Top 35 Attractions in France

France is one of the most visited countries in the world by tourists, with a developed infrastructure and excellent opportunities for recreation. The main attractions are natural beauties, gastronomic delights, architectural monuments and museum collections that contain a huge number of world masterpieces.

Paris is the most romantic city in the world. Its beauties will always stand apart, tourists try to visit the capital in the first place. Newlyweds dream of spending their honeymoon here, couples with children dream of showing the kids the wonderful world of Disneyland Paris. The second item in the travel program is palaces and castles scattered throughout the country or the natural beauties of Provence and Normandy.

What to see and where to go in France?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Eiffel Tower

The main symbol of Paris and all of France. Named after the name of the creator. It was erected by 1899 to be used as the entrance arch to the World's Fair. Subsequently, the structure was planned to be dismantled, but the attraction took root. The main material is steel, the height is 324 meters. Anyone can visit the tower. In the evenings, the backlight turns on, the colors can change for significant events.

Triumphal Arch

Napoleon personally gave the order for its construction: this is how the emperor was going to perpetuate the victories of his "Great Army". The creation of the arch was completed in 1836. Currently, the area where it is installed is named after Charles de Gaulle. The height of the monument is 50 meters. The decoration is full of small details. Under the vaults after the First World War, the tomb of the unknown soldier and the Eternal Flame appeared.

Musee d'Orsay

In the past, the museum building served as a Paris station. At first, the station was closed, and the premises were mothballed, later the reconstruction took place. One of the most impressive collections of fine art in the world became available for inspection in 1986. By levels and halls, the exhibits are distributed according to style and chronology. The collections are dominated by Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings.

Louvre Museum

The most popular museum in the world, opened its doors to visitors in 1793. Its glass pyramid is one of the symbols of the French capital. The number of visitors in 2018 exceeded 10 million people, which was a record. The Louvre collection - paintings, jewelry, sculptures and figurines, frescoes and furniture. The number of masterpieces in the collection cannot be counted, one of the main exhibits is the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.

Champs Elysees

Chance-Elise is the central street of Paris, one of the most beautiful, green and famous in the city. It stretches along the central part of the French capital for almost 2 km. The Champs-Elysées is traditionally divided into two parts: shop, with boutiques, offices, banks and park. The walking park is divided by alleys into squares, each of them has its own “specialization”. For example, in Marigny there is a philatelic market and a theater, and in the Champs Elysees - the residence of the president.

Cote d'Azur

Another name is the French Riviera, a section of the Mediterranean coast from the city of Toulon to the border with Italy. One of the best vacation spots in the world. Local cuisine is a feast for gourmets. The Côte d'Azur serves special dishes and wines, some of which are found only here. The disadvantages include high prices for vacations and real estate.

Disneyland Paris

The amusement park in the Parisian suburb of Marne-la-Vallee has been operating since 1992. The park is owned by the Walt Disney Company. This is a magical world for children, where all the famous characters of Disney cartoons live, scenery from favorite fairy tales is recreated, and countless attractions operate that delight adults as well. The park contains residential and business districts, hotels and golf courses.

Exchange Square (Bordeaux)

The symbol of the city of Bordeaux and its main attraction. The architectural ensemble consists of two long baroque buildings and adjacent buildings. Among them are the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Customs Museum. The pediments are decorated with sculptures. The square was created in the first half of the 18th century according to the design of Ange-Jacques Gabriel, the royal architect, the founder of classicism.

Sainte Chapelle (Paris)

The chapel was built on the Ile de la Cité in Paris. Although the building belongs to the Gothic style, it is "airy" and "light". It's all about the stained-glass windows, shimmering in the sun and towering almost the entire height of the walls. They have numerous symbols on them. To understand them, one must use the television screen installed in Sainte-Chapelle. Painted columns support the vaults of the upper chapel.

Cathedral of Notre Dame

The Gothic Catholic church, sung in the work of Hugo, is another symbol of Paris and France. Its construction spanned centuries. The first stone was laid by Pope Alexander III in 1163. In 2019, during the reconstruction, a strong fire occurred in the building. The fire destroyed some rarities and unique decorations. Recovery will cost about a billion euros and take years.

Sacré-Coeur Basilica (Paris)

Its name means "Basilica of the Sacred Heart". Construction period: from 1875 to 1914. The white-stone temple is somewhat different from other Catholic objects in Paris; at one time, its appearance caused discontent among the townspeople. Located on top of Montmartre, the highest point in the city. On the bell tower of the Sacré-Coeur, the Savoyard is installed - the largest bell in the French capital.

Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde (Marseille)

The main historical attraction of Marseille. Erected in the middle of the 19th century on the site of an old chapel. The place is significant: for centuries, pilgrims have been received here and travelers have been blessed. The lead architect of the project is Henri-Jacques Esperandieu. The bell tower is crowned with a 9-meter sculpture of the Mother of God. The bell weighs over 8 tons. Frescoes and mosaics are a typical decoration for the interiors of that time.

Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourviere (Lyon)

Erected from 1872 to 1884 on the top of the Fourviere hill. The lands around Lyon have repeatedly faced misfortunes: from the plague to enemy armies under the walls of the city. Every time the inhabitants prayed to the Virgin Mary, and the Mother of God, in their opinion, averted the trouble. They worked on the construction for more than 10 years, and the interior decoration was completed only in 1964. The basilica is richly decorated with stained glass windows, murals, mosaics and statues.

Abbey of Mont Saint Michel

The translation of the name is “mountain of St. Michael”. The building dates back to the 11th century. This fortified abbey stands on the island of the same name. The castle itself rises in the central part, and dense buildings, wild shrubs and trees along its perimeter. The walls are strong and more like a fort. Depending on the season, the area around can be completely covered with water. Sometimes it even floods the road leading to Mont Saint-Michel.

Palace of Versailles

Royal residence built on the outskirts of the French capital in the second half of the 17th century. This attraction was among the first to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The halls of the palace are kept in exemplary condition. Finishes and furniture correspond to past eras. No less than the castle, tourists are interested in a vast park complex. About 1400 fountains function on its territory.

Castles of Loire

The entire Loire Valley is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Traveling here, tourists get acquainted with a number of cities, including Orleans, Nantes and Angers. Majestic castles were erected in them and their environs, created for the royal persons and noble people of France, who wanted to escape from the bustling Paris. So the castles of Chambord, Cheverny, Chateau de Chenonceau are built against the backdrop of endless meadows and forests.

Palace of Fontainebleau

Located 60 km from Paris in the department of Seine and Marne, surrounded by a huge park. Since 1981 it has been under the protection of UNESCO. The history of the palace began in the 12th century, but only 5 centuries later it acquired its current refined and majestic features. In architecture, you can see elements of the medieval style, classics and renaissance. Four French monarchs were born in the palace.

Old town of Carcassonne

Among the historical attractions, the medieval walled city has been the second most visited place in France for many years. Impressive walls surround not only the castle, but also numerous buildings inside the fortress itself. Narrow streets and small houses are hidden behind the towers, which are still used for their intended purpose.

Papal Palace in Avignon

Another French object included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The complex consists of two palaces. The first - he is Old - was erected by order of Benedict XII and is more ascetic. The second - New - was built in the Gothic style for Clement VI and has extravagant features. Strong outer walls were to withstand the siege. They have loopholes and locks for attacking attackers.

Amphitheater in Nimes

Not as advertised as the Colosseum, but not inferior to it in terms of historical significance. Built by the Romans in the 1st century. Even then, sewerage and water supply were brought to it. Used for gladiator fights. Subsequently, it became a fortress, which also affected the appearance of the structure. The original appearance of the amphitheater was returned only in the XVIII century. Nowadays, live concerts are held in the arena.

Pont du Gard aqueduct

The highest surviving ancient aqueduct. It was built by the Romans, about 2 thousand years ago. A three-tiered arched structure crosses the Gardon River. The height is 49 meters and the length is 275 meters. The bridge was used as an integral part of the aqueduct, and helped to provide water to the nearby Nimes. When the need for it disappeared, the aqueduct was abandoned.

Millau Viaduct

One of the highest bridges in the world. One of its pillars reaches a level of 341 meters, which is higher than the Eiffel Tower. Millau is built across the valley of the Tarn River near the city of the same name. The viaduct is part of the A75 highway connecting Paris with the city of Beziers. The authors of the project are architect Norman Foster and engineer Michel Virlojo. Despite the massive columns, their creation looks light, and with low clouds, as if floating in the air.

"Little France" (Strasbourg)

The romantic and picturesque quarter of Strasbourg, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Back in the 16th century, fishermen and artisans engaged in leather dressing settled here, which is why an unpleasant smell took root in the streets. Now "Little France" has turned into an exquisite historic district with half-timbered houses, balconies immersed in flowers, quiet lanes and covered bridges across the Ile River.

