Choose from 490 Fun Things to Do in France
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Bois de Vincennes
Spread over an incredible 2,400 acres (that's around 3 times the size of New York's famous Central Park), the public park of Bois de Vincennes (Vicennes Wood) has been offering Parisians welcome respite from the urban bustle since the 12th century. Originally designed by Baron Haussman as a royal hunting ground for Louis VII, the collection of lakes and woodlands also form part of the grounds of the 14th-century Chateau de Vincennes.
Earning the nickname of the 'Lungs of Paris,' the park offers a seemingly endless stretch of greenery on the cusp of the city, with a vast network of walking, cycling and horseback riding trails spanning over 32km, as well as a number of attractions. Popular highlights include the Daumesnil Lake, where you can take a scenic boat trip out to the two islets; the Bois de Vicennes Buddist Temple, with its pretty wooden pavilion and towering Buddha statue; and the Lac des Minimes, where a footbridge leads out to the island restaurant. At the East End of the park, the idyllic Parc Floral is home to an impressive array of flowers and botanical gardens, with its central stage hosting summer plays and concerts; and the Parc Zoologique de Paris (Zoo de Vincennes) is a 38-acre enclosed zoo housing giraffes, giant pandas and monkeys among its sizable collection and featuring a large artificial hill that offers great views over the park.
Earning the nickname of the 'Lungs of Paris,' the park offers a seemingly endless stretch of greenery on the cusp of the city, with a vast network of walking, cycling and horseback riding trails spanning over 32km, as well as a number of attractions. Popular highlights include the Daumesnil Lake, where you can take a scenic boat trip out to the two islets; the Bois de Vicennes Buddist Temple, with its pretty wooden pavilion and towering Buddha statue; and the Lac des Minimes, where a footbridge leads out to the island restaurant. At the East End of the park, the idyllic Parc Floral is home to an impressive array of flowers and botanical gardens, with its central stage hosting summer plays and concerts; and the Parc Zoologique de Paris (Zoo de Vincennes) is a 38-acre enclosed zoo housing giraffes, giant pandas and monkeys among its sizable collection and featuring a large artificial hill that offers great views over the park.
Address: Bois de Vincennes, Paris, France
From $ 10
Abbaye aux Dames
The Abbaye aux Dames in Caen is also known as the Abbey of Sainte-Trinité, or the Holy Trinity Abbey. As one could guess, “Abbaye aux Dames” translates to Women's Abbey, and that's just what it was – a Benedictine convent. It's almost a thousand years old, and one of the must-see sites for any visitor to Caen.
If the facade of the abbey looks a little worse for wear, it's because of its history; it was the site of a battle during the Hundred Years War, during which it lost its original spires. The larger convent today is home to the Regional offices for Lower Normandy, but the abbey, restored in 1983, is open to visitors. William the Conqueror's wife Matilda is buried there, and its interior is a treasure trove of architectural details.
Practical Info
Although the site is open to the public, it is only open to visitors twice a day by guided tour, at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Reservations are mandatory, so it's best to sign up for a tour in advance. The abbey is closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Day and May 1 (Labor Day in France).
Address: Place Reine Mathilde, Caen 14035, France
Hours: Only open twice daily by guided tours, daily at 2:30pm & 4pm
From $ 579
58 Tour Eiffel Restaurant
Chef Alain Soulard serves up French cuisine on the first level of the Eiffel Tower at 58 Tour Eiffel, a name that references the height in meters of the restaurant's kitchen range from the ground. The2-story eatery features a modern interior design and is surrounded by glass windows so you can take in views of Paris and the tower's intricate metal architecture while you dine.
The Basics
Eating at 58 Tour Eiffel is one of the best ways to escape the tower's crowds and get more out of your visit. You can sit down and relax before or after heading up to the Eiffel Tower's second level or summit for the requisite look down on the city (which may require an additional ticket purchase). Make your lunch or dinner reservation directly with 58 Tour Eiffel, or take a tour that combines your meal with other Parisian experiences such as a Seine River cruise, a city tour, a show at the Moulin Rouge, or a trip to Versailles.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The restaurant is not available for drinks only; you must have a full meal.
