France Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities Guide

recommended places to visit and things to do throughout France


 

Eiffel Tower

Paris 7

  • landmark
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  • viewpoint
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  • open year round
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  • restaurant
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  • café
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  • shop

The Eiffel Tower, Paris’s iconic landmark, soars above the city with sweeping views from its platforms. Built in 1889, it dazzles with nightly illuminations and remains a symbol of French artistry, engineering, and romance.

Louvre Museum

Paris 1

  • art gallery
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • art

The Louvre in Paris, once a royal palace, is the world’s largest art museum. Its vast collection spans from ancient civilisations to iconic masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, all beneath the striking glass pyramid entrance.

Mont St-Michel

Pontorson

  • landmark
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • limited opening
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  • guided tours
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • history
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  • religion
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  • walking

Mont St-Michel rises dramatically from tidal waters with its medieval abbey perched above winding village streets. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers breathtaking views, historic architecture, and a truly magical atmosphere shaped by sea and sky.

  • place of worship
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • religion

Notre-Dame de Paris, a Gothic masterpiece on the Île de la Cité, is famed for its rose windows, flying buttresses and sculpted façades. Fully restored after the 2019 fire, it once again stands as a symbol of Paris and a treasure of French heritage.

  • place of worship
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • limited opening
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • religion

A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, Amiens Cathedral is France’s largest, with soaring vaults, intricate sculptures and stunning stained glass. Its vast nave and detailed façade make it a UNESCO World Heritage gem and a must-see in Picardy.

Monet's Garden

Giverny

    Monet’s Garden, in Giverny, France, is the artist’s beloved home and inspiration. Its iconic lily pond, arched bridge, and vibrant flower beds bring his famous Impressionist paintings vividly to life.

    • cemetery
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    • free admission
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    • open year round
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    • guided tours
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    • shop
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    • visitor centre
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    • architecture
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    • history
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    • military history
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    • World War II
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    • Battle of Britain
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    • walking

    The Normandy American Cemetery & Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer overlooks Omaha Beach, honouring over 9,000 fallen soldiers. Its serene white crosses, reflecting pool, and chapel offer a poignant tribute to sacrifice and remembrance.

    Sacré-Coeur

    Paris 18

    • place of worship

    Sacré-Cœur crowns Montmartre with its gleaming white domes and panoramic views over Paris. This Roman-Byzantine basilica offers a serene interior, stunning mosaics, and a spiritual retreat above the city’s lively artistic quarter.

    Arc de Triomphe

    Paris 8

    • memorial
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    • family-friendly
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    • open year round
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    • architecture
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    • history

    commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon to celebrate his victories, taking thirty years to build, finally completed in 1836. Visitors can climb steps to the top where there is a viewing platform

    Arromanches Museum

    Arromanches-les-Bains

    • museum
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    • family-friendly
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    • all-weather attraction
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    • open year round
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    • shop
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    • history
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    • military history
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    • World War II
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    • Battle of Britain

    The Arromanches Museum, overlooking Gold Beach, vividly recounts the D-Day landings and the creation of the Mulberry Harbour. Through models, artefacts, and films, it reveals the ingenuity and bravery behind one of WWII’s most remarkable engineering feats

    • cemetery
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    • free admission
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    • open year round
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    • history
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    • military history
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    • World War II
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    • Battle of Britain

    The Bayeux War Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth cemetery in France, honours over 4,000 soldiers who fell in the Normandy campaign. Set amid tranquil lawns, it stands as a moving tribute to courage, sacrifice, and the enduring quest for peace.

    • fortress
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    • ruin
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    • family-friendly
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    • free admission
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    • café
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    • shop
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    • visitor centre
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    • architecture
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    • history
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    • nature
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    • walking

    Chateau de Caen, in Normandy, is a vast medieval fortress built by William the Conqueror. Its walls enclose museums, ramparts with city views, and remnants of ducal life, offering a vivid glimpse into Norman history and architecture.

    • historic house
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    • family-friendly
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    • open year round
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    • limited opening
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    • antiques
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    • architecture
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    • art
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    • cycling
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    • furniture
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    • history
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    • nature
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    • walking

    The Château de Compiègne is a majestic royal and imperial residence surrounded by vast gardens and forest. Its grand apartments, museums, and galleries reflect centuries of French art, history, and courtly life.

    • historic house
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    • garden
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    • seasonal opening
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    • guided tours
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    • antiques
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    • architecture
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    • art
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    • ceramics
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    • furniture
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    • needlecraft
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    • walking
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    • wildlife

    Château de Josselin is a magnificent medieval fortress overlooking the Oust River. With its dramatic towers, Renaissance façade, and beautifully furnished interiors, it remains the ancestral home of the Rohan family and a highlight of Brittany’s heritage.

    • historic house
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    • open year round
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    • limited opening
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    • architecture
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    • art
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    • needlecraft

    The Château de Vitré is a striking medieval fortress dominating the town’s skyline. Built between the 11th and 15th centuries, it features towers, ramparts, and a museum tracing the history of Vitré and its powerful Breton lords.

    Chateau Gaillard

    Les Andelys

    • ruin
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    • family-friendly
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    • seasonal opening
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    • guided tours
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    • architecture
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    • history
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    • military history

    Château Gaillard, overlooking Les Andelys in Normandy, is a dramatic medieval fortress built by Richard the Lionheart. Its ruins crown a limestone hill, offering striking views of the Seine and France’s rich history.

    • historic house
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    • family-friendly
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    • all-weather attraction
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    • open year round
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    • limited opening
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    • shop
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    • literature

    The Maison de Jules Verne in Amiens celebrates the famed author’s life and imagination. Set in his former home, it showcases personal artefacts, manuscripts and model airships, offering a captivating glimpse into Verne’s visionary world.

    • archeological site
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    • family-friendly
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    • seasonal opening
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    • pre-booking advised
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    • guided tours
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    • archeology
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    • history
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    • walking

    The Maison des Mégalithes in Carnac is the gateway to the iconic stone rows. Its modern visitor centre offers exhibits, films, and guided tours, helping visitors uncover the origins, meanings, and mysteries of these ancient standing stones.

    • art gallery
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    • all-weather attraction
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    • open year round
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    • limited opening
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    • café
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    • shop
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    • art

    The Malraux Museum of Modern Art in Le Havre houses one of France’s finest Impressionist collections. Its light-filled galleries display works by Monet, Boudin, Dufy, and other masters, reflecting Normandy’s artistic legacy.

    • museum
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    • family-friendly
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    • all-weather attraction
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    • open year round
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    • antiques
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    • archeology
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    • art
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    • ceramics
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    • fashion
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    • furniture
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    • history

    The Musée de Bretagne in Rennes explores the region’s identity from prehistoric times to today. Its engaging displays, artefacts, and multimedia exhibits trace Brittany’s history, culture, and traditions within the modern Champs Libres cultural centre.

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