France is one of the most visited places in Europe and this is especially true of its capital, Paris. But many other areas in France are also interesting to visit. Different areas offer different things, it all depends on what you are looking for.
You can choose to visit glamorous cities like Paris or spend your time at a beach resort on the French Riviera. You can also visit castles in the Loire Valley, see Mont Saint-Michel and the beaches of Normandy, or go to the historical city of St-Malo in Brittany. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many of these but rest assured that the rest is on my list of places to go.
I remember how excited I was at the idea of going to Europe for the first time and of visiting Paris. We spent our days exploring the city’s many highlights and it was a wonderful experience.
Another way to get a glimpse of France and see the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur) is to visit by cruise ship. During our one of our Mediterranean cruises our ship called in Villefranche-sur-Mer, which is a charming bustling town near Nice and Monaco. There’s a nice little beach near the cruise port but it’s pretty crowded, especially on a hot summer day.
Marseille, France’s second largest and oldest city, is also a great starting point to go on a Mediterranean cruise. It’s a city with a rich history and well worth visiting whether taking a cruise or not.
Some cruise ships also call in Le Havre along the coast of Normandy, but we think that the area with famous sites like D-Day beaches and Mont Saint-Michel deserves more than a few hours. We are happy that we spent a few days exploring the picturesque coastline and quaint little towns of Normandy. It’s a really lovely place to visit with a rich history.
Another beautiful area in France is the Loire Valley. The area is filled with castles, and we could easily explore the area by taking short day trips from our home base in Amboise by the Loire River.
There is so much history in France making it a great destination to go back in time. We recently had a wonderful time visiting the historic cities of Avignon in Provence and Carcassonne in the Occitanie region of France. And if looking to challenge your tastebuds be sure to head to France’s culinary capital, Lyon.
We hope one day to return to France to visit the Haut-de-France area and see more of the Brittany region.
Related Posts:
- Road Trip Through Normandy: A Self-Guided Adventure
- Must-See Attractions and Some Lesser Known Places to Visit in Paris
- Visiting Châteaux in France’s Loire Valley
- A Few Days in Paris: 5 Top Places to Visit
- A Few Days in Lyon, France
- Palace of Versailles: A Must-Do Day Trip from Paris
- Château de Fontainebleau: A Must-See Castle Near Paris, France
- Château de Chantilly: A Must-Do Day Trip Around Paris
- Long Layover in Paris (Charles de Gaulle Airport Stopover)
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