, perfectly trimmed shrubbery, numerous statues, and magnificent fountains. The gardens were created in the 17th century by renowned landscape designer André Le Nôtre and are surrounded by 800 hectares of lush parkland.

Gardens at the Palace of Versailles

Beyond the formal gardens is the Domaine de Trianon , which includes Le Grand Trianon palace; Le Petit Trianon château; and Le Hameau de la Reine (The Queen's Hamlet), Marie-Antoinette's fabricated pastoral village featuring quaint cottages set around a lake.

The buildings of Marie-Antoinette's hamlet were inspired by the rural architecture of the Normandy region. (Faux pastoral hamlets were a typical feature of aristocratic estates during the 18th century.) The "farmhouse" and "cottage" buildings have a weathered finish that was intentionally rendered to lend a rustic look (although the interiors were exquisitely furnished).

Marie-Antoinette's hamlet originally had a working dairy and farm, which served educational purposes for her children. This idyllic spot was designed as a place for Marie-Antoinette to escape from the formality of court life, take walks, and visit with friends. Le Hameau de la Reine provides a rare glimpse of Marie-Antoinette's private world.

Menton, Côte d'Azur

The most fashionable stretch of coastline in France, the Côte d'Azur extends from Saint-Tropez to Menton near the border with Italy. Côte d'Azur translates to "Coast of Blue," a fitting name to describe the Mediterranean's mesmerizing cerulean waters.

To English speakers, this glamorous seaside destination is known as the French Riviera , words that have a ring of sun-drenched decadence.

During summer, the seaside resorts cater to beach lovers and sun-worshippers. The rich and famous are also found here in their lavish villas and luxury yachts.

The town of Nice has panoramic sea views and stellar art museums but nothing beats the views from the hilltop village of Eze . Cannes is famous for its celebrity film festival and legendary Belle Epoque hotels.

Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate in Nice's Old Town

The best sandy beaches are in Antibes , which also has an atmospheric Old Town and superb museums. Saint-Tropez offers fabulous public and private beaches plus the charm of a Provençal fishing village, while Monaco seduces with its exclusive ambiance and stunning scenery.

Mont Saint-Michel

Rising dramatically from a rocky islet off the Normandy coast, the UNESCO-listed Mont Saint-Michel is one of France's most striking landmarks. This "Pyramid of the Seas" is a mystical sight, perched 80 meters above the bay and surrounded by imposing defensive walls and bastions.

The main tourist attraction, the Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel is a marvel of medieval architecture with soaring Gothic spires. You will be awed by the serene beauty of the Abbey Church, with its harmonious Romanesque nave and ornate high-vaulted choir.

Since it was built in the 11th century, the Abbey Church has been an important Christian pilgrimage destination, known as "The Heavenly Jerusalem." Modern-day pilgrims are still inspired by Mont Saint-Michel and continue the tradition of crossing the bay by foot as it was done in the Middle Ages.

Loire Valley Châteaux

Traveling through the Loire Valley gives the impression of stepping into a children's storybook. Turreted fairy-tale castles grace a luxuriant countryside of dense woodlands and gently flowing rivers. The entire Loire Valley, an area known as the "Garden of France," is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Some of the Loire castles are medieval fortresses built on hilltops and surrounded by ramparts. However, the most famous Loire châteaux are sumptuous Renaissance palaces that were designed purely for enjoyment and entertainment, as an extension of court life outside of Paris.

The Château de Chambord , built for King Francis I, is the most magnificent château; the Château de Chenonceau has a distinctive feminine style; and the Château de Cheverny is a Neoclassical-style manor house estate that includes a Tintin exhibition, English gardens, and a forest.

It is also worth visiting the UNESCO-listed cathedrals in Chartres and Bourges as well as the city of Orléans , where Joan of Arc helped defeat the English army in 1429, and the Château Royal d'Amboise , the residence of French kings for five hundred years.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres

For more than eight centuries, the magnificence of Chartres Cathedral has inspired the faithful, and some say this sublime sanctuary has restored belief in the doubtful.

The UNESCO-listed Chartres Cathedral is a marvel of Gothic architecture, renowned for its 12th- and 13th-century stained-glass windows. Covering 2,500 square meters, the brilliant windows allow colorful light to filter into the vast nave, creating an ethereal effect. The intricately detailed windows reveal the incredible craftsmanship in depicting biblical stories.

The rose windows are especially noteworthy for their incredible size and details. Other highlights are the Passion window, one of the most original in its style and expression, and the Blue Virgin window which dates from the 12th century.

On the third Saturday of September, the city of Chartres presents Chartres en Lumières (Festival of Light) during European Heritage Days . The festival includes street art, music, and guided tours. During this annual event, the Chartres Cathedral dazzles crowds with its colorful multimedia show featuring illuminations and sound. The illumination show also takes place at the cathedral in July and August every evening after 10pm.

Lavender field near Valensole, Provence

Escape into a bucolic landscape of olive groves, sun-drenched rolling hills, and deep purple lavender fields, with little villages nestled in the valleys and perched on rocky outcrops. The vibrant scenery has enchanted many famous artists, including Cézanne, Matisse, Chagall, and Picasso.

The rustic natural beauty, country charm, and laid-back atmosphere of Provence allow the region's art de vivre (art of living) to flourish. Sultry weather encourages leisurely strolls along cobblestone streets and afternoons spent on sunny terraces of outdoor cafés.

Among the many attractions of Provence is its delicious Mediterranean cuisine, which is based on olive oil, vegetables, and aromatic herbs. You can choose from a wide range of culinary establishments, from family-run bistros to Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurants.

Saint-Paul-de-Vence

The quintessential Provençal town, Aix-en-Provence is famous for its colorful open-air markets and the hundreds of fountains that are typical of southern France. Fascinating ancient ruins and traditional festivals distinguish Arles , while the medieval city of Avignon is home to the UNESCO-listed Palais de Papes.

Even tiny villages, like Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Saint-Rémy, and Gordes, have amazing historic sites, fantastic museums, and an irresistibly quaint ambiance.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

The awesome spectacle of Mont Blanc in the French Alps is an unforgettable sight. The highest mountain peak in Europe, Mont Blanc soars to 4,810 meters. Thanks to its elevation, Mont Blanc ("White Mountain") is always blanketed in snow.

Beneath its majestic peak is the traditional alpine village of Chamonix , nestled in a high-mountain valley. This delightful little town is filled with historic churches, traditional alpine restaurants, and charming auberges.

Chamonix is a great base for skiing, hiking, rock climbing, outdoor adventures, or just relaxing. The village is one of the best places to visit in France for inspiring natural scenery and alpine accommodations. Upscale mountain lodges and cozy chalets welcome guests in style.

Catering to diners with good appetites, local restaurants serve hearty meals typical of the Savoie region, as well as international cuisine. To sample the Savoyard specialties, try the charcuterie, fondue , and raclette (melted Gruyère, Comté, or Emmentaler cheese served with boiled potatoes).

Colorful Riquewihr Village in the Alsace region of France

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. These picturesque Alsatian villages feature pastel-painted, half-timbered houses clustered around small parish churches. Cheerful flowering balconies and pedestrian cobblestone streets add to the appeal.

Villages Fleuris and Plus Beaux Villages de France

Many of the villages have won France's Villages Fleuris award for their lovely floral decorations, such as Obernai , with its characteristic burghers' houses; the charming little village of Ribeauvillé , where many homes are adorned with potted flowers; the Pays d'Art et d'Histoire (Region of Art and History) of Guebwiller ; and the captivating medieval village of Bergheim .

Autumn in Mittelbergheim,, Alsace

Some of the flower-bedecked Alsatian villages are so pretty that they have been designated as both Villages Fleuris and Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France), including the storybook hamlet of Riquewihr and the enchanting village of Eguisheim , nestled in a valley. Another of the Plus Beaux Villages is Mittelbergheim , known for its gastronomy and gorgeous pastoral landscape, at the foot of the verdant Mont Saint-Odile.

If you're planning an Alsace vacation itinerary, Colmar is a good base to explore the Alsatian villages and surrounding nature trails.

Carcassonne

With its turreted towers and crenelated ramparts, Carcassonne seems straight out of a fairy-tale scene. This well-preserved (and renovated) fortified city offers a total immersion into the world of the Middle Ages.

Known as La Cité , the UNESCO-listed walled medieval town of Carcassonne is a warren of narrow, winding cobblestone lanes and quaint old houses. Nearly every street, square, and building has retained its historic character. Within la Cité, the 12th-century Château Comtal reveals the Cathar heritage of the Languedoc region .

Must-see tourist attractions are the double-circuited ramparts with 52 towers and the Basilique Saint-Nazaire et Saint-Celse , which features splendid 13th-century stained-glass windows.

Carcassonne draws many visitors on July 14th for its fireworks show, to celebrate Bastille Day , a national holiday (Fête Nationale). Despite being a small town, Carcassonne presents one of the most dazzling July 14th fireworks displays in France.

Brittany

The Brittany region in northeastern France brims with natural beauty and historic charm. A rugged coastline, quaint fishing villages, and weathered seaports characterize this region. The distinctive local culture is steeped in ancient traditions and famous for its costumed religious festivals.

A mystical land of myths and legends, Brittany has a Celtic influence and a dialect related to Gaelic. The local cuisine is based on seafood and is renowned for its savory buckwheat crêpes and sweet dessert crêpes.

The quintessential Breton port is Saint-Malo surrounded by 17th-century fortifications. Quimper is a picture-postcard town with handsome half-timbered houses, pleasant squares, and an impressive Gothic cathedral. Nantes has a spectacular château and is where the Edict of Nantes was signed in 1598 granting freedom of religious belief to Protestants.

Other highlights of Brittany are the pristine sandy beaches, tiny remote islands, and ancient castles. Belle-Île-en-Mer , the largest of the Breton islands, appeals to vacationers in search of a peaceful seaside setting. Ferry boats run from Quiberon, Port Navalo, and Vannes to Belle-Île-en-Mer.

Biarritz

This fashionable seaside resort has an elegant and aristocratic air; it was a favorite destination of Empress Eugénie , wife of Napoleon III. Empress Eugénie loved the beautiful setting on the Bay of Biscay in France's Basque country.

