The Most Beautiful Places in France | France Travel Guide
This travel guide for France 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.
Language
French is the national language. However in larger cities and towns a lot of people English, whether fluent or not.
Even if you’ve never spoken another language in your life, make the effort to learn basic greetings of the country you’re visiting!
Safety
In Southern France I felt very safe, and never felt like I was going to get pick-pocketed. However in Paris, like most other large cities around the world, there are heightened risks of petty crime like pick pocketing.
Currency
France uses the Euro.
The Most Beautiful Places in France
Personally I much prefer the small towns in provincial France over large cities like Paris. The true French culture can be experienced when you’re wondering through small cobblestone walkways, enjoying breakfast at an unassuming cafe and staying in family run motels or Bed and Breakfasts. That’s where I truly felt I experienced the French culture.
- Paris
- Monaco*
- Aix-en-Provence
- Avignon
- Menton
- Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
- Les Baux-de-Provence
- Nîmes
- Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
- Nice
- Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
*Technically Monaco is it’s own country (Principality), sitting between Nice and Menton, but since it is only 2.1km2, sits between Nice and Menton, and it’s military and Police are the responsibility of France, I thought it would be a good option for things to do in France!
Must See in France
With no shortage of churches, cathedrals, historic landmarks and even locations of some of the oldest known human bones you won’t have a boring day anywhere in France.
- Pont du Gard, Nîmes
- Roman Amphitheatre of Nîmes
- Get a picture under the Eiffel Tower, Paris
- Visit the Arc de Triomphe, Paris
- Stroll the Champs-Élysées, Paris
- Carrieres de Lumieres, Les Baux
- Walk Mont Boron, Nice
- Climb to Bellanda Tower, Nice
- Walk along the F1 Track, Monaco
Must Do in France
Finding things to do in France isn’t difficult when you have the southern coastline, French Riviera, amazing architecture, history and beautiful people and culture to tie it all together.
- Explore the French Riviera
- Climb Castle Hill, Nice
- Hire a rental car and explore the alpine region in southeast France
- Try the national delicacy of snails and frogs legs.
- Visit Monaco
- Walk along the water front at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
- Visit many of the amazing mansions at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Things to Know when Travelling France
Food and Dining
Dining out or staying in are as cheap as each other. I was never concerned about the price of a meal or even alcohol in Southern France. Some of the best places to eat are the small unassuming ones; these are usually family owned and visited by locals. This is where you will usually find some of the best food and genuine people.
Accommodation
If you’re heading to any beach front town during the summer seasons then you will need to book well in advance. City slickers swamp to the French Riviera every summer and flood cities like Nice to get their beach holiday fix
