This France travel guide is a good place to start if you’re wanting to explore the most beautiful places in France. France is full of amazing towns, deep history going back hundreds of thousands of years, amazing food and artists, so I don’t blame you if you’re feeling a bit lost and just want a push in the right direction, because after all you’re probably wanting to make the most out of an amazing holiday.

My main recommendation when thinking about travelling France will be to head south towards Nice. You will find some amazing gems hidden in the valleys My main recommendation when thinking about travelling France will be to head south towards Nice. You will find some amazing gems hidden in the valleys and hills behind the beach front towns along the coast, including Roman architecture dating back thousands of years.

Small Towns in France Worth Visiting

I’m not much of a ‘big city girl’ when it comes to travelling. Don’t get me wrong, I love experiencing the bustling public transport, pumping nightclubs and fashion options every major city has to offer, but the magic of travel lies within the small towns of every country. The unique homes and small shops that have been in families for generations, the cobblestone streets that whisper the millions of footsteps that came before mine, and the front doors that have seen love form and hearts crack. There truly is nothing more beautiful than aimlessly wondering the streets of small towns more or less forgotten because of their bustling older siblings.

• Aix-en-Provence
• Avignon
• Menton
• Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
• Les Baux-de-Provence
• Nîmes
• Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
• Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

If you want further information on the following towns then feel free to visit my other article 7 of the Best Small Towns in Southern France, that’s where I really boast about my love for everything other than Paris when it comes to France.

Must Do Tourist Attractions in France

To visit France means to drown yourself in coffee, indulge in croissants and lose yourself in all things artistic and historic. From the asylum where Vincent Van Gogh admitted himself after self-mutilation, and subsequently where Starry Night was born, to Roman architecture and quarries of moving art. Finding things to do in France isn’t difficult when you have the southern coastline, French Riviera, amazing architecture, history and beautiful people and food to tie it all together.

Roman Architecture

• Pont du Gard, Nîmes
• Amphitheatre of Nîmes
• Arles Amphitheatre
• The Roman Baths

Art

• Carrieres de Lumieres, Les Baux
• Musée des Beaux-Arts, Nice

Paris Highlights

• Eiffel Tower
• Arc de Triomphe
• Champs-Élysées
• The Louvre
• Notre Dame Cathedral
• Palace of Versailles
• The Catacombs

Outdoors

• Walk Mont Boron, Nice
• Castle Hill, Nice
• Climb to Bellanda Tower, Nice
• Walk along the F1 Track, Monaco
• Explore the French Riviera
• Cruise Seine river

Things To Know When Travelling France

This France travel guide would not be complete if I didn’t touch on the important subjects of language, currency and food!

Accommodation and Dining

Booking well in advance is the sure fire way to get your chosen accommodation, especially when it comes to staying at any of the towns along the French Riviera. Checking out booking websites like Booking.com or Trivago will help you find some good deals in some great locations.

Dining out in Southern France or staying in to eat are as cheap as each other. I was never concerned about the price of a meal or even alcohol. Some of the best places to eat are the small and unassuming ones, the ‘holes in the wall’, and the ones where you will see the locals dining out, these restaurants are usually family owned and often make the best meals for a reasonable price.

It would be rude to not try the local delicacies while you’re in town… find yourself a nice restaurant that serves snails and frog legs and really indulge in the culture of France!

Language

French is the national language of France (seems pretty obvious). However in larger cities and towns you will find a large portion of people speak English, especially those in customer service roles likes wait staff. Even if you have never spoken another language in your life, it would pay to make the effort to learn the basic greetings, Bonjour (hello) and Merci (thank you) are a great place to start.

Safety

I felt extremely safe in Southern France, I never had an issue with pick-pocketers or general theft. Much like the rest of the world, the larger cities are where you will have the biggest risk of being the victim of petty crime. Always do your best to keep your phone or wallet in your front pockets, or better yet in a cross body strap bag!

Currency

France uses the Euro.