- Large bags are not permitted at the tower.
- The restaurant is accessible for guests with limited mobility.
How to Get There
Walking, taxi, and public transit are the best ways to reach the Eiffel Tower, located in the 7th arrondissement on the banks of the Seine. By public transport, head to the Bir-Hakeim, Trocadéro, or Ecole Militaire metro station or the Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel RER station. Upon arrival, if you have a booking, go to the restaurant welcome desk on the esplanade to receive a priority-access ticket for the elevator.
When to Get There
The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. You may want to select one or the other based on the environment you're looking for—lunch is more casual and kid-friendly with light meals served in a picnic-style basket, known as a chic picnic, while dinner features a more sophisticated atmosphere and dishes.
Other Things to Do at the Eiffel Tower
It may seem that visiting the Eiffel Tower consists simply of riding up to the viewing platforms, taking photos, and heading back down. But this is far from the truth. In addition to 58 Tour Eiffel, on the first level is an immersive show and interactive exhibits. The second level features shops and Le Jules Verne by Alain Ducasse, and the summit is home to Gustave Eiffel's restored office and the Champagne Bar. Perhaps most interesting is the backstage tour, during which you can get a look at the 1889 machinery used to operate the tower’s lifts.
Address: 58 Tour Eiffel, Paris, Ile-de-France, France
From $ 54
Clos de Vougeot
The arresting Château du Clos de Vougeot lies at the heart of Burgundy’s wine country and makes a popular stop along the Route des Grands Crus tourist trail, offering a unique insight into the region’s wine-making history. Although the winery was originally built by monks in the 12th-century, the Renaissance-style château that stands today dates from the 16th-century and the complex includes the original kitchens, medieval vat-house and presses, and Cistercian cellar.
The Clos de Vougeot no longer produces wine, but is preserved as a national monument and hosts regular events, exhibitions and concerts, as well as daily tours, which allow visitors to peek at the historic grape presses and stroll through the surrounding vineyards.
Practical Info
The Château du Clos de Vougeot is located in Burgundy, approximately 25km south of Dijon and is open daily from 9am- 6.30pm from April-October, and 10am-5pm from Nov-March. Adult admission at the time of writing is €7.
Address: Rue de la Montagne, Vougeot, Burgundy, France 21640, France
Admission: €7
From $ 162
7th Arrondissement
The 7th arrondissement of Paris is home to some of the city’s most famous attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, and Napoleon’s tomb. Situated on the left bank of the River Seine, the 7th arrondissement is a charming mix of narrow cobblestone streets, bustling street markets, quaint cafés, and local shops.
The Basics
For first-time visitors, the 7th arrondissement is the perfect place to begin an exploration of Paris. Take a sightseeing tour to see the district’s highlights and enjoy a great introduction to Paris culture, history, and architecture. You’ll admire views of the Eiffel Tower, wander the Musée Rodin Sculpture Garden, discover quaint cobbled side streets, and sample traditional French foods.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The 7th arrondissement is a must for first-time Paris visitors.
- Book a walking tour to see neighborhood highlights and hidden treasures.
- Wear comfortable shoes and plan to spend a lot of time walking.
- Book Eiffel Tower tickets and tours in advance to avoid long wait times.
How to Get There
It is easy to get to the 7th arrondissement using public transportation from anywhere in Paris. Metro lines 6, 8, 10, 12, and 13 service the arrondissement with stops including Bir-Hakeim (for the Eiffel Tower), Musée d'Orsay, and Varenne (for Les Invalides and Musée Rodin).
When to Get There
The 7th arrondissement is worth exploring any time of year. If visiting during the summer months, consider booking tours and museum admission tickets ahead of time to avoid long lines. If you’re on a budget, you’ll find the best deals visiting November through February and also enjoy less tourist crowds, though with fewer services.
Shopping in the 7th Arrondissement
The 7th arrondissement boasts a vast array of shops, from small speciality stores and consignment shops to high-end boutiques and large department stores. Fashion enthusiasts must visit Le Bon Marché, Paris’s oldest and most prestigious department store. Showcasing the finest designer brands and gorgeous window displays, Le Bon Marché is like an art gallery for fashion lovers.