The imperial couple's grandiose Second Empire palace has been converted into the Hôtel du Palais Biarritz , a luxury hotel featuring a Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant and sensational views of the Grande Plage beach. This large sandy beach, with its broad seafront promenade, has attracted high-society vacation goers since the Belle Epoque.

Other must-see sights of Biarritz are related to the ocean: the Biarritz Aquarium ; the Lighthouse ; and the Rocher de la Vierge (Virgin of the Rock) which stands along the coastline on an immense rock beaten by the Atlantic's wild waves.

For a taste of the town's regal past, visit the chic Miremont tearoom that has served exceptional pastries since 1872.

Rocamadour

Rocamadour resides between heaven and earth, suspended on a sheer limestone cliff as if providing a medium for spiritual wonders.

In the 11th century, this pilgrimage destination was the third most important in Christendom after Jerusalem and Rome. Rocamadour was on the medieval Chemin de Saint-Jacques (Way of Saint James) pilgrimage trail to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

The village has seven ancient sanctuaries, but pilgrims flock to the Chapelle Notre-Dame (Chapelle Miraculeuse), which possesses the venerated Black Virgin (Notre-Dame de Rocamadour). This precious Virgin Mary figure was carved from walnut wood that naturally darkened over the centuries and is associated with miracles.

Another must-see sight is the UNESCO-listed Basilique Saint-Sauveur , the largest church of Rocamadour built in Romanesque and Gothic styles between the 11th and 13th centuries. For a challenging spiritual experience, pilgrims can ascend the steep flight of steps, with 12 Stations of the Cross, leading up to the château at the highest point in the village.

About 145 kilometers from Limoges in the Limousin , Rocamadour is surrounded by the Parc Naturel Régional des Causses du Quercy , a natural park in the Dordogne region.

Prehistoric Cave Paintings in Lascaux

Discover the fascinating world of prehistoric art in Lascaux, the finest example of Paleolithic art in the world. This UNESCO-listed site is in the Vézère Valley of the Dordogne region . Discovered in 1940, the Lascaux Cave contains exquisite prehistoric paintings, but in 1963 was closed to the public to prevent damage.

A replica of the cave was created at the nearby Lascaux II site in Montignac, 200 meters from the actual cave. Opened in 1983, Lascaux II is a faithful reproduction of the Lascaux Cave and its paintings. The Paleolithic art has been carefully recreated, including every detail of the animal paintings in authentic ochre hues.

Opened in 2016, the sleek ultra-modern International Centre for Cave Art (also in Montignac) presents a complete replica ( Lascaux IV ) of the original Lascaux Cave along with museum exhibits that provide context for the prehistoric artworks. Virtual reality exhibits and a 3-D film help bring the prehistoric period to life.

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. The art reproductions of the replica caves are so accurate that visitors would not be able to tell the difference from the original.

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Gorges du Verdon

The 16 best places to visit in France

From buzzing cities to gorgeous countryside escapes, these are the essential places in France to visit at least once in your life

France   is one of the most visited places on the planet – and you better believe that it lives up to every bit of the hype. This famous country has been at the cultural heart of western Europe for millennia, and you can see signs of its complex and fascinating past all over the place. But it’s not all   grand old châteaux : France is also blessed with some exceptionally beautiful natural wonders   and   some of Europe’s coolest city-break destinations .

So, from heavenly beach destinations and   picturesque rural villages   to grand old cities like   Paris ,   Lyon   and   Marseille , these are the best places to visit in France – and some of the world’s most essential destinations.

Discover France:

📍 The best   things to do in France 🌳 The prettiest   villages in France 🏖 The best   beaches in France 🏰 Spectacular  French châteaux you can rent 😋 The best   restaurants in France 🌊  The best places to stay on the French Riviera

An email you’ll actually love

Best places to visit in France

Paris

Where do you start with a city like Paris? The French capital is one of the great global cities, as renowned for its world-class museums, magnificent grub and lavish shopping options as it is for its mere vibe . From the Louvre to the Jardin de Luxembourg, the place oozes history, beauty and, yes, romance. There is, quite plainly, nowhere quite like it.

Discover Paris:

📍 The best things to do in Paris 🧑 ‍🍳 The best restaurants in Paris 🎨 The best museums in Paris 🥐 The best cafés in Paris

Marseille

The port city of Marseille has been one great big melting pot of cultures ever since it was founded by the Greeks a whopping 2,600 years ago. Having thrown off its rep as a town of sailors and gangsters, these days Marseille is a dazzlingly multicultural city with galleries and rooftop bars galore – and all within easy reach of marvellous spectacles of nature in the form of calanques and coves. 

Discover Marseille:

📍 The best things to do in Marseille 😋 The best restaurants in Marseille 🥾 The essential guide to Marseille’s calanques 🚤 The best boat trips from Marseille

Nice

Nice by name, nice by... alright, that’s a bit too cheesy. But it’s true. With its lavish beachside promenade, throngs of established museums and hearty wine bars, Nice is a rather exceptionally lovely coastal city. It’s the former residence of Henri Matisse, with an entire museum dedicated to the legendary artist – and with skies this vibrant, it’s not hard to see where he found the inspiration for his bold blues.

Discover Nice:

📍 The best things to do in Nice 🏖 The best beaches in Nice 😋 The best restaurants in Nice 🛍 The best shops in Nice

Lyon

Lyonnais are known for being particularly proud of their city – and they’ve every right to be. This place is a gastronomic wonderland and (disputedly, we admit) France’s food capital, with each of its Michelin-starred abodes matched by dozens of under-the-radar culinary masters. And with its Unesco-protected city centre, Rhône and Saône river views and its history as a silk centre, Lyon has loads of non-foodie stuff to do, too.

Discover Lyon:

🍴 The best restaurants in Lyon

Bordeaux

Not just the greatest winemaking hub in the world, Bordeaux is also a full-blown dream of a city: packed with characterful medieval architecture, a top-tier dining scene and sprawling green open spaces, and within touching distance of some of the mightiest (and warmest) beaches on France’s Atlantic coast. Even teetotallers will find a shedload to do here.

Nîmes, Arles and Orange

Nîmes, Arles and Orange

For history buffs, there are few regions of France more worth a week’s visit than the lower reaches of the River Rhône. Impressively preserved Roman amphitheatres, arches, temples and baths draw as many visitors to the cities of Nîmes, Arles and Orange as the laidback lifestyle, local wines and year-round sunshine. But the highlight is the spectacular Pont du Gard: the 2,100-year-old three-tiered aqueduct that straddles the Gardon river. It’s one of the most impressive Roman monuments surviving anywhere – Rome included.

French Riviera

French Riviera

Stretching for more than 100 miles along France’s southeastern coast, the Riviera is best appreciated as a whole: as a series of delightful places rather than any one in particular. From perfume capital Grasse and rocky Èze to legendarily-glitzy Saint-Tropez and film-tastic Cannes, the Côte d'Azur is everything it claims to be and more.

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😎 The best places to stay on the French Riviera

Provence

Inland from the bustle of the Riviera, the vast and ancient rural region of Provence is the place for a slower pace of life. If you don’t like the smell of lavender, best avoid the Valensole plateau, with its fields of purple stretching into the distance – 300 square miles’ worth of the fragrant stuff. We recommend renting a mountain bike and cycling the yellow dirt paths, with a charming stopover in a village such as Riez or Esparron-de-Verdon. Not far away, the gravity-defying limestone flanks and dazzling turquoise-green waters of the Gorges du Verdon draw hikers, swimmers and kayakers from far and wide.

Dordogne

Named after the river that runs through it, the Dordogne region is almost surreally picturesque. Vines as far as the eye can see, endless rolling hills, impossibly pretty hamlets… from the seventeenth-century Chateau de Marqueyssac and its hypnotic gardens to the oak forests of the Périgord noir, it’s so beautiful it can feel like the stuff of dreams.

Alsace

On the Upper Rhine plain between France and Germany, Alsace has changed hands several times. Start in regional capital Strasbourg for a taste of Alsace’s culture, architecture and food – a distinctive blend of French and German – then  head to half-timbered Colmar for shades of Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (plus  one of Europe’s best Christmas markets ). And whatever you do, stop off at  the twelfth-century Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg: an epic complex with views all the way to the Black Forest.

Lake Annecy

Lake Annecy

Bordered by snow-capped mountains in the Haute-Savoie region, Annecy is known as ‘Europe’s cleanest lake’ thanks to strict local environmental regulations. It’s also very beautiful. The third-largest lake within France’s borders, its ten square miles draw bathers, sailors, divers and sunbathers alike to its grassy ‘beaches’ in summer. Rich with flora and fauna, the area’s hills are ideal for hiking, and the town of Annecy itself brims with brilliant restaurants, delis and canals.

Canal du Midi

Canal du Midi

Connecting the Garonne river at Toulouse with the Étang de Thau basin on the Mediterranean, the 150-mile-long Midi makes for the dreamiest of waterside cycle adventures in summer. Built under the patronage of Louis XIV’s first minister Colbert in the seventeenth century, it is now connected to the Canal de Garonne, and together the two canals allow for barges to travel from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. For the full canal experience, you should rent one. A barge, that is, not a canal.

Loire Valley

Loire Valley

Two things make a trip here essential: castles and wine. The Loire is France’s longest river, and the stretch between Orléans and Angers is home to more than 300 grand châteaux dating back to the age when France had kings, as well as 185,000 acres of vineyards. Follow the river past woods and fields and through the medieval towns of Blois, Amboise and Saumur – each crowned by an unmissable royal castle. And don’t miss a chance to sample the local specialities: white wine, rillettes, goat’s cheese and Chambord – the latter named after one of the province’s most spectacular châteaux.

French Basque Country

French Basque Country

Although most of the historic Basque Country lies over the border in modern-day Spain, the French part is well worth a visit – especially if you’re partial to a gnarly surf trip. A classy bathing retreat since the nineteenth century, Biarritz became the home of European surfing in the ’50s, with the Atlantic regularly chucking ten-metre waves up its  Grande Plage.  Once you’ve dried off, refuel with a plate of the signature cured ham from Bayonne, just up the road. And further down the coast, the beach towns of St Jean-de-Luz and Hendaye have miles of golden sand and eye-popping summer sunsets over the ocean.

