25 Biggest Attractions In France No Tourist Should Skip

France knows how to leave a lasting impression. Its unforgettable character is shaped by numerous architectural beauties and timeless villages. Every corner of the country holds a story worth seeing with your own eyes. Here are 25 iconic tourist attractions that capture the spirit of France at its finest.

Chateau De Chenonceau, Loire Valley

Arching over the River Cher, Chateau de Chenonceau feels as graceful as a fairytale. Known as “The Ladies’ Chateau” for the powerful women who shaped it, its white stone galleries next to lush gardens and floral arrangements make it one of France’s most visited and beloved castles.

Strasbourg Cathedral, Strasbourg

Construction on the Strasbourg Cathedral began in 1015 and continued for centuries, combining Romanesque foundations with soaring Gothic spires. The pink sandstone changed color throughout the day under the Alsatian sun. Inside, the astronomical clock tracks time and predicts solar and lunar eclipses with remarkable precision.

Gorges Du Verdon, Provence

Limestone cliffs soar nearly 2,300 feet above the Verdon River, creating one of Europe’s deepest canyons. Formed over millions of years, the gorge dazzles with turquoise waters tinted by minerals. Adventurers kayak through its twists, while hikers tackle rugged trails like the Sentier Blanc-Martel for sweeping views.

Moulin Rouge, Paris

Moulin Rouge opened near Montmartre in 1889 and became famous for hosting lavish performances. The red windmill above the entrance remains a lasting symbol of Parisian nightlife. Musical revues and can-can dancers continue to honor the cabaret tradition that first captured attention during the Belle Epoque.

Ile De La Cite, Paris

Paris’s oldest neighborhoods began on Ile de la Cite, a small island shaped by centuries of history. Besides Notre-Dame Cathedral, it hosts Sainte-Chapelle and the historic Conciergerie, once a royal palace that was later used for confinement. Flower markets and riverside cafes still keep this ancient center buzzing with everyday life.

Hospices De Beaune, Burgundy

Nicolas Rolin and his wife, Guigone de Salins, founded Hospices de Beaune in 1443 to care for people experiencing poverty. The colorful glazed roofs and Gothic halls became as much a symbol of Burgundy as its generosity. Today, a harvest auction supports local charities and preserves that enduring spirit.

Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy

Tides race across the sands surrounding Mont Saint-Michel, cutting it off from the mainland twice daily. The abbey, built atop a rocky island, dates back to the 8th century. Visitors can still glimpse original monastic buildings along narrow lanes winding up toward the fortified summit.

Palace Of Versailles, Versailles

Louis XIV turned Versailles into a symbol of absolute monarchy by commissioning gardens, fountains, and the breathtaking Hall of Mirrors. At its peak, thousands lived on the palace grounds. Events like the Treaty of Versailles, signed here in 1919, secured its place in French and world history.

Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris

Construction on Notre Dame began in 1163, showcasing early innovations in Gothic architecture. Flying buttresses and tall ribbed vaults allowed unprecedented height and light inside the nave. Although a major fire struck in 2019, careful restoration continues, preserving key relics and sculptures central to Paris’s medieval legacy.

Sacre-Coeur Basilica, Paris

Sacre-Coeur rises atop Montmartre’s hill, crowned by a striking white travertine facade that resists weathering. The basilica, completed in 1914, honors those lost during the Franco-Prussian conflict. Inside, France’s largest mosaic, Christ in Majesty, glows above the main altar beneath soaring vaults and the grand dome.

D-day Beaches, Normandy

Allied forces landed on Normandy’s beaches on June 6, 1944, marking the largest operation ever carried out by sea. Strategic points like Omaha Beach witnessed fierce combat that proved pivotal to the outcome of WWII. Cemeteries and museums now ensure that the sacrifices made here are never forgotten.

Carcassonne, Occitanie

Carcassonne’s double-walled fortifications stretch nearly two miles and include 52 towers. Strengthened initially by the Romans, the fortress saw major medieval battles before falling into ruin. In the 19th century, architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc led a detailed restoration, helping Carcassonne regain its place as a symbol of historic strength.

