Choose from 490 Fun Things to Do in France
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
A gleaming retro-Byzantine confection of Roman columns and religious iconography, the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière is visible, by design, from almost anywhere in Lyon. Today it is the symbol of the city and Lyon's most visited attraction, well worth the climb just to enter the outrageous interior.
Completed in 1896 as a challenge to secular forces then gaining power in France (like Sacré-Coeur Montmartre), the basilica's gleaming marble, gold gilt, fantastic stained glass, and borderline hallucinogenic ceiling are meant to impress. And they do.
In addition to the basilica and an adjacent chapel dedicated to a particularly miraculous Virgin Mary, both free to the public, this site also offers an observatory, museum, and fantastic views.
Practical Info
To get to the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, take the Metro D line to Vieux Lyon, where you can begin your pilgrimage on foot (the sanctuary's resplendent confection facade is visible above Old Lyon). Or, take the Funicular Fourvière, which leaves from the metro station.
Mass is offered in English on the first Sunday of the month, at 9:30 a.m.
Castellane
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Basilica of St Denis
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Gorges du Loup
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Gordes
Cath edrale Saint Sauveur
A listed historical monument of France, the cathedral features a richly carved Romanesque portal on its south side and an elaborate 15th-century Gothic portal on the north, including striking door carvings by Jean Guiramand, topped with a 14th-century bell tower. Highlights of the interiors include three distinctly styled naves, a 12th-century cloister, a 5th century polygonal Merovingian baptistery and an 18th-century gilt Baroque organ. Most famous is the iconic triptych 'Mary in the Burning Bush', a 15th century masterpiece painted by Nicholas Froment under commission of King René of Anjou and displayed over the altar.
Basilica of St. Michael (Basilique St. Michel)
- Entry to the bell tower is by paid ticket. Children under 18 are free.
- Entry to the main basilica building is free of charge.
- Look out for the image of St. Michael slaying a dragon carved in the basilica’s font.
- Visitors can climb the tower for panoramic views of the city.
Cath edrale St-Andr e
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Cath edrale de Monaco (Monaco Cathedral)
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Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde
- Entrance to the cathedral is free, but there’s a small fee to visit the cathedral’s museum.
- Visitor facilities include two gift shops, a café, and parking.
- Most areas of the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde are wheelchair accessible.
Bassin de la Villette (La Villette Basin)
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Giverny
The Basics
- A Giverny tour is ideal for art enthusiasts.
- There are no ATMs or currency exchange bureaus in the village, so be sure to bring cash.
- Although accommodations are available, the village's small size means availability is limited; book in advance if you plan on staying overnight.
Giverny is about 45 miles (75 kilometers) from Paris by road. To get there by train from the city, catch the SNCF from the Saint-Lazare Paris train station to Vernon on the Paris-Rouen-Le Havre line. From Vernon you can catch a local bus, or opt to hire a taxi or bicycle. The majority of tours include round-trip train or minibus transport from Paris; the journey, along the banks of the Seine River and through the sunflower fields of Normandy, is a feast for the eyes.
When to Get There
Basilique du Sacr e-Coeur
- Access to the Basilica is free, but you’ll have to pay an admission fee to visit the Dome.
- There are no official guided tours of the Basilica as it is a place of silent prayer.
- There is a step-free entrance at the back of the Basilica, and the church is wheelchair accessible except for the dome and the crypt.
Carrières de Lumières
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Bassin de Neptune
Versailles’ chateau gardens are vast, laid out in formal French style and famed for their geometrically aligned terraces, tree-lined paths and, notably, their ponds.
Of all the lovely fountain pools gracing the Versailles gardens, the Bassin de Neptune is the largest.
Designed by famed landscape artist Le Notre and laid out between 1661 and 1700, the fountain features three groups of statues, including Neptune and Amphitrite.
A new fountain installed by Louis XV in the 1730s was acclaimed for the force and variety of its jets water playing over the sculptural groups. In all, the fountain boasts 99 water effects and is fronted by the lovely Dragon Fountain
In summer, Bassin de Neptune is a focus for a display of choreographed fireworks, spectacularly reflected in the fountain’s expansive pool.
The Bassin de Neptune is 300 meters (984 feet) north of the palace.
Castle Hill (Colline du Château)
- There is no entrance fee to visit Castle Hill and the elevator is free of charge.
- Wear comfortable shoes to explore Nice on foot—it’s full of hills, cobblestone streets, and steps.
- At the top of the hill are a few small cafés where you can purchase a drink or snack. For lunch, it’s best to pack a picnic.
- Wheelchair access to Le Château is available via the elevator. Once at the top, you can follow the accessible trails around the park and to the viewpoints.
Cassis
- Cassis is a must for scenery seekers, beach lovers, and wine enthusiasts.
- Plenty of restaurants along the Cassis waterfront serve fresh fish and local white and rosé wines.
- If you are planning to hike the calanques in summer, bring sunscreen, a hat, ample water, and sturdy footwear.
Bastille
The Basics
Due to its historical significance, the Bastille district is an integral part of many Paris city tours. Specialized excursions that focus solely on the Bastille arrondissement are also available, and one of the best ways to absorb the culture and French history is on a food tour that centers on the area's thriving culinary scene and markets. Feast on French delicacies and enjoy wine tasting at Marche d'Aligre market, browse shops selling charcuterie and cheese, and stroll along Promenade Plantee, a 19th-century rail viaduct transformed into the world's first elevated park. Other Bastille highlights include the Viaduc des Arts, a modern version of an old Paris viaduct, Port de l'Arsenal, and Opera Bastille, an innovative structure whose interior can be explored on a guided tour.
- A Bastille tour is ideal for history and food lovers.
- The neighborhood is most often visited on half-day walking tours of Paris.
- Book a tour of Opera Bastille in advance to see the opera house's interior.
Bastille is easily reachable by car, train, or on foot from the center of Paris. The Bastille metro station is serviced by Line 5—it takes about 40 minutes to reach from central Paris landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower. If you're time-rich, walking to the Bastille district along the banks of the Seine River will reveal Paris' finer details. During the 90-minute stroll along Quai d'Orsay, you'll pass the famous Louvre museum pyramid, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and a scattering of bridges and parks.
For a half-day hike, follow the Promenade Plantee on a 2.7-mile (4.5-km) trail to Bois de Vincennes, former royal hunting grounds home to the Parc Zoologique and Parc Floral de Paris.