Brittany

With its sweeping cliffs and capes and proud Celtic heritage, France’s rugged northwest region— aka ‘Little Britain’ — is rightly likened to Cornwall. The coastline gets top billing, from the romantic Pink Granite Coast via quaint fishing villages to walkers’ magnet the Crozon peninsula. History fans should make for Carnac, Brittany’s Stonehenge, while gourmands will love plundering the local larder: crêpes, savoury galettes, and seafood, with France’s oyster capital, Cancale, just east of the picture-perfect walled town of Saint-Malo.

Normandy

Normandy’s stirring white-chalk cliffs – from picturesque port Honfleur to chic weekend getaway Étretat – gave birth to no less than the entire art movement of Impressionism. New bike route  La Seine à Vélo  reunites many of the area’s joys, especially at Monet’s home and lilypad-lined gardens at Giverny, before taking in Rouen (tied to Joan of Arc lore) and seaside Deauville. Keep on coasting for three more musts: the D-Day landing sites, Bayeux’s famously ornate tapestry, and ‘Wonder of the West’ the Mont-Saint-Michel, an island topped by a gravity-defying abbey.

Discover more in Europe

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The best places to visit in Italy

I conic cities, gorgeous towns and villages, incredible islands and all the rest

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The best places to visit in Greece

From Athens to the islands, there’s so much to fall in love with here

The best places to visit in Spain

The best places to visit in Spain

Sure, the beaches and big cities are incredible – but there’s much, much more to Spain

The best places to visit in France

The best places to visit in France

It’s one of the most visited places on the planet, but France always lives up to the hype

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Woman enjoying the lavender fields in Provence. France. Aerial view.

CACTUS Creative Studio / Stocksy United

France seduces travelers with iconic landmarks and cafe terraces, epic history and bustling village life. Experiences - and cuisine - to be savored.

Best Time to Visit

Best places to visit, leave the planning to a local expert.

Experience the real France. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

french travel destinations

Cité de l’Espace

The fantastic space museum on the city's eastern outskirts brings Toulouse's illustrious aeronautical history to life through hands-on exhibits, including…

Wide shot of Eiffel Tower with blue sky, Paris, France.

Eiffel Tower

There are different ways to experience the Eiffel Tower, from a daytime trip or an evening ascent amid twinkling lights, to a meal in one of its…

Paris, France - August 13, 2016: The Pompidou Centre is a complex building in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement. It houses the Public Information Library and the museum of Modern art.

Centre Pompidou

Home to Europe's largest collection of modern and contemporary art, Centre Pompidou has amazed and delighted visitors ever since it opened in 1977, not…

France, Indre et Loire, Loire Castles, Chenonceau

Château de Chenonceau

Spanning the languid Cher River atop a graceful arched bridge, Chenonceau is one of France's most elegant châteaux. It's hard not to be moved and…

MARCH 16, 2017: a stained glass window inside the Sainte Chapelle church.

Sainte-Chapelle

Visit Sainte-Chapelle on a sunny day when Paris’ oldest, finest stained glass (1242–48) is at its dazzling best. The chapel is famous for its stained…

September 2016 - Paris, France- Le Louvre museum in daytime

Musée du Louvre

It isn’t until you’re standing in the vast courtyard of the Louvre, with its glass pyramid and ornate façade, that you can truly say you’ve been to Paris.

The royal Chateau de Chambord in the evening, France. This castle is located in the Loire Valley, was built in the 16th century and is one of the most recognizable chateaux in the world.

Château de Chambord

The Loire Valley

If you only have time to visit one château in the Loire, you might as well make it the grandest – and Chambord is the most lavish of them all, and the…

Skulls and bones in Paris Catacombs

Les Catacombes

It’s gruesome, ghoulish and downright spooky, but it never fails to captivate visitors. In 1785, the subterranean tunnels of an abandoned quarry were…

Top picks from our travel experts

15 best things to do in france: the most unmissable experiences from paris to provence and beyond.

Maison des Mégalithes

Maison des Mégalithes

Golfe du Morbihan

The main information point for the Carnac alignments is the Maison des Mégalithes, 1km north of Carnac-Ville, which explores the history of the megalithic…

Panoramic of Notre Dame at sunset, Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

While its interior is closed off to visitors following the devastating fire of April 2019, this masterpiece of French Gothic architecture remains the city…

french travel destinations

Avenue des Champs-Élysées

No trip to Paris is complete without strolling this broad, tree-shaded avenue lined with luxury shops. Named for the Elysian Fields (‘heaven’ in Greek…

french travel destinations

Abbaye du Mont St-Michel

Mont St-Michel

Mont St-Michel's one main street, the Grande Rue, leads up the slope – past souvenir shops, eateries and a forest of elbows – to the star attraction of a…

Musée de la Lavande

Musée de la Lavande

The Luberon

To get to grips with Provence’s most prestigious crop, this excellent eco-museum makes an ideal first stop. An audioguide and video (in English) explain…

french travel destinations

Carnac Alignments

Predating Stonehenge by around 100 years, the Carnac (Garnag in Breton) area is the world's greatest concentration of megalithic sites, with no fewer than…

France, Paris, Seine River banks listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, musee d'Orsay

Musée d’Orsay

St-Germain & Les Invalides

Musée d’Orsay may not be quite as famous as the Louvre—though it’s located a mere 10-minute walk away—but this Left Bank museum holds its own in its…

NICE, FRANCE, on JANUARY 9, 2017. Promenade des Anglais - the main embankment of the city, one of the most beautiful in the world, stretches along the sea and the beach. Aerial view from Shatto's hill; Shutterstock ID 613405820; Your name (First / Last): Daniel Fahey; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Nice and Graz POIs

Promenade des Anglais

The most famous stretch of seafront in Nice – if not France – is this vast paved promenade, which gets its name from the English expat patrons who paid…

The Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park.

Parc Naturel Régional des Ballons des Vosges

Head away from the crowds and into the serene Parc Naturel Régional des Ballons des Vosges, 3000 sq km of pristine greenery in the western Vosges. In…

Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque and lavender fields.

Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque

If you're searching for that classic postcard shot of the medieval abbey surrounded by a sea of purple lavender, look no further. This sublime Cistercian…

Monastère Notre Dame de Cimiez

Monastère Notre Dame de Cimiez

Painters Henri Matisse and Raoul Dufy are buried in the cemetery of this monastery, a five-minute walk across the park from the Musée Matisse. To reach…

Musée Lumière

Musée Lumière

Cinema's glorious beginnings are showcased at the art nouveau home of Antoine Lumière, who moved to Lyon with sons Auguste and Louis in 1870. The brothers…

View of Strasbourg Cathedral from ground. Alsace; Shutterstock ID 543791347; Your name (First / Last): Daniel Fahey; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Cathédrale Notre-Dame Strasbourg POI

Cathédrale Notre-Dame

Nothing prepares you for your first glimpse of Strasbourg's Cathédrale Notre-Dame, completed in all its Gothic grandeur in 1439. The lace-fine facade…

Hôtel des Invalides

Hôtel des Invalides

Flanked by the 500m-long Esplanade des Invalides lawns, Hôtel des Invalides was built in the 1670s by Louis XIV to house 4000 invalides (disabled war…

french travel destinations

Pont du Gard

Languedoc-Roussillon

The extraordinary three-tiered Pont du Gard was once part of a 50km-long system of channels built around 19 BC to transport water from Uzès to Nîmes. The…

Paris, France

Château de Versailles

Amid magnificently landscaped formal gardens, this splendid and enormous palace was built in the mid-17th century during the reign of Louis XIV – the Roi…

Hôtel de Ville

Hôtel de Ville

Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

Paris’ beautiful town hall was gutted during the Paris Commune of 1871 and rebuilt in luxurious neo-Renaissance style between 1874 and 1882. The ornate…

Jardin des Plantes

Jardin des Plantes

Latin Quarter

Founded in 1626 as a medicinal herb garden for Louis XIII, Paris’ 24-hectare botanic gardens – visually defined by the double alley of plane trees that…

Chapel of the Rosary, designed by Henri Matisse, in Vence.

Chapelle du Rosaire

Côte d'Azur

An ailing Henri Matisse moved to Vence in 1943 to be cared for by his former nurse and model, Monique Bourgeois, who'd since become a Dominican nun. She…

Phare de Biarritz

Phare de Biarritz

Climbing the 258 twisting steps inside the 73m-high Phare de Biarritz, the town’s 1834 lighthouse, rewards you with sweeping views of the Basque coast…

France, Alsace, Strasbourg, Petite-France, View of restaurants, taverns and framed houses

Petite France

Criss-crossed by narrow lanes, canals and locks, Petite France is where artisans plied their trades in the Middle Ages. The half-timbered houses,…

Place de la Concorde

Place de la Concorde

Paris spreads around you, with views of the Eiffel Tower, the Seine and along the Champs-Élysées, when you stand in the city’s largest square. Its 3300…

France, Alpes Maritimes, Nice, district of Cimiez Hill, museums and archaeological sites, thermal baths of the ancient Roman city of Cemenelum, Matisse museum in the background

Musée Matisse

This museum, 2km north of the city centre in the leafy Cimiez quarter, houses a fascinating assortment of works by Matisse, including oil paintings,…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Best Things to Do

(Warning: this article will make you want to book a trip.)

Things to Know

Hints, tips, cheats and little-known intel from our France local pulled together in one digestible list.

Transportation

From bike to bus and train to plane, here's everything you need to know about getting around in France.

Visa Requirements

From visa-free travel in the Schengen Zone to working holidays, here's everything you need to know about the visa requirements for France.

Money and Costs

France is a country associated with luxury – yet it’s not hard to enjoy all its pleasures on a limited budget. If you read our guide, that is.

Traveling with Kids

A Parisian break with children needn’t be a pain. Here’s our guide to traveling in France with children, whatever their age.

Best Road Trips

Hidden towns and rolling vineyards – France has it all on offer on a road trip. Explore this stunning country behind the wheel with our pick of the best.

