Top 10 French Travel Destinations | Part 1

It is no surprise that the greatest artists and poets of all time have been searching for inspiration here, in the charming French capital, so it’s quite difficult to count all the books and romantic movies about magical Paris.
Well, it is fair enough, and you’ll definitely feel that vibe from the very first minute of your stay in the heart of French charm and romance. So why Paris should be the starting point of your France trip?
The answer is pretty simple - the city is the goldmine of all true French classics at once!
Well, can you imagine a better way to experience authentic French spirit than starting your day by sipping a cup of coffee with a croissant in a tiny cafe with the views over the Eiffel Tower?

It goes without saying that Paris suburbs deserve a special mention as they house one of the calling cards of France and a beloved destination among tourists - Chateau de Versailles. Interesting to know that until 1632 a small settlement of Versailles was quite an unremarkable village near Paris but it all changed when the place attracted the attention of His Majesty Louis XIII of France.
Being a passionate hunter, the king decided to build a hunting lodge in this town, thus giving Versailles a chance for a bright future and worldwide fame.

Loire Valley has been the geographical and aristocratic center of France for several centuries as the proximity to Paris contributed to the prestige for building homes and castles in this area. Nowadays the region is a real mecca for travelers as the whole area of the Valley with the nearby cities was listed as one huge UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Can you imagine that the territory of Loire Valley nests more than 70 fancy castles of different epochs and styles?

If you plan an extensive trip around Western Europe which would combine France and Germany (and maybe even something else?), you are likely to have Strasbourg on your agenda.
Strasbourg is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in eastern France, looking as if it has walked off the pages of some fantasy book.
A major gem of Strasbourg is the Old Town, Grand Ile, which was among the first ones in entire Europe to be inscribed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In general, Strasbourg successfully combines its modern present with a wonderful medieval past, making the walk around the town pretty scenic and exciting.
The city is all about colorful narrow streets, an incredible Gothic cathedral, half-timbered houses, canals, and amazing cuisine. In addition, Strasbourg is the parliamentary capital of Europe, serving as the seat for the European Parliament, as well as one of the largest university centers of France.

To complete the whole picture of northern France, we advise you to include the capital of Normandy, Rouen, in your travel plans. This lovely port city on the river Seine is an amazing cradle of architectural and religious heritage.
As for the most visited attractions of the city, you should certainly see the famous Gothic cathedral of Notre Dame of the 16th century. It is interesting to know that the cathedral was even considered to be the tallest building on the planet until 1880.
The facade of the cathedral was also perpetuated in the works of the famous artist Monet.
But, of course, the Cathedral of Notre Dame is far from being the only famous building preserved from the times of the dark Middle Ages.
Among other must-sees, you can find the Church of Saint-Ouen, built in the 14th century, the majestic Palace of Justice and the famous tower of Joan of Arc, the only part of Rouen Castle that survived.

Welcome to Le Havre - a city in the north of France in the Normandy region. It is located on the right bank of the Seine near the mouth of the river and the shores of the English Channel. Le Havre is the largest French port and a dynamic modern city with many modern architectural structures. It was almost destroyed in World War II and rebuilt in the 60s of the 20th century from iron and concrete. The complex of monumental reinforced concrete buildings has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.

Caen is the capital and largest city of the Lower Normandy region in northeastern France, a 2—hour drive from Paris. Caen is often considered the archetypal city of Normandy. The city of William the Conqueror, Caen, has a long and rich history. One of the main battles during the Normandy Landings during World War II occurred here when most of the city was destroyed. The city of William the Conqueror and the capital of the Duchy of Normandy, along with Rouen, the city inherited a wealthy architectural heritage, partially destroyed during the Battle of Caen. The city has preserved the memory of this key moment of the Second World War by building, in particular, a Peace Memorial, known throughout the world for the commemorative ceremonies that take place here.

Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam (born 18 July 1975), better known by her stage name M.I.A., is an English recording artist of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage. She is also a songwriter, painter, and director. "M.I.A." is a play on her own name and a reference to the acronym of Missing in Action. Her compositions combine elements of electronic, dance, alternative, hip hop, and world music. Arulpragasam began her career in 2000 as a visual artist, filmmaker, and designer in west London before beginning her recording career in 2002. Since rising to prominence in early 2004 for her singles "Sunshowers" and "Galang", charting in the UK and Canada and reaching number 11 on the Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales in the US, she has been nominated for an Academy Award, two Grammy Awards and the Mercury Prize.

Mont Saint-Michel is the most popular tourist attraction in the country, an important tourist center. About 3 million people visit the island every year. Historical and architectural monuments attract someone. Picturesque views and unique tides attract someone. In addition, the abbey located on the island is one of the most famous religious buildings and a place of pilgrimage. The abbey's history began in the early years of the VIII century when the first chapel was built on a gloomy and majestic rock. The construction of the monastery's main church began in the XI century.
By the XIII century, the abbey had become one of the centers of attraction for pilgrims from France and throughout Europe. No wonder the monastery was nicknamed La Mervey - "miracle". The fortress island of Mont Saint-Michel is considered impregnable: it has survived several long sieges and has never been captured by the enemy. Tolkien's admirers can recognize the features of a cinematic fortress in the film adaptation of the writer's main book.

Brest is a city in the northwest of France in the Brittany region. It is an important port and the location of one of the largest naval bases in the country. Brest is not the most beautiful city in France. Most of its historic center was destroyed during the Second World War. The most remarkable feature of the city is the picturesque harbor, considered one of the most beautiful on the Atlantic coast. The name Brest probably comes from the Celtic word "hill".
Nothing is known about the settlement here until the 13th century.

The first written mention of it dates back to 1240. Brest became important in the 17th century under Cardinal Richelieu. A large port was built here, soon becoming the French fleet's base. In the 17th century, Brest was fortified by the famous military engineer Vauban. In 1940, the city was occupied by German troops and in 1944 was almost completely destroyed by bombing. Among the attractions are the Brest Castle - the oldest monument in Brest, founded in the 17th century and survived the Second World War. This citadel "guards" the entrance to the bay and is a maritime museum.

Paimpont is a town located in central Brittany, approximately 40 kilometers west of Rennes and surrounded by the Paimpont Forest. Located in the Forest of Broceliande, one of the last remaining remnants of the ancient forests which once covered Brittany, this forest is part of this ancient forest. In terms of size, Paimpont is a small town which has developed around an abbey and is surrounded by forest. Located on a lake surrounded by the Brocéliande forest, the village of Paimpont and its abbey have a lovely setting.
Although built on the site of a benedictine monastery that had already existed here for several centuries, the medieval Abbey is a lovely roman style building dating from the 13th century. The Abbey of Paimpont is surrounded by a square with wooden and granite buildings. Several restaurants and shops line the commercial street that leads from here. A two-kilometer walk leads to the Grotte de Notre Dame from the abbey through a park and forest.