Map of France

There are several maps of France on this page - please select the one you are interested in:

  • Interactive map with links to all regions and departments in France
  • Map of the regions in France
  • Map of the departments in France
  • More maps...

Regions & departments in France

Use the map below to quickly find our detailed review for any region, department or place in France and access our detailed guide for that destination.

Each of these individual regions, departments and places on francethisway also has a more detailed map showing many of the highlights and places in that French region or near the selected destination.

Map of the regions of France

regions-of-france-map

Note: starred places are the prefecture towns (capitals) of each department.

Map of the departments of France

Every region in France is further divided into departments (see departments of France for information).

Relief map of France

relief map of France

The relief map shows all the important mountain ranges in France, as well as important rivers.

Maps on France This Way

Maps are widely used on france this way:

1) To explore France and to help you find things that will interest you where you are going, by identifying other places and tourist attractions that are close by:

  • every 'place' review on the site has a location map showing several local places of interest, and a link to a page with a detailed map showing all places of interest within about 50 kilometers - these maps are the easiest way to plan a visit
  • every 'region' and department review also has a summary map of highlights

2) For planning your route between places in France and for route instructions see our France driving distances maps

3) Find the weather forecast for any region on the French weather map

4) We also have maps for specific items of interest, for example:

  • the Map of Paris (shows location of the major landmarks in that city)
  • the wine regions of France
  • the main rivers of France
  • the airports of France
  • the most beautiful villages of France
  • the ' French towns in bloom '
  • the listed' sites of natural beauty '
  • the national monuments of France
  • the historical French towns (city centres protected as 'secteur sauvegardé)
  • the zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks

5) Various areas of regional interest such as the valley of the river Dropt and the Ardeche villages also include maps

More information

If there is a map we have overlooked or would be useful for plannng a visit to France please let us know. We are always adding new places and information but please also let us know if you think your town or favourite destination should be added!

French Places

We can help you visit any town, village or region of France...

Popular & Useful

① Ideas & inspiration ② Maps of France ③ Explore by region ④ Route planner ⑤ Places (by dept.)

France This Way copyright 2006 - 2024

  • Cookies & privacy
  • Index of places

logo

Tourist attractions map  of France

Top sites, museums, historic and natural heritage sites.

  • Explore France ►
  • France in brief
  • Plan your trip
  • France on a budget
  • Tourist map of France
  • Staying in France
  • Eating in France
  • Climate & weather
  • Camping in France
  • Accueil en français
  • Search About-France
  • Paris for free
  • Other main cities
  • Choose a region
  • Best of France
  • The south of France
  • The Dordogne
  • The French seaside
  • The Loire valley
  • The Massif central
  • Top attractions
  • Heritage cities
  • Best small towns
  • Best of rural France
  • Wild France
  • Skiing & wintersports
  • Find a hotel
  • Driving in France
  • Motorway services
  • Routes from Calais
  • Rules of the road
  • Driving checklist
  • Ferries to France
  • Flying to France
  • Rail travel in France
  • Bus and coach travel
  • Life in France
  • French institutions
  • The French language
  • Vital words & phrases
  • French grammar
  • A-Z of French life
  • Study in France

Regions of France – Map & Top Tourist Attractions

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France This article may contain compensated links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

All About the French Regions

Have you ever heard that France is much more than Paris, its capital? Well, it’s true!

No other country has such a diversity of sights and scenery in such a compact area (547,030 sq. km) like France . From the north’s flat and fertile lands washed by the Atlantic Ocean to the sunny stone-built villages of the Mediterranean coast, France is a colorful country well worth exploring.

Since January 2016, France has been divided into 18 French regions: 13 regions of France are on the European continent, and 5 France regions are overseas. While some French regions like  Ile de France  remain as they were before the 2016 changes, other regions like Alsace, Champagne, and Bourgogne are today part of new, more extensive French regions such as  Grand Est  and  Bourgogne-Franche-Comté .

Despite the reduction in the number of regions, the regions of France still have their own distinctive character and particularities, which we will showcase in this article.

Martigues - Southern France

TIP: check out our best tips for planning a trip to France

Regions of France Map

Map of France

The Map of France above shows the regions on France’s mainland and Corsica Island. This Regions of France Map does not include the regions of France Overseas. These regions are in the Caribbean Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean and will be covered in the article about the French Overseas Territories .

The French regions are then divided into departments, which are administrative areas of France. There are 95 departments located in France Mainland, 2 in Corsica, and 5 departments Overseas. Next to the department names, we have included the department numbers (e.g., Ain (01)).

List of French Regions

Northern France : Normandy, Hauts de France, Ile-de-France

Southern France : Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Occitanie, Ile de Corse

Central France : Centre-Val de Loire

Eastern France : Grand Est, Auvergne-Rhône Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche Comté

Western France : Bretagne, Pays de la Loire, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

French Overseas Territories : Mayotte, Martinique , Guyanne, Guadeloupe , Réunion Island, French Polynesia .

Tourist Map of France

Regions of France Map

This colorful tourist map of France comes with the names of the main cities in France and some of France’s main attractions (under the form of drawings) by region. On this France tourist map, you can also see the main rivers in France: Seine, Loire, Garonne, Rhône, Charente, and Ill.

What are the best regions to visit in France?

There are no best regions to visit in France, but some French Regions are more popular than others. The top tourist regions of France are Ile-de-France ( the region of Paris), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (the region of Provence and the French Riviera), Normandie , Centre-Val de Loire (the region of the Loire Valley Castles), and Grand-Est (the region of Alsace and Champagne).

Getting Around France

Getting around France is very easy, both by public and private transportation. The two most popular ways to explore France on public transport are by train and by car on a road trip.

France By Train

The main cities in France and the top Metropolitan France attractions are well connected by train thanks to TGV trains (fast trains).

From Paris, some great weekend getaways are possible with train journeys of just 4 hours or less – Click here to book your train tickets

France By Car

A self-drive vacation is also a good option in France, especially if you want to go beyond the main sights. The country has a good number of well-maintained highways, but we recommend driving the secondary roads too: most of the best  French road trips  go through secondary, scenic routes.

Whether you’re looking to hug the coast or drive through some of the world’s best vineyards or lavender fields, find your adventure with our France road trip planner e-books. All you need to supply is a car and a killer playlist.

french travel map

TIP: DiscoverCars.com compares 900 companies at over 53,000 locations to guarantee you the best price. Check out our best tips for hiring a car in France .

Regions in France (+ Metropolitan France Attractions)

The regions in France are incredibly varied, and they have much to offer: culture and heritage, traditions and gastronomic terroirs, sea or mountain, city or countryside. So pack your bags and let’s explore France’s regions and main attractions.

Latest Posts

Saint Pierre - Martinique, French Antilles

French Overseas Territories (Dom Tom) – Where To Go

Bora-Bora - French Polynesia

Things to Do in French Polynesia

Noirmoutier Island - France

Best Things to Do in Pays de la Loire, France

Auvergne-rhône alpes.

Le-Puy-en-Velay Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes

Explore Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes by Car: Road Trip Lyon to Annecy

It’s impossible not to love the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in Eastern France. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is one of the most varied regions in France, offering a wide range of different destinations to satisfy every traveler. This new region of France includes the pre-2016 regions of Auvergne and Rhône Alpes . The capital city of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is Lyon .

Auvergne is the land of volcanoes and hot spas but also the land of Romanesque churches and good cheese.

Rhône-Alpes is home to picturesque stone-built villages frozen in time. It is also the region of two of  France’s most beautiful cities , Annecy and  Lyon , and the snowy peaks of the French Alps .

Protected natural reserves, almost a hundred volcanoes, walking trails, Romanesque churches, and more than 20,000 kilometers of waterways, all this and more is waiting for you in this blessed land. What are you waiting for to explore this corner of France?

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is divided into thirteen departments:  Ain (01), Allier (03), Ardèche (07), Cantal (15), Drôme (26), Isère (38), Loire (42), Haute-Loire (43), Puy-de-Dôme (63), Rhône (69D), Métropole de Lyon (69M), Savoie (73), Haute-Savoie (74). The main cities in the region are Lyon, Grenoble, Saint-Etienne, Chambéry, Valence, Annecy, and Clermont-Ferrand.

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Top Tourist Attractions:   Lyon , the Volcanoes of Auvergne, famous  ski resorts in the French Alps  (Chamonix, Courchevel, Mérivel, Val d’Isère . .),  Annecy  and its lake, the spa town of Vichy, Clermont Ferrand, and Puy-en-Velay (a major pilgrimage site).

Bourgogne-Franche Comté

Semur en Auxois

Explore Bourgogne-Franche-Comté by Car:

  • Road Trip Route des Grands Crus
  • Road Trip in the Jura

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté  in Eastern France is the land of world-famous wines, picturesque small towns , and snails . This new French region comprises the former regions of Bourgogne (Burgundy) and Franche-Comté . The capital city of the Bourgogne-Franche Comté region is Dijon .

The former region of Bourgogne  is famous for its Romanesque heritage, some of the  best vineyards of France , good gastronomy, beautiful Rennaissance and Medieval castles, and river tourism. Actually, Bourgogne has the largest network of inland waterways in France!

Franche-Comté , conversely, is well known for its diverse landscapes and large open spaces thanks to the wealth of the Vosges Massif , the Jura Mountains , and its many lakes and forests.

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is definitely an excellent combination of heritage + gastronomy, and nature at its best.

The region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is divided into eight departments:  Côte-d’Or (21), Doubs (25), Jura (39), Nièvre (58), Haute-Saône (70), Saône-et-Loire (71), Yonne (89), Territoire de Belfort (90). The main cities in the region are Dijon, Besançon, Montbéliard, and Belfort.

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Top Tourist Attractions:  Natural Park of Ballons des Vosges, the Jura, the picturesque Burgundy villages, the Royal Salt Works at Arc-et-Senans, Route des Grands Crus and other Burgundy wine routes, Cluny Abbey, Vézelay, Dijon, and Beaune.

B retagne (Brittany)

Ile Vierge Lighthouse -Bretagne

Explore Brittany by Car: Brittany Road Trip

We must admit that we have a crush on  Bretagne ; this French region is so varied and beautiful!

The westernmost region of France is a region of tradition, character, Celtic roots, and legends. It is a land of wild and unique landscapes, from rocky coastlines and cliffs to moorland and medieval towns. The capital city of the Bretagne region is Rennes .

But of course, there is much more! Brittany is also a land of sailors, isolated lighthouses, oysters, fantastic coastal walks, and mysterious prehistoric alignments. Brittany is magical, culture, crêpes & cider, traditional festivals, and, most of all, true nature.

Brittany is divided into four departments:  Côtes-d’Armor (22), Finistère (29), Ille-et-Vilaine (35), and Morbihan (56). The main cities in the region are Rennes, Brest, and Quimper.

Bretagne Top Tourist Attractions:  Rennes, Saint Maló, the Islands, GR34 (coastal multi-day hike), Carnac Alignments, Gulf of Morbihan, Emerald Coast, and the Pink Granite Coast.

C entre-Val de Loire

Blois - Centre-Val-de-Loire

Explore Centre-Val-de-Loire by Car: Loire Valley Road Trip

The region of  Centre-Val de Loire , in Central France, gets its name from the Loire River, the longest river in France. Irrigated by the Loire and its many tributaries, this beautiful French region produces excellent wines perfectly complemented with savorous regional food. The capital city of the Centre-Val de Loire region is Orléans .

Beloved by Kings, Queens, and artists, the Loire Valley is also the cradle of the Renaissance in France and is world-famous thanks to its amazing Châteaux de la Loire and the remarkable gardens that line the river. The Loire Valley Castles are today one of the most popular tourist attractions in France.

Centre-Val de Loire is also one of the regions of France that attracts large numbers of bike tourists: it sees more than 1 million bikers per year! Indeed,  La Loire à Vélo  (the Loire by bike) is perhaps the best way to explore this beautiful region.

The region of Centre-Val-de-Loire is divided into six departments:  Cher (18), Eure-et-Loir (28), Indre (36), Indre-et-Loire (37), Loir-et-Cher (41), and Loiret (45). The main cities in the region are Tours, Orléans, and Bourges.

Centre-Val-de-Loire Top Tourist Attractions:  Loire Valley Castles, the Loire by bike, Chartres and Bourges Cathedrals, Loire Valley vineyards, the historical cities and towns of Tours, Blois, Chinon, and Anjou.

Corse (Corsica Island)

Corsica Island

The island region of Corse (Corsica) is located on the Mediterranean Sea in Southern France. Corsica’s capital is the city of  Ajaccio .

Lying 200 kilometers from the French Riviera, the homeland of Napoleon Bonaparte is one of the most  beautiful French Islands , a mini-continent with hilltop villages and hiking trails, beaches, and idyllic turquoise waters.

Corsica is far away, but don’t hesitate to discover the extraordinary landscapes of this beautiful island! Corsica is best explored by car, and renting a car in Europe is very easy.

Corsica is divided into two departments: Corse-du-Sud (2A) and Haute-Corse (2B).

Corsica Top Tourist Attractions:  Calanques de Piana, Calvi Citadel, its beaches, Porto Vecchio, Bonifacio, water sports.

Kayserberg Alsace

Explore Grand Est by Car:

  • Road Trip in Alsace
  • Alsace Wine Route
  • Champagne Road Trip from Paris

In Eastern France, Grand Est incorporates the former French regions of  Alsace , Champagne-Ardennes , and Lorraine . The capital city of the Grand Est region is Strasbourg .

Alsace is a land between the Germanic and Latin worlds, a mosaic of hills, mountains, and plains dotted with castles, vineyards, and picturesque villages. The Alsace Christmas Markets are some of the best Christmas Markets in France!