Pantheon, Paris

Commissioned by King Louis XV in 1755, the Pantheon originally honored Saint Genevieve. After the French Revolution, it became a mausoleum for national heroes. The building’s neoclassical dome rises nearly 270 feet, and its crypt holds figures like Voltaire, Marie Curie, and Victor Hugo among its honored figures.

Place De La Bourse, Bordeaux

Graceful classical facades face the Garonne River, where Bordeaux became a central trading hub. Place de la Bourse, with its perfect symmetry and open space, became a centerpiece of the city’s ambitions. Across the plaza, the Miroir d’Eau creates a mirror image that shifts with every ripple and breeze.

Chateau De Fontainebleau, Ile-De-France

Royal ambition shaped Fontainebleau into a palace of shifting styles. Monarchs from Francis I to Napoleon left their mark across grand halls and sprawling gardens. Centuries of expansions, from the 12th through 19th centuries, reveal how changing tastes shaped one of France’s most historically layered royal residences.

Palace Of The Popes, Avignon

Construction of the Palace of the Popes began in 1335 when Avignon became the seat of the Catholic Church. The massive structure, spanning over 160,000 square feet, served as a fortress and residence. Its thick walls, ceremonial halls, and private chapels reveal the scale of papal authority in medieval Europe.

Louvre Museum, Paris

First constructed as a medieval fortress, the Louvre gradually became the world’s largest art museum. The iconic glass pyramid, added in 1989, changed its entrance without touching the palace’s historic wings. Throughout the galleries, thousands of works span ancient civilizations and modern exhibits by European masters.

Les Baux-De-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Cote D’Azur

Stone paths climb past ruins that once guarded the lords of Les Baux. Perched high in the Alpilles, the stronghold controlled trade routes across Provence. Today, abandoned quarries near the citadel host immersive art shows, blending modern creativity with the echoes of feudal power.

Chateau De Chambord, Loire Valley

Chateau de Chambord showcases French Renaissance ambition, with 440 rooms and a famous double-helix staircase. Construction began in 1519 under King Francis I, blending feudal forms with Italianate innovation. Initially designed for royal hunting, its vast parklands surround the elaborate stone towers and chimneys.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Designed by Gustave Eiffel’s firm, the Eiffel Tower rose in 1889 as the centerpiece of the Paris Exposition. Standing over 1,000 feet tall, it became the tallest structure of its time. Its nightly light now sparkles across the city, creating one of France’s most photographed scenes.

Pont Du Gard, Occitanie

Built around the first century AD, Pont du Gard carried fresh water nearly 30 miles to the Roman city of Nemausus. The triple-tiered structure, rising 160 feet above the river, remains one of the world’s best-preserved examples of Roman engineering and precision stone masonry.

Sainte-Chapelle, Paris

Sainte-Chapelle opened in 1248 under King Louis IX to safeguard sacred relics such as the Crown of Thorns. Its towering stained-glass windows cover over 6,000 square feet and depict over 1,000 biblical scenes. Sunlight turns the interior into a kaleidoscope of deep blues, rich reds, and shimmering golds.

Pont Alexandre III, Paris

Gilded statues gleam along Pont Alexandre III, the bridge symbolizing Franco-Russian friendship. Bronze nymphs and monumental lamps line the span between Les Invalides and the Grand Palais. Finished ahead of the 1900 Exposition Universelle, it is a jewel among Paris’ monumental river crossings.

Cathedrale Notre-Dame De Reims, Reims

Crowning centuries of royal ceremony, Reims Cathedral witnessed the coronations of nearly every French king. High Gothic vaults and intricate sculptures create a soaring interior. After suffering wartime destruction, the cathedral underwent careful restoration, securing its place as a guardian of national memory and pride.

Arc De Triomphe, Paris

Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806, the Arc de Triomphe celebrates triumphs from the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras. Names of battles and generals are engraved across its pillars. Visitors reaching the rooftop platform can view the star-shaped road layout across central Paris.