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I already told you in article 10 good reasons to learn French , but I'll tell you again: the French language is very useful and indispensable for travelling.

Along with English, French is the only language present on the 5 continents. So it's true that we don't always know where we speak French. It can sometimes be the official language or the second language of some countries and in others it will be spoken but in an unofficial way.

This is why I have concocted an article on the 25 most beautiful destinations where French is spoken.

#1 French Overseas Departments and Territories

 l’Île des Pins en Nouvelle-Calédonie

(Photo of the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia by Sébastien Jermer)

The French Overseas Departments and Territories are French overseas departments and territories outside the European continent. They are, for the most part, paradise islands with an incredible ecosystem. They are splendid destinations if you like white sandy beaches, turquoise water and if you want to order your cocktails in French.  

#2 Aosta Valley

Photo de la Vallée d’Aoste

(Photo of Aosta Valley, Pixabay)

Between France and Italy, the Aosta Valley has two official languages: Italian and French. Despite its small size, this region has a very important cultural richness and beautiful landscapes. If you are passionate about winter sports or country walks, the Aosta Valley is for you.

#3 Quebec

 Parc National de Jacques Cartier, Québec, Canada

(Photo of Jacques Cartier National Park, Quebec, Canada by Alice Triquet)

Why not visit our Quebec friends? Quebec is a region of Canada where French is spoken. So yes, they have a very pronounced accent and if you're not used to it, it's going to sound weird. But, you get used to it very quickly and there is always a way to understand each other.

Photo d'architecture du Laos

(Architectural photo of Laos, Pixabay 

It's indeed still possible to find some inhabitants who speak French in Laos. Due to the colonial past of this country, it is still possible to find some remnants of the French language in the country of millions of elephants, including street names and a few elders who master the language of Molière.

#5 The Seychelles

Photo des Seychelles

(Photo of the Seychelles, Pixabay)

What a marvel! Doesn't it make you want to dive into this turquoise water? In the heart of the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles archipelago consists of 115 islands with numerous beaches and coral reefs. Enough to delight sunbathing fans and diving enthusiasts. With more than half of the population speaking French, contacts with the inhabitants and amenities are in French.

#6 Madagascar

Photo d’un Lémur catta de Madagascar

(Photo of a Madagascar Lemur catta, Pixabay)

Member of the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF), Madagascar has an incredible fauna and flora. Between majestic baobabs and more than fifty species of lemurs, this French-speaking island is full of surprises.

#7 Belgium

Photo de Bruges en Belgique

(Photo of Bruges, Belgium, by S. Hermann & F. Richter, Pixabay)

Otherwise known as the "flat country", Belgium has three official languages: German, Flemish and French. However, most Belgians speak French or have at least some knowledge of it. I live in Belgium, I don't speak a word of Flemish or German and I'm doing very well, because I always come across someone who speaks French. With its rich culture and green landscapes, Belgium is a breath of fresh air in the heart of Europe.

#8 The Maghreb

Photo d’une ville historique au Maroc

(Photo of a historical city in Morocco, by Walkersskr, Pixabay)

The Maghreb is composed of three African countries: Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The French language has no official or national title in the Maghreb, but it is spoken by a large part of the inhabitants. At the gates of the Sahara desert, these three countries will fill your eyes with its landscapes. In addition, the spice markets with their multiple scents will fill you with wonder.

#9 Monaco

Photo du jardin exotique de Monaco

(Photo of the exotic garden of Monaco, by Julien Lanoy)

Monaco is an independent entity and is not a French region, despite the fact that it is located in France. Even though there are a large number of foreign visitors, the French language is mainly used by Monegasques. If you like luxury, the "m'as-tu-vu" and bling-bling, you will love Monaco. Don't hesitate also to visit the fantastic oceanographic museum founded by Prince Albert 1ᵉʳ of Monaco.

Photo des pyramides d’Égypte

(Photo of the Pyramids of Egypt, by Pete Linforth of Pixabay)

Egypt intrigues by its sumptuous pyramids and its thrilling history. You may be surprised to see Egypt in the list of countries where French is spoken. However, there is a part of the population of Egypt that still uses the French language. The country of the Nile Donation is even a member of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

#11 Mauritius

Photo du Cristal Rock à l’Île Maurice

(Photo of Cristal Rock in Mauritius, by DerBub de Pixabay )

French is not the official language of Mauritius, however a large part of the population speaks French. It is indeed, along with English, learned at school. French will therefore be very useful to you in this dream destination.

#12 Switzerland

Photo d’un paysage Suisse

(Photo of a Swiss landscape, by Ioannis Ioannidis of Pixabay)

I don't know about you, but when I see these landscapes, I immediately feel calmer. Between snow-capped mountains, turquoise blue lakes and wide green spaces, Switzerland is the nature and peace destination par excellence. The French language remains one of the three official languages in the land of chocolate. It is spoken by 23% of the Swiss population.

#13 French-speaking Africa: Senegal, Mali, Benin, Gabon, Togo, Niger, Djibouti, Rwanda, etc.

Photo de barques au Sénégal

(Photo of boats in Senegal, by Marclou de Pixabay)

Also due to a strong colonial past, it can be said that France left its mark on some African countries during its passage. Many have kept the French language as one of their official languages. If you want to discover French-speaking Africa, French will be very useful! Between seaside resorts, safaris, national parks, typical villages, as they say, you have the king's choice.

#14 Cambodia

Photo d’un temple cambodgien

(Photo of a Cambodian temple, by Poswiecie de Pixabay)

Cambodia, a country of serenity and spirituality, where the French language is also spoken by a minority of the population. It is mainly used in the city of Phnom Penh.

Photo de l’île de Jersey

(Photo of the island of Jersey, by Falco de Pixabay)

Situated between France and England, the Island of Jersey is an autonomous dependent territory of the United Kingdom. Strongly influenced by British and French culture, French is taught at school to the inhabitants as a second language. The island is visited and known for its cliffside walks, its landscapes mixing the blue of the sea and the green of the valleys, as well as for its historic castles.

#16 Lebanon

Photo d’architecture libanaise

(Photo of Lebanese architecture, by pardjedj de Pixabay)

Between land and sea, Lebanon has many spoken languages, including French. Mainly rocky, the Lebanese landscapes are breathtaking. The Lebanese gastronomy is also very appreciated and is worth the detour.

#17 Vietnam

Photo de rizières au Vietnam

(Photo of rice fields in Vietnam, by Dung Le Tien of Pixabay)

Official language until the middle of the 20th century, the French language is present, once again, thanks / because of France's colonial past. Its presence remains, nevertheless less so nowadays. Vietnam is famous for its cliff-side beaches, rivers, Buddhist places of worship, rice fields and lively cities.

#18 Luxembourg

Photo du château de Bourscheid au Luxembourg

(Photo of Bourscheid castle in Luxembourg, by Yvonne Huijbens de Pixabay)

Formerly called Northern Gibraltar, Luxembourg is a tiny country in Europe. Endowed with lush green landscapes, Luxembourg has splendid forests, natural parks and a medieval past to be discovered without moderation. Luxembourg has three official languages: Luxembourgish, German and French.

#19 Haiti

Photo d’une plage haïtienne

(Haitian beach photo by Caleb George)

Located in the Caribbean and sharing its territory with the Dominican Republic, Haiti uses French as a second language. It is a language used for all administrative, commercial and educational purposes.

#20 Vanuatu

Photo du Vanuatu

(Photo of Vanuatu, by Monika MG)

Vanuatu is an archipelago of 80 islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is the country with the highest linguistic density in the world, i.e. it has a large number of languages for a small number of inhabitants. However, Vanuatu has three official languages: English, Bichelamar and French.

#21 Comoros

Photo des îles Comores

(Photo of Comoros Islands, by Patrizio Severini)

The Comoros Islands, composed of four large islands, have three official languages: Arabic, Comorian and French. Between beaches and volcanic rocks, the Comoros Islands offer heavenly landscapes.  The Comoros Islands are also known for their culture of vanilla, cloves and ylang-ylang. Enough to thrill your sense of smell.

#22 Guernesey

Photo de Guernesey

(Photo de Guernesey par Olly Browning)

Like Jersey, Guernsey is an autonomous dependent territory of the United Kingdom. The island has three official languages: English, Norman and French. Guernsey is famous for its few seaside resorts and its walks along the coast. An ideal destination where French is spoken.

#23 Andorra

Photo de paysage de l’Andorre

(Landscape photo of Andorra, by geertwillemarck de Pixabay)

A member of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), this part of the country, located between France and Spain, is an independent principality. Offering magnificent green landscapes, Andorra is also renowned for its ski resorts.

#24 The Vatican

Photo du Vatican

(Photo of the Vatican, by geertwillemarck of Pixabay)

Why not visit the smallest state in the world? With four official languages, including French, the Vatican has an incredible history and cultural richness. So a pious stay in French doesn't tempt you ?

Photo d’un champ de lavande

(Photo of a lavender field, by Léonard Cotte)

And yes! We can't forget it! France is also a very beautiful destination and where French is spoken. There too, a wide range of landscapes is offered to you and there is something for everyone: countryside, mountains, sea, towns, meadows, lakes and rivers, etc

So, tell me which destination where French is spoken makes you dream the most ? ⬇️ ⬇️

See you soon for new adventures, in french of course  🇫🇷.

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A view of a gondola as it leaves a station and descends into a snowy valley surrounded by rugged mountains.

It Just Got Easier to Visit a Vanishing Glacier. Is That a Good Thing?

“Last-chance tourists” are visiting the melting Mer de Glace in Chamonix, France, in droves. A just-opened lift should make that easier. But some worry tourism is only making the problem worse.

Credit... Darren S. Higgins for The New York Times

Supported by

By Paige McClanahan

Paige McClanahan lived in the French Alps for five years and has visited the Mer de Glace many times.

  • March 3, 2024

Claude Folmer was about 40 years old the first time he visited the Mer de Glace , the largest glacier in the French Alps. He remembers enjoying the panoramic view from the observation platform, then taking a short hike down to the ice, where he toured the ice cave that’s carved into the glacier’s surface.