Champagne , on the other hand, is best known for its bubbles and historical cities like Reims and Troyes . Last but not least, Lorraine is world-known for its quiche, madeleines, and mirabelle plum.

Bordering Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, Grand Est is a place with many tourist attractions. It is also a land of memory, and it was the theater of some of the most important battles of WWI. In Grand Est, you are never far from the forest: the Vosges and the Regional Parks of Ardennes and Lorraine .

Grand Est is divided into ten departments:  Ardennes (08), Aube (10), Marne (51), Haute-Marne (52), Meurthe-et-Moselle (54), Meuse (55), Moselle (57), Bas-Rhin (67), Haut-Rhin (68), and Vosges (88). The main cities in Grand Est are Strasbourg, Metz, Nancy, Reims, Mulhouse, and Colmar.

Grand Est Top Tourist Attractions:   Alsace Wine Route , the villages of Alsace, Alsace’s Christmas Markets, Champagne’s vineyards, Reims Cathedral, Verdun and other WWI historical sites,  Strasbourg , Colmar, Troyes, Nancy, the Vosges, and the Ardennes.

Hauts-de-France

Lille Hauts-de-France

Explore Hauts-de-France by Car:

  • Road Trip in Northern France (near Paris)
  • Road Trip from Calais to Paris

Hauts-de-France , in Northern France, is one of the lesser-known regions of France. And it is a pity because it is located just a stone’s throw from Paris. Stretching from just outside the northern suburbs of Paris right up to the coastline of the English Channel, the former Nord Pas-de-Calais and Picardie regions officially became the northernmost region of France with the regional changes in 2016. The capital city of the Hauts-de-France region is Lille .

The Hauts-de-France region is full of beautiful cathedrals, belfries, and citadels, and its plains bear witness to its mining history. It is also the region of the Channel beach resorts and relaxing seaside getaways on the Opal Coast .

Don’t miss beautiful Lille , with its Lille Stock Exchange , and Notre Dame d’Amiens Cathedral , one of the  Grandes Cathédrales  featuring the highest nave in France.

Hauts-de-France is divided into five departments:  Aisne (02), Nord (59), Oise (60), Pas-de-Calais (62), and Somme (80). The main cities in Hauts-de-France are Lille, Amiens, Roubaix, and the port cities of Dunkerque (Dunkirk) and Calais.

Hauts-de-France Top Tourist Attractions:  Amiens Cathedral, Domaine de Chantilly, Dunkirk, the seaside resort of Le Touquet, Lille, the Somme Bay & WW1 battlefields.

Ile-de-France

Paris - Ile de France

Unlike its neighbor, the Hauts-de-France, Ile-de-France  is one of the most visited regions in France, mainly thanks to  Paris , France’s capital city. Its name means “Island of France” because, in Medieval times, the French Kingdom was not much bigger than Ile-de-France.

After visiting the top sites in Paris , venture beyond the Boulevard Périphérique to explore what Ile de France has to offer. Some attractions like the  Palace of Versailles  or  Disneyland Paris  are known to all, but there are many more interesting things to see and do in Ile-de-France.

Visitors can enjoy nature and relaxation in one of the four regional natural parks while history buffs can learn about the Kings and Queens of France in amazing historical sites such as Château de Fontainebleau and Saint-Denis Basilica-Cathedral .

Picturesque villages are never far from the capital, and places like Auvers-Sur-Oise and Bougival were immortalized by Van Gogh, Renoir, and the Impressionists.

Ile-de-France is divided into eight departments:  Paris (75), Seine-et-Marne (77), Yvelines (78), Essonne (91), Hauts-de-Seine (92), Seine-Saint-Denis (93), Val-de-Marne (94), Val-d’Oise (95). The main cities in Ile-de-France are Paris, Boulogne-Billancourt, Saint-Denis, and Versailles.

Ile-de-France Top Tourist Attractions:  Paris,  Versailles , Château de Fontainebleau, Disneyland Paris, Château de Vincennes, Provins medieval city, and Saint-Denis Basilica Cathedral.

Normandie (Normandy)

Honfleur Normandy

Explore Normandy by Car:

  • Road Trip Normandy WW2 Sites
  • Normandy Road Trip from Paris

Normandy , in Northern France, is one of the most popular French regions on the tourist map of France. And for a reason! Normandy offers the visitor a stunning coastline, picturesque villages, and idyllic countryside. Normandy is also famous for its rich history, tower bells, cows, and cheese. The capital city of Normandy is Caen .

Normandy is a popular weekend getaway from Paris, and many hotels and restaurants thrive along the Normandy coast, especially around the towns of Deauville and Honfleur .

Normandy is also a land of medieval towns, fabulous castles , and artists. The Impressionist movement was born in Normandy, inspired by Monet’s “Impression” of the sunrise at Le Havre.

Normandy is divided into five departments:  Calvados (14), Eure (27), Manche (50), Orne (61), and Seine-Maritime (76). Normandy’s main cities are Le Havre, Caen, and  Rouen .

Normandy Top Tourist Attractions: Mont Saint-Michel , the Bayeux Tapestry,  D-Day Landing Sites , Honfleur harbor, Rouen and its Cathedral, chic Deauville,  picturesque villages , the Seine Valley and Monet’s Gardens in Giverny .

Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Bordeaux France

Explore Nouvelle-Aquitaine by Car:

  • Road Trip in the French Basque Country
  • Dordogne Road Trip
  • Road Trip from Bordeaux to Biarritz

It’s almost impossible to get bored in  Nouvelle-Aquitaine . Located in Western France, this is the French region of mountains and forests, prehistoric caves, beaches, medieval villages, and some of the  most beautiful castles in France . The capital city of Nouvelle-Aquitaine is Bordeaux .

Its 720 kilometers of coast are a paradise for surfers, while people looking for a quiet vacation can enjoy no less than 30 spa towns, including Dax , France’s top spa town.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine is also a delight for foodies, with excellent wines and brandies and around twenty Michelin-starred restaurants.

Sun, history, dynamism, and gastronomy . . . there’s a great French vacation for everyone in Nouvelle Aquitaine!

Nouvelle-Aquitaine is divided into twelve departments:  Charente (16), Charente-Maritime (17), Corrèze (19), Creuse (23), Dordogne (24), Gironde (33), Landes (40), Lot-et-Garonne (47), Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64), Deux-Sèvres (79), Vienne (86), and Haute-Vienne (87). The main cities in the region are Bordeaux, Limoges, and Poitiers.

Nouvelle Aquitaine Top Tourist Attractions:  Bordeaux, the Cité du Vin, the Arcachons Bassin, Saint Emilion, the Landes Forest, the Atlantic Pyrénées, Lascaux Caves,  Dordogne region , the Basque Country, La Rochelle, and Atlantic isalands.

Minerve-France

Explore Occitanie by Car: Carcassonne and the Cathar Country Road Trip

Traveling to  Occitanie  is like returning to the basics: the land, the sea, and the sky. Lesser-known than its chic neighbor, Occitanie in Southern France, is a fantastic region to explore, nestled between the Pyrénées and the Mediterranean Sea. The capital city of the Occitanie region is Toulouse .

Less frenetic than Provence and the French Riviera but definitely more affordable, Occitanie is a land of sunny stone-built villages, vertiginous citadels, great mountain hikes, and fascinating history. A land where its inhabitants like to take their time and enjoy the small pleasures of this life.

Occitanie does not lack lively cities like Roussillon, Toulouse, and Montpellier . History buffs will want to head to Rocamadour, Albi , and Carcassonne , the gate to the fascinating Cathar Country .

Occitanie is divided into thirteen departments:  Ariège (09), Aude (11), Aveyron (12), Gard (30), Haute-Garonne (31), Gers (32), Hérault (34), Lot (46), Lozère (48), Hautes-Pyrénées (65), Pyrénées-Orientales (66), Tarn (81), Tarn-et-Garonne (82). The main cities in Occitanie are Toulouse, Montpellier, Nîmes, Perpignan, and Béziers.

Occitanie Top Tourist Attractions:  Carcassonne and the Cathar Country, Albi, Toulouse, the Pyrénées, the Camargue, Rocamadour, Nîmes, Pont du Gard, the Valleys of the Cévennes, and Canal de Midi.

P ays de la Loire

Nantes - Pays de La Loire

Explore Pays de la Loire by Car: Road Trip Pays de la Loire from Nantes

Located in Western France,  Pays de la Loire  is a region of châteaux and vineyards, with  Nantes  as its capital.

Pays de la Loire is lesser known than the neighboring region Centre-Val de Loire, and perhaps it lacks top tourist attractions, but this does not mean that it is not an interesting region to be explored. Crossed from east to west by the Loire River and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Pays de La Loire showcases a stunning coastline, charming towns and villages, varied natural landscapes, and cultural cities.

Nantes , the Dukes of Brittany’s historic capital, is packed with interesting things to see and do, followed by the historic cities of Angers and Le Mans . The latter is best known for its legendary racetrack and prestigious 24-hour race.

History buffs will love to visit Fontevraud Abbey , the final resting place for a line of monarchs, starting with Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II, and Richard the Lionheart. Children will have a blast at Puy du Fou , one of the country’s most-visited theme parks, with medieval and fantasy-style shows.

Pays de la Loire is divided into five departments:  Loire-Atlantique (44), Maine-et-Loire (49), Mayenne (53), Sarthe (72), and Vendée (85). The main cities in the region are Nantes, Angers, Le Mans, and Saint-Nazaire.

Pays de La Loire Top Tourist Attractions:  the Atlantic Coast’s delightful landscapes, vineyards, 24 hours of Le Mans, Angers,  Les Machines de l’Ile in Nantes , Puy du Fou, Fontevraud Abbey.

P rovence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

Marseille-France

Explore Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur by Car:

  • Road Trip Gorges du Verdon
  • The Ultimate Lavender Route
  • Road Trip Route du Mimosa
  • French Riviera Road Trip
  • The Ultimate Road Trip in Provence
  • Road Trip in the Luberon, Provence

The region of  Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur , in Southern France, has everything to make visitors happy: the French Riviera’s sunny beaches and chic resorts, the endless lavender fields and stone villages of  Provence , picturesque marinas, secluded creeks with turquoise waters, great hikes and skiing in the wintertime, and excellent gastronomy. The capital city of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is Marseille .

Bordering Monaco and Italy, cities like Nice and Cannes in Côte d’Azur are often the departure point of a French Riviera road trip or a stop on longer  trips to Italy .

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA between friends) is one of the most visited regions of France. It gets hot and crowded in the summer, but it is an excellent travel destination in spring or fall when the crowds are gone and the temperatures are mild.

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is divided into six departments:  Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (04), Hautes-Alpes (05), Alpes-Maritimes (06), Bouches-du-Rhône (13), Var (83), Vaucluse (84). The main cities in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur are  Marseille ,  Nice , Toulon, Avignon, and Aix-en-Provence .

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Top Tourist Attractions:   Marseille , the Alps Maritimes,  French Riviera  (St Tropez,  Nice , Cannes, Antibes),  villages of Provence , Aix-en-Provence,  Avignon , Arles, and the Calanques de Marseille-Cassis .

Join France Bucket List Facebook Group

So there you have it, a quick guide to the regions of France and the best (Metropolitan) France attractions. What are your favorite France regions?

Read more about the French Regions

Back to Homepage

Pin it now & read it later

Explore the French Regions with our France by Region Guide! Regions of France Map and Top French Tourist Attractions, Getting around France and more #france #francebucketlist

Disclaimer: This article may contain compensated links, meaning we get a small commission if you make a purchase through our links. It costs you nothing more (in fact, if anything, you’ll get a nice discount) but helps us to go on creating incredible French content for you. We trust all products and brands promoted here and would never recommend anything that isn’t of value. Please read disclaimer for more info.

(C) Copyright 2019 - 2024 France Bucket List. All Rights Reserved. Designed & Developed by France Bucket List || Disclaimer || Privacy Policy || Contact |

francemap360.com

France tourist map

You can find on this page the France tourist map to print and to download in PDF. The France tourist attractions map presents the monuments, museums, parks and points of interest of France in Europe.

France travel map

Map of France travel

The France tourist map shows all tourist places and points of interest of France. This travel map of France will allow you to easily plan your visits of landmarks of France in Europe. The France tourist map is downloadable in PDF, printable and free.

Some 84.7 million visitors from across the world flocked to France in 2013 as its mentioned in France tourist map, far more than any other country in the world, and plans are underway to up the number to above 100 million mark. Museums and art galleries are a major pull for tourists. France entices people of all ages with some of the world most iconic landmarks, world-class art and architecture, sensational food, stunning beaches, glitzy ski resorts, beautiful countryside and a staggering amount of history."

France tourist attractions illustrate the history of the human race, from the prehistoric sites of Cro Magnon to the steel and glass of the Futuroscope as you can see in France tourist map; they include fine vestiges of all European civilisations, from the prehistoric megaliths of Carnac and the Roman remains of Provence, through medieval castles and cathedrals, to the splendours of Versailles, the nineteenth century Eiffel Tower, or the resolute modernity of the TGV.

France has the necessary tourism infrastructure to cope with its status as leading tourist destination - more hotels and campsites than any other country of Europe, probably more gites or holiday cottages as its shown in France tourist map, the best and most modern rail network in Europe, and a fine system of motorways linking all main towns and cities.

France attractions map

France tourist attractions map

Map of France tourist attractions

The France attractions map shows all monuments and sightseeing of France. This tourist attractions map of France will allow you to easily discover monuments, museums ans places to visit of France in Europe. The France attractions map is downloadable in PDF, printable and free.

