40 Top Things to Do in France

Eiffel Tower

Paris · On our Paris to the Riviera route + 1 more

Iron landmark with views from the second floor and summit.

Tip: Book summit tickets online; it sparkles for five minutes every hour after dark.

Notre-Dame de Paris

Paris · On our Paris to the Riviera route + 1 more

Gothic cathedral reopened in December 2024 after the 2019 fire restoration.

Tip: Entry is free; reserve a time slot online to skip the line.

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

Paris · On our Paris to the Riviera route

White-domed basilica at the top of Montmartre with a panorama over Paris.

Tip: Climb the dome for a higher view; arrive early to dodge crowds.

Champs-Élysées

Paris · On our Paris & Reims route

The avenue's plane trees are wrapped in lights from late November into January, running up to the Arc de Triomphe.

Tip: On 31 December the avenue closes to traffic for the midnight show projected on the Arc.

Musée d'Orsay

Paris · On our Paris to the Riviera route

Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in a former Beaux-Arts train station.

Tip: Head straight to the 5th floor; closed Mondays.

Musée du Louvre

Paris · On our Paris to the Riviera route

The world's largest art museum, from the Mona Lisa to Egyptian antiquities.

Tip: Book a timed entry and pick two or three wings rather than trying to see it all.

Sainte-Chapelle

Paris · On our Paris to the Riviera route

13th-century royal chapel with 15 soaring stained-glass windows.

Tip: Book a timed ticket; sunny mornings light the glass best.

Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque

Avignon · On our Paris to the Riviera route

Cistercian abbey fronted by lavender fields in a quiet valley.

Tip: Lavender blooms late June to mid-July; dress modestly for the abbey.

Gordes

Avignon · On our Paris to the Riviera route

Stone village stacked on a cliff above the Luberon valley.

Tip: Best view is from the road before entering town.

Palais des Papes

Avignon · On our Paris to the Riviera route

The largest Gothic palace in Europe, seat of the popes in the 14th century.

Tip: The HistoPad tablet tour is included; go at opening.

Pont du Gard

Avignon · On our Paris to the Riviera route

Three-tier Roman aqueduct over the Gardon River with a museum and swimming spots.

Tip: Arrive at opening or late afternoon; bring swimwear in summer.

Pont Saint-Bénezet

Avignon · On our Paris to the Riviera route

The half-bridge of the 'Sur le pont d'Avignon' song, reaching partway over the Rhône.

Tip: Combo tickets with the Palais save money.

Rocher des Doms

Avignon · On our Paris to the Riviera route

Hilltop garden above the Palais with views over the Rhône and Mont Ventoux.

Tip: Bring a picnic for sunset.

Casino de Monte-Carlo

Nice · On our Paris to the Riviera route

Belle Époque casino on Place du Casino in Monaco, 20 minutes by train from Nice.

Tip: Dress code applies in gaming rooms; ID required.

Castle Hill

Nice · On our Paris to the Riviera route

Park on the site of Nice's old fortress, with views of the Baie des Anges and harbor.

Tip: Use the free elevator near Tour Bellanda or climb the stairs.

Jardin Exotique d'Èze

Nice · On our Paris to the Riviera route

Cactus garden at the top of the perched village of Èze with sea views.

Tip: Hike down the Nietzsche Path to Èze-sur-Mer and take the train back.

Musée Matisse

Nice · On our Paris to the Riviera route

Matisse's work in a 17th-century villa in the olive grove of Cimiez.

Tip: Closed Tuesdays and briefly between exhibitions; check dates.

Promenade des Anglais

Nice · On our Paris to the Riviera route

7-km seafront walk along pebble beaches and blue chairs.

Tip: Rent a lounger at a beach club for an afternoon.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Nice · On our Paris to the Riviera route

Pink Belle Époque villa on Cap Ferrat with nine themed gardens.

Tip: Gardens are the highlight; dancing fountains run regularly.

Château de Chenonceau

Amboise · On our Loire Valley Châteaux route

Château spanning the River Cher on arches, shaped by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de' Medici.

Tip: Arrive at opening; trains stop at Chenonceaux station nearby.

Château Royal d'Amboise

Amboise · On our Loire Valley Châteaux route

Royal château on a ridge over the Loire, with Leonardo's tomb in its chapel.

Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire

Amboise · On our Loire Valley Châteaux route

Château, stables and an annual international garden festival.

Tip: The garden festival runs roughly April to early November.

Musée Unterlinden

Colmar · On our Colmar, Kaysersberg & Strasbourg route

A former convent museum built around the Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald.

Tip: Closed on Tuesdays; allow time for the cloister and the modern wing.

Petite Venise

Colmar · On our Colmar, Kaysersberg & Strasbourg route

Half-timbered houses and restaurants lean over the Lauch canal, strung with lights for the season.

Tip: The view from the rue de Turenne bridge is the classic one.

Place des Dominicains Christmas market

Colmar · On our Colmar, Kaysersberg & Strasbourg route

Wooden chalets line the square beside the Dominican church, under strings of stars and lit plane trees.

Tip: Go after 6 pm, when the church windows and trees are lit.

Christkindelsmärik

Strasbourg · On our Colmar, Kaysersberg & Strasbourg route

The original market, held since 1570, fills Place Broglie behind a lit gateway.

Tip: Weekday evenings are far calmer than Saturdays.

Petite France

Strasbourg · On our Colmar, Kaysersberg & Strasbourg route

Tanners' and millers' houses along the canals of the Ill at the western tip of the Grande Ile.

Tip: Walk on to the Ponts Couverts towers and the Barrage Vauban terrace for the view back.

Strasbourg Cathedral

Strasbourg · On our Colmar, Kaysersberg & Strasbourg route

Red sandstone Gothic cathedral with a 142-metre spire, an astronomical clock and a market at its feet.

Tip: The astronomical clock's figures parade at 12:30; the platform climb is 332 steps.

Dolder

Kaysersberg · On our Colmar, Kaysersberg & Strasbourg route

Riquewihr's half-timbered gate tower from 1291, at the top of the main street, with a small museum inside.

Kaysersberg Christmas market

Kaysersberg · On our Colmar, Kaysersberg & Strasbourg route

A small craft-focused market along the main street and around the Holy Cross church.

Tip: Traditionally open Friday to Sunday only; confirm the year's dates.

Riquewihr Christmas market

Kaysersberg · On our Colmar, Kaysersberg & Strasbourg route

Stalls fill the walled village's main street and the courtyard of the Château des Wurtemberg.

Tip: Arrive before 11 am on weekends; the car parks fill fast.

Basilica of Saint-Remi

Reims · On our Paris & Reims route

Romanesque abbey church built around the tomb of Saint Remi, quieter than the cathedral and just as long inside.

Reims Cathedral

Reims · On our Paris & Reims route

Gothic cathedral where French kings were crowned for centuries, with the Smiling Angel and Chagall windows.

Tip: The parvis is lit with trees and lights through the market season.

Cadre Noir

Saumur · On our Loire Valley Châteaux route

France's national riding school; watch training sessions and gala shows.

Tip: Check the calendar for morning training sessions.

Château de Brézé

Saumur · On our Loire Valley Châteaux route

Château with an underground fortress of tunnels and dry moats.

Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

Tours · On our Loire Valley Châteaux route

Renaissance château set on an island in the Indre, reflected in its moat.

Château de Villandry

Tours · On our Loire Valley Châteaux route

Last great Renaissance château on the Loire, known for its geometric kitchen gardens.

Tip: The gardens matter most; allow time to climb the keep for the view.