Best for travel in France

If many of us go on vacation abroad, it would be a shame to miss out on the charms of France. You don’t need to travel far away to get away from it all and spend a good vacation with your family, your lover or your friends! Travelling in France can give the impression of being at the end of the world, you just need to know where to go.

The regions of France are full of natural wonders and have an exceptional historical, cultural, artistic and gastronomic heritage. Mountains, plains, creeks, forests, picturesque villages, heavenly islands… from north to south, from east to west, no two French landscapes are alike. The offers of stays are numerous and the prices are adapted to all wallets.

For a weekend in France, opt for a city break in Toulouse, Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux… to discover all the historical richness of these cities and enjoy their festivities and gastronomy. For the more adventurous, choose a vacation dedicated to hiking by going on the famous GR 20 in Corsica or the customs trail, the GR 34, on the Brittany coast. Feel like a rest? Head for the seaside for a relaxing vacation with your feet in the water in Montpellier, Biarritz, Fréjus, Sète…

PARIS

Paris is the most visited city in the world. The Eiffel Tower, Notre de Dame de Paris, the Pantheon, the list of monuments is long. Deserves more than a weekend to explore it, everyone will agree. But for many visitors, time is unfortunately limited and the days spent discovering the capital can often be counted on the fingers of one hand. So, how to see the most of the must-see places without having the impression of trying to break speed records or missing the essential?

The first good news
Paris is not so big! Intra-muros, the city is much smaller than many other capitals, so you will have less to move around and won’t waste too much time in transportation.

Second good news
Most of the most remarkable sites are concentrated in fairly small areas and in the heart of Paris. The Louvre, the Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie, the Saint-Jacques tower or Notre-Dame are, for example, very close by. The same goes for the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadero Gardens, the Champ-de-Mars, the Invalides or the Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac Museum. By preparing your itinerary by neighborhood and by zone, you can visit in half a day a dozen of Parisian places known as “must-see”.

As far as queues are concerned, there is no miracle solution to make them disappear, but some sites are still more accessible very early in the morning, at lunchtime or, when possible, at night. Ask around, you will probably save a few precious hours. Don’t hesitate to book your tickets online today to save time once you get there. Plus, some of them are line-up cut!

TOULOUSE

Toulouse is a city of colors, with its pink brick facades, its emblematic flower, the violet, the blue of pastel … it is the ideal destination for your vacations or your weekends of walks and visits. Located in the heart of the South-West, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the “Pink City” joyfully combines heritage and art of living.

From the Garonne to the Canal du Midi, from Saint-Sernin to the Cité de l’espace, in guided tours, small tourist train and boat, your stay in Toulouse will be a great moment of pleasure. Combined with an art of living and an incomparable atmosphere, it is the ideal place to do some tourism, for a weekend or more!

From the Place du Capitole to the Saint-Sernin Basilica and the famous Cité de l’espace, discover our guide of the 17 things to do and see in Toulouse. Follow our sample itineraries to visit Toulouse in 1, 2 or 3 days and find our list of the best accommodations. And of course, we also give you our advice and good tips to make the most of your vacations in Toulouse.

BORDEAUX

If Bordeaux is nicknamed the “Sleeping Beauty”, it’s not about the atmosphere that reigns there! The architecture, its wine, its quays…and its parties! It is one of the cities to visit absolutely in France. So what to visit in Bordeaux, where to go out in Bordeaux, where to sleep in Bordeaux?

Especially known for its wines and vineyards, Bordeaux is a city with a rich historical and architectural heritage, and with a very lively nightlife. The metropolis has regained an important dynamic since the beginning of the 21st century, with the revaluation of its heritage (the city center was notably listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007), the redevelopment of the historic districts, and the development of transportation within the city and to get there. Whether as a family as a couple or with friends, there are several ways to visit Bordeaux: in one day to discover the historic city center on foot, or over several days (2 or 3 days) to visit Bordeaux and its region.
Discover here a selection of must-see places to see in Bordeaux and its surroundings (especially its vineyard).

LYON

Lyon, gastronomic capital, trompe l’oeil, lights,… and many others! Why not spend a weekend there to discover the other capital of France! As a bonus, the smile of the passers-by, which is not the case of all capitals…

Ideal destination to eat and drink good wine, take a breath of fresh air in the parks and along the Rhone, discover a magnificent architecture between churches, small streets and its much more contemporary neighborhoods. The city is composed of many museums and places not to be missed.

