With so many amazing places to see in France, it can be hard to choose where to go, whether it’s your first time or you’re coming back. In this video, we’ll show you the 8 Top French Holiday Destinations you can’t miss, so you don’t miss out on the best places to visit in France! And make sure to stick around until the end—we’ll share the best way to travel around France to make your trip even easier.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux, a city in southwestern France, is one of our favourites. We usually stop here for the night since it’s about halfway between most places in France and Madrid, where we live. We’ve already covered things to do in Bordeaux, so check out this video for more ideas. Today, though, we’re diving into three amazing day trips from Bordeaux!
Saint-Émilion
Just a 40-minute drive from Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion is a peaceful and charming town with a lovely French countryside vibe. We had delicious canelés here—a small pastry from Bordeaux with a crispy caramelised crust and soft, custardy centre. Made with a rum- and vanilla-infused batter, it’s traditionally enjoyed with coffee or wine.
Arcachon
About an hour away, Arcachon is a charming seaside town known for oyster farming, beautiful beaches, and Belle Époque architecture. It’s a popular spot for seafood lovers and those looking to enjoy the French Atlantic coast. The main attraction here is the Dune du Pilat.
Dune du Pilat
Europe’s largest sand dune, Dune du Pilat, is just a 15-minute drive from Arcachon’s centre. Paid parking is available about 5-10 minutes’ walk from the dunes, costing around €7 for the day (the first 30 minutes are free). It takes a little longer to climb up, enjoy the view, and head back down, but it’s totally worth it! You can also rent a bike and cycle to the dunes along the designated bike paths. And don’t forget to have some fun running down the dunes!
Alsace
Alsace is truly beautiful, but it really comes alive at Christmas. The top cities to visit are Colmar and Strasbourg, which we’ll dive into in just a moment. If you’re planning to visit during Christmas, check out our video on the Christmas markets for more tips!
The Alsace region is famous for the Alsace Wine Route and its strong German influence, which you can see in its architecture, cuisine, and even language. While French is the main language, locals also speak Alsatian—a regional dialect that has many similarities with German.
Colmar
In Colmar, we highly recommend strolling through the town to admire the beautiful half-timbered houses and canals. Don’t miss La Petite Venise bridge for a stunning photo op. Other must-see spots include Maison Pfister, Platz der Liebe, La Maison des Têtes, and Maison au Pélerin.
Strasbourg
If you’re spending the day in Strasbourg, be sure to explore the Petite France neighbourhood with its charming German-style houses. Try the famous pain d’épice (a spiced cookie similar to gingerbread), climb to the top of Strasbourg Cathedral (tickets are available at the side of the cathedral facing the river), and rent a boat on the Ill River at Marin D’Eau Douce for a relaxing experience.
The French Riviera
The French Riviera coastline stretches from Saint-Tropez to Menton, famous for its luxury yachts and stunning beaches. Here are 3 places you HAVE to visit, starting from the far side of the coastline…
Menton
We love Menton! Every time we road trip in this area, we make a stop. This coastal town is filled with colourful houses, beachfront restaurants, and breathtaking hilltop views—it almost feels like you’ve stepped into Italy. Fun fact: Menton used to be part of the Republic of Genoa and later Monaco, but thanks to high taxes on its famous lemons, it declared independence before officially joining France in 1861. Our tip? Park at the top of the hill, take in the views, and then walk down to the water. The views on the way down are absolutely perfect. You’ll need to walk back up, but it’s not too bad and totally worth it!
Antibes
Situated between Saint-Tropez and Menton, Antibes is a beautiful town with great restaurants, a lively vibe, narrow streets, and a lovely port. Fun fact: Picasso lived and worked here in the 40s, and you can visit the Picasso Museum. We recommend avoiding the touristy spots like Place National, where many restaurants are tourist traps. Just walk a few minutes away, and you’ll find fantastic options with much better reviews. For amazing views, stroll along the Promenade Amiral de Grasse and head to the port to see the line of luxury yachts.
