What makes France so special?
Discover ten elements that contribute to the appeal of France – from internationally renowned sights and flavors to hidden local gems – to find out why the country continues to be one of the most visited in the world.
By the way, carrying an iRoamly France Travel eSIM will help you easily find famous French food and places online.
What is France known for?
France is not just a country; it's a concept promising beauty, wonder and culture. But what are the ten quintessential features of France itself?
1. The Eiffel Tower
Sydney has its Opera House, London its Tower Bridge, and Paris? Paris has the Eiffel Tower, that iron lattice icon of France, of love, and of engineering. Overseeing the city, see the "City of Lights" shine – the Tower itself glitters at night with thousands of bulbs.
Recommend: Try to visit at sunset and take in the view while it’s still light, then lit up.
Book into one of the Tower's restaurants for dinner with a view.
2. French Cuisine
French cuisine is revered the world over, including exemplary dishes such as Bouillabaisse, Tarte Tatin, or Foie Gras. Every region has its own culinary identity based on local produce and a pinch of savoir-faire.
Recommend: We hope you’ve saved up – try dining at Paris’s L'Ambroisie for the ultimate French lunch.
Local tip: Wine features heavily in French dining – don’t scrimp on the vin.
3. The Louvre Museum
Containing a nine-mile-long collection of art that spans decades and continents, the Louvre is the greatest art museum in the world. Its iconic glass pyramid entrance is a fittingly modern touch to the historic palace building.
Recommend: Don't try and see everything – you'll give yourself a museum leg. Pick a section, or period, and focus on that – say, the Egyptian antiquities or Renaissance art.
Fewer people use the Porte des Lions as an entrance, so queues are generally shorter there.
4. Champagne Region
Champagne isn’t just the most luxurious of libations – the region whose name is on the bottle is also one of pastoral beauty and historic houses where the drink has been perfected over centuries.
Recommend: Moët & Chandon, while a little obvious, offers a tour of their immense cellars and a taste of their best bubbly.
Local tip: The vineyards are spectacular in autumn with the leaves changing color.
5. Mont Saint-Michel
Rising from the sands of the northern tides, Mont Saint-Michel is part medieval curiosity, part fortress, part Abbey – but always compelling. For those exploring the region, Normandy tours often include this iconic site. The Gothic-style Benedictine abbey is largely enclosed by water at high tide, but connected to the mainland by a treacherously narrow causeway.
Recommend: Attend an evening sound and light show – it really makes the place come alive.
Check the tide timetable – seeing the lands around Mont Saint-Michel disappear is extraordinary.
6. Cannes
Cannes isn't just a festival, it's THE festival when it comes to cinematic glamor. Throughout May, the city is awash with film premieres and parties, bringing stars and filmmakers to town from around the world.
Recommend: Unless you are accredited, getting into screenings is nigh on impossible – but the festival spills out into the city, with events and public screenings taking place everywhere.
Local tip: The festival also means pop-up events around the city, with the chance for star-spotting.
7. The French Riviera
The French Riviera – or Côte d'Azur – needs little introduction; its azure waters and opulent beach resorts are synonymous with the very idea of glamor itself. From the lavender fields of Provence to the grand casinos of Monte Carlo, the Riviera offers a stunning setting for relaxation and potential celebrity spotting.
Recommend: Hire a convertible and take a scenic drive along the coast, stopping at idyllic villages such as Eze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Early spring or late autumn, when the area experiences milder weather and fewer tourists, can be a great time to visit.
8. Lavender Fields, Provence
The lavender fields of Provence are not just a picturesque scene of purple and blue; the plants are also an important resource, being distilled for their oil which is used in perfumes.
Recommend: Call into the Lavender Museum in Coustellet for some context on the whole oil distillation process.
Local tip: If you're there to take photos, aim for early July when the flowers are blooming fully.
9. Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is a stunning example of French Baroque architecture and a historic home of French royalty, such as Louis XIV. For those planning a Versailles travel experience, the grand rooms, Hall of Mirrors, and vast grounds offer a glimpse into the opulent lives of those who once lived there.
Recommend: Head over to the Grand and Petit Trianon, or the Queen's Hamlet, to get a feel for the less-well known aspects of the palace's history.
Try to visit during the week, when the complex is less busy (especially the gardens).
10. Normandy D-Day Beaches
The Normandy beaches are somber sites, where thousands of Allied troops began the liberation of Europe in WWII. With museums, memorials, and cemeteries across the region, there's plenty of history to take in.
Recommend: We'd also Recommend: a guided tour to help understand the role of these sites during the campaign.
Local tip: The American Cemetery, at Omaha Beach in particular, is a moving place to visit.
11. Loire Valley Châteaux
The Loire Valley is a beautiful region known as the 'Garden of France', and boasts a stunning collection of Renaissance châteaux set against rolling countryside. From the imposing Château de Chambord to the graceful Château de Chenonceau, each property has its own history.
Recommend: Hire bikes and cycle along the Loire River, visiting multiple properties and taking in the views at your leisure.
Visiting in spring or early autumn is a good call, with better weather but fewer tourists.
12. Fashion Capital: Paris
Paris is more than a city, it's the world's fashion capital. The home of haute couture and a hotbed of sartorial creativity, Paris also offers the most important fashion weeks on the planet twice annually, with new lines eagerly anticipated by celebrities and fashionistas everywhere.
Recommend: Only available to the trade, dates for Paris Fashion Week's spring/summer and autumn/winter shows are online.
Local tip: Fashion fans should make a pilgrimage to Palais Galliera, the city's fashion museum, for a comprehensive history of Gallic style and its impact.
13. French Perfumery
France's storied perfumery trade is renowned the world over, with the city of Grasse, situated in the French Riviera, considered the perfume capital of the world. The region has been creating some of the planet's most beautiful scents from locally grown flowers such as jasmine, rose, and lavender since the 17th century.
Recommend: You'll leave smelling like a rose but Grasse is a few hours' drive from Paris.
Visit in early summer when the blossoms are at their best for the ultimate experience.
14. The Alsace Wine Route
If the grape is more to your taste than the grain, the Alsace Wine Route will meander you through untouched villages and rolling vineyards, all set against a tapestry of winemaking history. White wine aficionados, in particular, will delight in Alsatian wines, notably Riesling and Gewurztraminer.
Recommend: You may need a designated lap of luxury on the route but, hey, you'll live.
Stop off in Colmar, a seemingly textbook-adorable town filled with wine-tasting opportunities and art and culture.
15. Biarritz and the Basque Country
Biarritz, located within France's own Basque Country, is famed for its craggy coastline, reviving seawater, and microcosm of a cultural scene. A surfer's haven and a prime relaxation spot, this resort town features French and Basque foods, architecture, and customs.
Recommend: You'll realize it's a terrible idea to learn how to surf in your 30s.
Local tip: Be sure to explore the surrounding towns and take in some Basque food – pintxos are a given, as is local cider.
Summary:
France is more than where you travel to – it's where you experience a mecca of art, history, and nature.
From its gastronomy to its rich tapestry of history, a visit to France is never one you'll forget.
These ten sights are just a starting point – you'll soon discover why France remains shorthand for global culture and civilization.
Bon voyage!