FRANCE – TOP 3 TOURIST DESTINATIONS
France is a country where every corner provides a uniquely new sight. The rough and mighty French Alps, sun-drenched Provence, the luxurious and majestic Côte d’Azur coastline, and idyllic Alsace, a pastoral region where storybook hamlets are tucked away in the vine-covered rolling hills. Each of these has its own distinct personality that attracts tourists from all over the world, and for a few of these amazing locales, we’re going to find out about them right now.
Paris & Versailles
Paris is a major European destination known for its elegance with architectural wonders such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Another popular place to visit is the Louvre which houses an extraordinary fine arts collection that reflects the city’s rich history. There’s also the Musée d’Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie which have gems of French Impressionist art. Paris’ evocative medieval neighbourhoods and beautiful boulevards are among the city’s other attractions.
Shopping at bookshops in the Latin Quarter, wandering the Champs-Elysées, and people-watching from a sidewalk café terrace on the Boulevard Saint-Germain-de-Prés are all must-do tourist activities. The Château de Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a quick rail trip from Paris. Visitors can envision themselves in a scene from France’s bygone royal court thanks to the château’s magnificent Baroque exterior, brilliant Hall of Mirrors, and fountain-adorned formal gardens.
The Côte d’Azur
The Côte d’Azur is a gorgeous span of Mediterranean coastline in southern France known for its deep azure-blue waters and year-round sunny weather. There is truly something for everyone here in the Côte d’Azur.
Nice is a great spot to relax, see museums, and stroll down cobblestone alleys and palm-lined boulevards. There are numerous day trip destinations within a short drive of Nice as well, including magnificent seaside houses and world-class art museums.
Cannes, with its glittering seaside promenade and alluring Old Town, and Monaco, a tiny royal principality synonymous with wealth and decadence, are two of the most well-known tourist destinations on the French Riviera. Cannes and Monaco both have five-star hotels, famed restaurants, and harbours brimming with yachts.
The Alsace Region
The historic cities of Colmar and Strasbourg, as well as the hundreds of Alsatian villages, ooze a certain old-world beauty that you won’t anywhere else in France. Strasbourg, with its tiny cobblestone streets, picturesque canals, and ornate cathedral, is a charming and cultured locale. Colmar is an Alsatian town with intriguing old churches and characteristic buildings with flower-filled balconies.
Outside of these cities, a lush, vine-covered countryside awaits.
Small whimsical hamlets and enchanting villages can be found ensconced in the valleys and along the Rhine river. The Alsace Villages route is a charming way to see the region. Because of the bright potted flowers that adorn the homes and streets of the settlements, many are recognized as Villages Fleuris.
