Eiffel Tower, Paris
The 330-metre iron lattice tower built for the 1889 World’s Fair is the symbol of France itself. Ride to the summit for sweeping views of the capital, or watch it sparkle on the hour after dark from the Champ de Mars.
Visit France
Art, history and the world’s most-visited landmarks
France is the most visited country on Earth, drawing travellers with its grand boulevards, world-class museums, fairy-tale castles and a coastline that has inspired artists for centuries. From the cafe terraces of Paris to the lavender fields of Provence, here are five destinations no first-time visitor should miss.
The Louvre, Paris
The largest art museum in the world, home to the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and tens of thousands of works spanning millennia. The glass pyramid in its courtyard has become as famous as the palace behind it.
Palace of Versailles
A short trip from Paris lies the opulent former royal residence of Louis XIV, with its dazzling Hall of Mirrors and meticulously manicured gardens stretching as far as the eye can see.
Mont-Saint-Michel
A medieval abbey crowning a rocky island in Normandy, ringed by some of Europe’s most dramatic tides. At high water it appears to float on the sea, just as it has for over a thousand years.
The French Riviera
The glamorous Mediterranean coastline of Nice, Cannes and Monaco, where azure waters meet pebble beaches, hilltop villages and the unmistakable golden light that drew Matisse and Picasso.