From the boulevards of Paris to the fashionable seaside resorts of the Côte d'Azur, France offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Begin with the Eiffel Tower, the modern emblem of France as its mentioned in France attractions map. Then discover famous masterpieces of art at the Louvre Museum. Spend a day pretending to be royalty at the elegant Palace of Versailles. Save time for leisurely gourmet meals - traditional French gastronomy has been inscribed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Each region in France has its own distinctive cuisine and culture. The coastal region of Brittany as its mentioned in France attractions map offers the old-world charm of quaint fishing villages and ancient seaports, while the French Alps reveals the region hearty cuisine of cheese fondue and charcuterie served in cozy chalets near ski slopes. Indulge in it all and savor the country irresistible charm with our list of the top attractions in France.

Famous for its wines and cheeses. Visitors are attracted by historic cities, a beautiful countryside, the castles of the Loire Valley, and Brittany and Normandy. In addition, France offers an agreeable climate, some excellent beaches on the French Riviera, the Atlantic coast and the island of Corsica as you can see in France attractions map, wide possibilities for winter sports, most notably in the Alps and the Pyrenees, and a rich culture with food and wines that are among the most celebrated in the world.

Ontheworldmap.com

World Map » France

Map of France

Description: This map shows governmental boundaries of countries; regions, regions capitals and major cities in France. Size: 1306x1196px / 250 Kb Author: Ontheworldmap.com

You may download, print or use the above map for educational, personal and non-commercial purposes. Attribution is required. For any website, blog, scientific research or e-book, you must place a hyperlink (to this page) with an attribution next to the image used.

France Location Map

France Location Map

Online Map of France

France regions map

France regions map

France Regions And Capitals Map

France Regions And Capitals Map

Administrative map of France

Administrative map of France

France physical map

France physical map

France political map

France political map

Large detailed map of France with cities

Large detailed map of France with cities

Regions and departements map of France

Regions and departements map of France

France railway map

France railway map

France population density map

France population density map

France wine regions map

France wine regions map

South of France Map

South of France Map

Map of Northern France

Map of Northern France

France location on the Europe map

France location on the Europe map

Map of Spain and France

Map of Spain and France

Map of Switzerland, Italy, Germany and France

Map of Switzerland, Italy, Germany and France

About France

Geography of france, metropolitan regions of france, overseas regions of france, overseas collectivities.

  • North America Map
  • South America Map
  • Oceania Map

Popular Maps

  • Australia Map
  • Germany Map
  • Singapore Map
  • United Arab Emirates Map
  • United Kingdom Map
  • United States Map
  • New York City Map
  • Los Angeles Map

U.S. States

  • California Map
  • Colorado Map
  • Florida Map
  • Georgia Map
  • Illinois Map
  • New York Map
  • North Carolina Map
  • Virginia Map

Travel Guide France

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

Select Month

  • roughguides.com
  • Travel guide
  • Itineraries
  • Local Experts
  • Travel Advice
  • Accommodation

Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert

Book securely with money-back guarantee

Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support

I would give this 6 stars if the ratings went that high! This really was one of the highlights of our vacation. Due to scheduling issues, we ended up with ...

For all the millions of French people that live in its many vibrant cities, the idea persists that theirs is a rural country. The importance of the land reverberates throughout French culture, something you will truly understand when you travel to France.

Where to go in France

Best time to travel to france, itinerary for when you travel to france, culture in france, cuisine in france, alsace and lorraine, alsatian food, four fabulous alsace fortresses, the route des vins, the wines of alsace, “la grand boucle”.

France boasts metropolitan powerhouse cities that represent the countries accumulation of wealth, evident in the astonishing variety of places to visit, from the Dordogne's prehistoric cave paintings and the Roman monuments of the south, to the Gothic cathedrals of the north, the chateaux of the Loire, and the cutting-edge architecture of the grands projets in Paris. This legacy of history and culture - le patrimoine - is so widely dispersed across the land that even the briefest of stays will leave you with a powerful sense of France's past. After reading this region-by-region overview, you might want to arm yourself with 20 fun facts about France.

Travelling around France is easy. Restaurants and hotels proliferate, many of them relatively inexpensive when compared with other developed Western European countries. Train services are admirably efficient, as is the road network – especially the (toll-paying) autoroutes – and cyclists are much admired and encouraged. Information is highly organized and available from tourist offices across the country, as well as from specialist organizations for walkers, cyclists, campers and so on.

Thinking about a holiday in France? Start planning your trip by finding out how to get there .

As for where to go in France, Paris, of course, is the outstanding cultural centre, with its impressive buildings – not least Frank Gehry’s stunning new Fondation Louis Vuitton – and unparalleled art, nightlife and ethnic diversity, though the great provincial cities – Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille – all now vie with the capital and each other for prestige in the arts, ascendancy in sport and innovation in attracting visitors. Marseille, in particular, has a host of exciting new cultural institutions, a legacy of its year as European Capital of Culture in 2013.

For most people, however, it’s the unique characters of the regions that will define a trip. Few holiday-makers stay long in the largely flat, industrial north, but there are some fine cathedrals and energetic cities to leaven the mix. The picture is similar in Alsace-Lorraine where Germanic influences are strong, notably in the food. On the northern Atlantic coast, Normandy has a rich heritage of cathedrals, castles, battlefields and beaches – and, with its cream-based sauces, an equally rich cuisine. To the west, Brittany is renowned for its Celtic links, beautiful coastline, prehistoric sites and seafood, while the Loire valley, extending inland towards Paris, is famed for soft, fertile countryside and a marvellous parade of châteaux. Further east, the green valleys of Burgundy shelter a wealth of Romanesque churches, and their wines and food are among the finest in France. More Romanesque churches follow the pilgrim routes through rural Poitou-Charentes and down the Atlantic coast to Bordeaux, where the wines rival those of Burgundy. Inland from Bordeaux, visitors flock to the gorges, prehistoric sites and picturesque fortified villages of the Dordogne and neighbouring Limousin, drawn too by the truffles and duck and goose dishes of Périgord cuisine. To the south, the great mountain chain of the Pyrenees rears up along the Spanish border, running from the Basque country on the Atlantic to the Catalan lands of Roussillon on the Mediterranean; there’s fine walking and skiing, as well as beaches at either end. Further along the Mediterranean coast, Languedoc offers dramatic landscapes, medieval towns and Cathar castles, as well as more beaches, while the Massif Central, in the centre of the country, is undeveloped and little visited, but beautiful nonetheless, with its rivers, forests and the wild volcanic uplands of the Auvergne. The Alps, of course, are prime skiing territory, but a network of signposted paths makes for great walking too; to the north, the wooded mountains of the Jura provide further scope for outdoor adventures. Stretching down from the Alps to the Mediterranean is Provence, which, as generations of travellers have discovered, seems to have everything: Roman ruins, charming villages, vineyards and lavender fields – and legions of visitors. Its cuisine is similarly diverse, encompassing fruit, olives, herbs, seafood and lamb. Along the Provençal coast, the beaches, towns and chic resorts of the Côte d’Azur form a giant smile extending from the vibrant city of Marseille to the super-rich Riviera hotspots of Nice and Monaco. For truly fabulous beaches, however, head for the rugged island of Corsica, birthplace of Napoleon and home to an Italian-leaning culture and cuisine and some fascinating Neolithic sculptures.

Discover more places in France

IMG_3780

  • Languedoc Travel Guide
  • The Limousin, Dordogne and the Lot Travel Guide
  • The Loire Travel Guide
  • The Massif Central Travel Guide
  • Normandy Travel Guide
  • The north Travel Guide
  • Paris Travel Guide
  • Poitou-Charentes and the Atlantic coast Travel Guide
  • Provence Travel Guide
  • The Alps and Franche-Comté Travel Guide
  • The Côte d’Azur Travel Guide
  • The Rhône valley Travel Guide
  • The Pyrenees Travel Guide

The climate in France can be tricky to navigate when deciding the best time to visit. The north experiences similar weather to the UK, often being wet and moderately unpredictable. The south is significantly warmer, particularly behind the Mediterranean coastline. Briefly speaking, the best time to visit is during late spring to early autumn, when the temperature is warm and crowds are not swarmed with tourists.

If visiting for the first time, or as a returning traveller, planning an itinerary ensures you experience as much of the country as possible, particularly if driving. The diversity of France's beautiful landscape means there are many routes to choose from, so if you have a particular mission in mind, check out our range of itineraries , or alternatively plan a tailor-made trip with one of our experts. For inspiration, we've created an itinerary below.

Travel ideas for France, created by local experts

An active walking tour out of the way in France

14 days  / from 3922 USD

An active walking tour out of the way in France

Your trip starts with an in-depth introduction to France in Paris: several unique day excursions connect you with local Parisians to show you their city and way of life. Afterwards continue south to start a few days walking journey through Southern France before ending around Avignon.

Southern France – Walks in the Alpilles and Lavender fields

10 days  / from 2450 USD

Southern France – Walks in the Alpilles and Lavender fields

Start your tour in the coastal city of Marseille, exploring Cassis on the way. Around the Alpilles in Provence, you will be provided with detailed walking materials to explore the area on foot, from both Les Baux and St Remy. End your tour in famous Avignon.

Tasting Eastern France

12 days  / from 2995 USD

Tasting Eastern France

A delicious yet active journey through Eastern France. Start your trip in Lyon with some unique food tours before setting off on a 4-day walk across the Beaujolais region. Almost every day ends with a wine tasting in your guesthouse, soothing for body and soul.

Taste of Three - Belgium, France and Switzerland

10 days  / from 5616 USD

Taste of Three - Belgium, France and Switzerland

Start your journey in Belgium and explore Brussels, Ghent and Bruges. A high-speed train will then take you to Strasbourg, from where you'll discover the Alsace. Proceed to Basel as your base, from where you'll see plenty of Switzerland: Zermatt, Matterhorn, Mount Pilatus and much more.

Days 1 - 3: Paris

Your travels to France would not be complete without visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower in the heart of Paris. Tick of the main sites on the checklist; the Louvre Museum, the Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe. Enjoy exploring the charming streets, stopping off for macarons in delightful little cafes.

Days 3 - 5: Epernay, Champagne

Take a trip to Epernay, the birthplace of Champagne. Enjoy a glass of authentic bubbly whilst taking in the beautiful landscape of rolling green hills. Go wine tasting, cycle along the vineyards, take morning walks, and explore the charm of the small town. Simply enjoy the countryside of France.

Days 5 - 7: Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is a place of fairy tales, explore the many Chateaux and immerse yourself into feeling like you have stepped back in time. Chateaux of the Loire Valley is an impressive example of French Renaissance architecture and is a good starting point. Other monumental castles to look out for include those at Ambroise and Nantes. Take part in a tour, also possible along the Loire River, and explore the historical towns and get a real feeling for French history and culture.

The importance of these traditions is felt deeply by the French state, which fights to preserve and develop its culture perhaps harder than any other country in the world. Private companies, which also strive to maintain French traditions in arenas as diverse as haute couture, pottery and, of course, food, are perfect examples of this. The fruits of these efforts are evident in the subsidized arts , notably the film industry, and in the lavishly endowed and innovative museums and galleries. From colonial history to fishing techniques, aeroplane design to textiles, and migrant shepherds to manicure, an array of impressive collections can be found across the nation. Inevitably, however, first place must go to the fabulous displays of fine art in Paris, a city which has nurtured more than its fair share of the finest creative artists of the last century and a half, both French – Monet and Matisse for example – and foreign, such as Picasso and Van Gogh.

French cuisine is as varied as it's landscape, as the creator of the Michelin Star, France takes its food reputation seriously. Dive in deep to France's food and drink culture, that will have you eager to travel to France as soon as you can.

From traditional village boulangeries cooking fresh bread and croissants to high-class restaurants, you'll notice the always pleasant aroma of delicious dishes being cooked. Popular recipes to look out for include ratatouille, bourguignon and crepes. Drink-wise, France boasts some of the best wines, and of course, there is Champagne.

Top image: Le Mont Saint-Michel, France © canadastock / Shutterstock

Disputed for centuries by French kings and the princes of the Holy Roman Empire, and subsequently embroiled in a bloody tug-of-war between France and Germany, France’s easternmost provinces, Alsace and Lorraine , share a tumultuous history. It’s no surprise then that almost everything, from the architecture to the cuisine and the language, is an enticing mixture of French and German – so much so that you might begin to wonder which country you’re actually in.

Cute Hansel-and-Gretel-type houses – higgledy-piggledy creations with oriel windows, carved timberwork, toy-town gables and geranium-filled window boxes – are a common feature in Alsace, especially along the winding Route des Vins , which traces the eastern margin of the forests of the Vosges mountains. This road also represents the region’s chief tourist raison d’être – wine – best accompanied with a regional cuisine that’s more Germanic than French, although you’ll find plenty of creativity in modern Alsatian cooking. Ruined medieval castles are scattered about, while outstanding churches and museums are concentrated in the handsome regional capital of Strasbourg and in smaller, quirkier Colmar . Bustling Mulhouse stands out for its industrial heritage and entertaining nightlife. A noticeably wealthy province, Alsace has historically churned out cars and textiles, not to mention half the beer in France.

Alsace’s less prosperous and less scenic neighbour, Lorraine, shares borders with Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium. The graceful former capital, Nancy , is home to a major school of Art Nouveau and is well worth a visit, as is leafy Metz , with its sparkling new contemporary art gallery. The bloody World War I battlefields around Verdun attract a large number of visitors, as does the zoo in Amnéville , one of the largest in France. Gastronomically no less renowned than other French provinces, Lorraine has bequeathed to the world one of its favourite savoury pies, the quiche lorraine , and an alcoholic sorbet, the coupe lorraine .

