France - Attractions

Château de Versailles

The Château de Versailles is the former residence of Louis XIV, ‘le Roi Soleil' (or ‘Sun King'), one of French history's most colourful characters. There are magnificent fireworks in the summer months.

Loire valley chateaux

There are numerous chateaux (castles) in the Loire valley, including Blois, Chambord, Chenonceaux, Azay le Rideau and Chinon.

Mont St Michel

A rocky tidal island in Brittany, Mont St Michel is one of over 30 UNESCO World Heritage sites in France.

Corsica

A French island in the Mediterranean, Corsica  has a rugged and unspoilt atmosphere, and picturesque towns - especially Bastia and Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon and famous for its Napoleonic memorabilia.

Millau Viaduct

The recently built Millau Viaduct , spanning the Tarn Gorges, was designed by British Architect Norman Foster.

Pont du Gard

The 2,000-year-old Pont du Gard is a stunning Roman aqueduct.

Roman ruins

There are magnificent Roman ruins in Nîmes, 'the Rome of the Gauls', and Arles, famed, among other things, for its Roman theatre and arena.

Palace of the Popes

See what Christianity brought to Provence in the form of the Palace of the Popes in Avignon. Near Avignon is Orange with its stunning Roman ampitheatre and Roman ruins.

Marseille

With its distinct accent and relaxed pace of life, Marseille is France's most important commercial port on the Mediterranean, and one of its most vibrant cities. There are many sites of interest - the old port, the hilltop church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, several museums, Le Corbusier's Unité d'Habitation, the Hospice de la Vieille Charité and the Château d'If.

Cathedrals

France has several cathedrals, including Reims, where Clovis (the first French king) was baptised, and also at  Chartres and Tours.