France: Cities and Regions

Paris France’s capital is seeped in romance, decadence, and culture. Discover its charms while sipping vin at a sidewalk café, strolling atmospheric alleys, or flitting about its many monuments and museums.

French Riviera Situated on the southeastern coast of France, the fabled French Riviera, or Côte d’Azur, has long enticed sun worshipers with its seaside charm, beautiful people, and mild Mediterranean climate.

Provence Located in southern France, fields of lavender, olive groves, and immense green valleys connect city gems like Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, St-Tropez, and Marseille, France’s second largest city.

Loire Valley This vineyard-bordered valley southwest of Paris is equally famous for wine as it is châteaux (musts include Chambord and Chenonceau). Combine tours with hiking, bicycling, or hot air ballooning.

The Rhône Valley, French Alps, and Eastern France French tradition meets here with cultural influences from neighboring Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. Waterways and lush greenery cultivate the Rhône vineyards; crystalline lakes and dramatic peaks define the Alps.

Champagne, Burgundy, and The Massif Central Known internationally for its savory wine and bubbly production, visitors here can set out on tastings, barge the Burgundy Canal, or explore rugged geological wonders – from volcanic ranges to geothermal spas.

Bordeaux and The Atlantic Coast The laid-back western edge of France features windswept Atlantic beaches, rich architectural and cultural heritage in the Dordogne River Valley, and the carefully cultivated vineyards of Bordeaux.

Southwestern France and The Pyrenees The sunny southwest boasts popular Mediterranean beaches and Spanish-influenced border towns. With the towering Pyrenees on the horizon, regional landscapes reveal ancient monuments, medieval villages, and gorge-speckled wilderness.