Things to Do in France

The capital city is one of the places to see in France that almost goes without saying. Here you can do some of the best sightseeing, soak in the most priceless art, sample local flavours and a lot more.

If you’re wondering what to see in France, Paris has all the answers. It’s home to the iconic Eiffel Tower which you can easily visit during the day or by night. A handy suggestion is to book your tickets a few days in advance and opt for the non-guided one so you can skip the long queues!

The Louvre is genuinely the best museum in the world and home to the Mona Lisa, amongst other standout pieces. While the Musee d’Orsay is where you can meet the work of renowned artists like Monet, Degas and Renoir. If you like culture, these are two France tourist attractions you simply cannot afford to miss.

If you’ve read the literary classic, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, then the Notre Dame Cathedral is surely already on your mind. But it should be even if you haven’t. Its towering spires, stained-glass facades and gothic detailing love being photographed.

Other notable places to see in France found here include the artistic Montmartre, historic Arc de Triomphe and contemporary Centre George Pompidou.

But there’s so much more of France sightseeing you need to do.

There are countless monuments of grandeur found all across France, but the Palace of Versailles stands out. Within its walls are five centuries of French history and royal heritage, a maze of passages and each room more spellbinding than the last. When you’re done with that, there’s hectares of garden landscaped to perfection. There are buggies to take you around, especially if you’re with young kids or the elderly.

You couldn’t even dream up architecture this beautiful. But someone did, way back in the 11th Century. The Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is a Christian pilgrimage site that’s fast climbing the list of most visited places to see in France. Found on an island between Normandy and Brittany, this stunning complex is the pinnacle of medieval architecture and now has museums, restaurants, hotels and shops to welcome tourists, alongside incredible views.

This Roman amphitheatre is so exceptionally preserved, it still holds live events thousands of years later. No gladiators on show, but you could easily catch one of the bullfights, music performances or theatres hosted here. But for many, just witnessing this ancient marvel and letting imagination run wild is more than enough.

Visiting different regions is one of the popular things to do in France for unique environments and experiences.

This is definitely one of the places to see in France, for its lush green valleys, majestic hills and the flow of the River Loire. A postcard come alive, the Loire Valley is ideal for families to enjoy a one-of-a-kind chateau stay or for couples to retreat in an idyllic setting — including some great vineyards.

The French Alps are a treat for skiers or anyone looking for winter adventure, but just as much for its surrounding picturesque villages, exquisite Alpine views and of course, the highest peak of Mont Blanc. The region offers treks and hikes of all levels, quaint surrounds like Chamonix village, the Mer de Glace glacier and cable car rides up to other mountain-tops and trails. Great for couples, families and friends.

There’s a luxurious side to France and nowhere is that as visible as St. Tropez in the French Riviera. While many of the lavish private yachts and secluded beaches are out of bounds for the public, there’s plenty of options for tourists to soak in the Mediterranean air and azure waters. Hire a sailboat or yacht for the day, spend sunny mornings on public beaches like Plage de Bouillabaisse or Plage des Salins. There’s even a Butterfly Museum, surely one of the more unique France sightseeing opportunities!

You can’t come to France and not sample some of the finest wines in the world, right from where they originate. Touring the wine regions is hugely favoured by travellers of all kinds as one of the things to do in France. Visit Burgundy, Bordeaux or Champagne – or all of them! SOTC will ensure your tour includes the best vineyards, wineries, chateaus and restaurants from the endless list of options.