France for First Timers

Every place below is pinned on the interactive map with its exact location. You can browse it for free, and copy the whole map into your own Ikuzo account to adapt it to your trip.

Paris

Eiffel Tower

The symbol of Paris and the one sight everyone must see once. Book summit tickets online weeks ahead or climb the stairs to skip lines, and come back after dark to watch it sparkle for five minutes on the hour.

Louvre Museum

The world's largest art museum, home to the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Book a timed entry online, allow at least three hours, and pick a few wings rather than trying to see everything.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

Paris's Gothic masterpiece on the Île de la Cité, beautifully restored after the 2019 fire. Entry is free but reserve a time slot on the official app to avoid the long queue.

Sacré-Cœur Basilica

White basilica crowning Montmartre hill, with one of the best free views over Paris. Come early in the morning to enjoy Montmartre's village feel before the crowds, then wander to Place du Tertre.

Arc de Triomphe

Napoleon's triumphal arch at the top of the Champs-Élysées. Climb the 284 steps for one of the best panoramas in Paris, and always use the underground passage to reach it, never cross the roundabout.

Champs-Élysées

The most famous avenue in the world, running from Place de la Concorde up to the Arc de Triomphe. Best enjoyed as a 30 minute stroll toward sunset, when the arch glows at the end of the axis.

Musée d'Orsay

The world's finest Impressionist collection, with Monet, Van Gogh and Renoir inside a stunning former train station. Smaller and easier to digest than the Louvre, allow two to three hours.

Sainte-Chapelle

A 13th century royal chapel whose upper level is wrapped in breathtaking stained glass. Go on a sunny morning for the best light and book a timed ticket, the security line moves slowly.

Luxembourg Gardens

Paris's most beloved park, with formal lawns, the Medici Fountain and toy sailboats on the central pond. Grab one of the free green chairs and take a proper Parisian break on the Left Bank.

Le Marais

Historic district of medieval lanes, elegant mansions, boutiques and falafel shops around Place des Vosges. Perfect for an aimless afternoon wander, and one of the few Paris areas lively on Sundays.

Pont Neuf

Despite its name, the oldest bridge in Paris, completed in 1607 at the tip of the Île de la Cité. The Vedettes sightseeing boats leave from its base, a one hour Seine cruise at dusk is the classic first evening in Paris.

Panthéon

Neoclassical mausoleum where France buries its greats, from Voltaire and Victor Hugo to Marie Curie. Watch the Foucault pendulum swing under the dome, and in summer climb to the colonnade for a fine view over the Latin Quarter.

Palais Garnier

The opulent 19th century opera house that inspired The Phantom of the Opera. A self guided visit takes about an hour and covers the grand staircase, gilded foyer and Chagall ceiling.

Tuileries Garden

Formal gardens linking the Louvre to Place de la Concorde, part of the grand axis of Paris. Walk it between museum visits and duck into the Orangerie on the corner for Monet's giant water lilies.

Near Paris

Palace of Versailles

Louis XIV's colossal palace with the Hall of Mirrors and seemingly endless gardens, about 40 minutes from Paris on the RER C. Book a timed entry, arrive before 9am and allow a full day including the Trianon estate.

Monet's Gardens (Giverny)

Claude Monet's pink house and gardens, including the real water lily pond and Japanese bridge from his paintings. Open April to October, an easy half day trip by train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Vernon.

Disneyland Paris

Europe's most visited theme park and a sure hit if you travel with kids, 40 minutes from Paris on the RER A. Buy dated tickets online, weekdays outside school holidays are far quieter.

Normandy & North

Mont Saint-Michel

Medieval abbey village rising from a vast tidal bay, one of the most extraordinary sights in France. Stay until evening or overnight to see it without the day crowds, and check the tide tables, high tide turns it into an island.

Étretat Cliffs

White chalk cliffs, natural arches and the famous needle that inspired Monet. Walk up the Falaise d'Aval path for the classic view, wear sturdy shoes and allow two hours for the loop.

Honfleur

Postcard perfect harbor town where tall slate fronted houses ring the old dock, long loved by painters. A great lunch stop between Étretat and the D-Day coast, try a seafood platter on the quay.