Top image: Cathedral of Our Lady, Strasbourg © Travelerpix/Shutterstock

Alsatians are hearty eaters, with their local cuisine characterized by generous helpings of pork, potatoes and spaetzle (a type of pasta usually fried in butter). But the region also has an international reputation for gastronomy, with exciting, new and well-established Michelin-starred restaurants dotted across its towns and villages.

The classic dish is choucroute , the aromatic pickled cabbage known in German as sauerkraut . The difference here is the inclusion of juniper berries in the pickling stage and the addition of goose grease or lard. Traditionally it’s served with large helpings of smoked pork, ham and sausages, but some restaurants offer a succulent variant replacing the meat with fish ( choucroute aux poissons ), usually salmon and monkfish. The qualification à l’alsacienne after the name of a dish means “with choucroute ”. Baeckoffe , a three-meat hotpot, comprising layers of potato, pork, mutton and beef marinated in wine and baked for several hours, is a speciality. Onions , too, crop up frequently on menus, either in the guise of a tart ( tarte à l’oignon ), made with a béchamel sauce, or as flammeküche ( tarte flambée ), a mixture of onion, cream and pieces of chopped smoked pork breast, baked on a thin, pizza-like base.

Alsatians are fond of their pastries . In almost every patisserie, you’ll find a mouthwatering array of fruit tarts made with rhubarb (topped with meringue), wild blueberries, red cherries or yellow mirabelle plums. Cake-lovers should try kugelhopf , a dome-shaped cake with a hollow in the middle made with raisins and almonds.

For the classic Alsatian eating experience, you should go to a winstub , loosely translated as a “wine bar”, a cosy establishment with bare beams, wood wall panels and benches and a convivial atmosphere. The food revolves around Alsatian classics, such as choucroute , all accompanied by local wines (or, in a bierstub , beer).

A thirty-minute drive north of Metz lies Amnéville , an easy-to-overlook town off the A31 motorway. But, just outside, in the Parc Amnéville-Les-Thermes , there is a gigantic tourist site with a conglomeration of attractions, cinemas, restaurants, spas and hotels you'd expect to see in North America rather than Europe. There are three large spas , Centre Thermal St Eloy (with a more therapeutic-medical orientation), Thermapolis (relaxation for all the family) and Villa Pompéi (offering massage and beauty treatments), which have been built over natural thermal springs; there are also sports arenas that include France’s only indoor ski slope, an 18-hole golf and mini-golf course, a “Fitnessium”, an ice-skating rink and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

But the main attraction is the zoo – one of the largest in France. You need a car to get there – and to move around the site. The zoo holds a large number of rare species; many of them are photogenic mammals, such as snow leopards, Siberian tigers, dwarf hippos and a big number of monkey species. In 2015, a new arena was opened to host a choreographed tiger show (1–3 times daily). Feeding of animals takes place several times a day; the wolf-pack feed is the biggest draw.

Alsace is dotted with medieval fortresses, heirlooms from a quarrelsome past. Here’s a rundown of the very best castles in the region:

Bernstein Explore the marvellous ruins of this castle perched 562m up on a rock overlooking Dambach-la-Ville. It’s a 45-minute walk from the village past the chapel of St-Sébastien or a drive up the D35, turning left at Blienschwiller towards Villé on the D203 and then following the sign to Bernstein on the GR5 until the Schulwaldplatz car park. From there it’s a gentle 20min walk uphill through a spruce forest. Free access.

Haut Koenigsbourg A massive pile of honey-coloured sandstone that sits astride a 757m bluff, this castle dates from the twelfth century. It was heavily restored in the twentieth century under the tenacious management of Kaiser Wilhelm II and is today one of the most visited monuments in France – try to come midweek or out of season to avoid the crowds. It is a stunning spot with fantastic views on a clear day.

Château Hohlandsbourg Six kilometres outside Eguisheim, this enormous castle surrounded by massive walls is the largest in the region. It was extensively damaged during the Thirty Years’ War but there’s still plenty to see, including beautiful gardens. The castle is also a venue for cultural activities, music concerts and children’s workshops – check the website for events.

Château Kintzheim Small but wonderful ruined castle built around a cylindrical refuge-tower and located just south of Haut Koenigsbourg. Today Kintzheim is an aviary for birds of prey – the Volerie des Aigles – and puts on magnificent displays of aerial prowess by resident eagles and vultures.

Metz (pronounced “Mess”), the capital of Lorraine, lies on the east bank of the River Moselle, close to the autoroute de l’Est linking Paris and Strasbourg. Today the city has another connection to the capital in the much-lauded satellite branch of the Centre Pompidou . Along with its rather splendid cathedral , a strong dining scene (inspired by the Renaissance writer and famous gourmand, Rabelais, who lived here for two years), large and beautiful flower-lined public spaces and riverside setting, the honey-coloured city of Metz is something of an undiscovered gem.

The city’s origins go back at least to Roman times, when, as now, it stood astride major trade routes. On the death of Charlemagne it became the capital of Lothar’s portion of his empire. By the Middle Ages it had sufficient wealth and strength to proclaim itself an independent republic, which it remained until its absorption into France in 1552. Caught between warring influences, Metz has endured more than its share of historical hand-changing; reluctantly ceded to Germany in 1870, it recovered its liberty at the end of World War I, only to be re-annexed by Hitler until the Liberation.

Metz is, in effect, two towns: the original French quarters of the vieille ville , gathered round the cathedral and encompassing the Île de la Comédie , and the Quartier Impérial , undertaken as part of a once-and-for-all process of Germanification after the Prussian occupation in 1870. Developing with speed and panache is a third section: the Quartier de l’Amphithéâtre , south of the train station, heralded by the Centre Pompidou and the adjacent sports stadium – shops and offices are slowly following.

Centre Pompidou-Metz

The Centre Pompidou-Metz , the first decentralized branch of the Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris, opened with much pomp and ceremony in Metz’s Quartier de l’Amphithéâtre in May 2010. Designed by architects Shigeru Ban and Jean de Gastines, it’s a curious, bright white building resembling a swimming stingray and, with its huge glass windows and wooden scaffolding, is extremely light and inviting. The same spirit reigns here as in Paris: showing off a varying percentage of the Parisian stock, the aim of the museum is to bring modern art to the masses, and judging by the queues it’s working. Expect to spend around two hours here; there’s a café, as well as workshops for children (ask at reception for details).

A large, sprawling, industrial city 35km south of Colmar, Mulhouse was Swiss until 1798 when, at the peak of its prosperity (founded on printed textiles), it voted to become part of France. Today it bills itself as a “museum town”, with at least four that might grab your interest. It’s much cheaper to stay here than in neighbouring Colmar (or Basel), plus it offers the best nightlife in Alsace should you find yourself there over a weekend. The hôtel de ville on the central place de la Réunion contains a beautifully presented history of the city in the Musée Historique . The Neo-Gothic cathedral opposite the museum was built in 1866, replacing a twelfth-century church, yet its fourteenth-century stained glass is considered the most beautiful in the Upper Rhine; this is the only Protestant cathedral standing in a main square in France.

Cité de l’Automobile, Musée National-Collection Schlumpf

A couple of tram stops north of Mulhouse’s city centre, the Cité de l’Automobile, Musée National-Collection Schlumpf , houses an overwhelming collection of more than six hundred cars, originally belonging to local brothers Hans and Fritz Schlumpf, who made their fortunes running a nearby spinning mill. Lined up in endless rows, the impeccably preserved vehicles range from the industry’s earliest attempts, such as the extraordinary wooden-wheeled Jacquot steam “car” of 1878, and the very first attempt at an environmentally friendly, solar-powered car made in 1942 to the 1968 Porsche racers. The highlights are the locally made Bugatti models: dozens of alluringly displayed, glorious racing cars, coupés and limousines, the pride of them being the two Bugatti Royales, out of only seven that were constructed. There’s also the most expensive Bugatti in the world today, priced at a cool €1.6 million.

The city of Nancy , on the River Meurthe, is renowned for the magnificent place Stanislas, cited as a paragon of eighteenth-century urban planning and today the finest in France. For its spectacularly grand centre, Nancy has the last of the independent dukes of Lorraine to thank: the dethroned king of Poland and father-in-law of Louis XV, Stanislas Leszczynski. During the twenty-odd years of his office in the mid-eighteenth century, he ordered some of the most successful construction of the period in all France. The city is also home to some impressive examples of Art Nouveau furniture and glassware hailing from the days of the École de Nancy , founded at the end of the nineteenth century by glass-master and furniture-maker, Émile Gallé.

From the gare SNCF , walk through Porte Stanislas , straight down rue Stanislas to reach the Rococo place Stanislas . Both this gate and Porte St-Catherine opposite are meticulously aligned with place Stanislas’s solitary statue – that of the portly Stanislas Leszczynski , who commissioned architect Emmanuel Héré to design the square in the 1750s. On the south side of the square stands the imposing hôtel de ville , its roof topped by a balustrade ornamented with florid urns and winged cupids. Along its walls, lozenge-shaped lanterns dangle from the beaks of gilded cockerels; similar motifs adorn the other buildings on the square – look out for the fake, two-dimensional replacements. The square’s entrances are enclosed by magnificent wrought-iron gates; the impressive railings on the northern corners frame fountains dominated by statues of Neptune and Amphitrite.

Stanislas Leszczynski

Stanislas Leszczynski , born in the Polish–Ukrainian city of Lemberg (now Lviv) in 1677, lasted just five years as the king of Poland before being forced into exile by Tsar Peter the Great. For the next twenty-odd years he lived on a French pension in northern Alsace, but after fifteen years Stanislas’s luck changed when he managed, against all odds, to get his daughter, Marie, betrothed to the 15-year-old king of France, Louis XV . Marie was not so fortunate: married by proxy in Strasbourg Cathedral, having never set eyes on the groom, she gave birth to ten children, only to be rejected by Louis, who preferred the company of his mistresses, Madame de Pompadour and Madame du Barry. Bolstered by his daughter’s marriage, Stanislas had another spell on the Polish throne from 1733 to 1736, but gave it up in favour of the comfortable dukedom of Barr and Lorraine. He lived out his final years in aristocratic style in the capital, Nancy, which he transformed into one of France’s most beautiful towns.

Flanked to the west by the rising forests of the southern Vosges, which stretch all the way down to Belfort, Alsace’s picturesque Route des Vins (“Wine Route”) follows the foot of the mountains along the western edge of the wide and flat Rhine valley. Beginning in Marlenheim, west of Strasbourg, the route, on or around the D35, snakes its way over 180km to Thann, near Mulhouse, through exquisitely preserved medieval towns and villages characterized by half-timbered houses, narrow cobbled streets and neighbouring ancient ruined castles – testimony to the province’s turbulent past. The route is blanketed with neat terraces of vines, which produce the famous white wines. Tasting opportunities are plentiful, particularly during the region’s countless wine festivals that mainly coincide with the October harvest.

The old centre of Colmar , a thirty-minute train ride south of Strasbourg and lying east of the main Route des Vins villages, is echt Alsatian, with crooked half-timbered and painted houses. Its small canals and picturesque narrow streets are a flaneur’s paradise. This is prime Elsässisch-speaking country, a German dialect known to philologists as Alemannic, which has waxed and waned during the province’s chequered history. As the proud home of Mathias Grünewald’s magnificent Issenheim altarpiece – on display in the Musée d’Unterlinden –the town is a magnet for tourists all year round.

Musée d’Unterlinden

Colmar’s foremost attraction, the Musée d’Unterlinden is an even richer experience after a lengthy period of renovation and extension. The core of the collection is housed in a former Dominican convent with a peaceful cloistered garden; it includes the museum’s biggest draw, the Issenheim altarpiece , which is thought to have been made between 1512 and 1516 for the monastic order of St Anthony at Issenheim, whose members cared for those afflicted by ergotism and other nasty skin diseases. The extraordinary painted panels are the work of Mathias Grünewald (1480–1528). The luridly expressive centre panel depicts the Crucifixion: a tortured Christ turns his outsize hands upwards, fingers splayed in pain, flanked by his pale, fainting mother and saints John and Mary Magdalene. The face of St Sebastian, on the right wing, is believed to have been modelled on Grünewald’s own likeness. The reverse panels depict the annunciation, Christ’s resurrection, the nativity and a flamboyant orchestra of angels, all splendidly bathed in transcendental light. On the rest of the panels, you’ll find a truly disturbing representation of the temptation of St Anthony, who is engulfed by a grotesque pack of demons; note the figure afflicted with the alarming symptoms of ergotism.

The renovated convent is now linked via an underground gallery of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century art to a brand-new wing, which houses modern and contemporary works, and to the town’s former municipal baths, re-imagined as a venue for cultural events. Highlights include Impressionist paintings by Monet and Bonnard, plus a couple of Picassos.

Verdun lies in a bend of the River Meuse, some 70km west of Metz. Of no great interest in itself, what makes this sleepy provincial town remarkable is its association with the horrific battle that took place on the bleak uplands to the north between 1916 and 1918. In 1916, aiming to break the stalemate of trench warfare, the German General Erich von Falkenhayn chose Verdun as the target for an offensive that ranked among the most devastating ever launched in the annals of war. His troops advanced to within 5km of Verdun, but never captured the town. Gradually the French clawed back the lost ground, but final victory came only in the last months of the war with the aid of US troops. The price was high: hundreds of thousands of men died on both sides. To this day, memorials in every village, hamlet and town of France are inscribed with the names of men slaughtered at Verdun. Not far from Verdun’s railway station, the Rodin memorial , a disturbing statue of winged Victory, stands beside a handsome eighteenth-century gateway at the northern end of rue St-Paul where it joins avenue Garibaldi. Nearby, a simple engraving lists all the years between 450 and 1916 that Verdun has been involved in conflict. The fourteenth-century Porte Chaussée guards the river-crossing in the middle of town. Beyond it, further along rue Mazel, a flight of steps climbs up to the towering Monument de la Victoire , where a helmeted warrior leans on his sword in commemoration of the 1916 battle, while in the crypt below a roll is kept of all the soldiers, French and American, who took part.

