18 Best Places to Visit in France
I have an obsession, a love affair with the country of France. As an American who moved to France in 2025, I immediately fell in love with the different regions of the country. The food, the wine, the medieval villages. Everything about France intrigues me, and since I moved to Paris, I’ve spent every day planning my travels around the country. Below you’ll find the best places to visit in France, all places that I would personally return to.
1. Annecy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Annecy is one of those places in France that genuinely stops you in your tracks. A glacial lake so turquoise it barely looks real, the French Alps rising in every direction, and a perfectly preserved medieval old town threaded with flower-lined canals. I have to admit, it’s one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful destinations in the entire country. Spend your days wandering the old town on foot, renting a private boat on the lake, or cycling the bike path that hugs the shoreline for miles. The food scene is excellent, the pace is unhurried, and the combination of mountains, lake, and medieval architecture makes it completely unlike anywhere else in France.
2. Bayeux, Normandy
Bayeux is a small town in Normandy, located near the D-Day Beaches and WWII sites. Not only is it the perfect medieval town to base yourself in to discover the history of WWII (it was the first French town liberated after the D-Day Landings), but it’s also quaint and well-preserved, making it a destination in itself. When you visit Bayeux, don’t miss the chance to visit the Bayeux Tapestry Museum – a 70-meter embroidered account of the Norman conquest. As I mentioned above, the D-Day beaches, Pointe du Hoc, and the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer are all within a short drive.
Read my full Normandy bucket list for everything you need to know about visiting the region!
3. Beaune, Burgundy
Beaune is one of my favorite places in France. It’s the undisputed capital of the Burgundy vineyards, surrounded by some of the most celebrated and UNESCO-listed plots of land in the world, and it delivers on every level whether you’re there for the wine, the food, the history, or simply the beauty of waking up in the French countryside. Plus, it’s only 3-hours to reach from Paris by train so it’s an easy add on to anyone already traveling to Paris.
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- Best Luxury Hotels in Burgundy, France – Where to Stay in the Heart of Wine Country
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4. Biarritz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Biarritz is the French beach destination I recommend to anyone who loves the idea of the Riviera but wants something more laidback, more genuine, and free of the glitz and glamour that comes with the Riviera. It sits on the Basque coast in the southwest of France with a dramatic Atlantic coastline, excellent food, the best independent boutique shopping of any French beach town, and a Basque identity that makes it feel unlike anywhere else in the country.
5. Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Bordeaux is one of my favorite cities in France and one of France’s most elegant cities! It’s the capital city of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, sitting along the Garonne River in the southwest and serving as a gateway to the world’s most famous wine region. The city itself is stunning, think grand 18th-century architecture, a walkable riverfront, and a food and wine scene that could easily fill several days on its own. When you visit, you can’t miss the Cité du Vin, a modern museum dedicated entirely to wine culture.
6. Colmar, Grand Est
Tucked into the Alsace region near the German border, Colmar is one of the most quaint, unique towns in France. There are pastel-colored half-timbered houses, flower-lined canals, and cobblestone streets that make you feel like you’re living in a fairytale. The Little Venice neighborhood is worth an afternoon of wandering, and don’t get me started on the food! Alsatian cuisine is its own category – French food with heavy German influence. You can’t leave without trying tarte flambée and a glass of local Riesling! Colmar is also a short drive from the Alsace Wine Route, one of France’s most scenic road trips.
For a deeper dive into all the Alsace has to offer, check out my Alsace bucket list!
7. Dijon, Burgundy
Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, is far more than its famous mustard (though you should absolutely pick some up while you’re there). The old town is beautifully preserved, the market squares are lively, and the cherry on top is the concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants that makes it a serious destination for food lovers. Burgundy’s wine country, including the legendary Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, is right on your doorstep. It’s the kind of place where you plan to come for a night, and end up staying for three.
8. Deauville, Normandy
Deauville is Normandy’s most glamorous seaside town with sandy beaches, striped parasols, and a boardwalk lined with the names of Hollywood legends who attended its famous American Film Festival. It has a distinctly old-money feel, with belle époque hotels, a yacht-filled harbor, and a casino that has anchored the town’s reputation for luxury since the 19th century. The half-timbered villas tucked into the hillside neighborhoods are worth a slow afternoon walk, and the Saturday market is one of the best in Normandy. If you’re looking for a beach town that feels genuinely chic rather than touristy, Deauville delivers.
9. Eguisheim, Grand Est
Eguisheim is a tiny circular village in Alsace, just a few minutes from Colmar, and arguably the most picturesque village in all of France. The entire town is built in concentric rings around a central courtyard, with flower-draped half-timbered houses in every shade of pastel lining the narrow lanes. It consistently ranks among France’s official “Most Beautiful Villages”, and walking through it, you’ll understand why. If you’re already visiting Colmar, Eguisheim is a non-negotiable stop.
10. Èze, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Èze is a medieval perched village on the French Riviera, dramatically clinging to a clifftop 1,400 feet above the Mediterranean Sea. The narrow stone lanes wind upward through art galleries, boutiques, and bougainvillea-draped archways until you reach the exotic garden at the summit (the views from up there are breathtaking and make it worth the climb up). It sits perfectly between Nice and Monaco, making it an easy and worthwhile stop on any Côte d’Azur itinerary. Just note that the village is entirely pedestrian and the climb is steep, so wear comfortable shoes!