Four decades later, on a mild, sunny morning in early February, Mr. Folmer — now 80 and accompanied by his adult son, Alain — was taking in a view of the same glacier. He was shocked by the change.

“The difference is enormous. The glacier used to be just below,” Mr. Folmer said, gesturing to the gravel-covered river of ice that now lies more than 800 vertical feet below the viewing platform. “For someone who doesn’t know how it used to be, it’s a beautiful scene. But when you know the difference, it really is sad,” he said.

Mr. Folmer, who lives near the French city of Albertville, traveled by train to Chamonix, the mountain town from which visitors can easily visit the glacier. He and his son happened to be there on the opening day of a gondola that transports visitors between the viewing platform and the ice below. The Folmers weren’t aware of the new lift — which replaces an older gondola built in 1988 — but when they learned of the news, neither was pleased.

“At some point, you have to leave the glacier alone,” the younger Mr. Folmer said. “There’s big machinery being installed. Where will it stop?”

Beneath a blue sky, dozens of tourists in jackets and hats gather on an observation deck that overlooks a glacier and snowy, rugged mountains.

It’s a question that many travelers are asking themselves, as climate change threatens a growing number of tourist destinations — from glaciers to coral reefs, ski slopes to low-lying islands. For thousands of years, humans have raced to be the first to scale a peak, cross a frontier, or document a new species or landscape.

Now, in some cases, we’re racing to be the last.

The term last-chance tourism, which has gained traction in the past two decades, describes the impulse to visit threatened places before they disappear. Studies have found that the appeal of the disappearing can be a powerful motivator. But in many cases, the presence of tourists at a fragile site can accelerate the place’s demise.

There is some evidence that a visit to a threatened place can inspire meaningful behavioral change in visitors, potentially helping to offset the negative impacts of a trip. But research is still in its early stages, and results are mixed.

In a place like Chamonix — where tourism is the mainstay of the economy, and where climate change is already having palpable effects on tourist offerings — such tensions are playing out in real time. The shift to a new way of interacting with the landscape may be slow to come, as many jobs — as well as tourist habits — are built into the old way of doing things. But some are already pioneering a new approach, and with the effects of global warming accelerating, change will have to come quickly.

A new gondola in Chamonix

The Mer de Glace, or Sea of Ice, which once reached from the slopes of Mont Blanc all the way to the valley floor in Chamonix, has been attracting visitors for nearly three centuries. Mark Twain, Mary Shelley and Alexandre Dumas were among the early tourists who visited Montenvers, the site of the Mer de Glace overlook, and helped spread the glacier’s fame.

These days, in a typical year, about half a million people visit Montenvers, said Damien Girardier, the head of the site, which is owned by the city of Chamonix and managed by the Compagnie du Mont Blanc . Most visitors arrive via the red cogwheel train that links the viewing platform to the middle of Chamonix, though some arrive on foot — or ski in. Every year, about 80,000 people ski down the Mer de Glace, a classic backcountry Alpine descent called “la Vallée Blanche” (the White Valley) that finishes near the glacier’s terminus below the viewing platform. They then either hike up to Montenvers with their skis — or they take the lift.

The new lift, which opened the first weekend of February, was built about a quarter of a mile up the valley from the 1988 lift, anticipating the glacier’s further retreat. In the 35 years since that old lift was constructed, the glacier has drawn back so much that about 600 steps had to be installed between the bottom of the lift and the surface of the ice. That made it harder for older adults and anyone with reduced mobility to reach the glacier from Montenvers. It also made for a long uphill slog for tired Vallée Blanche skiers at the end of a long day.

Mr. Girardier said the new lift, which cost 20 million euros, or about $21.6 million, was built in accordance with strict environmental controls. Its colors were chosen to blend into the landscape, a special cable was used to minimize noise, and most of the building material was transported to the site by train. The gondola was also constructed in a way that allows future generations to dismantle the structure easily — should they want to.

“In 15 years, the end of the glacier will probably have reached the lift,” Mr. Girardier said, “but it doesn’t matter. When you go to Iceland, people walk for an hour to get to the glacier. For us, it’ll be the same.”

The new lift is part of a bigger project that will also include the construction of a new educational exhibit, called the Glaciorium, about glaciers and climate change. The center is scheduled to open late this year, though some of the funding has yet to be confirmed.

In the meantime, day-trippers can visit the ice cave, which has been revamped with a new design and information displays, while skiers will be able to take the lift to end a day of skiing on the Vallée Blanche, an important source of work for Chamonix’s guiding community.

Julien Ravanello, a mountain guide with the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix , leads about 20 Vallée Blanche trips per season. He said the new lift would make things more straightforward on a route that — with a guide — is within the grasp of most average skiers.

“Above all, we like it because it shows people the universe of the high mountains,” said Mr. Ravanello, who added that such an accessible glacial ski descent “is almost unique in the world.”

Capucine Pénicaud, a global health consultant and yoga instructor who lives in Chamonix, skis the Vallée Blanche once or twice a year.

“It’s a place that I love and at the same time makes me very sad,” Ms. Pénicaud said of the glacier, adding that her visits to the Mer de Glace almost always move her to tears. “I think there’s a real opportunity in going there, because you can understand global warming — and feel it,” she said.

But Ms. Pénicaud isn’t happy about the new lift. She said she didn’t mind the 45-minute hike up to the viewing platform at the end of a Vallée Blanche run. Also, the concrete for the project was mixed in the Chamonix Valley, near where she lives, then transported by helicopter to the site. “For the past two years, I have seen helicopters bringing concrete up here every half-hour. How much petrol? How much pollution? How much concrete?” she said.

The Compagnie du Mont Blanc confirmed that concrete for the project had been transported by helicopter, but added that the train had been prioritized for the transport of other building materials “for ecological reasons as well as financial ones.”

Last-chance tourism

Can a visit to such a site prompt a change in behavior?

Researchers at the Mer de Glace have found that exposure to its fragile environment can inspire people to adopt environmentally friendly behavior — or at least to declare their intention to do so in a questionnaire.

A 2020 survey of summer visitors to the glacier found that 80 percent said they would “try to learn more about the environment and how to protect it.” Another 82 percent said they would stop visiting glaciers if doing so would protect them, while 77 percent said they would reduce their water and energy consumption.

More research would be required to see whether tourists follow through. But drawing on the survey results, the researchers concluded that using last-chance tourism as an opportunity to educate visitors about climate change — while also engaging people’s emotions and showing them concrete steps they can take to protect the environment — could maximize the environmental benefits of this kind of tourism.

Others are skeptical. Karla Boluk, a professor in the department of recreation and leisure studies at the University of Waterloo, in Ontario, pointed to her research that found that a majority of last-chance tourists at two Canadian sites were unwilling to pay for carbon offsets.

“There’s an ethical paradox of last-chance tourism, and it involves the moral question of whether travelers acknowledge and respond to the harm they promote,” Dr. Boluk said.

“It’s important for us to engage in thoughtful decision-making and careful research to ensure that we are not contributing to the collapse of these places, exacerbating the issues caused by climate change,” she said, adding that tourist “destinations” are also places locals call home.

A different approach

Elsewhere in the Chamonix Valley, the staff of the Research Center for Alpine Ecosystems is working to understand the potential impact of a different approach to nature tourism: citizen science.

Colin Van Reeth, an ecologist and the manager of citizen science programs at the center, described outings that he and his colleagues have organized on which participants are invited to stop at a pond during a hike to document the frogs they see. “For us, it’s a question of getting tourists involved in naturalist observations of the mountains,” Dr. Van Reeth said. Their hypothesis is that by strengthening people’s sense of connection with the natural environment, they might be able to inspire people to make lasting and meaningful changes to their behavior.

“It’s about identifying those small steps, those small stages of transformation,” Dr. Van Reeth said.

Some don’t need a nudge.

Standing at the overlook, Mr. Folmer, the 80-year-old visitor, said that he gave up flying two years ago out of concern for the climate, and that he makes local trips on his bicycle when he can.

“I don’t blame people who fly occasionally when they go on vacation,” Mr. Folmer said, looking down at the glacier. “But when you see this, you think each of us can make a little personal effort.”

Paige McClanahan, a regular contributor to the Travel section, is the author of “The New Tourist: Waking Up to the Power and Perils of Travel,” forthcoming from Scribner on June 18.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Where to Go This Winter

Whether you enjoy snowy landscapes or warmer weather, make the most of the season with the destinations below..

Embrace the Cold

Skiing Without Going Broke: Some states and resorts offer discounted passes for children and teens, knowing that those who start young tend to keep coming back .

Try Extreme Sledding : Looking for a thrill? Sledders in Switzerland are rocketing down steep, miles-long slopes , sometimes at night.

Spend 36 Hours in Vienna: The Austrian capital beckons as a wintry escape  with ice skating paths, cozy coffeehouses and a Christmas market in a palace.

Go Hut-to-Hut in Colorado: Challenge yourself with a backcountry adventure  that rewards skiers with soul-stirring scenery.

Stay in a Cozy Inn: Discover six hotels that are perfect for a weekend of sipping hot cocoa by the fire .

Escape to Warmer Weather

Learn to Love Waikiki:  It’s fashionable to dismiss the famous Honolulu beach as touristy and inauthentic, but it offers more if you know where to look .

Choose Your Cruise: Here are eight cruises to sunny spots  that offer respite from the winter blahs.

Unwind in the Desert: Spend 36 hours dining under the stars and riding mustangs  over a weekend at Joshua Tree in California.

Hunt for a ‘Perfect Beach’:  Search the coast of northern Puerto Rico for a superb stretch of golden sand .

Splurge on a Sailboat Adventure: What you need to know to charter a sailboat in the Caribbean , from costs and type of vessel to timing and itinerary.

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25 places other than France where speaking French is helpful

Posted: December 19, 2023 | Last updated: December 19, 2023

<p>Speaking another language is always helpful, especially if you love to travel. And French, commonly thought of as one of the most beautiful in the world, is also more useful than you might realize. Here are 25 destinations outside of France where you can put your French language skills to good use!</p>

Speaking another language is always helpful, especially if you love to travel. And French, commonly thought of as one of the most beautiful in the world, is also more useful than you might realize. Here are 25 destinations outside of France where you can put your French language skills to good use!