Address: 7th Arrondissement, Paris, France
From $ 68
Citadel of St-Tropez (Citadelle de St-Tropez)
Though St-Tropez is famous for its glamour and glitz, the city also has a rich and eventful past. The Citadel is a prime example, having been the town’s crown jewels since the 17th century, and one of the few monuments of its magnitude to still stand today on France’s southern coastline. In fact, The Citadel is one of the city’s most visited historical and cultural sites, both for its history and its panoramic views over the Bay. The Citadel was built between 1602 and 1608, based on the drawings of engineer Raymond de Bonnefons. The building, composed of a thick-walled hexagonal tower, a concealed interior courtyard, towers with cannon openings, and a bastioned outer wall, was used to defend the strategic port of St-Tropez, the most important strongholds between Antibes and Toulon for centuries. Its location on a hill with slopes bare of vegetation helped the military spot and bomb all vessels that came too close to the walls of the city.
Practical Info
The Citadel has bought by the town of St-Tropez in 1993 and was subsequently restored to its former glory. The dungeon now serves as a maritime museum. Guided visits are available at 11 am and 3:30 pm upon request. English tours are by appointment only.
Address: 1 Montée de la Citadelle, Saint-Tropez, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur 83990, France
Hours: Oct 1 - Mar 31 (10 am – 5:30)
Apr 1 - Sept 30 (10 am – 6:30)
Closed Jan 1, May 1, May 17, Nov 11, and Christmas Day
Admission: EUR2.00
From $ 185
Clos Montmartre
If you were just walking by Clos Montmartre on a trip to the Sacre-Couer, you might assume it was just a particularly lovely community garden dotted with peach trees and vines. Actually, the Clos is the oldest working vineyard in Paris, and on clear days, from here you can see all the way out to the Eiffel Tower.
The best time to visit Clos Montmartre is during Fête des Vendanges — the harvest festival — when the grapes from the Clos are taken over to Montmartre town hall to be fermented and turned into around 1,500 bottles of gamay and pinot noir.
Practical Info
At rue des Saules and rue Saint Vincent, you'll need to arrange a visit to Clos Montmartre with the Montmartre tourist office, which is close by at Place du Tertre. The tour is free, though you pay for the tasting, and generally it's better to be in a large group if you want to gain entry. For the harvest festival you can stroll right into the working vineyard. It's generally held in early October, but do check in advance.
Address: Rue des Saules, Paris, France
From $ 29
8th Arrondissement
The 8th arrondissement (neighborhood), one of Paris’ 20 districts, is probably best known for the famous boulevard Champs-Élysées. With sidewalks lined by trees, high-end shops, and fashion boutiques, the boulevard is also home to the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde, as well as the Élysée Palace (the official residence of the President of France). On one end of the Champs-Élysées is the Arc de Triomphe, which offers sweeping views of the city from its top. On the other end of the Champs-Élysées is the Grand Palais, an historic building dedicated “to the glory of French art.” The Grand Palais is now a museum and an exhibition hall that is home to an impressive art collection. The 8th arrondissement is probably best known as a retail district, where posh shoppers come to sip a beverage at one of the area’s numerous cafes or restaurants, then browse name-brand boutiques like Chanel, Christian Dior, and Louis Vuitton.
Practical Info
Located on the right bank of the Seine river and centered around the Champs-Élysées, the 8th arrondissement is one of Paris's main business districts and employs more people than any other single neighborhood in the city.
Address: Paris, France
From $ 74
6th Arrondissement
For many, the 6th Arrondissement is the quintessential Parisian neighborhood, complete with cafes, wine shops, patisseries, small art museums and shops lining its streets. Situated on the left bank of the Seine, the walkable neighborhood is home to the Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain-des-Pres, Medici Fountain and the beautifully manicured Luxembourg Gardens.
Saint-Germain-des-Pres has long served as the literary and intellectual heart of the city, and some of Paris’s most iconic cafes are here, including Les Deux Magots, Cafe de Flore, Brasserie Lipp and Le Precope. Each make for a perfect people watching perch.
