If you are about to travel for vacations or you are going to France than these are the places you should see.France, in Western Europe, encompasses medieval cities, alpine villages and Mediterranean beaches.
1 ) Paris -
Attracting more than 45 million visitors annually, Paris is the world’s most popular tourist destination. Dubbed various nicknames like the City of Lights, City of Love and Capital of Fashion, Paris is the capital of France, known for its romantic ambiance, gastronomy, fashion and art.
While Paris is comprised of 20 districts, called arrondissements, featuring their own distinct character and attractions, the city is well known for its iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Versailles Palace, Sacre-Coeur and Notre Dame Cathedral. Paris is also home to some of the world’s finest museums that include the Louvre Museum and Musee d’Orsay. What’s more, Paris boasts magnificent gardens such as the Luxembourg Gardens.
Called the Capital of Fashion, Paris is home to some of the world’s finest designer names including Yves Saint-Laurent, Lancôme, L’Oréal and Christian Dior. The city’s shopping scene ranges from shopping centers to open-air markets, boutiques and flea markets.
The best and cheapest way to get around Paris is on foot, and secondly, using the excellent underground train system, known as the Métro.
2 ) Mont Saint-Michel -
Rising up from the midst of vast mud flats and some of Europe’s most powerful tidal waves is the rocky island of Mont Saint-Michel, located off France’s northwestern coast in Normandy.
The tidal island is one of the most popular places to visit in France for its construction of medieval structures built as if stacked upon one another and crowned with the star attraction, the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. The awe-inspiring abbey was built by devoted monks in 708 AD after the Bishop of Avranches was allegedly visited by the Archangel Michael.
3 ) Reims & its Magnificent Gothic Cathedral -
Reims is justifiably placed among France's list of "Villes d'Art et d'Histoire" ("Cities of Art and History"). Of the town's three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the most renowned is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, where French kings were crowned. The most celebrated event was when Joan of Arc escorted Charles VII to the cathedral in July of 1429 for his coronation as king.
Built in the 13th century, the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims is a gem of High Gothic architecture. The dazzling exterior features a profusion of flying buttresses and sculpted angels, while the spacious interior has a solemn ambience of spirituality.
4 ) Loire Valley -
A popular tourist destination, the Loire Valley is a region in the center of France, regarded for its spectacular scenery, splendid chateaux, picturesque vineyards and historic villages.
The Loire Valley stretches 175 miles along the Loire River, twisting and turning through some of France’s most beautiful villages such as Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci lived the last few years of his life. Other historic villages in the region include Tours, Chinon, Anglers, Saumur and Orleans. The town of Blois is significant for its chateau where French kings and aristocrats often met.
The valley’s biggest attraction is its large number of chateaux scattered throughout the rolling green hills. Ranging from grand country manors to defense fortresses and luxurious palaces, these chateaux were built by French nobility. Some of the most famous chateaux include Chambord, Amboise, Rivau, Chinon and Chenonceau.
The Loire Valley is nicknamed the “Garden of France” because of its abundance of flower gardens, fruit orchards and vineyards all made lush and fertile by the nourishment of the Cher, Loiret, Eure and Loire rivers. The valley is home to many wineries that offer tours and wine tastings.
5 ) Beaches in Brittany -
A picturesque coastal region, Brittany has a rich maritime heritage seen in its historic port towns: Saint-Malo, surrounded by old ramparts; the medieval capital of Nantes; and the fortified 14th-century Concarneau.
The seaside also boasts stylish beach resorts like fashionable Dinard on the Côte d'Emeraude, the summertime vacation destination of La Baule on the estuary of the Loire River, and Tréboul near the lovely riverside town of Quimper.
The scenery is dramatic and unspoiled, with secluded sandy beaches and a rocky coastline, where wild Atlantic waves crash against the shore. Centuries-old fishing villages are sheltered in quiet bays and on tiny windswept offshore islands.
Breton culture can be traced back to the Celts (the local dialect is related to Gaelic). Similar to Ireland, it is a land of mythology and legends. Today, Brittany is strongly Catholic. Locals celebrate ancient religious customs called "pardons," special festivals when townspeople wear old-fashioned regional costumes.
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