<p>Home to delicious beer, chocolate, waffles, and fries (no, they actually didn’t originate in France), Belgium is also a French-speaking country. The language is one of three officially spoken in the country; the other two are Dutch and German. French is mostly spoken in the capital, Brussels, and in the south of the country.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/20_tips_for_making_your_spaces_less_cluttered_121823/s1__35553212'>20 tips for making your spaces less cluttered</a></p>

Home to delicious beer, chocolate, waffles, and fries (no, they actually didn’t originate in France), Belgium is also a French-speaking country. The language is one of three officially spoken in the country; the other two are Dutch and German. French is mostly spoken in the capital, Brussels, and in the south of the country.

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<p>Another multilingual state that borders France, the Grand Duchy has French, German, and Luxembourgish as official languages. However, French is one most commonly used on signs and in written communication in the country. You’ll also find it most helpful for small talk and chatting with residents.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

Another multilingual state that borders France, the Grand Duchy has French, German, and Luxembourgish as official languages. However, French is one most commonly used on signs and in written communication in the country. You’ll also find it most helpful for small talk and chatting with residents.

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<p>Yet another European country with French as one of the official languages (the others are German, Italian, and Rhaeto-Romance). You’ll find French most useful in Geneva and the surrounding area, although it’s used throughout Switzerland.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/the_20_best_small_towns_in_europe_121923/s1__38397859'>The 20 best small towns in Europe</a></p>

Switzerland

Yet another European country with French as one of the official languages (the others are German, Italian, and Rhaeto-Romance). You’ll find French most useful in Geneva and the surrounding area, although it’s used throughout Switzerland.

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<p>Many people make the mistake of assuming that this tiny state is a part of France. And while Monaco is surrounded by its’ much larger neighbor and uses the French language, it is a sovereign city-state with a monarchy. There is also a Monégasque language that has official status.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

Many people make the mistake of assuming that this tiny state is a part of France. And while Monaco is surrounded by its’ much larger neighbor and uses the French language, it is a sovereign city-state with a monarchy. There is also a Monégasque language that has official status.

<p>This region of Italy is located in the northwest of the country, near France. Latin was replaced by French as the official language after the fall of the Roman Empire and then, in the 19th century, was replaced with Italian. Today, the region is bilingual, and you’ll see French and Italian written on road signs and hear the two spoken by locals.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/15_scenic_train_rides_across_europe/s1__39017174'>15 scenic train rides across Europe</a></p>

Aosta Valley

This region of Italy is located in the northwest of the country, near France. Latin was replaced by French as the official language after the fall of the Roman Empire and then, in the 19th century, was replaced with Italian. Today, the region is bilingual, and you’ll see French and Italian written on road signs and hear the two spoken by locals.

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<p>The French Empire had a strong presence in North Africa, and thus many nations in the region still use French as an official language. Morocco is one of these, and French is widespread along with Arabic and various Berber dialects. As a visitor, you’ll find it extremely useful when speaking to locals or reading signs and menus.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

The French Empire had a strong presence in North Africa, and thus many nations in the region still use French as an official language. Morocco is one of these, and French is widespread along with Arabic and various Berber dialects. As a visitor, you’ll find it extremely useful when speaking to locals or reading signs and menus.

<p>Algeria’s official languages are Arabic and Berber, but French is also commonly understood. While not as widely used as in neighboring Morocco, it will be your best bet if you don’t speak one of the official languages. </p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/too_sweet_24_of_the_oldest_candy_bars_still_available_121923/s1__39111177'>Too sweet: 24 of the oldest candy bars still available</a></p>

Algeria’s official languages are Arabic and Berber, but French is also commonly understood. While not as widely used as in neighboring Morocco, it will be your best bet if you don’t speak one of the official languages. 

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<p>Another former French colonial outpost, the language is used and understood throughout the country in addition to Arabic and Tunisian. It’s estimated over half the population speaks French, and it’s the teaching language of high schools in the country.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

Another former French colonial outpost, the language is used and understood throughout the country in addition to Arabic and Tunisian. It’s estimated over half the population speaks French, and it’s the teaching language of high schools in the country.

<p>Cameroon was a colony of both the UK and France in the early 20th century. So, English and French are spoken in the country. However, French is the most prevalent, with eight of 10 regions considered Francophone. Locals also speak numerous other indigenous languages.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/22_southern_slow_cooker_recipes_092523/s1__39105921'>22 Southern slow-cooker recipes</a></p>

Cameroon was a colony of both the UK and France in the early 20th century. So, English and French are spoken in the country. However, French is the most prevalent, with eight of 10 regions considered Francophone. Locals also speak numerous other indigenous languages.

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<p>Known as “Côte d’Ivoire” in French, this coastal nation uses the old colonial language as the official one. Additionally, numerous indigenous languages also have recognized status in the Ivory Coast.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

Ivory Coast

Known as “Côte d’Ivoire” in French, this coastal nation uses the old colonial language as the official one. Additionally, numerous indigenous languages also have recognized status in the Ivory Coast.

<p>Senegal has six recognized indigenous languages, the most well-known and commonly spoken is Wolof. However, French is still the official language of the country despite Wolof being more widely used and understood.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/how_old_are_these_20_iconic_snack_food_companies_121923/s1__23223418'>How old are these 20 iconic snack food companies?</a></p>

Senegal has six recognized indigenous languages, the most well-known and commonly spoken is Wolof. However, French is still the official language of the country despite Wolof being more widely used and understood.

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<p>Yet another multilingual former French colony, Burundi has three official languages. In addition to French, Kirundi, and Swahili are recognized by the government. In 2014, English also gained status in the country.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

Yet another multilingual former French colony, Burundi has three official languages. In addition to French, Kirundi, and Swahili are recognized by the government. In 2014, English also gained status in the country.

<p>Also known as the Congo or Congo-Brazzaville, it is not to be confused with its neighbor, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Formerly known as the French Congo, due to colonization, the language is still the official one of use to this day. The local Bantu language, Kituba, Lingala, and numerous other indigenous languages are also widely spoken.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/20_foolproof_crockpot_dump_recipes_you_can_try_092523/s1__39117815'>20 foolproof crockpot dump recipes you can try</a></p>

Republic of the Congo

Also known as the Congo or Congo-Brazzaville, it is not to be confused with its neighbor, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Formerly known as the French Congo, due to colonization, the language is still the official one of use to this day. The local Bantu language, Kituba, Lingala, and numerous other indigenous languages are also widely spoken.

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<p>The DRC has four main languages: <span>Kikongo (Kituba), Lingala, Swahili, and Tshiluba. However, as a former Belgian colony, French is still widely used and understood.</span></p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The DRC has four main languages: Kikongo (Kituba), Lingala, Swahili, and Tshiluba. However, as a former Belgian colony, French is still widely used and understood.

<p>Togo is a very multilingual country, and in addition to the official language, French has over 40 in use throughout the country. Many signs will be in French, and most locals speak some.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/20_foolproof_crockpot_dump_recipes_you_can_try_121923/s1__39117815'>20 foolproof crockpot dump recipes you can try</a></p>

Togo is a very multilingual country, and in addition to the official language, French has over 40 in use throughout the country. Many signs will be in French, and most locals speak some.

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<p>Yet another former French colony, visitors to Mali will find the language very useful in most interactions. Additionally, the country is home to more than 80 other local languages.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

Yet another former French colony, visitors to Mali will find the language very useful in most interactions. Additionally, the country is home to more than 80 other local languages.

<p>The British and French fought over Canada, with the former finally winning out, but the Francophone portion of the population remained influential. So much so that the country has two official languages: English and French, with over 70 indigenous languages in existence. And the province of Québec only has French as the official language (and frequently threatens to secede from Canada). Its neighbor, New Brunswick, is the only officially bilingual province.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/instead_of_red_20_pasta_sauces_that_arent_marinara_121823/s1__34442471'>Instead of red: 20 pasta sauces that aren’t marinara</a></p>

The British and French fought over Canada, with the former finally winning out, but the Francophone portion of the population remained influential. So much so that the country has two official languages: English and French, with over 70 indigenous languages in existence. And the province of Québec only has French as the official language (and frequently threatens to secede from Canada). Its neighbor, New Brunswick, is the only officially bilingual province.

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<p>When the U.S. purchased Louisiana territory from the French in 1803, it probably wasn’t considered how long the language would stick around. In the 1960s, efforts were made to revive the language in the state after decades of suppression and Americanization. Now, French is spoken by an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 residents, ranging from traditional and Cajun (Louisiana) French.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

When the U.S. purchased Louisiana territory from the French in 1803, it probably wasn’t considered how long the language would stick around. In the 1960s, efforts were made to revive the language in the state after decades of suppression and Americanization. Now, French is spoken by an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 residents, ranging from traditional and Cajun (Louisiana) French.

<p>The Spanish colonized this Caribbean island before the Brits and French arrived. Then in 1763, France took over, and in 1943, it became semi-autonomous before gaining its current status as an Overseas Department in 1946. French is the official language, and visitors will find it helpful to know basic phrases, but Martinique Creole is unofficially the local language of communication.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/the_21_best_beaches_on_the_west_coast_092323/s1__39136863'>The 21 best beaches on the West Coast</a></p>

The Spanish colonized this Caribbean island before the Brits and French arrived. Then in 1763, France took over, and in 1943, it became semi-autonomous before gaining its current status as an Overseas Department in 1946. French is the official language, and visitors will find it helpful to know basic phrases, but Martinique Creole is unofficially the local language of communication.

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<p>Another current French Overseas Department first colonized by the Spanish, Guadalupe has French as its official language, but like Martinique, Creole is widely used by locals.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

Another current French Overseas Department first colonized by the Spanish, Guadalupe has French as its official language, but like Martinique, Creole is widely used by locals.

<p>This small section of the South American continent, located between far northeastern Brazil and Suriname and Guyana, is a former colony that housed a penal colony of France. Today, it is a French Overseas Department. Thus, French is the official language, but Creole is the language of use by many residents.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/healthier_recipes_to_comfort_you_through_winter_121823/s1__34088492'>Healthier recipes to comfort you through winter</a></p>

French Guiana

This small section of the South American continent, located between far northeastern Brazil and Suriname and Guyana, is a former colony that housed a penal colony of France. Today, it is a French Overseas Department. Thus, French is the official language, but Creole is the language of use by many residents.