Practical Info
Access the 6th Arrondissement from Odeon, St. Germain, Solferino, Musee’ d’Orsay, rue du Bac and Sevres Babylone metro stations.
Address: 6th Arrondissement, Paris, France
From $ 29
Airborne Museum
The hallowed history of the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy draws thousands of visitors a year to this beautiful region of France. Along its now-calm coastline are tours, memorials, cemeteries, museums and stark reminders of the events of June 6, 1944. As you look out over the beaches and aided by the news reels from the time as well as modern-day recreations for the silver screen, it can be almost too easy to feel as though you can see exactly what happened, right in front of you.
But not everyone who fought that day arrived by boat. In the wee hours that morning – in fact, just after midnight - American paratroopers started descending into the region. Through a series of unfortunate events the paratroopers were not able to rally in order to provide organized support for the coming attack, but their scattered arrival sent the Germans running in all directions to defend their hold, a move which ultimately was one of the many factors in the Allies' victory.
Most of the action from this event, code-named Operation Neptune, centered on the small village of Sainte-Mère-Église, which today is the site of one of the most fascinating WWII sites in Normandy: The Airborne Museum. Here visitors can relive the harrowing story of the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions and see a Douglas C-47 as well as a Waco Glider. The exhibits, presentations, and items housed in this parachute-shaped museum fill in many of the missing pieces to just how the Allied forces battled their way to victory.
While in the village of Sainte-Mère-Église, don't forget to look for what appears to be a parachute wrapped around one of the spires of the church. This is a memorial to John Steele, who remained stranded up there because of his caught parachute, and who escaped eventual German arrest to go on and help his division retake the town for the Allies.
Address: 14 Rue Eisenhower, Sainte-Mère-Église 50480, France
Hours: Apr-Sept 9am-6:45pm; Oct-Mar 10am-5pm; closed in January
Admission: Adults 8Euro; Children 4.50Euro
From $ 100
Abbaye Saint Victor
Abbaye Saint Victor in Marseille may not be at the top of everyone's to-see list, especially when the nearby, picturesque Notre Dame Basilica and its bird's-eye view are such a big draw. But there are two reasons this abbey should be added: First, it's a convenient stop on the way to Notre Dame, and secondly, it is commonly considered the oldest church in France–which is quite a claim, considering that thousand-year-old churches seem to be a dime a dozen here.
In fact, the abbey's history dates back to the fifth century, was in ruins by the ninth century and by the 13th century, when other world-famous churches were first being built, Abbaye Saint Victor was being renovated. Martyrs died here, the library was dismantled simply to please a de Medici family member, and in the late 18th century, the site was stripped of all of its finery. In short, it's had quite a history.
Practical Info
Both Abbaye Saint Victor and its crypts can be visited for the budget-friendly price of 2 euro per person. The site is generally open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The faithful can even attend mass, which is held at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Mass is held twice on Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., and Saturday also has an extra mass at 9 a.m. The crypt is a must-see, as it is one of the most impressively preserved in France.
Address: 3 Rue Abbaye, Marseille 13007, France
Hours: Monday-Friday 4pm-6pm
Admission: Adults €2
From $ 49
Cluny
Northwest of Mâcon is the little town of Cluny. Dating to an abbey established in the year 910 (called Cluniacum), the town became the epicenter of a Benedictine reform movement that sought to revive monastic traditions. From this tiny hamlet grew over 2,000 Cluniac abbeys across western Europe, and along with them, Cluny’s distinctive architecture. Three subsequent churches were erected on the site over the next century, but the third one was closed during the French Revolution so its stone could be sold for building projects, leaving behind few remnants.
The two main tourist attractions in Cluny are the abbey’s remaining fortifications, mentioned above, as well as Blanot Cave. The former consists of three towers and the Porte des Jardins (Garden Gate). As for the abbey church itself, the south transept (the “cross-piece” of Gothic cathedrals) and the lower clock tower are all that remain of the abbey church. The Musée Lapidaire, housed in the old monastic granary, contains abbey artifacts such as third church’s figural capitals. Blanot Cave is a labyrinth of connected limestone galleries and huge rooms, 80 m (262 ft) below ground.
