Looking for the best holiday destinations in France? Here’s a list of the most beautiful places to discover in mainland France.
From famous tourist sites to exceptional landscapes, there are so many beautiful things to see in France. It would be a shame to miss out!
WHY CHOOSE FRANCE AS A HOLIDAY DESTINATION?
Even for the most adventurous of us, a holiday in France is a great idea. The country has a lot to offer visitors, with an incredible variety of landscapes. And not just in the South of France.
So if you’re looking for a holiday destination in France, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a list of the most beautiful sites in France!
WHERE TO GO ON HOLIDAY IN FRANCE? THE TOP 25!
1. THE VERDON GORGES
If you’re looking for a pretty, natural, sunny spot in France, the Verdon Gorges are an excellent choice!
Considered to be the most beautiful canyon in Europe, the breathtaking cliffs of the gorges leave no one indifferent… As well as the impressive views, there are numerous lakes with turquoise waters. The famous Sainte-Croix lake is one of them.
Hiking, swimming, charming little villages – the Gorges du Verdon is a beautiful destination in the south of France. And if your stay is scheduled between mid-June and early August, you might even be able to admire the lavender fields on the Plateau de Valensole. It’s right next door.
2. THE CLIFFS OF ETRETAT
This is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking landscapes in France.
Located in the Seine-Maritime department, these cliffs inspire painters and photographers from all over the world. It has to be said that these strange limestone cliffs jutting out into the sea are impressive and breathtakingly beautiful.
A bit of wind, iodine and walks along the pebble beaches and cliffs… This destination offers wild landscapes where you feel free and fully alive.
3. THE BAY OF MONT SAINT-MICHEL
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Mont Saint-Michel is the most popular tourist attraction in Normandy and one of the most popular in France.
Built on a rocky islet in the heart of a magnificent bay, it is one of the most emblematic sites in France. Not to be missed!
The bay of Mont Saint-Michel is also the site of Europe’s highest tides, so you can admire the Mont surrounded by water every year. Its abbey is a masterpiece of medieval architecture, and the seaside resort of Granville is truly magnificent.
4. THE AUVERGNE AND ITS VOLCANOES
In the centre of France and easily accessible, the Auvergne is a region that has a lot to offer its visitors.
With its verdant massifs visible in the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park, it’s a perfect place for hikers and all lovers of nature and wide open spaces.
The Puys chain, with its 80 or so volcanoes (including the famous Puy de Dôme and Puy de Sancy), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate. A marvel to be discovered in our beautiful country of France, for a truly unforgettable holiday.
5. CORSICA, THE ISLAND OF BEAUTY
The island of beauty is a unique holiday destination in France!
Its island location gives it a very special atmosphere, with a local population that is both welcoming and proud of its distinctive features. And that’s not counting the marvellous landscapes to be found in Corsica, each more beautiful than the last, between paradise-like beaches such as Palombaggia (voted most beautiful beach in France) and high mountains.
But the most popular and most visited spot in Corsica is the Bonifacio cliffs in the south of the island. Reaching heights of up to 100 metres, these cliffs offer breathtaking panoramas. And the town’s citadel sits majestically atop them!
And don’t forget the famous calanques of Piana, with their high, glowing cliffs. One of the most beautiful natural sites in Corsica, there’s no doubt about it.
6. THE CÔTE D’AZUR AND ITS BEACHES
The sun, the Mediterranean Sea, beaches, cicadas and olive trees… The Côte d’Azur is the most popular holiday destination when it comes to spending time by the sea in France.
With seaside towns such as Nice, Cannes, Antibes and Saint-Tropez, the region attracts holidaymakers from all over the world practically all year round. What’s more, the Côte d’Azur enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year!
But the hinterland is also very popular with visitors, with charming little villages to visit. These include Èze, Vence, Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Ramatuelle. A trip to the islands of Lérins or Hyères also completes the picture. As you can see, the Côte d’Azur is always a good choice!