BIARRITZ

Always very lively, Biarritz is a splendid seaside resort on the Atlantic coast, nestled in the Bay of Biscay, in the southwest of France. Biarritz benefits from an exceptional climate: a mild winter and a pleasant summer with an average temperature of 20°C. Get away from the coast, enter the heart of the city, continue to the outlying areas and you will discover many other facets of Biarritz: magnificent vestiges of the past, exceptional cultural sites, a rich natural heritage.

This charismatic city will not fail to leave you with precious memories.

SAINT-MALO

Located at the mouth of the Rance, a charming (and rather misnamed) coastal river, Saint-Malo is a city with a rich history, all turned towards the sea. On the menu of a visit to the city of Saint-Malo: one of the most beautiful beaches in France, a dynamic port, imposing ramparts of dark granite offering breathtaking views of the fortified coast where the Fort National and the Fort du Petit Bé, built by Vauban, are enthroned, and then there are also creperies on every street corner – a non-exhaustive list.

So, are you planning to set sail for the corsair city? Good news: the Saint-Malo train station puts the city of Saint-Malo 47 minutes from Rennes, 2 hours 26 minutes from Nantes and 2 hours 29 minutes from Paris.

NICE

In summer as in winter, you will be amazed by the beauty of the capital of the French Riviera. To visit Nice is to stroll on the Promenade des Anglais, to taste an Italian ice cream or to admire the floats of the mythical Nice carnival. While exploring the treasures that the beautiful city holds, this excursion in the south of France will leave your head full of beautiful memories.

About thirty kilometers from the French-Italian border, divided between sea and hills, Nice has its own identity. It is a fascinating city, both rich in history and heritage. To make sure you don’t miss any of the city’s wonders, here are the 10 must-do things to do in Nice.

CHAMONIX

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, better known as Chamonix, is a commune located in Haute-Savoie. At the foot of the Mont-Blanc and Aiguilles Rouges mountain ranges, Chamonix is particularly well known for its ski slopes, the authentic character of its village and its surrounding landscapes.

Chamonix is a chic and charming town. The town center is full of flowers and is lively all year round. It is pleasant to walk in the heart of Chamonix and admire the architecture of the houses in the center. At every street corner, you can admire the city of Chamonix with its green or snowy mountains as a backdrop, depending on the season.

The religious architectural heritage of Chamonix is also interesting to discover. It is possible to visit the church of Saint-Michel, in baroque style, from the 12th and 19th century. The stained glass windows and the organ of this church are famous.

SAINT TROPEZ

Ah, Saint-Tropez… Famous all over the world for being visited in the summer by hundreds of millionaires and stars, this international jet-set mecca is nevertheless a typical small Provencal village, with its preserved traditional architecture. Contrary to what one might think, its many tourist attractions are not necessarily reserved for the most well-stocked bank accounts. This is what we are going to prove to you: it is quite possible to enjoy a stay in Saint-Tropez and find out what to do in Saint-Tropez without necessarily living on a yacht or on the third floor of an architect’s villa!

The town has many assets and fits into a privileged natural setting: the bay is one of the most beautiful in France, Provence seems to open up to the Mediterranean Sea! Nautical activities, sightseeing, cultural or sporting routes? Whatever your ambitions when you come to discover this pearl of the Var coast, no doubt that you will find your happiness in this unique commune.

STRASBOURG

Visiting Strasbourg is of course a must during a stay in Alsace. The Alsatian capital is full of charm and has a lot to offer to visitors who come here for sightseeing. When I settled there, I was immediately seduced and continues to be seduced: I am constantly discovering new places to see and activities to do. One of the great advantages of Strasbourg, in my opinion, is that it offers a wide range of possibilities: the city is beautiful and it’s good to stroll around, it’s dynamic and has a lot of good places to go out, it’s culturally rich, and last but not least, and this is important to me, nature is easily accessible from downtown Strasbourg.

Last but not least, Strasbourg is a European capital located on the border with Germany: it’s fun to play border hopping to go for a little ride in Germany (you can go there on foot, by bike or by streetcar).

EVERY ADVENTURE NEEDS MUSIC ! LISTEN FOR FREE

THE BEST GUIDES TO VISIT FRANCE

THE PACK TRAVEL