The battlefields

The Battle of Verdun opened on the morning of February 21, 1916, with a German artillery barrage that lasted ten hours and expended two million shells. The battle concentrated on the forts of Vaux and Douaumont, built by the French after the 1870 Franco–Prussian War. By the time the main battle ended ten months later, nine villages had been pounded into oblivion.

The most visited part of the battlefield extends along the hills north of Verdun, but the fighting also spread to the west of the Meuse, to the hills of Mort-Homme and Hill 304, to Vauquois and the Argonne, and south along the Meuse to St-Mihiel, where the Germans held an important salient until dislodged by US forces in 1918. Unless you take an organized tour the only viable way to explore the area is with your own transport. The main sights are reached via two minor roads that snake through the battlefields: the D913 and D112.

Despite the long, tall bottles and Germanic names, Alsatian wines are unmistakably French in their ability to complement the region’s traditional cuisine. This is white wine country – if you do spot a local red, it will invariably be a Pinot Noir. Winemakers take advantage of the long, dry autumns to pick extremely ripe grapes producing wines with a little more sweetness than elsewhere in France, but good wines will have a refreshing natural acidity, too. Each of the three main grape varieties listed below can be made with a sweetness level ranging from off-dry right through to “Séléction des Grains Nobles” for the most highly prized dessert wines ( vendages tardives being the label for the slightly less sweet late-harvested wines). Grand Cru labelled wines come from the best vineyard sites.

Riesling The ultimate thirst-quencher, limey, often peachy, excellent with fish dishes and choucroute .

Gewurztraminer Alsace’s most aromatic grape, with roses, lychees, honey, spices and all manner of exotic flavours. Try with pungent Munster cheese or rich pâté.

Pinot Gris Rich, fruity, smoky and more understated than Gewurztraminer. A versatile food wine; try with white meat in creamy sauces and milder cheeses.

Other wines you’re likely to come across include the grapey Muscat , straightforward Sylvaner , and delicate Pinot Blanc/Auxerrois , which also forms the base of the region’s excellent sparkling Crémant d’Alsace . Pinot Noir is used for light, fruity reds and rosés.

• With a land area of 547,000 square kilometres, France is the largest country in the EU; its population of 66 million is second only to that of Germany.

• France has a long secular republican tradition dating back to the revolution of 1789. Yet the majority of its population is Roman Catholic – nominally, at least – and there’s a substantial Muslim minority of around 8 to 10 percent.

• Annual GDP per capita is around $44,000, making France one of the world’s richest countries, but unemployment is a persistent problem, at around 10 percent. Taxes are high, at around 43 percent, but so is social spending, at almost 30 percent.

• France remains by far the world's most popular tourist destination, with some 82 million visitors annually.

• The French film industry is the world’s third most prolific, after the US and India, with around 215 million tickets sold annually.

• Contrary to its self-image as a bastion of gastronomy, the country is also the second largest consumer of McDonalds’ burgers after the US, flipping more than a million Big Macs daily.

• A great source of confusion when meeting and greeting French people is the double kiss, or bise . When it is appropriate, and how many times to do it, which cheek to start with, whether to touch or air kiss, what to do with your hands, or whether it’s better to shake hands instead, are all matters that vex the French just as much as foreign visitors – not least because norms vary between regions, social situations and age groups. When in doubt, hang back, copy what everyone else does, and go left for the first one.

• In 1910, a law was passed in France forbidding couples from kissing on train platforms to avoid delayed departures. The law is still in place, though no longer enforced.

Each year, in the sweltering heat of July, millions of people take up positions on roadsides around France to cheer, shout and bellow cries of encouragement to a pelaton of nearly 200 cyclists as they speed past in a stream of day-glo lycra. Millions more watch on television – though few of them are cycling aficionados. Because the Tour de France is far more than a mere bike race. For the French, it’s a national institution; a symbol of unity; a chance, as the riders pit themselves against the toughest terrain the mighty héxagone can throw at them, to admire the scenic splendour of the country in all its summer glory, with the fields of the Garonne’s sun flowers in full bloom, the Côte d’Azur at its most sleek, and the craggy Alps basking under boundless blue skies.

Started in 1903, the Tour was born out of the rivalry between two sporting papers, L’Auto and Le Vélo , as a ruse to boost sales. The passion it incited nearly scuppered the event in its second year, when riders were beaten up by rival fans and cheating was rife (racers were spotted jumping into cars and taking trains). These days, in the wake of a series of high-profile doping scandals, performance-enhancing drugs pose the main threat to the survival of the 3600-km (2200-mile) race, though La Grand Boucle (the “Great Loop”), as it’s known, still casts a powerful spell over the nation. And it’s not just an obsession for the French; in 2012, Britain’s own Bradley Wiggins clinched the title – the Tour’s first British winner – successfully ensuring a new and ardent fan base just across the Channel.

For your average Frenchman, any recipe for a relaxing summer’s evening would have to include the three Ps: plane trees (or palms at a pinch); pastis ; and that most quintessentially French of games, pétanque . You’ll see this Gallic version of bowls played on countless squares across the country, where groups of mostly middle-aged men in baggy shorts congregate around gravel-and-dirt boulodromes to lob heavy metal boules at diminutive wooden ones called cochonnets (literally “piglets”). Pétanque matches played after work and on weekends are part and parcel of the daily rhythm of life, especially in the south.

The game was invented in 1907 in the town of La Ciotat on the Côte d’Azur by an enthusiastic bowler whose rheumatism prevented him from making the usual extended run up. Instead, he devised a version of his favourite sport in which the bowler’s feet stayed planted firmly on the ground ( pieds tanqués ). The pitch was shortened accordingly, and after the local bar owner firmed up a set of rules, the new game quickly caught on. A whole lexicon has evolved around pétanque to describe different throws and scenarios. Each team, for example, has a mix of “pointeurs” (pointers), players who place the ball as closely as possible to the jack, and “tireurs” (shooters), whose job it is to displace the opposition’s balls with spectacular lobs. If the throw falls short, it’s a “palouf”. If it nudges one of the other team’s balls, it’s made a “biberon”, or “baby’s bottle”. “Faire la Micheline” means to turn up for a game without your own set of boules. “Faire la chanson” refers to attempts to distract the opposition by chatting between points. And, most insulting of all for wannabe pétanque players from the UK, “faire de l’anglais” describes a totally hopeless throw.

Finally, if you’re lucky enough to spectate at a complete whitewash, you’ll experience the most ribald of all pétanque traditions, “Kissing the Fanny”. When a team or individual player loses by 13 points to zero they have to kiss the bare buttocks of a statue or framed picture of a lady named “Fanny”, usually kept in the nearest bar expressly for the purpose.

Travel advice for France

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to France

  • Eating and drinking in France
  • Getting around France: Transportation Tips
  • Travel Tips France for planning and on the go
  • How to get to France
  • Outdoor activities
  • Shopping tips for France
  • Best time to visit France

The Rough Guides to France and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Pocket Rough Guide Paris

Find even more inspiration here

calvi_corsica_shutterstock_705396178

Planning your own trip? Prepare for your trip

Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates

Rough Guides Editors

written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 11.06.2024

facebook

Ready to travel and discover France?

Get support from our local experts for stress-free planning & worry-free travels.

  • Travel advice
  • Where to stay

Maps France - Western Europe - Europe

France travel map

France map travel. France travel map (Western Europe - Europe) to print. France travel map (Western Europe - Europe) to download. In spite of everything, France remains the world number one tourist destination, and by and large it remains one of the safer places in the world to visit. it is not hard to understand why. France has it all - or more or less. It has tourist sights for all tastes; it has some of the greatest beaches in Europe, as well as the highest mountains and the finest historic monuments, the most beautiful cities, the most idyllic countryside, the most magnificent castles as its shown in France travel map, the finest rivers, and plenty more, not to mention some of the best restaurants and the finest wines and more hotels than any other country in Europe.

France map travel

France map travel

L'Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France

Above, the Arc de Triomphe , Paris .

Hotel & Apartment Map with Prices

Paris Girls Secret Society, a novel by Tom Brosnahan

Jessie on a Journey | Solo Female Travel Blog

France Travel Guide

Looking for an in-depth France travel guide ?

Then you’re in the right place!

There’s a reason why France is consistently ranked as the most visited country in the world:

Beyond the Parisian landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, there is so much to see in this Western European nation.

From the beaches of Southern France to the wine country to the Alps in the east, this country offers a little bit of everything. Whether you want to explore centuries-old cities or have an epic outdoor adventure, you can do it in France.

No trip to France is complete without a few days in the City of Lights — Paris!

Paris is home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including historic spots like Château de Versailles and more modern architectural works like Le Corbusier’s Maison La Roche.

That blend of old and new is present throughout Paris, where fashionable, modern shops and cafes exist among buildings that were constructed nearly 1,000 years ago.

And of course, the culture of Paris is one of its biggest draws; see some of the greatest works of art at the Musée du Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay or see the Paris Opera at the Palais Garnier.

You can’t talk about France without mentioning the food! There are so many delicious dishes to try throughout the country, as each region has a cuisine all its own.

Sample seafood dishes like mussels in white wine sauce in the Normandy region, enjoy a quiche in Lorraine, and pair a glass of red with some escargot in Burgundy.

Wine is a big part of French culture, of course, and there are many vineyards you can visit throughout the country to get a taste for one of France’s biggest exports. Don’t forget the cheese!

Keep reading to dive into resources that will help you with planning a trip to France in western Europe.

Note: This guide to France travel contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

France travel guide

Use this France travel map to begin planning your trip to this incredible country!

France map

Click here for an interactive Google Map version of the above graphic.

France Travel Itineraries

Discover where to go in France including top things to do!

Paris Travel Guide

Use this Paris city guide section to plan the perfect trip!

Paris travel guide

Solo Travel In Paris: A Romantic Guide For One

The Louvre should be in every France travel guide

How To Enjoy Paris On A Budget

Popular Northern France attractions include the Eiffel Tower

6 Amazing Apps For Cultural Immersion In Paris, France

the Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a great addition to your France travel itinerary

Taking In The Best View Of Paris From Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Crepes are a great addition to a budget Paris travel guide

Cheap Travel: Exploring Paris For Less Than €25 Per Day

Lyon Travel Guide

Plan a memorable trip to Lyon with the help of these ultimate guides to the city:

Ariel view of Palais de Justice Footbridge above Saone River in Lyon, France

2 Days In Lyon: The Ultimate Itinerary + Tips

Nice Travel Guide

This Nice tourist guide section shares fun things to do in this beautiful city!

Nice France travel guide

3 Stunning Day Trips From Nice, France

Delicious French food on a South of France road trip

France Fun: Exploring Nice Beyond The Promenade

Marseille Travel Guide

Looking for a fun Marseille tourist guide ? The following resources have you covered!

Marseille travel guide to Calanques National Park

How To Hike Calanques National Park In Marseille, France

Provence Travel Guide

This guide to Provence section will show you the best this region has to offer!

French food in a Provence travel guide

5 Must-Eat Dishes In Provence, France (Beautiful Illustrations Included!)

Verdon Gorge is one of the best places to visit in France

5 Epic Adventures You Didn’t Know You Could Have In Provence

Making calissons while following our Aix En Provence travel guide

An Authentic Calisson Cooking Class In Aix-en-Provence

South Of France Travel Guide

Explore fun things to do in one of the best French holiday destinations ! You can also peruse the above sections on travel in Nice, Marseille, and Provence for bonus South of France trip inspiration.

South of France travel guide stop

How To Have An Epic South Of France Road Trip (With Video!)

Hiking trails are a fun part of any Cannes travel guide

How To Enjoy Epic Wine, Hiking & Skinny Dipping Near Cannes, France

France travel itineraries should including kayaking the Verdon Gorge

Is The Verdon Gorge France’s Most Beautiful Attraction?

France travel guide hotel

These 5 Unique Accommodations Will Make You Crave A South of France Getaway

umbrellas at a French Riviera beach club

15 Best Beach Clubs On The French Riviera

France Travel Tips

Important advice for traveling in France !

Meeting locals was the best part of visiting France for the first time

How Not To Get Treated Rudely By The French

solo female traveler in France in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

France Solo Travel: The Ultimate Guide

Top Guided Tours In France

Explore local culture with a France tour guide through these unique excursions:

  • French Baking Class: Baguettes and Croissants in a Parisian Bakery (Paris, France)
  • Off the Beaten Track: Guided Bike Tour of Paris Local Districts and Stories (Paris, France)
  • Paris in One Day: Eiffel Tower with Summit, Louvre Museum and Seine River Cruise (Paris, France)
  • Nice Local Vineyards Small Group Half Day E-Bike Tour with Wine Tasting (Nice, France)
  • French Riviera Day Trip with Monaco Cannes & Perfumery Visit (Nice, France)
  • Hot Air Balloon Flight Over the Castle of Chenonceau (Loire Valley, France)

Renting A Car In France

Need a rental car for your France trip?

Use Discover Cars to quickly compare your car rental options.

french travel map

France Train Travel

Getting around France by train, bus, or ferry?

Omio is a must! I use this tool for all of my public transportation needs when traveling Europe .

The site is straightforward and user-friendly — and you can pre-book your tickets in advance at a discount.

They even offer flight and car deals!

France Hotels

Click here to browse hotels in France!

Prefer self-contained stays? 

Click here to check out unique local rentals!

You can also use this map to search for local stays:

France Travel Insurance

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling solo or with a group on a France tour. When visiting France — or any other country in the world — make sure to get travel insurance to protect your health and safety.