The two main tourist attractions in Cluny are the abbey’s remaining fortifications, mentioned above, as well as Blanot Cave. The former consists of three towers and the Porte des Jardins (Garden Gate). As for the abbey church itself, the south transept (the “cross-piece” of Gothic cathedrals) and the lower clock tower are all that remain of the abbey church. The Musée Lapidaire, housed in the old monastic granary, contains abbey artifacts such as third church’s figural capitals. Blanot Cave is a labyrinth of connected limestone galleries and huge rooms, 80 m (262 ft) below ground.
Practical Info:
The town of Cluny is a short distance from the abbey, and here you will find Notre-Dame, a Romanesque church built in 1100 and remodeled in the Gothic style. Cluny is also home to the Haras National, which trains thoroughbred horses. When the weather is good, you can watch their exercises.
Address: Cluny, France
From $ 11
Abbaye aux Hommes
The Abbaye de Saint Étienne (Saint Stephen's Abbey) in Caen is also known as the Abbaye aux Hommes (Men's Abbey), to distinguish it from the Women's Abbey close by. If it looks a bit like an English cathedral, you're on the right track – this stunning example of Norman Romanesque architecture indeed served as the inspiration for so many churches on the other side of the Channel. (Although keen-eyed visitors will notice the Gothic apse, a sign of the church's architectural evolution.)
There are two highlights of the Men's Abbey; the first is the tomb of William the Conqueror, whose mark on Normandy has never been forgotten. The second is a bit of a hidden gem – the cloistered gardens, accessible by going through the town hall. It's another world inside there, and a favorite with photographers.
Practical Info
The Abbaye aux Hommes has varying open hours, so it is best to consult its website before visiting. Hours are dependent on the season and the regional school calendar. The former monastery is sometimes open for individual exploration and guided tours, although it is, of course, closed when religious ceremonies are in progress.
Address: 100 Rue de l'Ancienne Mairie, Caen 14000, France
Hours: Varies, depending on season
From $ 109
9th Arrondissement
The 9th Arrondissement is located on the Right Bank in Paris and is home to a number of places of cultural, historical and architectural interest. It also boasts more hotels than any other arrondissement in Paris, so it can be a great area to base yourself to explore the city. Here you will find the Palais Garnier, which is home to the Paris Opera, as well as the Musee Grevin, a waxwork museum featuring more than 500 characters from French history. As you walk around the arrondissement, look for commemorative plaques outside of homes indicating notable landmarks. Be sure to check out the covered passageways near Boulevard Haussmann and rue Vivienne. Dating to the 19th century, these were precursors to the modern shopping mall.
The 9th Arrondissement is also home to several major department stores, including Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, both of which offer good skyline views of the city. In the young and vibrant South of Pigalle district, you can find a variety of restaurants, bars and cafes, and in Little Tokyo you can discover some of the best Japanese food in Paris.
Practical Info
The 9th Arrondissement covers less than one square mile. To get there, take Metro line 3, 7 or 8 to the Opera station; line 7 or 9 to the Chausette d’Antin La Fayette station or line 8 or 9 to the Grands Boulevards station.
Address: Paris, France
From $ 87
Abbey of Montmajour
Provence’s oldest abbey was founded in the 10th century by Benedictine monks and built on what was then a swampy island in the middle of the River Rhône north-east of the UNESCO-listed city of Arles.
The monks of Montmajour enjoyed several centuries of wealth, with the abbey thriving thanks to pilgrims who visited to see a fragment of the True Cross displayed in the Chapel of the Holy Cross. By the end of the 14th century, plague and the Hundred Years War affected the fortunes of the monastery; a defensive watchtower and fortified walls were added but it fell into disrepute. In 1639 its fortunes were briefly revived by an influx of new monks but the French Revolution in the 1790s saw Montmajour abandoned and derelict.
Today the restored ruins include the medieval monastery and its neo-classical counterpart, built in the 17th century; art exhibitions are occasionally held in the enormous, barn-like church. St Peter’s Chapel is flanked by the monk’s cemetery, where medieval graves were carved directly into the rock. The 12th-century Chapel of the Holy Cross stands in a field just outside the monastery walls and there are panoramic views across the rolling Provençal countryside from the top of the defence tower; at 30 m (98.5 ft) high, it is possible to see the foothills of the Alps – sometime Arles resident Vincent van Gogh visited Montmajour often to enjoy this view.