7. THE BRITTANY COAST
The Brittany coastline boasts no less than 2,400 km of coastline, with a wide variety of remarkable landscapes.
Fine sandy beaches, pebbled beaches, salt marshes and rocky escarpments… Brittany is a land that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean with strength and character!
You’ll find the cliffs of Plouha, the Crozon peninsula, the Gulf of Morbihan, Cap Sizun and the Petit Minou lighthouse. If you like road-trips in France and want to explore a particular region, I highly recommend the Breton coast.
🔗 Read Also: 1-week Brittany Road Trip Itinerary: Saint Malo, Île de Bréhat, Perros-Guirec, Brest & More
8. THE CAMARGUE AND ITS NATURE PARK
Renowned for its unspoilt natural areas, its exceptional flora and fauna, and its horse and bull farms, the Camargue is an ideal destination for enjoying nature in France.
Its long, deserted beaches can be explored on the backs of white horses, its ponds alive with the flight of pink flamingos, its salt dunes and its ferias… Simple pleasures typical of the Camargue, an authentic holiday destination in France.
9. ALSACE AND STRASBOURG CATHEDRAL
A small region full of charm, Alsace is a French holiday destination that stands out for the cultural and architectural richness of its small towns.
It has a strong identity that is unique in the region. The landscapes are also very beautiful, between the wine route, the Ried plain and the Vosges mountains.
When you think of Alsace, you obviously think of Strasbourg and its famous Gothic cathedral, Notre-Dame de Strasbourg. This is the oldest Gothic cathedral in the world, an absolute masterpiece! Its façade is fantastically rich in ornament and its spire is an impressive feat of engineering, combining lightness and elegance. A must-see in France at least once in your life.
10. CARCASSONNE AND ITS MEDIEVAL CITY
In the south of France, at the crossroads between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Carcassonne is part of a magnificent and diverse region.
And its fortified medieval city is one of France’s most visited tourist sites. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the town looks like something out of a children’s book.
Built on a steep rocky spur, it served as a defensive fortress for almost 2,000 years. Today, the main entrance to the Porte Narbonnaise leads into a maze of cobbled streets where you’ll find mainly shops and restaurants. A unique historical and cultural past coupled with the hospitality of its people and traditional French dishes to sample, including cassoulet.
11. THE VALENSOLE PLATEAU
Stretching from Manosque to Digne-les-Bains, the Valensole plateau lies at an altitude of around 500 metres and owes its reputation to the lavender fields that stretch as far as the eye can see.
This lavender is only visible at a certain time of year, between flowering and the cutting of the plants (generally between mid-June and early August).
Cultivated for over a century, lavender attracts visitors from all over the world, who take photos of themselves in the middle of the aisles of purple flowers. It’s a fascinating landscape, unique in France, and well worth the trip! But the Plateau de Valensole is also very pleasant at other times of the year, with its many small villages full of character and other towns in the surrounding area that are popular with tourists, such as the spa town of Gréoux-les-Bains.
12. THE CHÂTEAUX OF THE LOIRE
Visiting the châteaux is one of the great classics of a trip to France, and there are dozens of them!
They are a collection of superb French châteaux in the Loire Valley, built under the influence of François the First to compete with the Italian Renaissance.
It’s worth taking a look at the list of the most beautiful châteaux in the Loire Valley before visiting the region, as you could spend weeks there! You can, however, visit several a day and discover some incredibly beautiful and well-kept gardens.
In short, this beautiful region of France is sure to seduce you if you want to discover this incredible historical and cultural heritage.
13. THE PYRENEES AND THE CIRQUE DE GAVARNIE
The Pyrenees are a beautiful region of France that can be explored in both winter and summer.
Between mountains, lakes and green plains, the mountain range that acts as the natural border between France and Spain owes its fame to its national park. This part of the Pyrenees is home to most of the places worth visiting.