Saint-Tropez
When in Saint-Tropez, you have to see the long line of luxury yachts and grab a drink at one of the fancy restaurants with views of the yachts. But it’s also got this charming old town with narrow streets and colourful buildings. While it’s known for its glamorous lifestyle, it offers the best of both worlds. Some things you can do are relax on the beach, wander the old town, rent a boat (we’ve included some options in the description), or climb the citadel for stunning views of Saint-Tropez.
Port Grimaud
If you’re in Saint-Tropez and have a car, consider taking a drive to Port Grimaud and Saint-Maxime. Port Grimaud is slightly hidden, but once you get inside, it’s stunning. Often called the “Little Venice of Provence,” it’s full of colourful houses, canals, yachts, and cute bridges. There are also amazing restaurants by the water.
Saint-Maxime
Saint-Maxime is a charming beach town where we had some delicious fish and chips at La Gaudina, right on the beach.
Annecy
Annecy is a beautiful town in southeastern France, famous for its stunning lake, Lac d’Annecy, which is the cleanest lake in Europe. The town’s old quarter, with its picturesque canals, has earned it the nickname “the Venice of the Alps.”
Lake Annecy
Arguably the highlight of Annecy is its lake, with vibrant turquoise waters and stunning mountain views. We highly recommend hopping on a tour boat or renting your own—either a pedal boat or motorboat. We did both the tour boat and the motorboat and would recommend both experiences. If you’re on a budget and can only pick one, the motorboat gives you more freedom to explore at your own pace. We’ve added a link to rent a boat in the description.
Chamonix
About an hour’s drive from Annecy to Mont Blanc, you’ll find the picturesque ski resort town of Chamonix. One of the perks of this location is its accessibility—if you have a car, you can easily drive an hour to Geneva in Switzerland or 2.5 hours to Lyon. But there’s plenty to do in Chamonix without needing to travel far. Be sure to try Rose du Pont, a restaurant famous for its pink facade, serving classic warm dishes like fondue and French onion soup. A must-do activity is the cable car ride, offering breathtaking views of Mont Blanc. We’ve linked it in the description for you!
Normandy
Mont Saint Michel
Mont Saint Michel is a stunning island commune, home to a medieval abbey that appears to float above the sea. To reach the island, park at the Mont-Saint-Michel parking lot and take the free shuttle bus, “Le Passeur.” However, we recommend walking the 2.5 km—it’s a much more enjoyable experience, and you’ll get to see so much more along the way. Be sure to head all the way up to visit the abbey and take in the incredible viewpoints.
Pro Tip: Avoid eating at any of the restaurants on the island—they’re tourist traps with poor reviews! Instead, there are plenty of charming French restaurants by the river near the parking lot. We went to Le Pré Salé and loved their creamy moules frites (mussels and fries), a Normandy specialty you must try. While you’re in the area, don’t miss the Barrage du Mont Saint Michel for breathtaking views. We recommend timing your visit to catch the sunset over the island.
Provence
Arles
Arles is a beautiful town famous for its Roman landmarks and its connection to Van Gogh, who lived here in the late 1880s. We highly recommend taking the Van Gogh Walk to visit the spots that inspired his paintings, and be sure to check out the Roman Amphitheater, the Roman Theatre, and the Thermae of Constantine.
Les Baux-de-Provence
Les Baux-de-Provence is another must-visit town in the region. Stroll through its charming streets and explore shops selling local pottery and lavender-scented soaps—Provence is known for its stunning lavender fields! The town is also famous for its cliffs. We had lunch at a restaurant with a table by the window right on the edge of a cliff—the view was breathtaking, and the food was delicious!
Paris
If you haven’t been to Paris yet, this is your sign to plan a trip this year. It truly lives up to the hype. Whether it’s your first time or you’re retornan, here’s what we recommend doing.