In my opinion, the best travel medical insurance for travelers is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

With coverage, you’ll have peace of mind as you embark on your France itinerary.

Click my referral link here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

France Travel Guide FAQ

Below, find answers to frequently asked questions about traveling in France .

Q: What is the best way to book travel in France?

As you start planning your trip to France, be sure to check flight search engines like Skyscanner . This site can help you find the best times to fly for your budget or the most convenient flights for your travel dates.

If you’re flying to France from somewhere else in Europe (or planning to fly to different locations within the country), check out some of the European budget airlines like easyJet and Ryanair for the best prices.

Busses and trains are also ubiquitous throughout the country and are an easy way to get from one city to the next. Be sure to book in advance, though; generally speaking, the further out you book, the less you’ll pay. You can use a site like Omio to book in advance and find great deals!

Q: How much should I budget for a trip to France?

France isn’t known for being particularly inexpensive for tourists, but it is absolutely possible to see the country on a budget . The average traveler spends about $216 USD per day in France on accommodations, transportation, food, activities, and other expenses.

If you’re traveling backpacker-style by staying in hostels, buying your own food, and using public transportation, you can expect to spend about $72 USD per day.

Q: What can you see in France in 10 days?

You can see a great deal of France in just 10 days!

Any travel itinerary will depend on your personal priorities and preferences, but if you’re looking to see the entire country in this amount of time, you’ll want to budget your days accordingly.

To make the most of your trip, you’ll want to spend about two to three days in Paris, a day or two in the Loire Valley, two days in Lyon, a day in Aix-en-Provence , and two days on the French Riviera in a city like Nice or Cannes .

The food in Strasbourg is also a draw and is reason enough to spend some time in France’s Alsace region.

Q: How long can a tourist stay in France?

Most tourist visas will allow you to stay in France for up to 90 days without engaging in any professional activity during your stay.

Q: Do I need a France travel visa?

Travelers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Schengen Area member countries , and several other countries do not need a visa to visit France for a period of fewer than 90 days.

It’s recommended to view your country’s France International Travel Information page for the most up-to-date information on entry and exit requirements. You can also contact the French Embassy.

Q: Is France safe?

France is considered to be quite safe, and violent crime against tourists is rare. That being said, before visiting a particular French destination you should look up common scams and issues to be aware of. Additionally, have a strategy for how to avoid pickpockets , especially in big cities.

Are you solo female traveler ? Feel good knowing this is a popular destination for women traveling alone!

Q: What is the best time to visit France?

If you don’t mind the crowds, visiting France in summer brings loads of events, consistently sunny weather, and more daylight hours for exploration; however, for fewer crowds, mild weather, and better deals opt for late spring and fall.

Q: Where is France?

France is located in western Europe and is bordered by Spain (South); Italy and Switzerland (East); Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany (Northeast); the English Channel (Northwest); and the Bay of Biscay (Southwest),

Q: Are credit cards accepted in France?

Credit cards are widely accepted in France, though it’s always wise to carry some cash on you, especially when frequenting smaller mom and pop type establishments and street stalls.

Q: Can you drink tap water in France?

Yes, the tap water is safe to drink in France.

Q: Do they speak English in France?

In tourist areas and big cities, you’ll typically find people who speak English, though not everyone does, and even fewer people do in more rural areas.

If possible, it’s smart to learn some common French phrases and to brush up on French social etiquette .

Q: What is the local currency in France?

The local currency in France is the Euro (€).

trip to France

What would you add to this France travel guide?

Enjoyed this France travel guide? Pin it for later!

France travel guide

  • Search Please fill out this field.
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Newsletters
  • Sweepstakes
  • Destinations

20 Beautiful Places to Visit in France — From Normandy to the French Riviera

The best places to visit in France range from iconic landmarks to charming villages.

Lindsay Cohn is a writer, editor, and avid traveler who has visited 45 countries across six continents — and counting. She contributes to Travel + Leisure, Hotels Above Par, InsideHook, Well+Good, The Zoe Report, and more.

french travel map

Eduardo_oliveros/Getty Images

Many things entice travelers to visit France — food, wine, fashion, architecture, and natural beauty among them. There’s something wonderful to eat, drink, see, and do in every corner of this Western European nation. It’s hard not to fall in love with Paris . The glamorous beaches along the Côte d'Azur are legendary. Provence also packs a punch with fragrant lavender fields, the hilltop villages of the Luberon , and vineyards. Vines and grand chateaux mix in the Loire Valley . Truth be told, the number of dazzling places within the country is actually quite dizzying, but we’re more than happy to help point you in some of the most photogenic directions. Scroll on for 20 of the best places to visit in France.

Chiara Salvadori/Getty Images

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful small towns in the world , Gordes draws heaps of tourists who descend upon this idyllic Luberon village in the hopes of capturing the perfect shot of its cobbled lanes, time-worn churches, and 12th-century Sénanque Abbey framed by lavender fields.

Palace of Versailles

NurPhoto/Getty Images

Whether you’re a film buff, love history, or simply want to tick one of France’s most famous landmarks off your sightseeing list, the grandeur of Versailles never fails to impress. The palace is home to the Hall of Mirrors, the Royal Chapel, and many other opulent rooms. Outside are the magnificent gardens, fountains, and sprawling park.

ANDREYGUDKOV/Getty Images

Camargue doesn’t look or feel like anywhere else in southern France. This wild region between the Mediterranean Sea and the two branches of the Rhône River delta brims with the untamed natural beauty of salt marshes, reed beds, free-roaming white horses, and hundreds of bird species — most notably, pink flamingos.

Eiffel Tower

Built for the 1889 World's Fair, the Eiffel Tower is an enduring symbol of Paris. It’s one thing to see the famous landmark in films, television shows, and photographs, but it’s quite another to get a close-up look at this incredible feat of ingenuity in real life. The twinkly lights at night only add to the romance of it all.

Île Sainte-Marguerite

Wirestock/Getty Images

Located about half a mile offshore from tourist-laden Cannes, Île Sainte-Marguerite reflects a more low-key side of the French Riviera with lovely scenery at every turn. The largest of the Lérins Islands has beautiful rocky beaches, turquoise waters, and a eucalyptus forest, plus an underwater sculpture museum.

Châteaux of the Loire Valley

boerescul/Getty Images

Part of the historical and architectural fabric of the country, the châteaux of the Loire Valley are an enduring reminder of Renaissance resplendence. Impressive from both a design and landscaping perspective, these regal landmarks range from palaces with sprawling gardens (like Château de Chambord) to smaller castles.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

John Harper/Getty Images

Tucked on the eastern side of a forested peninsula, the exclusive commune of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat has long captivated artists such as Henri Matisse, writers, and well-heeled holiday-goers with its spellbinding beauty. Expect exquisite villas hidden by lush vegetation, breathtaking beaches with clear waters for snorkeling, hiking trails, and a yacht-filled harbor.

Milena Pigdanowicz-Fidera/Getty Images

Situated just south of Colmar in the Alsace region of France, Eguisheim looks like a medieval village you’d see on the cover of a storybook with a concentric plan of narrow streets, half-timbered houses, bubbling fountains, centuries-old castles, and wine caves.

Louvre Museum

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

No list of the best places to visit in France would be complete without mentioning the Louvre. The most patronized museum in the world is a historic landmark in its own right with an eye-catching exterior and rooms filled with priceless works of art including the "Mona Lisa" and the Venus de Milo.

Strasbourg Cathedral

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

Strasbourg Cathedral is widely regarded as one the most outstanding examples of Rayonnant Gothic architecture (though, for accuracy, the remaining parts of the original structure are Romanesque). It’s a beautiful landmark with heaps of history and visual appeal that’s well worth visiting while in the Alsace region.

Simon Koh/EyeEm/Getty Images

Straddling the French-Italian border and extending into Switzerland, Mont Blanc (which translates to “White Mountain”) rises 15,771 feet, making it the highest mountain in the Alps and the second most prominent peak in Europe. People come from near and far to go skiing, ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car, and even attempt to climb to the summit.

Valensole Plateau Lavender Fields

Paula Galindo Valle/Travel + Leisure

Lavender fields have come to define Provence. This purple-hued visual is splashed across the front of virtually every postcard in the region. Many of those photos were taken on the Valensole Plateau, which erupts in a fragrant and vibrant bloom each summer.

Jui-Chi Chan/Getty Images

The charming hilltop district of Montmartre in Paris’s 18th arrondissement feels more like a small village than a big city. Cobbled streets, sidewalk cafes, windmills, and performances from local musicians give it a quaint atmosphere. Its crown jewel, the iconic white-domed Sacré-Cœur commands attention.

Saint-Tropez

LiliGraphie/Getty Images

Few places shine quite like Saint-Tropez. Celebrities, artists, and jet setters have been flocking to this cinematic holiday hotspot on the French Riveria since the 1960s. The glamorous beach clubs, mega yachts, and charming old fishing quarter keep the crowds thick every summer. 

Belle-Île-en-Mer

jpchret/Getty Images

The largest of the islands off the coast of Brittany in northwest France, the aptly named Belle-Île-en-Mer is a beautiful destination with uncrowded beaches, enchanting villages, and rugged cliffs. The jagged rock formation known as Les Aiguilles de Port Coton even inspired Monet to pick up his paintbrush.

Porquerolles

sam74100/Getty Images

While it’s impossible to pick a favorite spot along the French Riveria, there’s a lot to love about Porquerolles. The largest of the Îles d'Hyères offers peaceful beaches, calm waters, rolling vineyards, cycling paths through the countryside, old forts, and an off-the-beaten-path vibe.

Veuve Clicquot Champagne House

David Silverman/Getty Images

For fans of bubbly, few things are as fabulous as a trip to the Champagne region of France. Founded in 1772, Veuve Clicquot tops the list of the most significant and celebrated producers. A visit to this world-famous house in Reims entails touring the historic cellars and, of course, sipping the finest sparkling wine.

Arc De Triomphe

pawel.gaul/Getty Images

Everyone who visits France’s capital for the first time heads over to the Arc De Triomphe for that “I went to Paris" photo. It’s worth joining the masses in admiring this famous monument that stands tall at the western end of the Champs-Élysées.

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc

Courtesy of Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc

Admittedly, an overnight stay at the luxurious Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc at the tip of Cap d’Antibes isn’t in the budget for most travelers. But that shouldn’t preclude you from visiting. Reserve a terrace table at the restaurant to savor Mediterranean cuisine alongside stunning views of the sea and the rock-framed infinity pool.

D-Day Landing Beaches

P A Thompson/Getty Images

Normandy is closely associated with WWII — specifically, the fateful day the Allied troops made landfall at the D-Day beaches, an operation that ultimately led to the liberation of France (and eventually Western Europe) from Nazi occupation. Today, travelers can visit the many museums and memorials along the 50-mile stretch of coastline.

Related Articles

Location picture

Plan Your Trip to France: Best of France Tourism

Provided by: Atout France Brazil - Turismo na França

Essential France

french travel map

Trending in the forums

yeshekathy

France Is Great For

french travel map

Art & history

french travel map

The great outdoors

french travel map

Paris   Travel Guide

french travel map

Courtesy of James Farley | Getty Images

french travel map

Why Go To Paris

The City of Light draws millions of visitors every year with its unforgettable ambiance. Of course, the divine cuisine and vast art collections deserve some of the credit as well. The gentle River Seine rambles through the city, flanked by stately museums, centuries-old churches, and blocks of Rococo- and Neoclassic-design architecture, further enhanced by cascading trees and glowing streetlamps. Peppering the Seine's cobbled walks and graceful bridges are impossibly chic Parisians, probably on their way to the market, cafe or cinema.

Containing world-class museums, fashion, cuisine and an atmosphere all its own, Paris is also a city of "many splendors," as Ernest Hemingway recalled in his memoir, "A Moveable Feast." Visit the beloved Musée d'Orsay , shop the biggest designers on the Champs Élysées or hit the boutiques in Le Marais , take in the view atop the Eiffel Tower , or even plan a day trip to Versailles Palace . But don't miss out on the simple pleasure of meandering the marvelous arrondissements (districts), or snacking on street crepes either.

Find Flight and Hotel Deals

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

  • # 1 in World's Best Places to Visit for 2023-2024
  • # 1 in Best Places to Visit in Europe for 2023-2024
  • # 1 in Best Places to Visit in France

See All 13 Rankings

Best of Paris

Best hotels in paris.

  • # 1 in Le Bristol Paris
  • # 2 in Grand Hotel du Palais Royal
  • # 3 in Ritz Paris

Le Bristol Paris

Best Things to Do in Paris

  • # 1 in Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)
  • # 2 in Musée du Louvre
  • # 3 in Notre-Dame Cathedral (Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris)

Popular Tours

Eiffel Tower Access to the Second Floor and the Summit by Elevator

Eiffel Tower Access to the Second Floor and the Summit by Elevator

(2915 reviews)

from $ 49.28

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

(5248 reviews)

from $ 136.85

Versailles Palace and Gardens Skip-the-Line Tour from Paris

Versailles Palace and Gardens Skip-the-Line Tour from Paris

(1081 reviews)

from $ 99.26

Paris Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Paris is from June to August and September to October. Both summer and fall have its ups and downs. From June to August the weather in Paris is just about  parfait (perfect). Average highs are in the high 70s and there are long days of sunshine. Unfortunately, summer is also the most crowded time – and the most expensive. For lower travel rates and significantly shorter lines at attractions , plan a visit in the fall. The seasonal foliage is known to stun, though the city's spring blooms are pretty famous too. If a travel deal is all that you're after, a visit during the winter will surely shave off travel expenses. Keep in mind though that Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, seeing upward of 30 million travelers yearly. So no matter what time you visit, there will always be tourists and some crowds. 

