Best places to visit in France

Editor's Choice: France

This collection spans French history from the prehistoric cave paintings of Lascaux to the futuristic architecture of Bordeaux’s Cité du Vin. It highlights iconic Gothic structures like Notre-Dame and Bordeaux Cathedral, alongside medieval fortifications such as the Cité de Carcassonne and the Valentré Bridge. Significant religious landmarks include the Sanctuary of Lourdes and Cluny Abbey, while the Louvre and Loire Valley châteaux, like Chenonceau, represent the nation’s artistic and royal heritage. Natural wonders, including the Mer de Glace and Padirac Cave, complete this survey of France's cultural landscape.

Yoyokits / CC BY-SA 3.0

Notre-Dame Cathedral

Historic Gothic Catholic cathedral known for its stunning architecture and cultural significance. It features notable Gothic art and serves as a place of worship and a national monument.

RyansWorld / CC BY-SA 3.0

Louvre Museum

National art and archaeology museum housing a vast collection of Western art from the Middle Ages to 1848, alongside ancient civilizations and Islamic art. It was established in a historic palace during the French Revolution.

Ad Meskens / cc-by-sa-3.0

Pont du Gard

Ancient Roman three-tiered aqueduct bridge and UNESCO World Heritage site built in the first century AD. This massive stone structure stands nearly 50 meters high and was originally designed to transport water across a river valley.

Lascaux Cave

Monumental prehistoric art site containing Upper Paleolithic paintings and engravings primarily of animals. This UNESCO World Heritage site features ancient artistic expressions dating back 17,000 to 22,000 years.

Preacherdoc / CC BY-SA 4.0

Sanctuary of Lourdes

Major Catholic pilgrimage site and Marian shrine established following reported apparitions in 1858. The extensive domain features several basilicas and a sacred spring located within a grotto.

BrianRS1 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Carcassonne Castle

The Cité de Carcassonne is a medieval citadel located in the French city of Carcassonne, in the Aude department, Occitania region.

Kristoferb / CC BY-SA 3.0

Mer de Glace

The Mer de Glace is a valley glacier located on the northern slopes of the Mont Blanc massif, in the French Alps.

Chateau de Chenonceau

Renaissance castle built on a bridge across the Cher river, featuring a two-story gallery and extensive gardens. Historically known as the Castle of the Ladies, it was administered and protected by influential women throughout the centuries.

Tango7174 / GFDL

Château d'Angers

The Château d'Angers is a castle in the city of Angers in the Loire Valley, in the département of Maine-et-Loire, in France.

Néfermaât / CC BY-SA 2.5

Château de Beynac

Historic 12th-century cliffside castle featuring a Romanesque keep and Renaissance elements. It is perched on a limestone plateau and provides panoramic views of the Dordogne valley.

Christophe.Finot / CC BY-SA 2.5

Padirac Cave

Pit cave featuring a 103-meter deep chasm and a vast subterranean river system navigable by boat. It serves as a natural underground heritage site and includes over 58 kilometers of mapped galleries.

Ntametrine / CC BY-SA 3.0

Cluny Abbey

Cluny Abbey is a former Benedictine monastery in Cluny, Saône-et-Loire, France. It was dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul.

Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / CC BY 3.0

Vézelay Abbey

Vézelay Abbey is a Benedictine and Cluniac monastery in Vézelay in the east-central French department of Yonne.

Gzen92 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Cité du Vin

Museum dedicated to the culture and history of wine featuring a permanent exhibition and immersive galleries. The facility includes a panoramic tasting room on the eighth floor and a futuristic tower designed to resemble wine moving in a glass.

Pymouss / cc-by-sa-4.0

Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire

Historic castle and estate hosting an annual International Garden Festival and contemporary art exhibitions. The site features a fully refurnished château and 32 hectares of parkland.

Etiennekd / CC BY-SA 3.0

Capitole de Toulouse

Historic neoclassical city hall and national opera house featuring a monumental facade and eight centuries of political and cultural history. The building serves as the heart of municipal administration and houses a theater for ballet and opera performances.

Vassil / Public domain

Valentré Bridge

14th-century fortified stone arch bridge featuring three towers and six Gothic arches. This medieval defensive structure is a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela.

MJJR / CC BY-SA 3.0

Bordeaux Cathedral

Gothic cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage Site that serves as the seat of the Archbishop. Originally consecrated in 1096, the structure was rebuilt between the 12th and 16th centuries and hosted two royal weddings.