France was the world's most visited country before the Covid-19 outbreak, and for a good reason. Just think of the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Versailles Palace and other châteaux, Mont Saint Michel, and many first-class attractions France is famous for. As a result, every traveler's dream is to visit the republic. But before you get there, learn what the top 10 things to do in France are to optimize your trip best.
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1. Visit Eiffel Tower and Admire Paris Skyline
The iconic Eiffel Tower is among the most visited monuments in the world. Being 324 meters/1063 feet high, it offers unmatched panoramic views of the French capital and its surroundings. Touch screens and displays introduce the landmark's history and facts, while telescopes allow viewers to observe city attractions in detail. Also, seek out a refreshment at a few restaurants and bars on each of the three floors.
While enjoying the cityscape, watch boats sailing on the River Seine and commuters and vehicles crossing dozens of Paris's bridges. Moreover, take a closer look at Arc de Triomphe, Les Invalides, Sacre-Coeur (Sacré-Cœur) Basilica, and other well-known structures.
To plan a visit, check out Top Travel and Tours' Eiffel Tower information.
2. Browse Louvre Museum’s Art Collection (Paris)
Louvre is the most visited museum globally. There, visitors admire works of art by great artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo.
Besides paintings and sculptures that originated in Europe, the museum's collection encompasses art pieces originally from Asia, Africa, and elsewhere. Thus, you'll see masterpieces from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Rome, and Greece, for example.
Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace (Nike of Samothrace), and Venus de Milo are the museum highlights. Coronation of Napoleon, Dying Slave, Liberty Leading the People, and Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss are a few other exhibits you shouldn't miss.
Moreover, Musée du Louvre used to be a royal palace whose grandeur emerges every step of the way. Also, learn about its beginnings as a fortress on the lower ground level.
To make the most of your art and history tour, read our Louvre Museum information for visitors.
3. Have Fun at Disneyland Paris Amusement Park
Disneyland Paris is the most popular amusement park in Europe. Located near the French capital, it offers exceptional entertainment for both young and old. Various roller-coaster rides, shows, and displays make for a great day out for individuals, couples, and families.
Three themed areas are available for you:
- Disneyland Park caters to fans of popular fairy tales, such as Neverland (Peter Pan), Sleeping Beauty, and Alice in Wonderland.
- Walt Disney Studios, on the other hand, suits movie devotees better.
- Disney Village is a shopaholic's paradise where you can buy toys, costumes, etc.
Depending on where you go, you can:
- Find out how Star Wars pilots feel in combat (Star Tours: The Adventure Continues—Disneyland Park)
- Experience a drop whose speed beats the gravity (The Twilight Zone of Terror in Walt Disney Studios)
- Explore the interior of Captain Nemo's Nautilus (Disneyland Park)
- And much more
So, you're in for a treat whichever zone you choose to spend your day out from Paris. Adventure, horror, and leisure await you throughout Europe's best amusement park. And to make the most of your day trip, refer to our practical Disneyland Paris visitor information.
4. Tour Versailles Palace and Gardens and Attend Shows
Château de Versailles is another attraction France is famous for around the world. Besides a few palaces, the complex consists of an expansive garden with the Grand Canal and a small hamlet. And visiting this former royal palace is a must-do activity in every France itinerary.
The main palace radiates luxury and art through chandeliers, frescoes, marble, and gilding. Marble Courtyard (which many visitors overlook while entering the palace) and Hall of Mirrors are its highlights.
Next, Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon are its smaller versions where monarchs withdrew from the public.
Moreover, Versailles Garden brims with fountains, sculptures, and flower beds. While there, seek out Dragon Basin, Water Parterre, and Ballroom Grove.
Finally, attend Musical Fountains, Musical Gardens, Night Fountains, and Royal Serenade performances, which take place on specific days.
To plan your tour in detail, refer to our Versailles Palace info.
5. Enjoy Moulin Rouge and Lido de Paris Cabaret Spectacles
Visiting cabarets Paris is full of is another top thing to do during your trip to France. They may include everything between singing (Au Lapin Agile) and sensual performances (La Crazy Horse). The impression is, however, that Moulin Rouge and Lido de Paris are most popular among travelers.
In short, these Montmartre and Champs-Elysees cabaret venues stage first-class dances. Attractive ladies in descriptive costumes perform Moulin Rouge's Cancan, immortalized by Henry Toulouse-Lautrec's drawings. For more than dancing, go to Le Lido to see its entertainers performing on the ice rink.