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<p>Colonized by the French, the islands received the name “French Polynesia” after being designated a French Overseas Territory in the '50s. Then, in 1977, the country received autonomy and is now considered an overseas country of the French Republic, with French as the official language.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

French Polynesia

Colonized by the French, the islands received the name “French Polynesia” after being designated a French Overseas Territory in the '50s. Then, in 1977, the country received autonomy and is now considered an overseas country of the French Republic, with French as the official language.

<p>The British initially colonized these islands in the South Pacific before the French took over in 1853. Recent years have brought referendums for independence, but a slim majority of the population has voted in favor of remaining part of France. French remains the official language of the territory.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/20_holiday_slow_cooker_recipes_you_need_to_try_121823/s1__36371027'>20 holiday slow cooker recipes you need to try</a></p>

New Caledonia

The British initially colonized these islands in the South Pacific before the French took over in 1853. Recent years have brought referendums for independence, but a slim majority of the population has voted in favor of remaining part of France. French remains the official language of the territory.

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<p>This Pacific country is very multilingual, with French, English, and Bislama all considered official languages. However, it doesn’t stop there, as over 100 languages are spoken on the island. After centuries of colonization, independence was finally declared in 1980. </p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

This Pacific country is very multilingual, with French, English, and Bislama all considered official languages. However, it doesn’t stop there, as over 100 languages are spoken on the island. After centuries of colonization, independence was finally declared in 1980. 

<p>Made up of the Wallis, Futuna, and Alofi islands, all three were French protectorates and colonies until 1961. Then, the islands became a French Overseas Territory until 2003, when they received status as an Overseas Collectivity. French has been the official language throughout all the status changes.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Did you enjoy this slideshow? Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

Wallis & Futuna

Made up of the Wallis, Futuna, and Alofi islands, all three were French protectorates and colonies until 1961. Then, the islands became a French Overseas Territory until 2003, when they received status as an Overseas Collectivity. French has been the official language throughout all the status changes.

Did you enjoy this slideshow? Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.

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One highlight of the program is a two-week trip from Lisbon to the Canary Islands. Cruise ship Le Bellot will sail along the southern slopes of Iberia to the isles of the eastern Atlantic, showcasing the ochre cliffs of Portugal’s Algarve Coast, the lush valleys of Madeira, and the volcanic craters of the Canary Islands. In addition, explorers can visit world heritage sites in Seville, Spain, and Morocco. Along the way, Allen Fromherz, a professor of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern history, will share invaluable insights about the region, too. Running from October 26 to November 8, the voyage starts from $9,020 per person.

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In addition to the new itineraries, Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys are also bringing back favorites from 2024. including a seven-night trip from Panama to Costa Rica (January 6 to 13), an eight-day jaunt to the Greek Islands (July 6 to 13 and October 12 to 19), and a Mediterranean Island voyage (May 26 to June 2). Check out the Ponant website for more information. 

Demetrius Simms is a digital staff writer at Robb Report. After starting their career in PR, they transitioned to freelance writing in 2020. Their work has now appeared in lifestyle and culture…

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France becomes the only country to explicitly guarantee abortion as a constitutional right

PARIS (AP) — French lawmakers on Monday overwhelmingly approved a bill to enshrine abortion rights in France’s constitution, making it the only country to explicitly guarantee a woman’s right to voluntarily terminate a pregnancy.

The historic move was proposed by President Emmanuel Macron as a way to prevent the kind of rollback of abortion rights seen in the United States in recent years, and the vote during a special joint session of parliament drew a long standing ovation among lawmakers.

The measure was approved in a 780-72 vote in the Palace of Versailles. Abortion enjoys wide support in France across most of the political spectrum, and has been legal since 1975.

Many female legislators in the hall smiled broadly as they cheered. There also were jubilant scenes of celebrations all over France as women’s rights activists hailed the measure promised by Macron immediately following the Dobbs ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022.

Both houses of parliament, the National Assembly and the Senate, had already separately adopted a bill — as required — to amend Article 34 of the French Constitution. The measure specifies that “the law determines the conditions by which is exercised the freedom of women to have recourse to an abortion, which is guaranteed.”

The French measure is seen as going a step further in its guarantee of abortion rights than was the case in the former Yugoslavia, whose 1974 constitution said that “a person is free to decide on having children.” Yugoslavia dissolved in the early 1990s, and all its successor states have adopted similar measures in their constitutions that legally enable women to have an abortion, though they do not explicitly guarantee it.

In the lead up to the historic vote, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal addressed the 925 lawmakers gathered for the joint session in Versailles, and called on them to make France a leader in women’s rights and set an example for countries around the world.

“We have a moral debt to women,” Attal said. He paid tribute to Simone Veil, a prominent legislator, former health minister and key feminist who in 1975 championed the bill that decriminalized abortion in France.

“We have a chance to change history,” Attal said in a moving and determined speech. “Make Simone Veil proud,” he said to a standing ovation.

The Assembly overwhelmingly approved the proposal in January, and the Senate adopted it on Wednesday. A three-fifths majority in the joint session also was required for the measure to be written into the constitution.

None of France’s major political parties have questioned the right to abortion, including Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party and the conservative Republicans.

Le Pen, who won a record number of seats in the National Assembly two years ago, said on Monday that her party planned to vote in favor of the bill but added that “there is no need to make this a historic day.”

A recent poll showed support for abortion rights among the French public at more than 80%, consistent with previous surveys. The same poll also showed that a solid majority of people are in favor of enshrining it in the constitution.

There were scenes of celebrations around France even before the joint parliamentary session began.

Sarah Durocher, a leader in the Family Planning movement, said Monday’s vote is “a victory for feminists and a defeat for the anti-choice activists.”

With the right to an abortion added to the constitution, it will be much harder to prevent women from voluntarily terminating a pregnancy in France, women’s rights and equality activists said.

“We increased the level of protection to this fundamental right,” said Anne-Cécile Mailfert of the Women’s Foundation. “It’s a guarantee for women today and in the future to have the right to abort in France.”

The government argued in its introduction to the bill that the right to abortion is threatened in the United States, where the Supreme Court in 2022 overturned a 50-year-old ruling that used to guarantee it.

“Unfortunately, this event is not isolated: In many countries, even in Europe, there are currents of opinion that seek to hinder at any cost the freedom of women to terminate their pregnancy if they wish,” the introduction to the French legislation says.

The decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to strip women of the right to abortion has reverberated across Europe’s political landscape, forcing the issue back into public debate in France at a time of political upheaval.

Mathilde Philip-Gay, a law professor and a specialist in French and American constitutional law, warned against easing the pressure on legislators for women’s rights as far-right parties — determined to curtail women’s rights — gain political influence and are elected to form governments around Europe and elsewhere.

“It may not be an issue in France, where a majority of people support abortion,” Philip-Gay said. “But those same people may one day vote for a far-right government, and what happened in the U.S. can happen elsewhere in Europe, including in France.”

Inscribing abortion into the French Constitution “will make it harder for abortion opponents of the future to challenge these rights, but it won’t prevent them from doing it in the long run, with the right political strategy,” Philip-Gay added.

“It only takes a moment for everything we thought that we have achieved to fade away,” said Yael Braun-Pivet, the first female president of the French parliament, in her address to the joint session.

Amending the constitution is a laborious process and a rare event in France. Since it was enacted in 1958, the French Constitution has been amended 17 times. The last time was in 2008, when parliament was awarded more powers and French citizens were granted the right to bring their grievances to the Constitutional Court.

Barbara Surk reported from Nice.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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I Just Moved to Paris, and These Are the 12 French Fashion Basics That My Closet Was Desperately Missing

These essentials make any basic outfit look effortlessly more French, and start at $12.

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Travel + Leisure / Reese Herrington

I landed in Paris in December with a suitcase filled with pots and pans, sheets and bath products, and very, very little clothing. Having been a professional travel writer for nearly two decades , I’m used to packing light, but the few essentials that I had brought with me were minimal, even for my standards. I was moving to Paris, and I wasn’t under any assumption that my California yoga pants lifestyle would fly in the city of fashion, and I also knew that my closet situation wouldn’t be anything like my former American walk-in. 

I have no grand desires of being mistaken for a French woman while living here, but the chance to update my very dated (i.e., very “I just had two kids and work from home”) wardrobe with some easy-to-pack, French-inspired capsule wardrobe staples wasn’t something that I planned to pass up. So, as I explored my new city, I kept an eye out for easy-to-copy styles.

Versatility is vital for Parisians, who are masters at repurposing basics in fresh ways, and it’s something that has guided my fashion choices for decades as I need to be able to throw together a suitcase bound for far off destinations in a matter of hours if/when the assignment arrives. When I’m planning a trip, I’d rather spend my time thinking about what I’m going to do once I’m on the ground rather than what I’m going to wear while I’m there, and these 12 French-inspired staples are my new favorite finds for an effortlessly fashionable travel wardrobe no matter where I’m wearing them. From a sleek pair of black boots for less than $40 at Amazon to a classic pair of jeans that are comfy enough for a long flight, these are the French looks that I’m throwing in my suitcase — and wearing as I’m strolling my local marché. 

Chunpin Women's Short-Sleeve Bodysuit 

I’ve seen Sézane's Coline bodysuit worn by so many people in so many different ways that it was my first purchase after arriving in Paris. It’s so popular that it’s nearly out of stock, which is why I’m including this copycat version from Amazon for now. Wear this short-sleeve bodysuit plain with some high-waisted straight leg jeans for a classic day look or pair it with a leather mini skirt for, yes, another classic French day look. 

Rouje Women's Paris Marias Jeans

You can’t go wrong with straight leg jeans, and right now, everyone is wearing them in gray. I love the versatility of gray denim, mainly because sometimes light washes seem too casual and dark jeans often seem too — well, dark — and Parisians agree. This version from Rouje hits just above the ankle, which is perfect for a low boot or a block heel. Over at Amazon, you can get a similar pair from Levi's on sale starting at $40. 

