Falling in Love with the Top 8 Places to Visit in France

Europe is known for its beautiful tourist attractions. A journey to Europe is not complete without visiting and falling in love with France. France is a mixture of royalty, history, culture, art, fashion, beauty etc. It forms a bridge between the past and the present which reflects in its glorious heritage. It’s not just the Eiffel tower which is popular in France, there’s so much more than that. Let’s look at the top 8 places to visit in France you wouldn’t want to miss once you get there:

1. Castles at Loire Valley
Losing yourself in a majestic fairytale is not unusual at Loire Valley which is one of the most visited destinations of France. Its’ astounding mansions and castle like palaces will take your breath away. This valley is located in the center of the Loire River in France



2. Climbing The Gorges du Verdon
France is not just about art and music; it’s also a fantastic place for hikers and for adventure enthusiasts as it presents its own version of the Grand Canyon namely the Gorges du Verdon. Located in Provence region, this tourist spot offers various activities, such as kayaking, discovering wildlife, or simply enjoying the scenery.

3. Sipping Pinacoladas at Corsican Beaches
No holiday is complete without lying down on the sand and bathing on the beach. You can find the best beaches in France at Corsica. This beach is surrounded by lush green hills. You can snorkel or swim on the clear pristine water or simply enjoy the sunset with a loved one.



4. Saying a Prayer at Amiens Cathedral
Even if you aren't a believer, you will definitely be awed by this centuries old church. It is one of the supreme Gothic churches of 18th century and the biggest cathedral in France. Amiens Cathedral is also a fascinating subject for architecture and history students.



5. A Page in History at The Louvre
If you've read Dan Brown or are a fan of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, then you must definitely devote a day to visit the Louvre which is the most elite and historical museum of France. Its design as a glass pyramid will impress you first before you even enter the building. Most people agree that the Louvre is all about art, and its art tells a deep history and tales about ancient past.



6. Mont St. Michel
Spend one day on the island of Mont St. Michel located in Normandy. It offers a combination of beautiful nature and fascinating architecture and undoubtedly deserves your time. It was a pilgrimage site for Catholic Christians in the olden days



7. Aristocracy at its Peak - Palace of Versailles
Palace of Versailles or as they call it in France, Château de Versailles, was built by King Louie XIV, who aimed to make this castle the finest, the most exquisite, and the most elite in all of Europe. It still stands today reminding the world of ancient French glory. It’s best to arrive early in the morning to skip the tourist queues for seeing this palace.



8. Annecy
France has its own small Venice within it in Annecy. This entire town is guarded by canals. Skiing is also popular in this region. Divided into an old town and new town, Annecy offers its visitors a break from the usual city life into a calm and soothing getaway.



Whether you're coming from the East or the West, France will give you fond and memorable moments and will persuade you to come back to it again to discover new sights.

Photo Credits (Flickr Creative Commons): Chateau de Chambord by Michael Osmenda/ Corsica by Paul-In-London Amiens Cathedral by dan taylor/ Louvre by zoetnet/ Chateau de Versailles by sybarite48/

Five Places to Visit in Paris

Paris, the capital city of France and is also the most populous metropolitan area in the country and has the reputation for being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities in the country. There’s no shortage of beautiful attractions to see while you’re in the city. Paris is also dubbed as the City of Light (la Ville Lumière) and Capital of Fashion because it is home to the world's finest and most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics; the city also has a rich history and is vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design.

There are so many interesting sights and there are so many things to do in Paris and here’s our list of five places to visit in Paris.

Photo Credits (Flickr CC): Mural by zoetnet

1. The Eiffel Tower – The tower is easily the most recognizable landmark of the city, the tower is the symbol of Paris and was built by Gustave Eiffel for the world exhibition in 1889. The tower is located in Champ de Mars so if you’re visiting make sure you get there early because the line is very long.

Photo Credits (Flickr CC): Mural by terrazzo

2. The Louvre – This museum is one of the finest in the world of art and culture. The Louvre Museum is one of the largest museums in the world and the museum is also considered as a historic monument. This museum is home of the world famous Mona Lisa and a whole lot other beautiful works of art.

Photo Credits (Flickr CC): Louvre by wlappe

3. Notre Dame de Paris - Notre-Dame de Paris or also known as Notre-Dame Cathedral is a historic Catholic cathedral that is located on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité. Notre-Dame is considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. A good place to visit to see and enjoy the beautiful architecture of the cathedral.

4. Arc de Triomphe - The Arc is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. You can see the arc standing in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle, at the western end of the Champs-Élysées

Photo Credits (Flickr CC): Arc de Triomphe by RussBowling

5. Champs-Élysées – It is a street in Paris that is arguably one of the world's most famous streets, with its cinemas, cafés, luxury specialty shops and clipped horse-chestnut trees. Several French monuments are also located on the street, including the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde. According to a much used description, the Champs-Élysées is "the most beautiful avenue in the world".

Photo Credits (Flickr CC): Champs-Élysées by jay8085

These are just some of the interesting sight that can be seen in this beautiful city. There are so much more to see and discover in Paris.

Have you been to Paris? Feel free to share your tips and recommendations.