Beyond Paris, Lyon and Nice, France also has some beautiful cities to visit. So you can visit many of the smaller towns in the mountains of the Massif Central, in the Alps and in the Jura. The Côte d’Azur is especially sun-kissed, where you can stop in small bathing and harbor towns. In addition, every summer Biarritz in the Basque Country turns into the holiday capital of France. A more rural flair prevails on the northern coasts in Brittany and Normandy, while the Alsatian attitude to life is an attraction on the border with Germany.
These Are The Must-Go Places in France
Art and Culture Center: Paris
Paris has an enormous concentration of sights, but most holidaymakers are drawn to the Eiffel Tower first. At the end of the 19th century it was inaugurated as a powerful symbol of the industrial era. Nearby you can already reach the Seine and you can follow the bank with the rental bike to the church of Notre-Dame. On the way you will pass the most famous museum in France: the Louvre. Here, among other things, Milo’s ”Venus” and da Vinci’s ”Mona Lisa” are on display. In the immediate vicinity, the Musée d’Orsay leads through the world of modern painting. The artists shown lived more than 100 years ago in the Montmartre district on the hill of the same name. The striking Sacre-Coeur church is enthroned on its summit.
Into The Loire Valley: Tours
Tours is a fascinating city in itself, with medieval town houses, the mighty Saint-Gatien Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace. You can also see the Marmoutier Monastery and the Château de Tours. The UNESCO-protected Loire Valley, which is home to some of the most beautiful castles in France, begins just outside the city gates. The Amboise, Blois, Chambord and Chenonceau complexes were built in the Renaissance and Baroque styles, to name just a few.
Ancient Capital Of Brittany: Nantes
Officially, Nantes is no longer in Brittany, but it was the capital of the historic region for a long time. This becomes particularly clear when you visit the award-winning museum in the Palace of the Kings of Brittany. The history museum fascinates with interactive displays. You can also take a look at the Jules Verne Museum. Some of the fantastical characters from his work come to life at Les Machines de l’Île in the form of giant steampunk figurines such as a posable elephant. You can go out in the area of the old banana hangar in the port, where there is an exhibition hall.
The Old Sea Fortress Of Brest
The best way to experience the wild and romantic roughness of the Brittany coast is with a holiday apartment in Brest. The city is far away from Paris and exudes a completely different flair than the rest of France. The mighty fortress and the harbor bear witness to a moving history. You can experience this up close when you look at the old U-boat bunkers from World War II. The Océanopolis, an adventure park with more than 40 sea aquariums, is impressive for families. After an eventful day, you simply go to a bistro and try the dark galettes, a Breton variant of the crêpes.
