France Travel Guide: the best things to do, see, and eat

Monaco is a tiny principality (ruled by the Grimaldis, Europe’s oldest royal family) and thanks to its proximity to France, you can visit on an extension on many of our France tours. If you don’t have the vacation time to extend your trip, add the Evening in Monaco excursion on our Grand Tour of France to enjoy the chic principality’s vibes. Your Tour Director will take you to the Old Town, which is perched atop the Rock of Monaco. This 203-foot-tall monolith overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and is part of the Monaco-Ville quarter, the oldest of the country’s four quarters. While here, you’ll stop and view the outside of the Royal Palace. In the evening, channel your inner James Bond and head to the Monte Carlo Casino, where you’ll have plenty of free time inside the world-famous site. Maybe even treat yourself to James Bond’s original signature drink—no, not a martini, but a vesper.

Stroll the halls of the opulent Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a magnificent mansion with lavishly decorated rooms commissioned by the Rothschild banking family. Meticulously landscaped and themed gardens surround the villa, each boasting its own unique charm—from the fragrant rose garden to the opulent Spanish garden. Join our new France for Solo Travelers: Paris, Provence & the Riviera tour to explore the grounds alongside fellow travelers and your expert Tour Director.

You may recognize this bridge as a filming location from “Emily in Paris” or the setting of the Maison Lavaux perfume commercial (amongst others). Built between 1896 and 1900, Pont Alexandre III is decorated in Art Nouveau and Greek-inspired designs, even featuring nymphs and Pegasus statues. The bridge will lead you to the chic Champs-Elysees, where you can admire the Arc de Triomphe. Can’t get enough of Pont Alexandre III? Add our Dinner in Paris & Seine River Cruise excursion on our Paris tours and glide under the storied bridge while digging into French cuisine.

From Paris to Provence and every charming town and fashionable city in between, travelers love strolling through markets in France. These local markets allow you to sample handmade cheeses, take in the scents of freshly baked pastries, select cured meats, taste locally grown produce, and more. Our French Riviera & Provence: Nice, Avignon & Aix-en-Provence tour will bring you to one of the region’s idyllic farmers markets in Aix-en-Provence, where you’ll be able to shop for local honey, lavender, and the like. Pro tip: Look for anything cicada-shaped to bring home as a unique Provencal souvenir. The cicada is a sort of mascot of Provence and you’ll see its likeness everywhere.

Deepen your appreciation of French art and view paintings at the Musee d’Orsay during your free time on our Paris: The City Experience tour. Once a railway station, the museum mostly houses work produced between 1848 and 1914. You’ll find the walls lined with everything from French Impressionism to Realism and sculptures tucked into spaces where commuters once waited to board trains.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a striking eighth-century island monastery, crafted in Romanesque and Gothic-style architecture. Perched high on a granite rock, the ancient abbey is surrounded by water at high tide and quicksand at low tide, solidifying it as a UNESCO-World Heritage site. Walk the storied halls yourself on our London, Normandy & Paris tour.

Join our American WWII History: London to Berlin tour to trace the history of the Second World War, including the battles of Normandy, with an expert guide leading the way. Walk along Omaha Beach, where American troops landed on D-Day, and view the granite monument that honors the American 2nd Ranger Battalion at Pointe du Hoc.

Whether you like red or white, sweet or dry, still or sparkling, French wine offers plenty of delicious varieties—including those of the Grand Cru category. France’s Grand Cru wines are certified by the government as being superb in quality. Some famous wines worth tasting are Champagne, pinot noir, Burgundy, rose, Cotes du Rhone, and Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Psst... taste Bordeaux in Bordeaux and other local standouts while on our tour, A Taste of Bordeaux and Burgundy.

Some of the many delightful foods that France is known for are its mouthwatering pastries and baked goods. Take it from these travel experts—you should indulge! Some tasty treats to look for are merveilles (fried pastries similar to beignets), caneles (small rum and vanilla cakes), and bouchons de Bordeaux (almond-based, waffle pastries shaped like a cork). Of course, there are also macarons—which range in colors and flavors from pistachio and rose to salted caramel and raspberry—and crepes, which are traditionally enjoyed with French honey. Tres magnifique!

If you’re feeling adventurous, trying escargot is a when-in-France-must. This French delicacy is snails cooked in butter, garlic, and herbs, and it’s delicious. More savory French dishes include roasted bone marrow (a buttery and salty appetizer often served as a spread alongside crispy crostini) and steak tartar (high-quality, raw ground beef with various seasonings and sometimes an egg yolk for added flavor). If you’re looking to give any of these French delicacies a try, you won’t have any trouble finding them on many menus on any of our France tours.