Practical Info
Route de Fontvieille, Arles. Open Apr–June daily 9.30am–6pm; Jul–Sept daily 10am–6.30pm; Oct–Mar Tue–Sun 10am–5pm. Admission adults €7.50, concessions students €6, free for under 18s and the first Sunday from January to March plus November and December. Montmajour is five km (three miles) north of Arles.
Address: Route de Fontvieille, Arles 13200, France
Hours: Daily April-June 9:30am-6pm, Daily Jul-Sept 10am-6:30pm, Tue-Sun Oct-March 10am-5pm
Admission: Adults €7.50, Students €6, 17 & Younger Free
From $ 7
Alma Bridge (Pont de l'Alma)
Pont de l’Alma is a Parisian bridge built in 1854 in commemoration of the Franco-British alliance’s victory over the Russian army during the Crimean War. The bridge underwent complete rebuilding in the 1970s in order to accommodate the rapidly increasing road and river traffic – only the statues were retained from the original structure. The arch bridge is now 42 meters large and 153 meters long, and links the right and left banks of the Seine River.
Pont de l’Alma offers splendid views of the Eiffel Tower and is often the go-to location for photographers wanting to capture Paris. What made the bridge a household name worldwide, however, is the role it played in Lady Diana’s death; indeed, she perished in a car crash at the entrance of the bridge’s tunnel in 1997. The Flame of Liberty at the bridge's north end has become an unofficial memorial to her memory.
Practical Info
Pont de l’Alma is located close to Palais de Tokyo and Quai de Branly in western Paris. It can be reached by metro via Pont de l’Alma and Alma-Marceau stations (lines RER C and 9). It is not advised to get to Pont de l’Alma house by car as parking is scarce and complicated.
Address: Paris, Ile-de-France, France
From $ 58
Albi Cathedral
The Basilique Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d'Albi, commonly known in English as the Albi Cathedral, looks quite a bit different than most of the churches in France. First, it is made from clay brick instead of stone, giving it a pinkish hue rather than grey. Second and more noticeable still is the bell tower, which looks more like a fortress lookout than the usual intricately carved spires that visitors may be used to.
There's a reason for its fortified presence–it was built after the Church vanquished the Cathars, whose desire to create a new church was considered heretical. Although the site had housed other religious sites (including one that burned down in the year 666!), it is this one that has remained since its construction in the 13th century. Included on the grounds is the Berbie Palace, where bishops once lived and where the Toulouse-Latrec Museum sits today.
Practical Info
The Albi Cathedral is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. every day from June to October. During the rest of the year, it closes from noon until 2 p.m. Entrance is free. Note that this is an active church, so it may be closed for religious services.
Address: 5 Boulevard Général Sibille, Albi 81000, France
Hours: Daily 8:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
From $ 4,000
13th Arrondissement
Paris is made up of 20 arrondissements or neighborhoods, which are arranged in a clockwise spiral of ascending numbers from the 1st arrondissement in the center. Southeast of the city center along the left bank of the River Seine, the 13th arrondissement is best known as the home of Paris’s booming Asian Quarter or Quartier Asiatique.
The Basics
Less touristy than other parts of Paris, the 13th arrondissement has a rich Chinese, Cambodian, and Vietnamese community and is a great place to find Asian restaurants and shops as well as one of the largest Chinese New Year Celebrations in Europe. The 13th district has also become something of an open-air museum, with dozens of massive works of street art, and several walking tours of the district highlight these urban pieces.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The 13th arrondissement is great for visitors wishing to explore off the beaten tourist path.
- Explore the lesser-known Butte aux Cailles neighborhood to view the area’s abundant street art.
- Bring comfortable shoes and be prepared for lots of walking in this hilltop district.
How to Get There
The 13th arrondissement is easily accessible by public transportation. Metro lines 6, 7, and 14 make numerous stops throughout the neighborhood. Not far from the Latin Quarter, it’s a nice walk from central Paris along the River Seine to the 13th arrondissement.
