Famous for its wines and cheeses, France is the world’s most popular tourist destination
receiving 82 million foreign tourists annual.
Visitors are attracted by historic cities, a beautiful countryside, the castles of the
Loire Valley, and Brittany and Normandy.
In addition, France offers an agreeable climate, some excellent beaches on the French Riviera,
the Atlantic coast and the island of Corsica, wide possibilities for winter sports, most
notably in the Alps and the Pyrenees, and a rich culture with food and wines that are
among the most celebrated in the world.
Here’s a look at the top tourist attractions in France.
Number 10.
Millau Bridge.
The Millau Viaduct is a cable bridge that happens to be the tallest bridge in the world
at 1,125 feet.
The four-lane bridge spans the valley of the River Tarn in southern France.
Opening in 2004, the bridge is considered one of France greatest engineering feats.
Number 9.
Pont du Gard.
The Pont du Gard is an old Roman bridge that crosses the River Gardon in southern France.
Built around 40 AD, it was part of a long watercourse to bring water from a spring in
Uzes to the Roman colony of Nimes.
At 160 feet tall, it is the highest of all the Roman aqueduct bridges.
Number 8.
Carcassonne.
Cite de Carcassonne is an historic fortified city in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.
The city dates back about 2,500 years and became part of France in the mid-13th century.
At one time it was the center of the French woolen textile industry.
A 19th-century restoration project of the Cité turned Carcassonne into the popular
tourist destination it is today.
Number 7.
Chartres Cathedral.
The Chartres Cathedral is located in a small city near Paris that seems too small to fit
the Cathedral.
The vast nave, the porches adorned with fine sculptures and the magnificent 12th- and 13th-century
stained-glass windows, all in remarkable condition, make it one of the finest examples of the
French High Gothic style.
Number 6.
Chateau de Chambord.
The château to end all châteaux, the Chateau de Chambord is a masterpiece of the French
Renaissance.
Construction of the Chateau de Chambord started in 1519 by King François I so he could hunt
in the nearby forests.
The cold and massive 440 rooms of the Château made it unpopular as an actual residence and
François I himself stayed here for less than 40 days in total.
Number 5.
Gorge du Verdon.
The Gorge du Verdon, located in southeastern France, is considered one of Europe’s most
beautiful river canyons.
It’s at its deepest at almost 2,300 feet in an area that offers the best views as the
green emerald Verdon River winds its way through the canyon.
Number 4.
Mont Saint-Michel.
Mont Saint Michel is a small tidal island located just off the coast of Normandy.
A spectacular and well-preserved Norman Benedictine Abbey of St Michel stands at the peak of the
rocky island, surrounded by the winding streets and convoluted architecture of the medieval
town.
A causeway connects the mainland with the island.
Number 3.
Palace of Versailles.
The Palace of Versailles is frequently associated with Marie Antoinette, the French queen who
was beheaded during the French Revolution.
The royal palace started out as a hunting lodge in 1624 and became more ornate over
the years.
Located outside of Paris, Versailles is known for the Hall of Mirrors and beautiful gardens.
Number 2.
St Tropez.
St Tropez is a resort community on the French Riviera.
Once a military stronghold, fishing village and artist colony, it is now a playground
for the jetset.
The beaches are popular with scantily clad sunbathers, while others come for windsurfing,
sailing and yachting.
Outside peak summer there are less celebrities to spot but you’ll also instantly appreciate
what lured artists, writers and film makers to this picturesque village.
Number 1.
Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris.
The tower was built by Gustave Eiffel as the entrance arch for the International Exhibition
of Paris of 1889.
At 1,063 feet tall, it is still the highest building in Paris, offering stunning vistas
of the city below.
Since its construction more than 200,000,000 people have visited the Eiffel Tower making
it the most visited paid tourist attraction in the world.