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- A Day in Èze & Menton: The Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in France
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11. Kaysersberg, Grand Est
Kaysersberg is a small Alsatian village tucked into the Vosges Mountains, about 15 minutes from Colmar, and one of those places that genuinely stops you in your tracks. The medieval castle ruins overlooking the village, the covered stone bridge, and the colorful half-timbered houses lining the river make it one of the most photogenic towns in France. It’s also the birthplace of Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and his childhood home is open to visit. Like Eguisheim, if you’re basing yourself in Colmar, Kaysersberg is an easy and very worthwhile half-day trip.
12. Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Lyon is France’s third-largest city and, in my opinion, it’s most underrated. Its the capital of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region sitting at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, it has a UNESCO-listed old town, and a thriving arts scene. It is also widely considered the gastronomic capital of France, home to the legendary bouchon restaurants serving dishes like quenelles and andouillette that you won’t find done better anywhere else. If you only have one day, spend it in Vieux-Lyon and end the evening at a traditional bouchon. I promise you won’t regret it! Read my 2 Day Lyon travel guide here!
13. Menton, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Menton is a sun-drenched town on the French Riviera, tucked right on the Italian border, and one of the most colorful and undervisited towns on the Côte d’Azur. The pastel-stacked old town rising above the harbor, the lemon groves, and the belle époque architecture give it a character that feels distinctly different from the glitz of nearby Monaco and Nice. It’s famously the warmest town in France, which means the markets are bursting with citrus year-round (the annual Lemon Festival in February is one of the most anticipated events on the Riviera). If you’re craving the beauty of the Côte d’Azur without the crowds, Menton is your answer. (Check out my full French Riviera bucket list here!).
14. Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Nice is the crown jewel of the French Riviera – a vibrant, sun-soaked city that balances big-city energy with that effortless coastal charm the Côte d’Azur is famous for. The Promenade des Anglais stretches for miles along the Mediterranean, the old town (Vieux-Nice) is a labyrinth of colored buildings, bustling markets, and excellent restaurants. And the hilltop Castle Park offers some of the best views on the entire Riviera. To be honest, I underestimated Nice for a long time, but it absolutely deserves a place on your France itinerary.
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15. Paris, Île-de-France
Paris needs no introduction, but it deserves more than a fleeting visit. This is a city that reveals itself in layers, and the more time you give it, the more it gives back. Paris was the reason that I initially fell in love with France and since I moved to the city in 2025, I’ve been able to get to know the city on a deeper level and each day I fall more in love with it. Of course, there are the obvious landmarks – the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame – but the real magic is in the arrondissements… wandering Le Marais, lingering over a café crème in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or stumbling onto a street market in Montmartre on a Sunday morning. Paris is also the perfect base for day trips to Versailles, Champagne, and the Loire Valley, making it as practical as it is beautiful.
If you’re planning a trip to Paris, don’t miss…
- Bucket List Things to Do in Paris (from Someone Living in Paris)
- Best Luxury Hotels in Paris – Where to Stay in the City of Lights
16. Riquewihr, Grand Est
Riquewihr is another gem tucked into the Alsace Wine Route, and one of the best-preserved medieval villages in France; its ramparts, cobblestone streets, and colorful half-timbered houses have remained largely unchanged since the 16th century. It sits in the heart of Alsace’s Riesling country, making it the perfect town to stop for a wine tasting (or two). The main street is lined with small producers and tasting rooms where you can sample some of the finest white wines in France – straight from the source. Like Eguisheim and Kaysersberg, it’s an easy stop if you’re already exploring the Colmar area, and absolutely worth adding to the itinerary.
17. Saint-Emilion, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Saint-Émilion is a UNESCO-listed medieval village perched above some of the most famous vineyards in the world, just 40 minutes from Bordeaux and very much worth the drive. The honey-colored stone buildings and the sweeping vineyard views make it one of the most romantic and visually stunning villages in France. Of course, wine tasting is the main event here… Merlot-dominant Saint-Émilion Grand Cru wines are among the most sought-after in Bordeaux, and the village is full of châteaus pouring exceptional bottles. If you’re visiting Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion is a non-negotiable day trip (although you might want to spend an entire week).
18. Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a fortified medieval village perched in the hills above the French Riviera, just 20 minutes from Nice, and one of the most storied artist communities in France. Chagall, Matisse, and Picasso all spent time here, and the village still carries that creative energy. Art galleries line every narrow lane, and the Fondation Maeght on the village’s edge is one of the finest modern art museums in Europe. The rampart walk around the village offers breathtaking views over the Provençal countryside all the way to the Mediterranean. It’s small enough to explore in a few hours but memorable enough to stay with you long after you leave.
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I hope that this post inspires your travels around France! It’s truly one of the most beautiful, special countries in the world. If you have any questions about visiting France, let me know in a comment below.
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Planning a Trip to France?
I am a licensed, Paris-based travel advisor who plans custom France itineraries for travelers who want to experience the country the way it deserves to be experienced – intentionally and free of tourist traps. From a long weekend in Paris to a multi-region road trip, I handle every detail so you don’t have to. If you’re not ready for full-planning services, I also offer 1-hour “France Audit” calls to go over your itinerary, share recommendations, and answer any questions you have!
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