France packs an unusual range into one country: Paris and the château valleys of the Loire in the north, Atlantic wine country around Bordeaux, the Mediterranean coast at Nice and Cannes, and the Alps along the eastern border. Distances are short by continental standards — the high-speed network puts Lyon or Bordeaux roughly two hours from Paris — so most itineraries combine two or three regions rather than staying in one.
The guides collected here cover the cities travelers reach most often: Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Lille, Rouen and Cannes. The coast is at its busiest in July and August; spring and September suit city walking, vineyards and the Loire châteaux better. One practical habit worth keeping: major museums close one day a week, usually Monday or Tuesday, so check before building a day around a single collection.