Cheese and charcuterie boards became famous in the U.S. fairly recently, but their roots are in France, where you can enjoy some of the best meat and cheese spreads of your life. “If you like a cheese and charcuterie board in America, you’ll love it in France,” staffer Thea said. “The French are known for cheese and they invented cured meat, so you can’t go wrong ordering one of their world-famous boards.”

When on tour in Paris, visit the Picasso Museum in Le Marais neighborhood to view an impressive collection of works created by the man who pioneered cubism. Located in a former mansion, the museum contains over 5,000 pieces of Picasso’s work and even includes some pieces by Matisse and Cézanne that Picasso once had in his personal collection.

The Route des Grands Crus, or Route of the Great Wines, is a roadway in Burgundy that runs through towns known for their high-quality wines. On our Food & Wine: A Taste of Bordeaux & Burgundy tour, get a taste for the local wine culture when you add the Burgundy Wine Route Tastings excursion to visit vineyards along the Cote d’Or route. You’ll sample world-renowned pinot noir and white wines like chardonnay, as well as bold reds grown in the Cote de Nuits area.

Stroll the famous Rue Vieille du Temple in Le Marais district of Paris. Here, you can support local, independent businesses that sell clothing, shoes, leather goods, perfume, and more. The narrow, bustling street is also known for delightful cafes to tuck into (perfect for people-watching!) and art galleries. You could spend hours of your free time during any of our Paris tours enjoying the atmosphere here.

“While on tour in the French Riviera, I hiked this oceanfront trail at sunset,” said staffer Emily. “It took about 90 minutes, and the views were stunning. It hugs the Cap d’Antibes and there are little viewpoints you can walk out to throughout the hike. While it wasn’t too steep, the landscape is pretty rocky and uneven. Definitely consider those mobility factors before heading out on this hike. Some sturdy sneakers will certainly help! If the terrain seems manageable to you, and you’re looking for a little adventure that’ll help you get your steps in, this is the perfect way to cap off a day on tour in France!”

From Burgundy and Bordeaux to Champagne and Cotes du Rhone, you’ll want to bring home one of France’s most notable exports: wine. Share a bottle or two with family and friends and regale them with tales of your trip abroad. (Maybe you’ll even convince them to join you on your next tour!)

Did you know that the Provencal town of Grasse is known as the Perfume Capital of the World because of its lengthy history in creating and perfecting the art of perfume making? Take advantage of the opportunity to nab a unique scent for you or a special someone when you’re in France, especially if you’re on one of our Provence tours.

Take your wardrobe to the next level with some French threads—whether you opt for something designer or locally made, you’re sure to find a one-of-a-kind piece that you won’t be able to get back home. Then, when you get compliments, you’ll have the ultimate bragging rights, “Thanks, I got it on my tour in France!” Tres chic.

Depending on the time of year, evenings in France can cool down significantly. Make sure you pack accordingly, bringing clothes that can be easily layered. Don’t forget that you’ll also need to cover your legs and shoulders when visiting churches or religious sites like Sainte-Chappelle, so packing longer shorts or pants and a scarf or cardigan to don when appropriate is key.

If you’re a foodie, treat yourself to a fancy dinner and higher-end French restaurants during your free time. Just make sure you dress the part! Many restaurants don’t consider sneakers and shorts appropriate attire, but your Tour Director can help advise you on appropriate ensembles.

Many of our France tours involve a good amount of walking, so sturdy shoes with good treads, like sneakers or even light hiking boots, are essential for getting your steps in comfortably.

It’s never a bad idea to bring a water bottle anywhere you go, and you’ll especially want one on hand if you’re considering our French Riviera & Provence: Nice, Avignon & Aix-en-Provence tour or our Paris, Normandy, Brittany Coast & the Loire Valley tour. Across the country, especially in big cities like Paris, you’ll find free, filtered, and safe drinking water fountains. Staying hydrated? Now that’s chic.

Rainwear is great to have on hand during outdoor activities, particularly in the chillier months. Bringing a lightweight, easily packable rain jacket is a pro packing tip for almost any trip abroad—you never know what Mother Nature has in store for you! Along the same lines, bringing sunscreen or a hat to protect against the sun (especially if you’re traveling in France in the summer months) will most certainly pay off.