For more than two decades, France has reigned as the world's most popular tourist destination, receiving 82 million foreign tourists annual. People from all over the world are drawn to France's sophisticated culture, dazzling landmarks, exquisite cuisine, fine wines, romantic chateaux and picturesque countryside. An overview of the best places to visit in France:
1. Paris
Attracting more than 45 million visitors annually, Paris is the world's most popular tourist destination. Dubbed various nicknames like the City of Lights, City of Love and Capital of Fashion, Paris is the capital city of France, known for its romantic ambiance and command in industries like business, entertainment, fashion, gastronomy and art and culture. In addition to iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris is also home to some of the world's finest museums that include the Louvre Museum and Musee d'Orsay.
2. French Riviera
Located on the French coast of the Mediterranean Sea, the French Riviera (Cote d' Azur) is the playground for the rich, famous and hordes of international tourists. 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 region enjoys a wonderfully mild to warm climate all year round, despite being one of the more northerly coasts on the whole Mediterranean.
3. Mont Saint-Michel
Rising up from the midst of vast mud flats and some of Europe's most powerful tidal waves is the rocky island of Mont Saint-Michel, located off France's northwestern coast in Normandy. The tidal island is one of the most popular places to visit in France for its construction of medieval structures built as if stacked upon one another and crowned with the star attraction, the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. The awe-inspiring abbey was built by devoted monks in 708 AD after the Bishop of Avranches was allegedly visited by the Archangel Michael.
4. Bordeaux
Built upon the River Garonne just half an hour inland of the Atlantic Ocean, Bordeaux is a major port city stuffed with fine architecture, historic sites, exceptional shopping and a world-class arts and culture scene. A visit to Bordeaux would not be complete without a drive through the surrounding wine country where tourists can admire picturesque villages, vineyards and chateaux.
For more than two decades, France has reigned as the world's most popular tourist destination, receiving 82 million foreign tourists annual. People from all over the world are drawn to France's sophisticated culture, dazzling landmarks, exquisite cuisine, fine wines, romantic chateaux and picturesque countryside. Dubbed various nicknames like the City of Lights, City of Love and Capital of Fashion, Paris is the capital city of France, known for its romantic ambiance and command in industries like business, entertainment, fashion, art and gastronomy and culture. The tidal island is one of the most popular places to visit in France for its construction of medieval structures built as if stacked upon one another and crowned with the star attraction, the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. A popular tourist destination, the Loire Valley is a region in the center of France, regarded for its spectacular scenery, splendid chateaux, historic villages and picturesque vineyards.
A popular tourist destination, the Loire Valley is a region in the center of France, regarded for its spectacular scenery, splendid chateaux, historic villages and picturesque vineyards. The Loire Valley stretches 280 km (175 miles) along the Loire River, turning and twisting through some of France's most beautiful villages and charming chateaux.