What to do in Paris
Visit the Louvre and other museums
The Louvre Museum is a must-see. If you only have one day, plan ahead—visit their website for maps and tips to help navigate the museum and save time. We found the Louvre overwhelming at first, even though we went on a less crowded day (Monday mornings). Start with the Denon Wing to see the Mona Lisa, The Wedding at Cana, The Winged Victory of Samothrace, and Liberty Leading the People. Then head to the Sully Wing to see the Venus de Milo and the Egyptian collection. If you have extra time, explore the Richelieu Wing for stunning sculptures and Napoleon’s Apartments. Of course, tailor your visit to the art you’re most excited to see.
If you’re staying longer and plan to visit multiple museums, the Paris Museum Pass is a great option. It gives you skip-the-line access to 60+ sites, including the Louvre. Available for 2, 4, or 6 days (link in the description). For those just looking for beautiful art without the crowds, try the Orsay Museum or the l´Orangerie to see Monet’s famous works.
Eat at a Bouillon
Bouillon restaurants are a must-try for affordable classic French food. Dating back to the 19th century, these spots were originally created to serve hearty, inexpensive meals to workers. Today, they’re known for their cozy vibe, art nouveau decor, and traditional dishes like boeuf bourguignon, onion soup, and crème brûlée. There are 7 bouillon restaurants in Paris (linked in the description), but plan ahead as some accept reservations while others are first-come, first-served.
Visit Versailles
Want to feel like royalty? Visit The Palace of Versailles for the day—it’ll take the whole day, but it’s worth it. Fun fact: if you’re short on time but want to see similar luxurious decor, head to the Napoleon III Apartments at the Louvre. Before it became a museum, the Louvre was the royal residence until Louis XIV moved to Versailles in the late 17th century. The apartments there feature a similar opulent design.
Lille
Lille, known as the capital of Flanders, is often referred to as a “mini Paris” because of its Haussmann-style architecture. It’s only 35 minutes by train to Brussels and 1 hour to Paris, making it a fantastic day trip from either city.
Once you arrive, your first stop is likely to be Grand Place, the city’s main square. While Google Maps might say it’s a 20-minute walk from the train station, it feels much quicker—unless you’re walking very slowly. Once you get there, grab a coffee at an outdoor café and soak up the sun.
One of Lille’s highlights is the Palais des Beaux-Arts, a stunning museum with an impressive collection of European art. If you’re short on time, you can enjoy the ground-floor café and some artwork for free. The full museum is free on the first Sunday of the month; otherwise, tickets are just 7€, so it’s still budget-friendly. Even if you don’t go inside, the building itself is worth admiring.
If you’re looking for more beautiful landmarks to explore or places to eat and grab a sweet treat in Lille, check out the video linked in the description for more ideas.
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Best ways to get around France
The best ways to travel in France are by train, car, or bus, depending on your trip. The TGV high-speed trains are the fastest and most convenient for city-to-city travel. If you want to explore smaller towns, villages, or scenic regions like the French Riviera, Mont Blanc or Provence, renting a car gives you the most flexibility and you can stop at all the beautiful little villages along the way.
For budget travelers, long-distance buses like FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus offer cheap fares, though they take longer than trains. We book all our tickets on Omio because it helps us find the best price and travel times for trains, buses, and flights, based on our preferences. And the great thing about it is you’ll have all your tickets saved in one place.
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On the blog: More French Adventures + Europe inspiration
Looking for more travel inspiration in France? Check out my French Riviera Road Trip Travel Guide for tips on exploring this stunning coastline, or plan a visit to Mont Saint Michel, one of the most iconic landmarks in France, with my Ultimate Travel Guide. If you’re short on time, don’t miss my guide on spending 24 Hours in Lille and exploring the best things to do. For a broader view, discover 20 Top Places in Europe to Visit, including must-see destinations in France. Plus, make your trip smoother with my tips on the Must-Have Apps for Europe Travel, helping you navigate and enjoy your journey hassle-free.
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