France has spectacular alps, cobbled hillside villages, ornate chateaux and vast cathedrals. With so much on offer, picking a top 5 wasn’t easy.
We’ve missed out some mainstream sights, but these are our favourite 5:
Paris:
The capital city can’t be avoided. Paris has culture, cuisine, art galleries … and the Eiffel Tower. Everyone should try and visit once. Don’t miss: the Musee d’Orsay for the Impressionist heaven, The Louvre for its huge classical collection – including the underwhelming Mona Lisa, the Marais District for shops, cafes and cool vibes, the view from the top of the Pompidou Centre and the Catacombs for a unique experience.
Tip – take care in certain parts of the city at night (especially around the Gare du Nord area) as muggings are common.
Pont du Gard:
The magnificent Pont du Gard is a massive Roman aquaduct – it’s 50 metres high, 275 metres long and has 52 arches. You can visit the site by land but try and see it from the water to get a true sense of scale. Even beginners can rent a kayak in Collias (we rented with Canoe Collias) and it’s a 2 hour gentle paddle through the Gard gorge and under the bridge. The views are amazing and there’s swimming beaches along the route and just below the bridge.
Tip – stay in nearby Uzès one of France’s prettiest towns – with cobbled streets, alleyways, colonnades, a tree lined market place and bell-towered church.
Carcassonne:
The medieval walled city of Carcassonne has 52 towers, 2 rings of battlements and 3 kilometres of ramparts. If you can visit the citadel out of season, it’s like stepping into a Disney film set. In season, it’s rammed with tourists, so explore early morning or early evening. All of city is stunning, but don’t miss: Château Comtal, the Narbonne Gate, the Bastide St Louis and the Basilique Saint Nazaire.
Tip – if you’re interested in the crusades, check out the nearby town of Rennes le Chateau famous for its Holy Grail theories.
Annecy:
In a stunning location on the shores of Europes cleanest lake, Annecy’s old town is a mini-Venice. It has medieval buildings, turquoise canals and a lake promenade with mountain views. The exceptionally clear Lake Annecy is a water sports hub with sublime swimming. The Alps are on the doorstep for Summer adventure activities including: paragliding, bungy jumping, via ferrata, mountain biking and climbing. There’s a great choice of nearby ski resorts in the Winter.
The Loire Valley:
The valley of the river Loire is UNESCO listed, home to 22 castles, vineyards and the historical towns of Blois, Tours and Nantes. The gentle countryside is perfect for cycling between castles and there’s good transport between the main towns. Don’t miss the castles of Chenonceau, Chambord, and Amboise.