Weather in Paris

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

"Parlez-vous Français?" Parisians adore their native tongue – and will like you better if you try to speak it. " Bonjour" is hello, " au revoir" is goodbye, "s'il vous plaît" is please and " merci" is thank you.

Coffee is a leisurely affair When you order a café in Paris, sit down and stay awhile. It's not common to see Parisians touting cups of Starbucks around town. If you're simply looking for a quick jolt of caffeine, order an espresso from the bar.

Don't toss your ticket Hold on to your metro ticket until you exit the station (for proof of purchase). If you're caught empty-handed, you could be liable for a hefty fine.

Consider a guided tour Sightseeing through Paris on your own can be a daunting challenge. Enlist the help of a local via a guided tour to make the most of your time here.

How to Save Money in Paris

Grab breakfast at the  boulangerie Sitting down at restaurants in Paris (especially alfresco) will always be more pricey than getting things to go. Bakeries, or boulangeries , tend to sell quiche and oftentimes light sandwiches, perfect for a quick (and cheap) meal.

Be here the first Sunday of the month May be tricky to plan, but you'll sidestep admission fees to the Louvre , Musee d'Orsay , parts of Centre Pompidou as well as Versailles and Musee Rodin during certain months.

Walk Paris is big and shouldn't be traversed entirely on foot, however, a number of top attractions are within a mile of one another (such as the Musée d'Orsay, Louvre, Notre Dame, etc). If you map out ahead of time how far each attraction is from one another, you'll likely save some metro money.

Culture & Customs

There's this idea that Parisians stick up their noses to Americans – that they're notoriously unfriendly and even rude. This is a stereotype. Like anywhere you visit, there's a chance you may run into friendly and unfriendly locals during your journey. A great way to bridge the cultural divide is to learn a little bit of the language.

While many Parisians know English (especially in tourist areas and hotels), a little effort from your end really can go a long way. Pleasantries are highly regarded in French culture. A " bonjour"  (hello or good day) or " bonsoir"  (good evening) here and there will not only show that you're trying on their turf, which the French appreciate, but enhance your own cultural experience. " Merci" is thank you and " s'il vous plaît" is please. If you're at a loss for words, politely ask the waiter or shop attendant  "P ouvez-vous m'aider?" (Can you help me?) or "P arlez-vous anglais?" (Do you speak English?). Another helpful phrase: " Excusez-moi" (Pardon or excuse me). If you are introduced to French people in social situations, stick to a handshake unless the person you are meeting initiates the  les bises, or   the greeting where people lightly kiss each other on the cheek once or twice. If you aren't comfortable, merely stick out your hand for a handshake.

Speaking of trying to blend in... Paris is one of the most fashionable cities in the world. Everyone from Coco Chanel to Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Lacroix got their start in fashion in Paris – and their influence remains. Blend in with the locals by dressing stylishly, though don't feel pressure to dress to the nines. Parisians do dress casually but wearing items such as activewear, sweatshirts, running shoes, flip flops or even some shorts (denim cut-offs, for example) around town is not commonplace here as it is in the U.S. Parisians like to keep it simple and chic, opting for a black leather bag over logo-ladden designer bags and incorporating soft-spoken color palettes into their wardrobe. You won't see a whole lot of French people wearing neon. 

France uses the euro, and major credit cards are accepted at most establishments in Paris. Since the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuates, be sure to check what the current exchange rate is before you go. Keep in mind the exchange rate when you tip and make purchases. Some smaller bakeries or bistros may only take cash, though, so keep some euros on hand just in case. Most restaurants and cafes will include a 10 to 15 percent service charge ( service compris ) on the bill. You can leave some additional change for exceptional service, if you wish. Taxi drivers tend to expect a 5 to 10 percent tip, though usually rounding to the nearest euro or two will often suffice. You may also encounter fees to use the bathroom in some restaurants and bathroom attendants in many bars in Paris. If the fee isn't collected ahead of the use of the facilities, it's polite to leave 50 cents to a euro for the attendants.

What to Eat

Similar to many other international cities, Paris offers a surplus of restaurants that serve up everything from Asian fusion dishes to nouveaux bistro fare. And because France invented a widely adopted style of cooking, the food in Paris is trè s bien . Look for upscale establishments in the 1er arrondissement (1st district) and in Marais, as well as around Champs-Elysées and the Eiffel Tower . The 2ème arrondissement has a number of cheap eateries and cafes, as does Montmartre.

No matter where you choose to dine, you should sample some French staples like soupe à l'oignon gratinée (French onion soup), croque-monsieur (a grilled cheese and ham sandwich smothered in more melted cheese), steak frites (steak and french fries) and coquilles St - Jacques (seasoned scallops topped with cheese and bread curmbs served in a shell). Those with a sweet tooth should save room to try some of the following French desserts: macarons, pain au chocolat (chocolate croissants), puits d'amours (large puff pastries filled with vanilla cream and drizzled with caramel sauce) or crêpes (fixins' range from Nutella to bananas and berries).

For a meal on the go, pick up a baguette sandwich at a traiteurs or grab a quick savory crêpe at a crêperie or crepe stand. Chocolat chaud (hot chocolate), café crème (coffee with cream) and other drinks can be enjoyed at any of the city's many cafes. And if you want to save some euros, head to the local grocer and pick up some snacks for the day. Cheaper bistros and brasseries abound, but for some French fine-dining, splurge at Guy Savoy , Bistrot Paul Bert or Chez Andre , among other pricey yet delicious dining establishments.

Famed foodie Julia Child wrote "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" because French meal preparation is an art. Even the art of perfecting French specialties (wine, cheese, pastry) are a reflection of the time and care put into a meal. Likewise, linger over your French fine-dining experience, realizing that the food is meant to be savored rather than gulped. And remember, elbows off the table! For a crash course in the Paris dining scene, sign up for a guided food tour .

Paris is fairly safe, though you should be wary of pickpockets, especially on the metro and around the most popular tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre . Visitors should also be very alert while at the Gare du Nord train station: Pickpocketing tends to be pretty common here. Thieves also tend to target tourists on their way from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), so pay particularly close attention to your luggage and bags while taking public transportation to and from CDG.

Getting Around Paris

The best way to get around Paris is on foot and by metro. The elegant arrondissements are practically made for pedestrians. Still, Paris is very big, so you should take the efficient metro to travel long distances. The Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens or RATP system, which runs the metro, also offers several bus routes around the city. Those traveling to Paris by plane can arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), about 22 miles northeast of the city center, or Paris Orly Airport (ORY), about 11 miles south of the city.

To get to Paris from CDG, you can take a bus (No. 350 or No. 351), hop an RER train (an airport shuttle from CDG takes passengers to the Terminal 2 RER station and the nearby Roissypole RER) or hop on the  RoissyBus . Travelers with a late arrival time can also take advantage of the Noctilien night bus, which runs to Paris from midnight to 4:30 a.m. For those coming into ORY, travelers can take an airport shuttle to the nearest RER station (Pont de Rungis) or hop on the Orlyval shuttle train that goes to the Antony RER station. Both RER stations go straight to Paris. Taxis are another option, but can be quite costly averaging anywhere from 30 to 55 euros (around $33 to $61); driving is not recommended.

If you're traveling from other French or European cities, you can also take the train to Paris.  SNCF rail  and  TGV high-speed trains  run throughout France (the former also travels to other European countries). The city has six main train stations, all of which also act as bus stops and metro stations, so you'll be able to get from the station to your hotel quite easily. You can also take the Channel Tunnel (aka the "chunnel") underwater rail service via Eurostar from London .

Entry & Exit Requirements

A United States passport is required for U.S. residents traveling to Paris; children of all ages must have them, too. Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your date of departure. U.S. citizens do not need a visa unless they plan on staying longer than 90 days. Visit the U.S. State Department's website for the latest information on exit and entry requirements.

The soaring Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited landmarks in the world. 

Explore More of Paris

Musée du Louvre

Things To Do

Best hotels.

World Map

You might also like

London, England

London, England

# 1 in  Best Family Vacations in Europe

Normandy

# 6 in  Best Beaches in France

Lyon

# 13 in  Best Places to Visit in France

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Recommended

The 28 Best Water Parks in the U.S. for 2024

Holly Johnson|Timothy J. Forster May 8, 2024

french travel map

The 18 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Sharael Kolberg April 23, 2024

french travel map

The 25 Best Beaches on the East Coast for 2024

Timothy J. Forster|Sharael Kolberg April 19, 2024

french travel map

The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2024

Christina Maggitas February 6, 2024

french travel map

The 32 Most Famous Landmarks in the World

Gwen Pratesi|Timothy J. Forster February 1, 2024

french travel map

9 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida for 2024

Gwen Pratesi|Amanda Norcross January 5, 2024

french travel map

24 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. for 2024

Erin Evans January 4, 2024

french travel map

26 Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts for 2024

Zach Watson December 28, 2023

french travel map

Solo Vacations: The 36 Best Places to Travel Alone in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Erin Vasta December 22, 2023

french travel map

26 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget

Kyle McCarthy|Sharael Kolberg December 4, 2023

french travel map

11 things only the locals know in France (and now you do too)

Anna Richards

May 7, 2024 • 6 min read

1707772810

France is an incredible place to explore, especially when you know these do's and don'ts © Alexander Spatari / Getty Images

One kiss or two? Anna Richards, one of the authors of the new Lonely Planet France guidebook , shares her tips to avoid some common French faux pas.

Even if you’ve never been to France before, it’s easy to think you know it — Parisian rom-com scenes are six to a dozen. On screen and real life are very different, though. There’s an unflattering reputation that the French are unfriendly, but in my experience, you’re probably just making a cultural faux pas. I’ve lived here for three years: here’s what you need to know before visiting France, and how not to get shouted at on the Metro.

1. Pay attention to tourist laws in France

EU residents can come and go as they please, but non-EU nationals (including those holding British and American passports) have the right to stay in France for up to 90 days within the period of 180 days, visa free (your passport is stamped upon arrival and exit). You’ll need three months of validity left on your passport from your intended departure date. The full list of visa requirements according to country can be found here .

Be aware of import and export rules. That stinky, unpasteurized cheese might seem like the perfect way to cover up the stench of your week-old socks, but if you’re leaving the EU, it’s not allowed. 

2. Keep ID on hand

You don’t have to always have your passport, but you should carry photo ID as the police have the right to demand it (although it’s rare). You’ll need your passport for international border arrivals, and your hotel or hostel will often ask for it at check-in too. If you don’t have it on your person, it’s a good idea to have a scan to hand.

3. France isn't paperless – yet

France has not embraced contactless card payments with the same zealousness as the UK, and it’s not possible to pay with contactless in some pretty surprising places, including Paris Metro. The Metro in other cities in the country (including Lyon) does accept contactless card payments, but Paris still resolutely uses paper tickets or a rechargeable Navigo card. In rural France, I recommend still carrying some cash. Even if you can pay by card in most places, there’s often a minimum spend, which I’ve known to be as high as €40.

A camper drives along a road in the French Pyrenees

4. Driving can be pricey 

Driving can be eye-wateringly expensive, particularly on the motorways, where péages (tolls) often cost the same or more than your fuel. Calculate the cost of your journey on ViaMichelin to see whether it makes sense to avoid toll roads and consider sharing your ride on BlablaCar (a bus and carpooling platform) to mitigate the cost of your journey.

5. You'll need to navigate varying opening hours

Get wise to the opening hours, particularly in rural areas. From Sunday–Tuesday, a lot of shops, restaurants and attractions are closed. Smaller shops and the post office often close over lunch, regardless of the day of the week. Watch out for seasonality, too, as the French holiday en masse. At the start and end of the school holidays, roads (particularly those to the south) grind to a standstill. Outside of travel season, you may find a lot of accommodation, restaurants and attractions to be closed, regardless of the day of the week. 

Woman sitting on scooter embracing friend

6. Say your hellos and goodbyes

La bise (kiss) was threatened during Covid-19, but it's firmly back. How many kisses to give depends on the area of the country. In most of France, two kisses are the norm, but in parts of the south and south west it’s three, and in certain departments, like the Yonne and Aube, four. People who still prefer to socially distance may offer you a fist bump or an air kiss instead.

Say bonjour  or bonsoir  (hello or good evening) to everyone, and bonne journée  or bonne soirée  (have a good day/evening) as you leave. Don’t think you can slip away at a party either. It’s generally expected to greet, and say goodbye to, everyone at a gathering. Yes, this can be time-consuming.

7. Skip the athleisure wear

Don’t wander around in your gym kit. The French tend to dress chic, and spending the day in sportswear isn’t a thing. Many French people won’t even bother with sports clothes for a cycle commute, unless they’re hardcore cyclists in head-to-toe Lycra and clip shoes.

A waiter attends a tourist couple on the terrace of a bistro in the Le Panier neighborhood, one of the liveliest and most touristic districts of Marseille

8. Learn French table etiquette

Plates have no place at breakfast, but bowls do. Most people eat their viennoiseries and tartines (bread and jam) directly over the table, and simply clear up the crumbs when they’re finished. A waste if you ask me, because it’s difficult to clean up all the delicious little flakes of croissant that fall, but that’s the way it goes. There’s no crockery for the food, but for drinks, coffee or tea is more often served in a trough-like bowl than a mug.

France has a long list of table rules, and while deviating from them isn’t always frowned upon, it can quickly mark you out as a tourist. It’s rare to see the French eating or having a coffee on the go; they prefer to stop and enjoy what they’re consuming. Lunch is a sit-down affair and never eaten at your desk at work (it’s even explicitly written in the French labour code that employees should leave their desk for lunch). France is officially a secular country, but mealtimes are a religion. Outside of set hours (12-2pm for lunch and 7:30pm-9:30pm for dinner), your chances of being served are slimmer than a ficelle (skinny French baguette).

