My Holiday Experience in France

February 29, 2016
Jess

France is a must-visit for anyone thinking about traveling to Europe, and while many people assume that Paris is the one place they need to see (and it is pretty spectacular) there are also many other amazing destinations within France that should be visited.

After my holiday experience in France, I have plenty of trips if you haven’t yet been. Here are just a few places that you should absolutely visit:

3598596311_27f9c5515e_o

Paris

No trip to France is complete without a trip to the City of Lights. And while you could probably spend a lifetime exploring the city and enjoying everything that Paris has to offer, if you’re on a budget or strict schedule, you can probably see the highlights in four or five days.

Head to the Champs-Elysees and spend some time seeing the Arc de Triomphe, before heading to the Louvre. Don’t miss the gorgeous gothic church Notre Dame, and be sure to check out the stained glass windows at the Saint-Chapelle Church.

Bourdeaux

You’ll find Bourdeaux in the southwest of the country, and the historic part is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the place to splurge a little, with luxury shopping, eating, and of course, drinking. If you love wine, there’s no better place to visit than Bordeaux, and exploring it on foot is the best way to save money, people watch, and experience the architecture.

Be sure to do a wine tour here, since you’ll get to visit two to four wineries and sample plenty of wine. There are also several renowned museums which are excellent and chronicle the history of the wine in Bordeaux.

marseille-1003822_960_720

Marseille

Marseille is the second largest city in France, and has a rich history. Many people describe it as industrial, but the gorgeous waterfront, great restaurants, nightlife, museums and theatres make it a place worth visiting. Head to Le Vieux Port and watch the fisherman sell their fish for the day, hire a boat, or enjoy some fresh seafood. Le Cours Julien and La Plaine is a trendy part of the city with plenty of fountains, bookstores and cafes, and there’s a market here every Thursday and Saturday where you can find bargains.

Nice

Nice is one of the most popular destinations in France, and is located on the Mediterranean coast. Filled with gorgeous beaches, hilltop lookouts, and reputation as a “place to be seen”, Nice may be somewhere that will blow your budget, but it is sure to be well worth it, and there are also many free sites, including Jardin Albert, Viieux Nice, the beach and the Promenade des Anglais which is full of street performers and music at night.

If you’re considering traveling to France, why not get off the beaten path and try one of the many vacation rentals from France Voyage? This is a great way to see smaller towns and villages and places that you may not otherwise see if you were to fly or take a train between cities.