Sézane Women's Scott Trench Coat

A camel trench is a vital element of the unofficial French uniform, second only to the sleeping-bag-like puffers that blanket everyone during icy weather in the winter. This specific trench from Sézane is the best way to nail the look with its button-tabbed shoulders and cuffs and sleek slit on the back. Skip any wool versions and go straight for a waterproof material like this one, since it’s the better bridge between the seasons. Similarly, Amazon shoppers are flocking towards the SaphiRose Women's Waterproof Trench Coat for the upcoming rainy season — and it only costs $46.

H&M Women's Shoulder Pad Sweater

Wearing stripes in Paris is pretty much on the same playing field as wearing a beret through the city. Do I do it anyway? You better believe it, and so do some actual French women — the stripes that is, never a beret. It’s hard to find something so classic that so effortlessly pairs with gray jeans, black trousers, leather skirts, etc. This is the striped sweater I fell in love with once I moved here (although I removed the shoulder pads, like the elder millennial that I am) because I love the slightly cropped cut and flattering neckline, but Petite Bateau is where to score the French-approved version.

Soda Women's Pilot Chelsea Ankle Boots

I can count on my fingers the number of times that I’ve seen women wearing heels through this city. Living in Paris involves a lot of walking, and Parisians are smart about their footwear. Most would choose these leather boots from beloved French brand ba&sh , but this comfy find from Amazon-favorite brand Soda offers a similar look for so much less. And, they're available in 20 different colors. 

Ugg Women's Ronney Cropped Puffer

Everyone talks about how Parisians don’t like to show off their brands (i.e., even if a Parisian buys a Louis Vuitton bag, it likely won’t be laden in logos; “quiet luxury” is the key), but you can’t step on the Metro without running right into a JOTT logo. This European brand stands for Just Over the Top , and it is everywhere in Paris — and coming soon to America! Until then, we have this version from Ugg that does the trick nicely. 

Lo & Sons Waverley 2 Crossbody

Lo & Sons

For the most part, the only oversized bags that I’ve seen women carry around Paris are tote bags for going to and from the market. If they’re wearing a purse, you can almost guarantee it will be a crossbody bag. French brand Polène and UK-based Métier have a popular presence around town, but nothing competes with the versatility of my Lo & Sons Waverley 2. It can be worn four ways, which makes it super handy for commuting around Paris. Although I mainly wear it as a crossbody to match my French neighbors, I love the security and ease of wearing it as a belt bag while shopping.

Topshop Women's Slit Hem Faux Leather Mini Skirt

Nordstrom Rack

Leather is back in a big way in Paris, and if you’re in the city, you’d want to pick up this Capucine leather skirt available only at Galeries Lafayette. For everyone else, there’s Nordstrom Rack, where you can find leather skirts galore at budget-friendly prices — starting with the Topshop Slit Hem Faux Leather Mini Skirt for $20. People are wearing these skirts with oversized sweaters tucked in at the front or pairing them with bodysuits beneath sheer black tops, and, this time of year, they’re always finishing the look with black tights and boots.

Veja Campo Sneakers

Although I have yet to slip into my first pair from Veja, there’s no denying that this cool-kid brand is everywhere. I see them in line at my boulangerie in the morning, while walking the upscale sidewalks of the Champs-Élysées, while riding the Metro, and I even noticed my son’s principal sporting a pair as she strutted through the play yard and scolded kids in her chic pants suit. I’ve been holding out with my super comfy Stan Smiths , but it’s likely only a matter of time before I’m looking for a pants suit to go with my new pair of Vs. 

L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Gloss Plump Lip Gloss 

Like me, you might have thought that most women in Paris were painting their lips crimson. If so, also like me, you would be among the rouge-lipped tourists. Parisians pride themselves on their skincare, and therefore do not typically wear much makeup. A glossy lip is the exception, but only in nude shades, like this flush-colored lip plumper from L’Oreal Paris that's enriched with moisturizing hyaluronic acid to banish dry, chapped lips. Dewy skin and a glossy lip with a slicked back ponytail, and you’re well on your way to getting asked for directions from an out-of-towner.  

ba&sh Women's Bilissi Belt 

The “old money” trend is alive and thriving in Paris, and, while I’m not sure that I’ll be getting on board with Dior brooches just yet, I am all about the statement buckle on this responsibly sourced leather belt. I love most pieces from this French brand, but specifically this belt, which can take a simple black outfit to a level of sophistication. For anyone not looking to drop over $100 for a belt, try this $16 Amazon version that comes in a stylish set of two. 

Ameline 14-Karat Gold Chunky Hoop Earrings

According to my French friends, the one piece of jewelry that nearly every French woman owns is a pair of gold hoop earrings. They can be small, big, oval, or thin, but wearing a pair is the easiest way to add a touch of elegance to a casual outfit. Judging by current trends spotted on the Metro, the chunkier the better. My favorite look has been these chunky gold hoops paired with a black turtleneck and my hair pulled back in a low ponytail, and also dangling over bare shoulders with hair tucked behind the ears and flowing long behind a black off-the-shoulder top. 

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    6 (big) reasons to visit France in 2024. Jan 3, 2024 • 5 min read. Here are all the noteworthy events, anniversaries and openings worth keeping in mind if you have France on your travel radar for 2024

  10. 15 Beautiful Places to Visit in the French Countryside

    Hautvillers. This quaint French village situated in the Reims Mountain vineyards can be found about 90 miles northeast of Paris. Hautvillers produces wine, though it's best known as the birthplace ...

  11. France Travel Guide by Rick Steves

    France is Europe's most diverse, tasty, and, in many ways, most exciting country to explore. Romantic hill towns and castles, meandering river valleys, and oceans of vineyards carpet this country's landscape. France remains at the forefront of technology, architecture, fashion, and cuisine. A delightful blend of natural and man-made beauty, France offers chandeliered châteaux, forever ...

  12. Top 25 Places To Visit in France

    I recently returned from exploring France I want to share with you my favorite places. Enjoy this travel guide featuring the most beautiful destinations of F...

  13. 20 Best Places to Visit in the South of France

    Just outside the tourist-trodden center of Gordes lies Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, a photogenic monastery founded in 1148 by Cistercians monks. Guided tours of the church and cloisters are ...

  14. 26 Best Places to Visit in France & Things to Do

    Saint-Tropez is another top French Riviera destination. This chic town has been a playground for the rich and famous since the 1950s and remains one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world. If you're looking to relax alongside the rich and famous, head to one of Saint-Tropez's many upscale beach clubs.

  15. Places to go

    Which part of planet France will you be exploring today? From Alpes-Mont Blanc to Normandy, Provence to the Loire Valley, and Paris to Tahiti, more than 30 destinations await discovery. ... more than 30 destinations await discovery. Sustainable Travel. Happening now in France. Places to go. Things to do. Plan your trip. Newsletter Subscription.

  16. 14 Top Vacation Destinations in the French Alps

    Saint-Gervais, surrounded by Mont Blanc among other towering peaks, is also a top French Alps destination in its own right, with bountiful eateries and plenty of mountain air to inhale. Take a 70 ...

  17. 7 Destinations in France Where the French Love to Go

    Generally, the French reserve domestic travel for school breaks or les ponts, when a national holiday falls at the end or beginning of a week, allowing locals to "make a bridge" with an extended ...

  18. Top France Travel Destinations in 2023

    Our travel designers have already been hard at work planning fabulous tailor-made trips throughout France for this year. We're sharing some of the top France travel destinations in 2023 that we hope will inspire you. Read on to discover more about Normandy, Paris, the Loire Valley, Bordeaux, the South of France and more.

  19. France Vacation Destinations, Ideas and Guides

    Destinations in France. Paris. Castles including Versailles and the Mont St. Michel abbey make for fairy-tale settings, while a rich café culture and wealth of culinary and wine-related traditions in regions such as Provence and Bordeaux will leave you swooning.

  20. France Travel Guide

    Destinations; France Travel Guide. Photograph by Christian Heeb, laif,Redux. Featured Stories. Defining beauty and wonder in southwestern France. Travel;

  21. The 25 most beautiful destinations where French is spoken

    Official language until the middle of the 20th century, the French language is present, once again, thanks / because of France's colonial past. Its presence remains, nevertheless less so nowadays. Vietnam is famous for its cliff-side beaches, rivers, Buddhist places of worship, rice fields and lively cities.

  22. French Side Travel

    French Side Travel crafts custom luxury experiences for discerning travelers. Family vacations, honeymoons, wine-tasting, or Corsican adventures - discover it all with us. French Side Travel is a local family-owned travel agency based in Aix-en-Provence. We pride ourselves on our extensive hands-on knowledge, a network of fantastic service ...

  23. The French Riviera: 15 Must-Visit Vacation Spots

    The French Riviera, or Cote d'Azur, is known for its captivating scenery, Provencal culture and cuisine, charming villages and overall joie de vivre. ... it's the perfect destination for travelers ...

  24. A New Gondola Takes Visitors to a Vanishing Alpine Glacier. Is That a

    "Last-chance tourists" are visiting the melting Mer de Glace in Chamonix, France, in droves. A just-opened lift should make that easier. But some worry tourism is only making the problem worse.

  25. 25 places other than France where speaking French is helpful

    Speaking another language is always helpful, especially if you love to travel. Here are 25 destinations outside of France where you can put your French language skills to good use!

  26. Ponant and the Smithsonian Just Unveiled 30 Epic Cruises for 2025

    The French cruise line and the travel arm of America's Smithsonian Institution just unveiled exciting new itineraries for 2025. This will be the fourth year the two companies have collaborated ...

  27. France becomes the only country to explicitly guarantee abortion as a

    The French measure is seen as going a step further in its guarantee of abortion rights than was the case in the former Yugoslavia, whose 1974 constitution said that "a person is free to decide ...

  28. 12 French Fashion Essentials From a Travel Writer

    Kristy Alpert is a freelance travel writer with bylines in Esquire, Travel + Leisure, Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, Food & Wine, AFAR, Fodor's Travel, and more. She has visited 86 countries—on ...