Read the France guide introduction
France (officially the French Republic) is Europe's most-visited and the third-largest country (after the Russian portion of the Old Continent and Ukraine). It abounds with worldwide-famous tourist destinations and attractions. And this France guide will help you plan your trip to this lovely nation to the greatest effect.
Located in Western Europe, it accesses the Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, English Channel (La Manche), and the Atlantic Ocean. Next, France borders Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany to the northeast and Switzerland to the east. Lastly, it accesses Italy and Monaco to the southeast and Spain and Andora to the southwest.
France Guide: Top Tourist Destinations and Attractions
The republic's principal cities and tourist hotspots are Paris (the capital), Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Nice. Also, plan to visit Cannes (Film Festival), Lille, Orleans (Jean d'Arc), Toulouse, Avignon (popes' "temporary" medieval residence), and Strasbourg during your trip to France.
Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey and a fortified medieval town, Normandy
Furthermore, the country teems with:
- Iconic landmarks, such as Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Pont du Guard (Nîmes), and Millau Viaduct (Millau), for example
- Worldwide famous and scenic wine regions of Champagne (Dom Perignon), Aquitaine (Bordeaux wines), and Burgundy (Chablis), among others
- Palaces and castles, including Versailles, Chambord, Chenonceau, Carcassonne, Rocamadour, and Sully, to mention a few
- Amusement parks – Disneyland, Parc Astérix, Puy du Fou, and Vulcania
- And stunning cathedrals, abbeys, and churches – Chartres Cathedral, many Notre Dame cathedrals (Paris, Reims, Amiens, and more), Beauvais, Mont Saint-Michel, etc.
Moreover, French gastronomy is famous for Roquefort and Camembert cheeses, Foie Gras, Coq au vin, chocolate soufflé, and many other tasty specialties.
How to Travel in France?
France is a large country. However, the nation teems with quality roads, high-speed railway (TGV), and airports serving full service and budget (low-cost) airlines. Hence, traveling the French Republic is quick and easy. Furthermore, cruise companies offer leisure river (Seine, Loire, Rhone) and sea cruises (French Riviera).
Flower beds and patterns in Versailles Palace garden
With efficient transport, you can enjoy a morning coffee in Paris, Ile-de-France, while having lunch in Nice, in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, over 900 km/550 mi away, for example.
So, if you are in a hurry to cover moderate or long distances, resort to airlines and high-speed trains (SNCF). For short trips, regional express trains (TER) and intercity buses should do just fine.
Next, driving a car, with short breaks included, gets you between the most distant points in France in up to 15 hours, except during peak holiday seasons. That much you should spend traveling from Brest, Britanny, to Menton, next to the Italian border in Southeast France (approx. 1,470 km/910 mi). And the quickest routes lead:
- Via Nantes or Rennes, Tours, Clermont-Ferrand, and Marseilles and
- By Bordeaux, Toulouse, Montpellier, and Marseilles
Finally, a 12-hour journey by car from Dunkirk, near Belgium, to Perpignan, close to Spain, takes you through Lille, Paris, and Clermont-Ferrand (nearly 1,150 km/715 mi).
To make the most of your future tours, check out our France guide now and then to learn additional information and useful tips.
