Top Things to See
France boasts a great range in attractions that will interest visitors –
including some of the most recognisable landmarks in the world. Highlights
include the world-famous Eiffel Tower and
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris – among many other attractions in that city;
the cathedral at Chartres, the pilgrimage site at Lourdes and the magnificent
French Alps.
Avignon
Avignon is located around 600km to the south of Paris, and is noted for its
Palais des Papes – Palace of the Popes - as well as its active theatre scene.
The city is home to actors and artists, as well as a number of notable theatres
and art galleries. The annual Theatre Festival, held from 10 July to 5 August,
has placed
Avignon securely on the European calendar and on the tourist map. Avignon
boasts charming streets and alleys, shops and cafés throughout its ancient
centre.
Visit this website for photographs and further information about
Avignon in France .
 Chartres Cathedral
This cathedral, officially known as the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres, is
one of the country’s finest examples of Gothic religious architecture, and is
located in the city of Chartres, approximately 100km south of Paris. The
cathedral is considered to be the best-preserved medieval religious structure in
Europe. Dating from the 12th century, its design reflects the work of
numerous architects – and artisans - over a period of several hundred years. The
result is an exterior comprising both Gothic and Romanesque aspects. The cloth
said to have been worn by the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Christ is
enshrined here.
 Eiffel Tower
This tower is the most well-known of all French monuments, and may be one of
the most-recognisable attractions in the world. The Eiffel Tower was built
for the International Exhibition held in Paris in 1889 – organized in
commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
The plan for the tower was not widely accepted initially, however, with a
petition circulated protesting its construction. Standing 300m tall, and
weighing 7000 tons, this was the tallest structure in the world until 1930.
The tower’s second platform boasts an exclusive, deluxe restaurant – the
Jules Verne, and the top platform features a bar and a souvenir shop. From
all the platforms, the views of the city are wonderful; many feel that the
optimal time to see the metropolitan panorama is about an hour before
sunset.
French Alps
The magnificent landscape, summer hiking trails, winter skiing options and the
quaint towns set in the region’s picturesque valleys are some of the attractions
here. The biggest draw of all, of course, is Mount Blanc - western Europe’s
highest peak at an altitude of 4808m. The landscape of the region is covered
with forests and dotted with pristine lakes; and in the valleys you’ll come
across traditional villages, with appealing shops and marketplaces.
Lourdes
Lourdes is known for miracle cures, and even if you aren’t particularly
religious it makes for a fascinating stop. Until 1858, it was little more than a
small village. After a local girl called Bernadette Soubirous began seeing
visions of the Virgin Mary at a place now known the Grotte de Massabielle, the
character of this small village changed dramatically. The shrine at this site
today holds up to 20,000 visitors. In addition to being a pilgrimage site,
Lourdes is
also a charming Pyrenees town. As you stroll around the area, you’ll discover
its rich heritage – from the fortifications at the Pic du Jer to the lovely
Lourdes Lake.
 Notre-Dame de Paris
The Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Paris was built 900 years ago on the Île de
la Cité – an island in the middle of the
Seine River that was the birthplace of Paris. It played a central role
in Victor Hugo’s novel, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. The bells of
the cathedral ring out several times each day, and visitors are welcome to
tour the interior and its towers, to see the famous gargoyles and the
collection of art and relics in the cathedral’s small museum. Masses are
still celebrated daily.
Top Things to Do
You’ll find loads of things to do in Paris, but there’s so much more to
France than its capital city. Take the time to relax for a bit in the city’s
Luxembourg Gardens before heading out to one of France’s noted wine
regions, or south to Marseilles. Discover Greek and Roman ruins in Provence,
and continue to the Mediterranean where you can mingle with the rich and
famous on the French Riviera.
Check out Marseille.
For years known as dangerous place that was
the haunt of thieves and prostitutes, France's most important Mediterranean
port has been revitalised and is being visited by larger numbers of tourists
each year. This is a great place to enjoy seafood at the old port and to
take in attractions of interest that include Notre Dame de la Garde, perched
on a hilltop overlooking the city, a number of museums, Le Corbusier's Unité
d'Habitation, the Château d'If and the Hospice de la Vieille Charité.
Head south to the
Languedoc-Roussillon. Discover
the magnificent Roman and early Gallic ruins of France’s
Languedoc-Roussillon region. In Nîmes, you’ll find Diana's Temple, the Roman
Arena and Maison Carré: the city is known as 'the Rome of the Gauls.’ Some
of the finest examples of Greco-Roman architectural style in the world can
be seen here.
Relax in the Jardins du Luxembourg.
A favourite
among Parisians and students at the Sorbonne, this 25 hectare retreat is an
oasis near the city’s Quartier Latin that merits a visit. The elegant
gardens boast fountains, statues, lots of flowers and a number of
attractions for children. Also
located in the gardens is the Luxembourg Palace, which was built for the 17th
century queen of France, Marie de Medicis, who was Italian by birth. The
palace was modelled after the Palazzo Pitti in her native city, Florence.
Enjoy the glamour of the Côte d'Azur.
Nice is really the centre of the action and glamour on the French Riviera. A
stroll along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, which runs parallel to the
Mediterranean, is a chance to experience the seafront opulence of this top end
resort city. Nice is also known for its Flower Carnival, held in January; and
Cannes, to the
west, holds the possibility of spotting a celebrity or two in May at the
international film festival held here.
Visit this website for further information about
the French Riviera.
Take a wine tour. Several wine-growing regions in France offer
tours for visitors, and some allow tourists to join in the grape harvest. The
country boasts ten principal regions where wine is king, including Alsace,
Beaujolais,
Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and the Rhône Valley, among others. Each area
is identified with the grape varieties that flourish there – according to its
micro-climate and soil type. Many of the vineyards throughout the country offer
tours and tastings.
Visit this website for further information about
Vineyards in France.
Appreciate Champagne.
A major wine region in the north-east of the
country, the province of Champagne is most well known for its world-renowned
sparking white wine. Champagne is actually fermented in the bottle. In case
you’re planning on making a purchase, there are two sizes of bottles used
for fermentation: magnums are considered as producing the higher quality
product, as less oxygen is found in the bottle, favouring the creating of
bubbles that are just the right size. As with other wine regions of France,
tours and tastings are on offer to visitors.
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