Tourist guide to visit France and prepare your trip well

Published on : 14 April 20204 min reading time

A country of art and history with magnificent landscapes and a strong intellectual culture without forgetting the art of living, rich in castles, vineyards and villages of character, France is ideally located in the heart of Western Europe. From this beautiful country, you can easily travel by plane or train to other nearby European cities: London, Berlin, Madrid or Rome, among others. Birthplace of Descartes and Molière, France inspired the whole world with the writings of its intellectuals, plays and novels.

France is a must-see destination for lovers of history and architecture

You will be able to go back in time to the Stone Age by discovering its prehistoric sites and in particular the famous Lascaux cave or the Breton megaliths. If a dive into the Roman era tempts you, the country is not lacking in vestiges dating from the time when Gaul was part of the immense Roman Empire. The Pont du Gard bridge is a typical work of this period, as are the arenas of Nîmes and Arles. From the fortresses of the Middle Ages to the Eiffel Tower or the Millau Viaduct, via the palaces of the powerful courtiers of King Louis XIV, the French architectural heritage is very rich throughout the country.

It is also the country of churches

Churches, abbeys, monasteries and above all cathedrals, whose craftsmen have competed to erect ever taller buildings decorated with multicoloured stained glass windows. Another good reason to travel to France, even if you are not a culture enthusiast, is that it is a great place to live, especially around the table: the richness of its wines and gastronomy will take your taste buds on a journey through the thousand and one flavours of its terroirs. In addition to the many local culinary specialities, the landscapes vary greatly depending on the region you visit: red rocks falling steeply into emerald water in Corsica, 4000-metre peaks in the Alps, forests as far as the eye can see in Sologne, Normandy meadows and hedged farmland, the ancient volcanoes of Auvergne, the islands and Atlantic shores… invite the traveller to admire the beauty of nature while visiting the country’s riches. Each region is keen to preserve its history and traditions, giving the visitor the opportunity to go from surprise to discovery by travelling through the same country.

France enjoys a temperate climate on the Atlantic coast

Which borders the country to the west, from Brittany to the Spanish border. This mild climate is gradually giving way to a harsher, more continental climate as one approaches the eastern border with Germany and Switzerland. The south of the country, near the Mediterranean, enjoys a sunnier climate. In winter, the peaks of the Alps lend themselves more to winter sports, while the other seasons are ideal for discovering the countless treasures scattered throughout the country: the castles of the kings of France along the Loire River, the shores of the Côte d’Azur or the Breton gulfs.

Only during a stay in France can you encounter so many castles

Castles of all styles, periods and sizes, from the immense royal estates with their hectares of forests to the manor house of a provincial lord. Each French region retains a strong identity: Brittany, Corsica or the Basque Country are the most assertive, going so far as to use their own language (Basque) or dialects, which accentuates the change of scenery. From north to south, the culinary specialties, wines and cheeses change according to the terroirs, but the cuisine remains as delicious as ever, which is another characteristic feature of the hexagon.

A profusion of civil, military or religious monuments to visit. Castles from all eras, from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Prehistoric and Roman remains. Thousands of museums to discover painters, the homes of famous artists or local peculiarities. The variety of landscapes and the richness of gastronomy in a single territory.

Walking trip in France: the first 9 months
Why travelling in France?

Plan du site