When to Get There
The less-visited 13th arrondissement is wonderful to explore any time of year. The neighborhood is particularly lively during the Chinese New Year, in January or February, when the streets fill with brightly lit lanterns and colorful costume parades. The festival features plenty of children’s activities, traditional music performances, and authentic food.
The French National Library
The 13th arrondissement is also home to the massive French National Library. Comprised of four 25-story glass towers, the library houses one of the largest collections of books in the world with well over 10 million titles. The library also contains numerous historical texts including thousands of ancient Greek manuscripts, as well as antique ceramics, coins, sculptures, and King Louis XIV’s globes.
Address: 13th Arrondissement, Paris, France
From $ 110
Aigues-Mortes
In the Petite Camargue region in southern France, the best way to see the medieval town of Aigues-Mortes is from its medieval ramparts. On a wander atop the city walls, you can see right across the ancient town, once filled with knights and crusaders during the 12th-century reign of Louis IX. Saint Louis ordered the ramparts so that his French kingdom could have a Mediterranean marina that would give them passage to the Middle East. Make sure to check out the famous Constance Tower while you’re in town. Built under the orders of Louis in 1242, it’s the most impressive of the 20 imposing towers dotted around the city walls.
Down at street level, a stroll along Aigues-Mortes' lively medieval streets is a popular pastime. While you’re here, try the local Fougasse pastry, which can be savory or sweetened with sugar and orange blossom. If you walk 15 minutes away from town, you'll run into the local salt works, a major part of the town's history, and their pink salt lakes.
Practical Info
The train journey from Nimes to Aigues-Mortes is about an hour long. Admission to the Constance Tower is 10 euros, and inside there is an exhibition about the history of the tower as well as regular temporary exhibitions.
Address: Aigues-Mortes, France
From $ 127
Aiguille du Midi Cable Car
Soaring up the rocky peak of Aiguille du Midi at 12,605 feet (3,842 meters), the Aiguille du Midi Cable Car is one of the highest in Europe. Setting out from Chamonix, the cable car has two stages, culminating in an elevator ride to the summit with spectacular views over Mont Blanc and the surrounding French and Swiss Alps.
The Basics
Visitors to Chamonix usually opt for the popular cable car ride. Tickets include access to the 360-degree summit viewing station and Step into the Void observation deck, a glass cage teetering over the cliff edge.
Many visitors arrive on a day trip from Geneva, just over the Swiss border. Full-day tours often combine Aiguille du Midi cable car skip-the-line tickets with a ride on Montenvers Railway, an open-top bus tour of Chamonix, or free time to explore the resort town.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The cable car takes you to the top station, from where it’s a short elevator ride to the summit. Plan two to three hours for the entire trip.
- Ticket lines can take more than an hour at peak times, so it’s worth prebooking skip-the-line admission.
- A restaurant, café, and souvenir shops are located at the second station.
- Dress warmly—temperatures can be as low as 14°F (–10°C) even in summer—but don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen, too, as the sun can be strong at the peak's high altitude.
- The Aiguille du Midi cable car is wheelchair accessible, although some activities and attractions on the mountaintop may not be accessible.
How to Get to There
Aiguille du Midi is in the Mont Blanc massif in the French Alps, close to the Swiss border. Cable cars set out from the Aiguille du Midi station on Place de l'Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix—easily reached on foot from the village center. At the top, take an elevator to the highest observation point.
When to Get There
The cable car runs year-round, except November (annual closure). The busiest time is in July and August, when queues can be long. Visit in the early morning to avoid crowds.
Things to Do at Aiguille du Midi
Ski, rock climb, and paraglide at Plan de l'Aiguille mid-station, depending on the season. Or, hike to Montenvers Train Station and look out over Mer de Glace glacier, before riding the train back to Chamonix. At the top station, brave the Step into the Void observation platform, before walking through The Pipe to encircle the entire summit, or ride the Mont Blanc Gondola to the peak of France’s Helbronner.
Address: Chamonix, France
Hours: Varies by season
From $ 63