The Gavarnie cirque is one of the most beautiful landscapes in France! Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a natural glacial cirque. With a circumference of 6.5 km and a height of 1,500 metres, it’s a real natural wonder. You absolutely must visit Occitanie to discover it.
A holiday destination in France that will delight hikers in search of the country’s most beautiful landscapes.
14. THE PONT DU GARD
Located not far from Nîmes and Avignon, the Pont du Gard is at the heart of a French region with a rich historical heritage.
The most visited ancient monument in France, this aqueduct built by the Romans in the 1st century AD is one of mankind’s greatest masterpieces. It is exceptional not only for its size (49 metres high and 3 rows of arches one above the other) but also for its excellent state of preservation.
But even if the Pont du Gard is your destination, the Uzège region, with its rolling countryside, has plenty to offer. Small villages and activities in the heart of nature will complete the picture of your stay.
15. THE MONT BLANC MASSIF AND THE SEA OF ICE
The Mont Blanc massif and the impressive landscapes of the Alps make this region one of the most beautiful in France. There’s no shortage of activities to enjoy here, from hiking and skiing to mountaineering and dog-sledding.
But it was Mont Blanc, at 4,809 metres (one of the highest peaks in Europe), that made me want to put this place among the best holiday destinations in France. Its summit has been an object of fascination and a goal for all kinds of adventurers since it was first climbed in 1786.
One of the slopes of the Mont Blanc massif is also home to an Alpine valley glacier known as the Mer de Glace. Stretching over 7km, it is the largest glacier in France. It is melting, giving it a sometimes disappointing appearance, but it is unforgettable to enter its grotto with its bluish reflections.
16. THE ARCACHON BASIN AND THE PILAT DUNE
Situated in the Landes de Gascogne in Gironde, 50 km from Bordeaux, the Arcachon Basin is a small inland sea bounded by 85 km of coastline and wooded dunes.
A veritable jewel on the Atlantic coast, the basin offers a wealth of opportunities for visits and activities. There’s the famous Île aux oiseaux, the “tchanquées” huts, the tip of Cap Ferret and numerous oyster-farming harbours.
But the most famous site in the Arcachon basin is the famous Dune du Pilat. At over 110 metres high, it is the highest dune in Europe. And you absolutely must climb it to really appreciate its grandeur! The view from the top is magnificent, and at its centre you’d almost think you were in the middle of the desert… A French destination you should visit at least once in your life.
17. LAKE ANNECY
If you like lakes, Lake Annecy is one of the purest in Europe! Located in the Alps, in Haute-Savoie, it is the second largest glacial lake in France.
This expanse of water offers a magnificent setting for numerous walks and water sports activities, and its shores are full of surprises. You can discover the lake by swimming, cruising or cycling. The cycle path known as the “voie verte du lac d’Annecy” is well known to cycling enthusiasts.
And Annecy is one of France’s top tourist attractions, with its old town and canal running through it. And don’t miss the Château d’Annecy and the sublime Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard.
18. THE PROVENCAL COLORADO OF RUSTREL
In the heart of Provence, near the town of Rustrel, you’ll find cliffs of gold and blood, reminiscent of the Colorado landscape!
The site is one of France’s most astonishing destinations, with its ancient ochre quarries so spectacular and disorientating… Orange cliffs and a succession of fairy chimneys, all under the azure skies of the southern Vaucluse, will charm you.
The Provençal Colorado and the Ochre Trail are truly remarkable landscapes. They make you realise just how beautiful France really is, and how many little-known wonders there are… And there are plenty of little villages in the surrounding area, some of which are listed among the most beautiful villages in France (Roussillon, Lourmarin, Venasque, etc…)!
Enough to make it the perfect holiday getaway in France!
19. THE ORGANS OF ILLE-SUR-TÊT
A unique site in France, it had to be on the list of the best holiday destinations in France!