Drinks come with rules, too. When you "cheers" someone, clink glasses and look them in the eyes as you say santé (health). Don’t cross your arm with anyone else at the table as you clink. Failure to make eye contact, or accidental crossing of arms, is said to result in seven years of bad sex.

9. Pick up a bit of French...

Learn to speak some French – a little effort goes a long way.

10. ...and pay attention to pronouns

Pay attention to your tu and your vous . Both mean "you," but tu is the informal version, reserved for friends, children and casual situations. In professional situations, and if addressing anyone older than you (friends’ grandparents or parents, for example), always use vous , unless they give you permission to do otherwise. You’re less likely to cause offense, and the older generation in particular can be old school about the extra respect attached to vous .

11. Be chill – it's good manners

Lower your voice. One thing that makes visitors stick out like sore thumbs is shouting your conversation, particularly in restaurants. You’ll be thanked for keeping volume to a minimum in a restaurant more than you would be for a generous tip (which is not customary in France, although always appreciated). Have patience in shops and restaurants; service can often seem painfully slow and unhurried, but it’s nothing personal.

Keep planning your trip to France:

See all the heavy hitters with 13 of the best places to visit in France Take to the highways with  7 top road trips to see the best of France Save some dough with  20 ways to see France on a budget Enjoy the views from a train car with  The 8 most spectacular train journeys in France

This article was first published Jul 30, 2022 and updated May 7, 2024.

Explore related stories

french travel map

May 30, 2024 • 6 min read

From tickets and terminals to queues and border crossings, here’s everything a first-time Eurotunnel user needs to know.

Where-Locals-Go-France-Header.jpg

May 29, 2024 • 4 min read

french travel map

May 14, 2024 • 10 min read

french travel map

May 9, 2024 • 6 min read

french travel map

May 7, 2024 • 5 min read

french travel map

Apr 21, 2024 • 9 min read

french travel map

Apr 19, 2024 • 8 min read

french travel map

Apr 17, 2024 • 6 min read

french travel map

Apr 1, 2024 • 8 min read

Mixed race gay men with bicycles in the city in the Temple Bar district of Dublin, Ireland

Mar 31, 2024 • 6 min read

France Railways Map and French Train Travel Information

french travel map

France has an up-to-date rail system which includes abundant high-speed rail lines. Using the rail map below, you can find the major rail lines to plan your French vacation and get information on the rail passes available to the tourist in France.

France Rail Map

The France Rail Map shows the major rail routes in France. In a map of this scale, not all of the smaller lines can be included, but you should be able to plan your vacation using the lines shown here.

The red lines indicate rails upon which the faster trains can travel safely. In France, the names of the fast trains are TGV, Thalys, and Eurostar. Eurostar links London to Paris and Avignon through Lille .

The Thalys trains link Belgium and the Netherlands with Paris. TGV trains are France's homegrown speed train. TGV trains are capable of traveling at speeds up to 320 km/h (200 mph). High-speed trains require special supplemental fares, even if you have a Eurail Pass .

To see a larger map, see Rail Map of France .

France Rail Passes

There is a variety of single country and two-country rail passes available for travelers to use on their vacations. On the linked page you'll find tickets, rail passes, and passes that include other countries in western Europe. You'll also find some day trip and tour options.​

TGV Europe is the SNCF National railroad's website for visitors from the Americas. If you travel without a rail pass, you might want to check this site for information on special offers on the French rail lines.

TGV Booking Center (Buy Direct)

Book a ticket on France's fastest trains on Rail Europe's TGV Booking Center . Travel at speeds of up to 186mph.

TGV East Tickets (Buy Direct)

If your destination in France includes the Champagne-Ardenne, Lorraine, and Alsace regions, you should consider hopping aboard TGV East in France. Fast trains that will increase your time at your destination.

Train Travel Toolbox

Need to make a decision on transportation within Europe? Check out of Train Travel Toolbox. You'll find information on rail passes, buying point to point tickets, and determining if a rail pass will really save you money.

German Rail Map and Transportation Guide

About Single Europe Train Tickets

How to Get Around Belgium Like a Local

France Travel Planner for Every Vacation

Eurostar High Speed Trains Through the Channel Tunnel

What to Do in Lille in Northern France

Traveling by Train in Europe: Where, Why, and How

France Guide: Planning Your Trip

Everything You Need to Know About Taking the Train in France

Can I Get a Senior Discount on Rail Passes?

How to Travel From Florence to Paris by Train, Bus, Plane, and Car

How to Travel from Frankfurt to Paris by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

How to Travel From London to Paris by Train, Bus, Plane, and Car

Travel Guide to Bruges, Belgium

How to Travel From Zurich to Paris by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

Top Eurostar Destinations from London

IMAGES

  1. French tourist map : the best places to see

    french travel map

  2. France travel map

    french travel map

  3. Tourist map of France: tourist attractions and monuments of France

    french travel map

  4. Tourist map of France: tourist attractions and monuments of France

    french travel map

  5. France landmarks and travel map travel Royalty Free Vector

    french travel map

  6. The Ultimate France Road Trip Itinerary

    french travel map

VIDEO

  1. Подробная карта Франции

  2. cooking #france #map #europe #fpyシ #geography #history #mapping #mapper #geographymap

  3. Drawing France in my Europe Map

  4. Ultimate Guide Top 10 French Destinations #travel #topplaces #topdestinations

  5. Ultimate French Adventure- Top 10 #Destinations #travel #topplaces #topdestinations

  6. The best French Travel Phrases you should know ....😊😍🫶🏻🌷#frenchforeveryone #thesonar #french

COMMENTS

  1. France Map: Explore places and attractions on a detailed Map of France

    1) To explore France and to help you find things that will interest you where you are going, by identifying other places and tourist attractions that are close by: 2) For planning your route between places in France and for route instructions see our France driving distances maps. 3) Find the weather forecast for any region on the French ...

  2. Tourist map of France

    A carefully selected tourism map of France. Discover the best places to visit in France, not just the most visited ones. As well as locating the best big tourist cities, this map shows the most interesting and attractive smaller cities, interesting small towns - many of them well off the usual tourist trails - a choice of the most beautiful French villages (not just those that are signed up to ...

  3. Map

    Sustainable Travel ; Activities . Activities . Food and Wine. Heritage and Culture. Nature and Outdoor Activities ... Shopping and French Savoir Faire. Remembrance tourism. Spiritual Tourism. All activities See the interactive map. Destinations . Destinations . Destinations . Alps- Mont-Blanc; Alsace and Lorraine ... Discover French Overseas ...

  4. Regions of France

    The top tourist regions of France are Ile-de-France ( the region of Paris), Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (the region of Provence and the French Riviera), Normandie, Centre-Val de Loire (the region of the Loire Valley Castles), and Grand-Est (the region of Alsace and Champagne).

  5. France Travel Guide 2024 · Itineraries, Top Places, Beaches

    A Travel Guide to France with ️ Travel Itineraries, ️ Top places to visit in 2024, ️ Beautiful coastlines and beaches, and more! ... Map of France. Weather in France. France's weather varies depending on the region. The south of France has over 300 days of sunshine year-round, while the north and inland regions experience the typical 4 ...

  6. Regional Map of France

    The Regions. There is tons of travel information on all the regions of France, and a tour by train or car of any of these regions represents a fine way to see a bit of France. These are the region and their capitals: Grand Est (Strasbourg), Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Bordeaux), Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes (Lyon), Bourgogne-Franche-Comte (Dijon), Brittany ...

  7. France Travel Maps

    Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley - 14 Days. Browse our collection of France travel maps to find tour & itinerary ideas for your France trip. Itineraries include: 7 Days in France - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas, 14 Days in France - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas, 5 Days in France - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas, 10 Days in France - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas,

  8. France Cities Map and Travel Guide

    France Cities Map and Travel Guide. International tourists visit France to the tune of about 85 million per year, making France the top tourist destination in the world, even though it is smaller than the state of Texas. There are so many choices of where to go that figuring out the logistics of how to accomplish what you want to do can ...

  9. Tourist map of France: tourist attractions and monuments ...

    This travel map of France will allow you to easily plan your visits of landmarks of France in Europe. The France tourist map is downloadable in PDF, printable and free. Some 84.7 million visitors from across the world flocked to France in 2013 as its mentioned in France tourist map, far more than any other country in the world, and plans are ...

  10. France Map

    France is a country with which almost every traveller has a relationship. Mapcarta, the open map. Europe. France France is a country with which almost every traveller has a relationship. Many dream of its joie de vivre shown by the countless cafés, picturesque villages, and world-famous gastronomy. ... I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I ...

  11. MICHELIN France map

    The MICHELIN France map: France town maps, road map and tourist map, with MICHELIN hotels, tourist sites and restaurants for France

  12. France country guide

    Provence & the Côte d'Azur. Southwest France. Paris. Brittany & Normandy. St-Germain & Les Invalides. Bordeaux. Montmartre & Northern Paris. Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville. France's best sights and local secrets, from travel experts you can trust.

  13. France Map

    France physical map. 3000x2847px / 1.42 Mb Go to Map. France political map. 1032x1099px / 407 Kb Go to Map. Large detailed map of France with cities. 1911x1781px / 2.18 Mb Go to Map. Regions and departements map of France. 3000x2809px / 3.20 Mb Go to Map. France railway map.

  14. Travel Guide to France's Beloved Provence

    Weather and Climate. Provence typically has dry summers and cool, wet winters. May, June, and September are good months to travel to Provence. France's second largest city is hot in June and July but cools rapidly to a comfortable high temperature in September. Spring has less rain than fall.

  15. France Travel Guide by Rick Steves

    France is Europe's most diverse, tasty, and, in many ways, most exciting country to explore. Romantic hill towns and castles, meandering river valleys, and oceans of vineyards carpet this country's landscape. France remains at the forefront of technology, architecture, fashion, and cuisine. A delightful blend of natural and man-made beauty, France offers chandeliered châteaux, forever ...

  16. France Travel Guide

    Tick of the main sites on the checklist; the Louvre Museum, the Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe. Enjoy exploring the charming streets, stopping off for macarons in delightful little cafes. Days 3 - 5: Epernay, Champagne. Take a trip to Epernay, the birthplace of Champagne.

  17. France Itinerary: Where to Go in France by Rick Steves

    It takes 11 days of train travel to do this trip (also consider the cheaper Ouibus and Flixbus for some trips). If using only the train, buy an eight-day France rail pass, and make it stretch by buying point-to-point tickets for cheaper trips on day 5, day 13, and day 18. If you only have two weeks, end your tour in Nice.

  18. France travel map

    France travel map (Western Europe - Europe) to print. France travel map (Western Europe - Europe) to download. In spite of everything, France remains the world number one tourist destination, and by and large it remains one of the safer places in the world to visit. it is not hard to understand why. France has it all - or more or less.

  19. France Travel Planner & Guide

    Where to Go in France. When to Travel in France. Travel Costs & Money. Where to Stay in France. Transport in France. Paris Travel Planner. Best Itineraries. Special Interest Trips. Maps of Paris. About FranceTravelPlanner.com : US girls—the riots of May 1968—love, sublime to perverse— Paris Girls Secret Society...

  20. France Travel Guide

    Top Guided Tours In France. Explore local culture with a France tour guide through these unique excursions: French Baking Class: Baguettes and Croissants in a Parisian Bakery (Paris, France) Off the Beaten Track: Guided Bike Tour of Paris Local Districts and Stories (Paris, France) Paris in One Day: Eiffel Tower with Summit, Louvre Museum and ...

  21. 20 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in France

    Eiffel Tower. Eduardo_oliveros/Getty Images. Built for the 1889 World's Fair, the Eiffel Tower is an enduring symbol of Paris. It's one thing to see the famous landmark in films, television ...

  22. Google Maps

    Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

  23. ViaMichelin: Route planner, Maps, Traffic info, Hotels

    On Viamichelin you will find the map of the UK, of France, Italy or Hungary, as well as the map of London, Paris, Rome or Budapest... Michelin maps are the result of over a century of experience of more than a century of mapping experience. Explore ViaMichelin, your guide to mobility. Interactive map, itineraries, charging stations ...

  24. France Travel Planner: Step-by-Step Guide

    Check out this guide to train travel in France. Speed Between Paris and London in 2 hrs, 15 mins - The trip from London to Paris, and to Lille and Brussels on Eurostar is a great way to travel. Take the TGV - French TGV (Trains de grande vitesse or express trains) are the wonder of Europe.

  25. France: All You Must Know Before You Go (2024)

    1,221. PLAN YOUR TRIP France. There's much more to France than Paris—from the fairy-tale châteaux of the Loire Valley to the lavender fields of Provence, and the French Riviera's celebrity-studded beaches. World-famous gastronomy and fine wines provide the perfect complement to the country's alpine views and architectural masterpieces.

  26. Paris Travel Guide

    Best Months to Visit. The best time to visit Paris is from June to August and September to October. Both summer and fall have its ups and downs. From June to August the weather in Paris is just ...

  27. 11 things to know before going to France

    6. Say your hellos and goodbyes. La bise (kiss) was threatened during Covid-19, but it's firmly back. How many kisses to give depends on the area of the country. In most of France, two kisses are the norm, but in parts of the south and south west it's three, and in certain departments, like the Yonne and Aube, four.

  28. France Railways Map and French Train Travel Information

    France Rail Map. The France Rail Map shows the major rail routes in France. In a map of this scale, not all of the smaller lines can be included, but you should be able to plan your vacation using the lines shown here. The red lines indicate rails upon which the faster trains can travel safely. In France, the names of the fast trains are TGV ...