Plan a trip to France

France is famous for its magnificent culture, beautiful landscapes, mouthwatering cuisine, exceptional wine, and rich history. From cultured cities to pristine natural sites, France’s popular destinations appeal to every type of traveler – from solo explorers, to couples dreaming of a romantic getaway, to family vacationers.

For most travelers, a visit to France must include a stop in Paris - whether they have a day, week, or a month to explore. Known as the City of Lights, Paris is a travel experience of its own. Among its main highlights are the famous Louvre Museum, the gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, the Pantheon of Paris from which you can view and admire the city, and the Eiffel Tower. The opulent royal Palace of Versailles and its gardens are a short train ride from Paris, and are another must-see for many travelers.

With a unique character to each region of France, be sure not to overlook a visit outside the city to striking destinations such as the rugged French Alps, sun-drenched Provence, and the Bordeaux wine region. In the south, you’ll find the glamorous and beautiful French Riviera, known by the locals as Cote D’Azur, and its charming resort towns of St. Tropez, Antibes, Cannes, Eze, and Nice. Normandy in the northwest, site of the Allied D-Day invasion in 1944, is rich in both history and beautiful coasts, and the rocky island of Mont-Saint-Michel, just off the shore, is another favorite destination. Idyllic Alsace, in the north, is a pastoral region where fairy-tale villages are tucked away in the vine-covered rolling hills.

As with many popular destinations, the climate in the spring, summer, and autumn is most ideal for travel to France. The winter months can be cold, though it is an excellent time to visit Paris as the crowds are fewer but there are still many cultural events – or to ski in the Alps.

What else should we know about France before we visit?

It is located in Western Europe and has an area of 547,025 square kilometers (approximately 211,208 square miles). France is lucky with its neighbors, some of whom are fun to live near: Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Andorra. The country is bordered in the north and west by the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, and by the Mediterranean Sea in the south. There are many rivers with impressive tributaries that flow through the country, but the Garonne, Loire, Rhine, Rhône, and Seine are the largest and most noteworthy.

As of 2021, the population of France was 67.5 million, which includes millions of immigrants from Africa and Asia. While most of the population speaks French, there are regions where other languages are traditionally spoken: Basque is spoken in Basque Country, Breton in Brittany, and German in Alsace.

The government in France is a semi-presidential republic, and the president has real powers. July 14th, Bastille Day, is a national holiday in France.

France has beautiful, impressive cities such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Nimes which have maintained their unique character for hundreds of years.

The currency in France is the euro, and France is one of the foremost countries in the European Union. In fact, France is among the founders of the EU and one of its most enthusiastic supporters. In addition to the United Arab Emirates, France is also a member of the United Nations, NATO, and other world organizations.

There is religious diversity in France. According to a 2019 survey, 41% of the population is Catholic, 6% is Christian, 6% is Muslim, 0.8% is Jewish, 40% don’t identify with any religion, and about 6% is undefined.

France is an important agricultural country in Europe, growing grains, many types of grapes, sugar cane, vegetables, fruits, poultry, cattle, sheep, fish, and seafood. Thanks to all the vineyards, the French wine industry is perhaps one of the best and most famous in the world. France also has a rich industry related to the processing of metals, coal, chemicals, cars and machinery, fashion, perfumes, weapons, aircraft, and electronic equipment. Tourism is among its top industries – in fact, it may be the most important in driving the French economy. In 2018, 90 million tourists visited the country. France also has 41 World Heritage sites recognized by UNESCO.

Its glorious and winding history accompanies the tourist throughout France. The history begins with the Celtic and Gallic tribes and continues to the Roman conquest by Julius Caesar, the invasion of the nomadic tribes – especially the Franks, the reign of Charlemagne, the long wars against the English - including the Hundred Year War, religious wars, and the unification of France under one king in the 15th century. The ensuing centuries brought the flourishing of the French economy and culture, conquests in Africa and Asia, the establishment of the colonies, the famous French Revolution of 1789 and the fall of the monarchy, the rise of Napoleon and his conquests in Europe, the Congress of Vienna that changed the map of Europe, the wars between France and Prussia, and the two World Wars – including the German occupation of France in World War II which ended with its liberation in 1944. The country was restored after World War II, and the following decades brought the establishment of the European market, the founding of the Fifth Republic in 1958, the abandonment of the colonies, and the formation of the European Union in 1993.

French artists and their magnificent art from every genre are legendary, from sculptors to painters of different styles – including Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet, Toulouse Lautrec, Pissarro, and more. French musicians and singers are also world renowned, including Edith Piaf, Yves Montaigne, and Charles Trenet whose melodies are an integral part of France herself. The list of famous French innovators goes on - scientists like Pasteur, philosophers and lawyers like Montesquieu and Montaigne, Sartre, great poets and writers like Alexander Dumas, Jules Verne, Baudelaire, and actors, artists, politicians, kings and queens. It is possible to build a fascinating itinerary related to everyone who played a role in the development of this glorious nation and country – you may even find them, intentionally or not, everywhere you turn!

France has stunning natural landscapes, mountains, seas, countless coves along the rivers and their tributaries, ancient castles whispering tales of lust, outstanding local cuisine in each of its regions, wines of all kinds, ducks and geese, colorful markets, imaginative museums, imagination, and historical sites.

To find out about attractions and sites, people and regions, cities and towns, villages and monuments, and even amusement parks – all the fascinating sites for adults and children- check out Routeperfect, your address for planning, organizing, and booking your personalized dream vacation to France. Unlike any other company, Routeperfect offers its exclusive popular itineraries written by tourism professionals and experienced travelers to jumpstart your planning, helping you to customize your travel and book your accommodations so that you can experience the country YOUR way.