It’s no surprise that France has long been a popular destination for British and international tourists. Paris alone regularly gets over 40 million visitors per year!
France is easy to get to, travelling around the country is easy and affordable whilst the people, culture and food are all unique and special.
Whether you want to go interrailing around Europe, take a backpacking trip or spend gap year in France, there are so many impressive places to visit, from world famous iconic buildings to some of the most spectacular nature and scenery in the world.
If you are planning a trip to France for the first time or just curious as to what the most visited attractions in the country are, read on.
In this article we are going to highlight some of the most popular French tourism destinations you really need to tick off your bucket list.
1. The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is France’s most famous landmark by far and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world.
Situated in the heart of Paris it stands high and proud over the surrounding cityscape and the view from the top is something to behold.
The tower was built by the engineer Gustav Eiffel in 1889 for the exhibition of Paris. Over 225,000,000 people have visited the Eiffel tower since its construction.
We recommend going up in the evening for sunset then seeing the city lights turn on as night arrives. The Paris skyline is magical and this is one of the best locations for Instagram photos.
If you plan to travel in France on a budget and don’t want to splash out on a entry ticket, you can just get photos from outside – this is one of the best free things to do in Paris.
2. Louvre
Do you have a passion for architecture or art? You need to add the Lourve to your itinerary.
This has undoubtedly become one the most famous tourist locations of France with around 30,000 visitors per day, 7.5 million per year!
The beautiful location is incredible, the building is unique and somewhere you need to get a photo outside whilst inside you can see some of the most famous artwork in the world, including the Mona Lisa painting.
3. Notre Dame Cathedral
The mighty cathedral of Notre Dame took almost 300 years to build and is one of the most impressive buildings found in Europe today. If you love history then a visit to this impressive landmark is a must.
Notre Dame de Paris receives an estimated 20 million visitors a year, which makes it one of the most visited monuments in Europe and the world!
Located around the Notre Dame Cathedral you can also find some of the most highly rated restaurants in the city, be sure to read reviews on Tripadvisor and sample some of the tastiest foods in Paris.
4. Versailles
The Palace of Versailles was built by King Louis XIV in 1710 but had been under construction in one form or another for 40 years before that. Louis intended the palace to be the court and capital of France.
The palace itself is massive with the Western face being almost 2000 feet across. The palace is also home to some famous works of art created by the most famous artists in history.
The gardens of the palace are also a must see and stretch to cover over 200 acres of land.
Versailles is one of the most popular day trips from Paris, and 15 million visitors from around the world visit every year.
5. The French Alps
The French Alps are home to some spectacular landscapes, its snow capped mountains cannot fail to impress. An estimated 100+ million people visit the Alps region every year mainly due to the adventure sports.
The Alps are home to some fantastic ski resorts and attract skiers from around the globe every year. This is the largest ski area in the world home to resorts like La Plagne, Courchevel, Alpe d’Huez, Méribel, Les Deux Alpes, Les 3 Vallées, Val Thorens, Avoriaz 1800 and Les Arcs.
Ski holidays can generally be booked from mid-December to mid-April. If you are totally new to winter sports consider taking ski instructor courses or if you fancy a season in the alps search ski jobs to secure your spot.
The Alps are also just as popular in the summer as the winter and when the ice and snow melts; beautiful craggy hills and lush meadows are unveiled creating an ideal destination for walking, biking and climbing environment.
The Alps really are one of the best places to go in Europe for summer, if you are looking for an alternative to a beach holiday.
6. Mont Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel is a small rocky island 1km off the coast of Normandy. It is home to a spectacular Benedictine abbey complete with steepled church.
According to legend, the archangel Michael appeared to St. Aubert, bishop of Avranches, in 708 and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet. But Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel’s instruction until Michael burned a hole in the bishop’s skull with his finger.
That did the trick and construction of the church was finished shortly afterwards.
Mont Saint-Michel is now one of the most alluring destinations for both religious pilgrims and tourists, with around 2.5 million visitors per year.
Plan a Trip to France
With its culture, food, history and attractions, France is the ideal place to visit, especially if you are planning a trip to Europe for the first time. We hope our list has given you a brief guide as to where to go, or most importantly what not to miss. For more ideas check out our Europe gap year travel guide.