Choose from 490 Fun Things to Do in France
Maison Natale de Charles de Gaulle
There are few Frenchmen who occupy the imaginations of their countrypeople like Charles de Gaulle, General of the Free French army in WWII, long-reigning president and still casting a long shadow over French politics. He was born in Lille in 1890 and his grandparents' house, where he was born and spent holidays as a child, has been turned into a monument to his life.
If you're not a de Gaulle-ophile, there's still a lot to interest you about the Maison Natale de Charles de Gaulle, which is set up as a recreation of 19th-century middle-class dwelling and focuses not only on de Gaulle's development and achievements, but on the history of industrial Lille.
A bus from Gare de Lille Flandres - either line 3, 6 or 9 - is the simplest way to get to the Maison Natale de Charles de Gaulle.
Molinard Parfumery
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March e d'Aligre
The market is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9am-4pm, as well as Sunday mornings; although many stallholders take a break for lunch around 1pm. The surrounding streets are packed with bijou cafes and charming eateries where you can watch the world go by while sampling some fine cuisine.
M emorial de la Shoah (Shoah Memorial)
Exhibits are centered around a number of memorials including the moving Wall of Names, a series of tall stone plinths listing the names and dates of French Jews lost in the war. The Crypt, a huge Star of David carved out of black marble, is a symbolic tomb for the millions of unburied Jews, containing ashes recovered from the concentration camps, and the heartrending Children’s Memorial showcases eerily lit photographs of some of the 11,000 children murdered. The strikingly effective installations are set against a permanent exhibition of artifacts, photographs and letters reclaimed from the camps, including video testimonies from the some of the 2,500 surviving French Jews, a library and a detailed history of anti-Semitic persecution.
Among the disturbing accounts though, there remains an optimistic outlook, with the focus finally shifting to the recovery of France’s Jewish community and modern day society, and the Memorial mission proclaimed as ‘Understanding the past to brighten the future’.
Marseille Vieux Port (Old Port)
- Marseille Vieux Port is a must for sightseers and foodies.
- Come hungry: There are lots of waterfront restaurants where you can dine on bouillabaisse (fish stew) and enjoy views of the boats coming and going from the harbor.
- Many of the port’s attractions, including MuCEM and Fort Saint-Jean, are wheelchair accessible.
Merville Battery
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M edoc
- The legal drinking age of 18 applies for all wine tastings in Bordeaux.
- It’s best to book chateaux visits and wine tastings in advance, as most vineyards are not open to the public.
- Smart-casual dress is recommended, particularly when visiting the more prestigious chateaux.
- A hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes are recommended, especially if you plan on walking through the vineyards.
- Many Médoc wineries are wheelchair accessible, although vineyard tours are not always possible. It’s best to check in advance to avoid disappointment.
Marseilles Cruise Port
- Shore excursions typically include port pickup and drop-off.
- Small-group and private tours are often covered by a worry-free policy, offering guaranteed on-time return to your ship.
- Marseilles cruise terminals are spread out over a large area, so be sure that you know which terminal your ship arrives and departs from.
Menton
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M emorial de Caen
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Marche des Enfants Rouges
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Matisse Museum (Mus ee Matisse)
- Entrance ticket is good for all municipal museums.
- Only some information is in English; visit with a guide for the best translations.
- Expect to spend roughly 90 minutes exploring the collection and gift shop.
- Though there is a large staircase without a railing, an elevator provides accessibility.
- Backpacks and other large bags are not allowed.
Maison de van Gogh (Auberge Ravoux)
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Maison Kammerzell
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March e aux Puces de Saint-Ouen
With everything from antique furnishings retailing for tens of thousands of Euros to cheap and cheerful souvenirs for less than a Euro, the variety at the market is truly unbeatable. For antique and vintage pieces, the Marché Malassis and Marché Paul Bert areas are most popular, while eccentric treasures abound in the Marché Vernaison, where Moroccan rugs, Chanel perfume decanters, 19th-century ornaments and even French military wares are among the unique finds. Porte de Clignancourt houses the bulk of the bargain clothes stalls, but try Marché Dauphine or Marché Serpette for vintage clothing and jewelry, and for general bric-a-brac and clearance items the Marché Lecuyer has some great bargains.
The historic markets date back to 1885, when a jumble of stalls took over the plot on the city outskirts but today the stretch is more like a rambling village, where jovial banter and heated haggling offer a glimpse of traditional France at its most authentic. You’ll need to work hard for your bargains though -- with thousands of visitors attending each week, vendors save the best deals for those willing to attempt a bit of local lingo.
Manosque
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Massena Art & History Museum (Mus ee Massena)
The gardens are English-style and provide a welcome place of greenery to relax out of the glamorous bustle and sunshine of Nice. The villa was built between 1898 and 1901 by Andre Masséna who gave it to the people of Nice in 1917 when it became a museum of regional history.