Eiffel Tower
The symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is a feat
of ingenuity as much as it is a famous landmark. This structure of 8,000
metallic parts was designed by Gustave Eiffel as a temporary exhibit for the
World Fair of 1889. Originally loathed by critics, the 320-meter-high tower is
now a beloved and irreplaceable fixture of the Paris skyline.
Louvre Museum
In a stately palace that was once a royal residence, the Louvre Museum ranks among the top European collections of fine arts. Many of Western Civilization's most famous works are found here, including the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the Wedding Feast at Cana by Veronese, and the 1st-century-BC Venus de Milo sculpture.
Versailles
Versailles is equally renowned for Les Jardins, formal French
gardens featuring decorative pools, perfectly trimmed shrubbery, numerous
statues, and magnificent fountains. The gardens were created in the 17th
century by renowned landscape designer André Le Nôtre and are surrounded by 800
hectares of lush parkland.
Côte d'Azur
The most fashionable stretch of coastline in
France, the Côte d'Azur extends from Saint-Tropez to Menton near the border
with Italy. Côte d'Azur translates to "Coast of Blue," a fitting name
to describe the Mediterranean's mesmerizing cerulean waters.
Mont Saint-Michel
Rising dramatically from a rocky islet off the Normandy
coast, the UNESCO-listed Mont Saint-Michel
is one of France's most striking landmarks. This "Pyramid of the
Seas" is a mystical sight, perched 80 meters above the bay and surrounded
by imposing defensive walls and bastions.
Loire Valley
Traveling through the Loire Valley gives the
impression of stepping into a children's storybook. Turreted fairy-tale castles
grace the enchanting countryside of dense woodlands and gently flowing rivers.
The entire area of the Loire Valley, a lush area known as the "Garden of
France," is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Chartres Cathedral
For more than eight centuries, the magnificence
of Chartres Cathedral has inspired the faithful, and some say this sublime
sanctuary has restored belief in the doubtful. The UNESCO-listed cathedral
exemplifies the glory of medieval Gothic architecture.
Provence
Provence invites visitors to escape into a dreamy
bucolic landscape of olive groves, sun-drenched rolling hills, and deep purple
lavender fields, with little villages nestled in the valleys and perched on
rocky outcrops. The vibrant scenery has enchanted many famous artists,
including Cézanne, Matisse, Chagall, and Picasso.
Mont Blanc
The awesome spectacle of Mont Blanc in the French
Alps is an unforgettable sight. The highest mountain peak in Europe, Mont Blanc
soars to 4,810 meters. Thanks to its elevation, Mont Blanc ("White
Mountain") is always blanketed in snow.
Rhine Village
Some of the prettiest villages in France are
tucked away in the green, rolling hills of Alsace, where the Vosges Mountains
border the Rhine River of Germany. These picturesque Alsatian villages feature
pastel-painted, half-timbered houses clustered around small parish churches.
Cheerful flowering balconies and pedestrian cobblestone streets add to the
appeal.
Carcassonne
With its turreted towers and crenellated ramparts, Carcassonne seems straight out of a fairy-tale scene. This well-preserved (and renovated) fortified city offers a total immersion into the world of the Middle Ages.
Brittany
Brittany is a beautiful historic region on the
northeastern coast of France. A rugged coastline, quaint fishing villages, and
weathered seaports characterize this region, which is steeped in ancient
traditions and famous for its costumed religious festivals.
Biarritz
Biarritz is a fashionable beach town on the
beautiful Bay of Biscay in France's Basque country. This celebrated seaside
resort has an elegant and aristocratic air; it was a favorite destination of Empress
Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III.
Rocamadour
Suspended between heaven and earth on a sheer
limestone cliff, Rocamadour is an unforgettable sacred site. In the 11th
century, this pilgrimage destination was the third most important in
Christendom after Jerusalem and Rome. Rocamadour was also a stop on the
medieval Way of Saint James pilgrimage
trail to Santiago de la Compostela in Spain.
Nice
Nestled alongside a picturesque bay on the Côte d'Azur, Nice enjoys a Mediterranean climate with gentle winters. In fact, Nice became a popular wintertime resort in the 19th century, prized for its luxurious resort hotels, sublime sea views, and lovely gardens.