A sophisticated travel destination, France conjures images of world-famous monuments and of fine wining and dining.

Though there is more to France than just cheese, Champagne and the Eiffel tower, it certainly lives up to its reputation of a country for the bon vivant. Wine-tasting tours of the vineyards of Burgundy and Bordeaux provide gourmet travelers with a perfect excuse to sample the cuisine while discussing aromas and vintage. The vast collections of the Louvre, Orsay and lesser-known local museums are must-sees for art buffs, while medieval fortified towns, well-preserved churches and castles offer sight-seeing options in nearly every city or village for the more historically inclined. 

But beyond the well-charted cultural and gastronomical itineraries, the country boasts such a variety of landscapes, from rolling hills to sandy beaches to long mountain ranges, that there are many outdoor experiences to choose from for travelers on a tighter budget.

In the winter, the Alps become one of Europe’s largest ski areas, while modern-day pilgrims hike along the route of Santiago de Compostela from the low hills of the central mountains to the Pyrenees and beyond. The coastal scenery varies wildly from the rugged cliffs of Brittany to the vast sandy beaches of the Atlantic, whereas windsurfers and scuba divers will take advantage of the Mediterranean’s gentler waves.

With so much to choose from, it is no small wonder then that over 80 million tourists flock to France every year, making it the most visited country in the world – which also explains the natives’ reputation for unfriendliness towards the crowds that swamp them during the summer high season!

Regional highlights

Each one of France’s regions fiercely holds on to its culinary specialties, accent and architecture, creating not one but many cultural experiences for visitors willing to devote several days to exploring a single area.

Paris: The capital hosts a vast collection of must-see architectural landmarks, Eiffel tower, Notre-Dame and all, but is also a city of beautiful facades and colorful ethnic neighborhoods, as well as a major shopping destination. The nightlife, which includes a lively gay scene, can be enjoyed by all budgets.

Brittany: This westernmost peninsula is the only region with a Celtic heritage, visible in the standing stones and crosses which dot the fields, as well as in the music festivals. Most of the coastline is pretty rocky, and the areas with cliffs make for excellent bird-watching.

The South-East: Lavender, chirruping cicadas and quaint villages give Provence its summery postcard feel. Along the coast towards Italy, high-end resorts and the Cannes film festival provide the Riviera with a touch of glitz. The island of Corsica, in the middle of the Mediterranean’s most turquoise water, offers tough hiking.

The South-West: With rolling green hills, sunny climate and rich duck-meat dishes, the Dordogne area epitomizes easy living. Farther west along the coast, going towards the Basque country, pine forests and sandy beaches stretch for miles, while the strong waves make for excellent surf spots – international surfing competitions are even held there.