Best Places to Visit in France by Region
France is large and varied, so it helps to think in regions. This guide groups the best places in France for a visit, with a note on how long each deserves.
Paris and Île-de-France (3 to 5 days)
Paris is the obvious start. See the Eiffel Tower, spend a morning at the Louvre with a timed ticket, then wander Montmartre, the Marais and the Seine. Versailles is an easy half-day trip by train, and it is worth the early start. Go early to beat the crowds, and book major sights in advance.
The Loire Valley (2 days)
Castles such as Chambord and Chenonceau sit among vineyards and quiet villages. Base yourself in Amboise or Tours, and consider cycling between sights. It is a calm change after Paris.
Normandy and Mont-Saint-Michel (2 days)
The D-Day beaches and memorials are moving, and the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel on its tidal island looks unreal at sunrise. It works best with a car or a guided tour, because public transport links are limited.
Provence and the French Riviera (3 to 5 days)
Lavender fields bloom in summer, Avignon has its papal palace, and Nice has a seafront promenade and an old town with markets. From Nice, short trips reach Èze and Monaco. The Riviera is at its best from May to October.
Lyon and Burgundy (2 days)
Lyon is widely seen as the country’s food capital, so eat at a traditional bouchon. Burgundy, to the north, is for wine lovers and slow villages.
Bordeaux and the Southwest (2 to 3 days)
Bordeaux has elegant streets and serious wine, and Saint-Émilion is a short trip away. Further east, the Dordogne is known for caves and prehistoric sites.
Alsace (2 days)
Strasbourg and Colmar offer half-timbered houses and, in winter, famous Christmas markets.
The French Alps (2 to 4 days)
Chamonix sits below Mont Blanc and is great for hiking in summer and skiing in winter. Annecy is a pretty lakeside town that suits a gentler visit.
Which Places Suit You?
- First-time visitors: Paris, Versailles and one region, such as the Loire or the Riviera.
- Food and wine: Lyon, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Alsace.
- History: Normandy, Paris, the Loire and the Dordogne.
- Beaches and sun: Nice, the Riviera and the Mediterranean coast.
- Nature and hiking: the Alps and the Pyrenees.
How to Combine Places
Resist the urge to see everything. Two or three bases are enough for a week, and every move between cities uses up half a day. High-speed TGV trains link Paris with Lyon in about two hours and with Nice in roughly six, so plan the long legs and book them early.
Next Steps
Turn this list into a plan with our France itineraries, check the best time to visit France and choose where to stay. You can also read the full France travel guide.