There are plenty of sights and cities to see while traveling through France, so it’s almost impossible for visitors to be bored. As one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, there is an abundance of sightseeing to be done. To begin, tourists can visit the famous Lourve. The Lourve is home to many of the world’s most famous works of arts. You’ll see paintings from artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, and see works like the Mona Lisa, the ancient Winged Victory and the Venus de Milo. As the largest and most famous museum in the world, the Louvre is quite impression to see in person. Travelers should also consider visiting the Pompideou, the Musee Rodin and the Musee d’Orsay museums.
Of course, no trip to France is complete without a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Built as a model of the French Gothic Cathedrals from the Middle Ages, Notre Dame is rich in culture, history and architecture. There is a large glass surface area supported by carved stone, and it is known as one of the world’s best architecturally designed buildings. Additionally, visitors will want to make a stop at the Avenue des Champs-Elysees. The avenue features are Arc de Triomphe on one side and the Place de la Concorde on the other—and it was constructed in the 17th century. There are plenty of shopping boutiques and French restaurants to enjoy along the way.
Moving forward, you’ll want to include the Bois de Boulogne and Disneyland Paris among your stops on the tour. Disneyland is 5,000 acres, while the Bois de Boulogne was inspired by London’s Hyde Park and Regent Park. It’s very popular among tourists and local walkers. You’ll also find the Auteuil and Longchamp race courses, along with the Roland Garros, the tennis court that hosts the French Open.
Lastly, you cannot leave France without seeing the infamous Eiffel Tower in Paris. The tower was engineered by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel in 1889 to celebrate the Paris World’s Fair. As you continue your journey throughout France, you’ll probably want to explore the Quartier Latin stretch and the St. Germain des Pres, which are two of the most well know fashion squares. You’ll find clothing, books, antiques, and knit-knats to bring home to friends and family. Another popular shopping area is also Printemps and Galeries Lafayette.
When it comes to dining, the Quartier Latin hosts a number of French restuarants. Visitors should try the pizza, croissants, and Lebanese Mezze. You can also enjoy the nightlife at the many bars and clubs, which also often feature live bands. For example, La Java typically hosts live Latin bands. For other forms of entertainment, tourists should stop by the Moulin Rouge.
Whether you enjoy sightseeing at museums and historical locations, or you’d rather taste test your way through French cuisine, there is something for everyone when traveling to France for the first time. Regardless of the locations you visit, France is an old country reach full of history so many of the buildings are antiques—and they do not come with a maid or tile cleaning expert. Come ready to explore and ready to learn—and of course, don’t forget to pack your camera!
For more information, visit the Official France Tourism site.