The Orgues d’llle-sur-Tet is a landscape where sand and clay cliffs have been carved by erosion, sculpting fairy chimneys. A phenomenon that dates back over two million years, giving this place an otherworldly atmosphere…
The Orgues d’Ille-sur-Têt site is often compared to the Amur Valley in Cappadocia, Turkey. This proves once again that you don’t have to travel thousands of kilometres to find yourself in the midst of exceptional landscapes. There’s plenty to do in France.
20. MONT AIGUILLE
In the Vercors massif lies the incredible landscape of Mont Aiguille.
This strange 2087 metre-high rock is the result of a break in the Grande Mouchecherolle cliff, to which it was once attached. A Mecca for mountaineers, it intrigues and fascinates with its curious silhouette, in the shape of an inverted pyramid.
Also known as the inaccessible mountain, Mont-Aiguille is part of the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors nature reserve, the largest in mainland France. A great holiday destination in France that will delight climbing enthusiasts and lovers of exceptional landscapes, quite simply…
21. THE CALANQUES OF MARSEILLE AND CASSIS
Typical of the Mediterranean, the calanques are unique geological formations partly submerged by the sea.
The most beautiful examples are to be found in the Marseille region, including the Calanque de Sormiou, the Calanque de Sugiton and the Calanque de Morgiou. The best way to discover them? A boat trip from Marseille’s Vieux Port.
22. THE CANAL DU MIDI
The Canal de Midi is one of the oldest canals in Europe still in operation.
It runs for over 200 km from Toulouse to Sète and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a well-known French holiday destination, and not for nothing, with its magnificent scenery.
You can explore the Canal du Midi by boat or by bike. And the route passes through some beautiful towns and villages, giving you the chance to visit Toulouse, Carcassonne and Béziers.
There’s no doubt that travelling through the South of France from west to east, watching the landscape change as the water flows through the locks, is a magical experience!
23. THE SOMME BAY
Situated on the Picardy coastline, the Baie de Somme covers an area of 70km2 and boasts an incredible nature reserve with a wealth of ecological resources, including over 300 species of birds.
One of the most beautiful bays in the world, it has also been classified as a Grand Site de France. It’s a magnificent place that’s sure to please lovers of nature and wide open spaces.
Walking around the heart of the bay will allow you to soak up the beautiful scenery, and it’s the best way to see seals at close range. Yes, the Baie de Somme is home to France’s largest seal colony! Interesting, isn’t it!
24. MERCANTOUR AND LAC D’ALLOS
The Mercantour National Park is located in the Alpes-Maritimes and is one of France’s wildest and most varied landscapes.
Its geographical location, close to the Côte d’Azur, adds a Mediterranean touch to these Alpine mountains straddling Italy.
The Mercantour is a melting pot of incredible landscapes, including the Vallée des Merveilles: a mineral landscape sculpted by melting glaciers some 10,000 years ago, where there are almost 40,000 rock engravings… But it’s also here that you can discover one of Europe’s largest natural high altitude lakes: the Lac d’Allos. A jewel box of beauty, where nature at its most beautiful!
25. PARIS AND ITS MONUMENTS
It’s impossible to finish this ranking without mentioning the capital, Paris!
The destination for the majority of tourists visiting France, Paris is also a very interesting city for the French themselves.
The Eiffel Tower, built for the Paris Universal Exhibition, welcomes over 7 million visitors every year! But the city has so many emblematic buildings that it can’t be summed up just by its iron lady: Notre-Dame cathedral, Sacré-Cœur basilica, the Louvre museum, the Arc de Triomphe, The Palace of Versailles…
But you can also take a stroll through its pretty parks and gardens, notably the Jardin du Luxembourg and the incredible Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.
🔗 Read Also: Explore Paris in 3 Days: Your Complete Itinerary and Tips
This list is far from exhaustive, as there is no shortage of holiday destinations in France. But if you have the chance to visit all these marvels, you will already have travelled through the beautiful regions of France and seen the most fantastic sites!