Omaha Beach

The most famous of the five D-Day landing beaches of June 6, 1944. Combine it with the deeply moving Normandy American Cemetery on the bluff above at Colleville-sur-Mer, and allow half a day for the area.

Loire Valley

Château de Chambord

The largest and most spectacular Loire château, with a double helix staircase attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. Rent a bike or rowboat to take in the enormous grounds, allow half a day.

Château de Chenonceau

The elegant château built as an arched gallery right across the River Cher, known as the ladies' château. Many visitors' favorite in the Loire, arrive at opening time to beat the coach tours.

Château d'Amboise

Royal château towering over the Loire, where Leonardo da Vinci is buried. Pair it with the nearby Clos Lucé, Leonardo's last home, both are walkable from the charming town center.

Southwest

Place de la Bourse

Bordeaux's grandest square, mirrored in the Miroir d'Eau, the world's largest reflecting pool. Come at dusk when the facades glow and the water mirror is at its most photogenic.

Saint-Émilion

Medieval hilltop village surrounded by some of the world's most prestigious vineyards, an easy day trip from Bordeaux. Book a wine tasting and the guided tour of the underground monolithic church.

Dune du Pilat

Europe's tallest sand dune, over 100 meters high, wedged between pine forest and the Atlantic. Climb the staircase at sunset for an unforgettable view over the Arcachon Bay.

Carcassonne

A complete medieval walled city with 52 towers, straight out of a fairy tale. Stay until evening or sleep inside the walls, the ramparts are magical once the day trippers leave.

Provence

Palais des Papes

The largest Gothic palace in the world, home of the popes in the 14th century when Avignon rivaled Rome. The tablet guide included with entry recreates the vanished interiors, allow two hours plus a stroll to the Pont d'Avignon.

Pont du Gard

A 2000 year old three tiered Roman aqueduct, the tallest the Romans ever built. Bring a swimsuit in summer, you can swim in the river right under the arches.

Gordes

The most famous of the Luberon hilltop villages, a cascade of golden stone houses above the valley. Stop at the roadside viewpoint for the classic photo, and visit Sénanque Abbey nearby for the lavender fields in July.

Arles Amphitheatre

A Roman arena from 90 AD that still hosts events today, in the town where Van Gogh painted over 300 works. Follow the Van Gogh walking trail afterwards, Arles is compact and easily done in half a day.

French Riviera

Promenade des Anglais

Nice's legendary seafront promenade curving along the turquoise Baie des Anges. Walk or cycle it in the morning, then get lost in the lanes of Vieux Nice at its eastern end.

Èze

A stone eagle's nest village perched 400 meters above the Mediterranean, between Nice and Monaco. The exotic garden at the top has the Riviera's best coastal view, come early before the lanes fill up.

Casino de Monte-Carlo

The world's most famous casino, at the heart of Monaco's Monte-Carlo district. Visit the gilded gaming rooms in the morning before play begins, dress smart, and the supercar parade outside is free entertainment.

La Croisette

Cannes' palm lined seafront boulevard of grand hotels and beaches, home of the film festival. Stroll from the Palais des Festivals, then climb Le Suquet old town for the sunset view over the bay.

Alps & East

Aiguille du Midi

A cable car from Chamonix whisks you to 3842 meters, face to face with Mont Blanc. Go early on a clear morning, bring warm layers even in summer, and dare the Step into the Void glass box.

Annecy Old Town

The little island castle on the Thiou canal is the symbol of Annecy, the Venice of the Alps. Wander the pastel old town, then rent a bike or a boat on the impossibly clear lake.

Vieux Lyon

One of Europe's largest Renaissance old towns, laced with hidden traboule passageways. Eat in a traditional bouchon, Lyon is France's food capital, then ride the funicular up to Fourvière basilica for the view.

Petite France

Strasbourg's storybook quarter of half timbered houses leaning over the canals. Combine it with the cathedral and its astronomical clock, and it is pure magic during the Christmas market season.

Colmar Little Venice

The prettiest corner of Colmar, where flower decked half timbered houses line the canal. Base yourself here to explore the Alsace wine route villages like Riquewihr and Eguisheim.