City of Colmar

Colmar is the most beautiful city in Alsace. The old districts are well preserved. At the first visit, it seems that he was in the scenery of a fairy tale being filmed. Little Venice and the Fishermen's Quarter are the most interesting parts of the city. The microclimate of Colmar contributes to the development of winemaking. 5 museums are open, including the Unterlinden Museum. There is a major festival almost every month of the year.

Claude Monet's garden at Giverny

The famous artist lived in this place for 43 years. Monet's house, turned into a museum, stands in the middle of a garden. The original interiors have been preserved, and personal belongings of the master have been added to them. The room is bright both inside and out. The same can be said about the garden. It looks like a lot of colors are moving randomly. Arches of plants, partially overgrown paths, many flowers welcome guests in Giverny most of the year.

Tete d'Or Park (Lyon)

It occupies 117 hectares and is located in Lyon. The territory began to be ennobled in the middle of the century before last. Now there are stables, a velodrome, a zoo, a golf course and a train running around the area. Tourists ride on rented boats on the lake. One of the islands can be reached through a tunnel dug under the pond. The botanical garden in the "Tete d'Or" consists of an impressive collection of plants.

Dune in Pyla

The highest dune in Europe adds in size every year. At the moment, its height exceeds 130 meters. The sand anomaly is located on the shore of the Arcachon Bay. A tourist infrastructure has been created around the mountain to make climbing safer and more comfortable. Parking, souvenir shops, cafes serving fresh oysters, small hotels are all within walking distance.

Lascaux cave

Discovered in the commune of Montignac on the banks of the river Weser in 1940. The cave has become a real discovery in the field of archeology. It is a key element in the study of the Paleolithic era. The quantity and quality of rock carvings surpasses all other sources. Lascaux is called the "Sistine Chapel of Primitive Painting". At the same time, the dimensions of the cave are relatively small: up to 30 meters in height and about 250 meters in length.

Mont Blanc

The highest mountain range in Europe (excluding Elbrus). Located on the border of France and Italy, under Mont Blanc a tunnel was laid between the countries. Many ski slopes of any complexity. There are also "wild" slopes that attract extreme sportsmen. Conditions for mountaineering and hiking are well developed. A popular tourist route is laid around the mountain - "Tour du Mont Blanc".

Lake Annecy

One of the most beautiful alpine lakes. Located in Northern Savoie. In France, it is second only to Lake Lac du Bourget in size. The area is popular with tourists. Boat rides, water bike rentals, water activities, and attractions are installed on the beaches. From the south, a valley rises to the lake, on the other sides it is surrounded by mountain ranges.

Corsica

An autonomous French territory occupying an island of the same name in the Mediterranean Sea. Representatives of many peoples lived in these territories at different times, so a special language dialect appeared here. Natural beauty is the main wealth of the area. Bays and beaches, forests and mountains - everything is explored up and down by tourists, but they look as if untouched by man. The most famous Corsican is Napoleon Bonaparte.

Verdon Gorge

One of the main tourist sites of Provence. At the same time, the longest and deepest gorge in France. Located in the Alps, in the southeastern part of the country. The natural attraction is called the "French Grand Canyon". Hiking trails for hikers are laid in the surroundings, horseback riding is organized, and kayaks are rented for rafting.

calanques

Small picturesque bays, French "fjords", which are located on the coast from Marseille to Lia Ciot and Cassis. The national park was founded in 2012 and became the first protected area in Europe, which includes the periphery of cities, part of the sea and land. Small bays and islets have created a unique ecosystem. Therefore, many rare species of flora and fauna live here. Climbers have chosen the Calanques for training.

Etretat rocks

The name "Etretat" is translated as "farm of the setting sun." Such a poetic name, coupled with the unusual appearance of the rocks, has always attracted travelers. Noble persons rested here, and artists and writers drew inspiration. The rocks rise to tens of meters, they are snow-white and have bizarre shapes, many natural arches.

Lavender fields in Provence

The main brand and calling card of the region are the endless purple rows of fragrant lavender that go beyond the horizon. A favorite place for artists and photographers, the number of tourist postcards rivals the Eiffel Tower. The Valensole plateau is especially thick and densely planted. The best time to visit is the end of June, when the annual lavender festival begins.