Moreover, you can opt for dinner or a drink while making a reservation. Just make sure to book your seat well in advance, though.
6. Mont Saint Michel: Admire Views From the Hilltop Abbey
Mont Saint Michel is among the top sights in France. A fortified monastery assumes the top of an island—connected to the mainland by a causeway—while a small medieval town occupies the hillside.
But that's not all.
If you are around during high tide, witness how incoming English Channel waters almost turn Mont Saint Michel into an island again. Just make sure to apply safety precautions on such occasions.
For practical data, refer to Top Travel and Tour's Mont Saint Michel info.
7. Explore Chambord and Chenonceau, the Loire Valley Châteaux
France is also known for the Loire Valley châteaux, Chambord and Chenonceau, in particular. And both castles make for a great day trip from Paris, the capital of France. You'll find both of them architecturally attractive and unique.
Chambord Castle near Blois features an elaborate façade with symmetrical sides and formal French gardens. Moreover, Leonardo da Vinci might have designed its double-spiraled staircase, the structure's centerpiece.
As for the Chenonceau, you'll realize that it is a bridge as much as a palace. Spanning the River Cher, it comprises several arches and combines Gothic and Renaissance styles. Within its premises, examine valued Flandres tapestries and works of art by Poussin, Rubens, and some other renowned artists.
Furthermore, there are many other impressive Loire Valley châteaux you could include in your itinerary. So, plan a visit to Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, and Blois (which is near Chambord), among others, to make the most of your Loire Valley tour.
8. Take a Cliff Road (Corniche) Drive From Nice to Monaco
Driving by the coast and watching the dark blue sea, light blue sky, and vast greenery is always a scenic experience. But, guess what? It is more than that when you hit the road between Nice and Monaco.
There are three cliff roads available - Grande Corniche, Moyenne Corniche, and Corniche Inferieure.
Grande Corniche (25 km/15 mi) is the highest (around 675 m/2,215 ft) of the three, offering unparalleled views of the Mediterranean and the French Riviera. While driving this road, you'll admire the steep descent of the mountainside into the sea. Note that this particular road takes you via La Turbie.
Next, Moyenne Corniche (27 km/17 mi), via Eze, is better for height-sensitive drivers (approx. 470 m/1,540 ft). This route is the fastest and the best option for admiring the coastline and taking photos.
Lastly, Corniche Inferieure takes you between Monaco and Nice directly. You'll navigate by the shore and through French Riviera holiday resorts.
9. Discover Champagne Vineyards and Top Attractions by Bike
If French wine flows through your veins and you like biking, visit Champagne, the wine-producing region northeast of Paris. Note that many bike trails traverse the vineyards of various producers. But from a wine lover's perspective, exploring those in a triangle between Reims, Épernay, and Châlons-en-Champagne is most rewarding.
The best time to explore Champagne grapevines is from late spring (May) to early fall (October). While you are about it, visit:
- Reims Cathedral, a top attraction of France and the traditional crowning place of French kings
- Underground cellars along Avenue de Champagne in Épernay
- And the UNESCO Church Notre-Dame-en-Vaux in Châlons-en-Champagne
10. Admire Provence Lavender Fields in Summer
The lavender fields of Provence are another thing that makes France famous. And strolling among neat rows of lavender and smelling the flowers' fragrance is a must-do thing on your trip to southeastern France.
There are many lavender fields scattered throughout the region. However, the finest of them center on:
- The Luberon massif
- The Valensole commune to the east
- And the Sault commune north of the massif
The lavender blooming season usually differs from one location to another depending on the altitude, air temperature, and rainfall. But, July should be the safest bet for you to enjoy the best of flowering somewhere.
Top Things to Do in France Conclusion
So far, we have covered the top 10 tourist things to do in France and related attractions. However, the republic is a treasure trove full of places you should discover and activities to exercise.
Some we haven't mentioned—but will in the future—are:
- Chartres with its magnificent Gothic cathedral
- Avignon and its former papal palace
- Giverny and Claude Monet's home
- Dune of Pilat, an expanding desert that is one of the largest in Europe
- And Strasbourg, featuring a labyrinth of canals and medieval streets a short walk from the Notre-Dame Cathedral
So, given that you plan a holiday in France, check out the post on occasion to get more vacation ideas. Or get in touch for quality travel consulting.
