From chateaus to museums, learn more with The Paris Pass. Rolling fields of bright, purple lavender, rows of vines stretching into the horizon, and gorgeous groves of twisted olive trees mark out Provence as a true garden of delights. Most of them are recognised as UNESCO world heritage sites; most attract large numbers of visitors. Aix-en-Provence, the elegant regional city, brings a touch of this rural sensuality to an urban setting, combining leafy courtyards, sculpted stone buildings, and wide boulevards strewn with terraces where visitors can while away the hours and watch the world go by. See our full disclosure here. Provence is also home to an abundance of wildlife, supported by its diverse range of natural habitats. Paris, France. Nearly all of France and much of Europe are within a few hours by train from the transportation hub Paris. Of all of those I think I like Normandy most (other than The Riviera and Provence which come first for me!) These diverse influences have produced a rich and distinctive culture, making this one of France’s most rewarding regions for curious travellers. A visit to the Loire means two things: wine and castles. Further inland, the landscape is dramatic, featuring imposing cliffs, gorges and valleys, chestnut forests, and vineyards, punctuated by some fabulous medieval architecture. The vintage is 1472, and it has survived the ravages of two world wars and countless fires. This is the best place … We are currently planning our trip and this kind of knowledge is exactly what we were after! Sure, spend a few days eyeing up the Iron Lady, sipping café noir in a quintessential curbside bistro, and learning the art of flaneur… But then drive, train or bus to another corner of l’hexagone to discover another world. But honestly I could go on and on…Lyon, the Pyrennes, the Alps, Jura and volcanoes of Auvergne. Outside the city, vineyards dominate the landscape, but Saint-Emilion, in the heart of the Bordeaux region, is an attractive spot for a day trip. I would also definitely add Brittany and the Basque coast to the list and one of my favourite places île de Ré. Épernay, the regional capital, is the perfect base from which to set out into the vineyards; just be prepared to return with heavy bags and an empty wallet! The southwest French coast, stretching from the Camargue to the Côte Vermeille, next to the Spanish frontier, is exceptionally varied, including vast, sandy beaches, marshy wetlands, and pink, rocky outcrops. Finding things to do outside Paris is the easiest way to see what the whole country looks like. Avignon An ancient town surrounded by 800-year-old stone ramparts, romantic Avignon sits along the Rhone just waiting for you to explore. The Languedoc covers the southwest corner of France, a vast, sprawling region crammed full of fabulous treasures. Among other things, how about visiting the Notre-Dame d’Amiens Cathedral, as it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. But, as intoxicating as the capital city is, there’s more to France than Paris alone . This article may contain affiliate links. A trip here is an escape into some of the country’s most idyllic countryside, featuring rolling green hills covered in orderly vineyards, bright, yellow mustard fields, and tranquil canals. The jewel in the crown is the fabulous site at Lascaux, where, 17,000 years ago, early humans covered the walls of the cave complex with a series of incredible paintings. Over time, the settlement developed into an important religious centre, and it’s possible to get a little closer to this rich history today by exploring the caves underneath the village. The 8th century when a pious hermit named Emilion, made his home in the TripAdvisor of. 1 Notre-Dame Cathedral ( Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris ), # 2 Musée du louvre more. 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