Travelling the world allows you to see so many beautiful places. From down under in Australia, all the way up to the cold beauty of Iceland, there is so much to see. The glory of this is that it lets you find out things you never knew before. You get to experience new cultures and different ways of life. Often you stumble upon a country that’s so amazing, you have to go back. More to the point, you want to stay there forever. Well, at least, you want to call it home from now on. You can still go travelling, don’t worry!
As you can probably tell by the title, the country I’m talking about is France. I have never been to France, but it’s certainly creeping up on my “to visit” list. It’s also one of the most popular travel destinations in all of Europe and the world. The great thing about France is that it’s a very different country from one North to South and East to West. As such, there are so many amazing hotspots and hidden gems that everyone must see. In this piece, I’ll look at some of the best places to visit in France.
Best Places to Visit in France – Dordogne
Dordogne is one of the many places in France that few people know about and one of the best places to visit in France. It’s only when you travel there that you find this hidden gem. This region of France sums up everything that’s amazing about the country. Think about some of the classic French things you’ve heard about over the years. The amazing food and wine are often the first things people think about. And, Dordogne has this in abundance. There are so many amazing quaint eateries that sell the most luxurious of meals throughout the day. Each one is complemented by the finest wine you’ve ever tasted.
Another very typical French attraction is countrysides littered with incredible chateaus and natural beauty. Once again, Dordogne isn’t short on this. There are some quite remarkable holiday homes and houses that look like little French castles. As seen here www.home-hunts.com they’re all compliment with bags of land. If you ever wanted to settle down somewhere in France, this would be the place. It’s incredibly gorgeous, and you can spend hours each day getting lost in the wonderful countryside.
And, when you do find your way into the villages, you’ll be just as taken aback. They’re beautiful and frozen in time. It feels like you’re walking through a vintage French village from decades ago, the overall effect is brilliant. Certainly, a great place to visit if you want to go away for a long holiday with your family or loved one.
Best Places to Visit in France – Paris
I think it’s fair to say that a French travel article that doesn’t include Paris would be an absolute farce! Yes, the capital city is still one of the best places to visit in the entire country. The reasons for this are simple, there’s simply so much to do and see here. Paris is known for having a plethora of attractions for people of all ages. Fancy being cultured? Then visit the Louvre and Arc De Triomphe while stopping for a classic pastry in a vintage cafe.
But, if you’d rather do things that are more upbeat and fun, then Paris has a lot in store for you too. There’s Disneyland Paris which has become an iconic theme park for both kids and adults. I highly suggest you spend a day or two here if you want to have a fun-filled Paris visit. You can even see a list of upcoming events here http://www.disneylandparis.co.uk/events/. If you are travelling with kids, then Disneyland becomes an even better idea. But, don’t be deterred if you’re on your own or with a group of mates, it’s timeless fun!
Finally, you can’t talk about a trip to Paris without mentioning the most iconic monument of all; The Eiffel Tower. It’s a must-see for anyone that ever visits Paris. In fact, if you’re backpacking through France and don’t have a lot of time on your hands, make this your first stop. You simply can’t leave without a picture at the bottom and top of the tower.
Biarritz
Towards the start of this article, I spoke about how different France is throughout. And, Biarritz is a great example of the diversity of this country. You have cities like Paris that are very much like modern Western cities. Plus, it has a climate that’s similar to the less than impressive one in the UK. Well, Biarritz is like a whole different country. It lies close to Spain in a place known as the French Basque country. The selling point of this destination is its amazing beaches. There are so many incredible places to enjoy down on the coast in Biarritz. It’s famous for having safe water that’s excellent to swim in. If you’re after a beach holiday in France, this is definitely the place for you.
Also, Biarritz is known as the surf capital of France. Some amazing waves can crash down on the shores during certain times in the year. If you’re after an adventure holiday, then Biarritz can deliver on that front. It also happens to have so many brilliant and beautiful hotels, bars, and shops littering the boulevards. For me, it’s the perfect setting to buy a French holiday apartment and stay there for a week or two each year.
What I love about Biarritz is its closeness to Spain. It’s almost kissing Bilbao, which is an intriguing part of Spain. The beauty of this is that you can take a quick trip to the Spanish Basque country whenever you like. It’s about a 2-hour journey away by car or public transport, depending on how lucky you are with traffic. Perfect for a day out to experience the unique city of Bilbao. Then, you can journey home and have a moonlit walk along a perfect Biarritz beach! If you are interested in exploring Bilbao, check out sites like https://www.lonelyplanet.com.
The Loire Valley
If you haven’t heard of The Loire Valley, then you’ve been missing out your entire life. You’ll find this destination almost slap bang in the centre of the country. It’s famous for being one of the best stunning places in Europe. The scenery and architecture are astounding. In the past, it was a popular place for many kings and queens to establish their castles. And, you see that today with the grand chateaus dotting the landscape. It almost looks like a place straight out of a Disney fairytale. As seen on CNN, some of the castles are truly breathtaking.
It’s a fantastic place to visit if you want to take a break from your usual busy life and stroll around the countryside. There’s a beautiful river that you can follow and sit beside on a hot day. Sightseeing and admiration of nature are the top things on your list in this place.
And, it also has plenty of great places to eat too. The cuisine here is quintessentially French, and perfect for food lovers. Also, there are so many vineyards giving out tours for all the wine enthusiasts out there.
On that note, you’ve reached the end of my piece. I hope I’ve opened your eyes to some of the best places to visit in France. Generally speaking, it’s one of the best countries you can visit. This is because of all the different things you can see and experience. I know people that have spent months travelling around these different destinations. Pick one the next time you decide to travel!
What do you think are the best places to visit in France?
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