France draws travelers from every corner of the globe. With nearly 90 million visitors each year, this country holds a spot among the world’s top destinations. From the iron lattice of Paris to lavender fields stretching across Provence, France delivers experiences that linger long after you return home. The best things to do in France will help shape a trip that covers both iconic landmarks and hidden corners.
This guide presents 12 top things to do in France for tourists, along with verified entry fees, opening times, and practical tips drawn from official sources. Art collectors, beach seekers, and history buffs will all find something here worth adding to their plans.
1. Eiffel Tower, Paris
Gustave Eiffel completed this iron structure in 1889 for the World Fair. Critics called it an eyesore back then. Today, over 6 million people climb it annually. Three viewing platforms offer different perspectives of Paris below. The second floor sits at 115 meters, while the summit reaches 276 meters above ground.
A champagne bar operates at the summit. Prices run high, but sipping bubbly while gazing across Paris creates memories worth paying for. Lines stretch longest between 11 AM and 4 PM during the summer months. Booking tickets online 60 days ahead secures your preferred time slot. This ranks among the must-see places in France for first-time visitors.
- Google Rating: 4.7/5
- Location: Av. Gustave Eiffel, 75007 Paris, France
- Timings: 9:30 AM – 11:00 PM (varies seasonally)
- Entry Fee: Starting from €14.50/INR 1500 (depends on floor and access type), set aside 2 to 3 hours for exploration
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2. Louvre Museum, Paris
What started as a 12th-century fortress became a royal residence, then Napoleon turned it into a public museum. Today, the Louvre holds over 35,000 works spread across 72,000 square meters of gallery space. You could visit every day for a year and still miss something.
Everyone rushes to see the Mona Lisa behind her bulletproof glass in the Denon Wing. But the Winged Victory of Samothrace and Venus de Milo deserve just as much attention with far smaller crowds. The Egyptian antiquities wing spans entire floors that most visitors skip completely, which means more room for those who wander in.
- Google Rating: 4.7/5
- Location: 75001 Paris, France
- Timings: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (until 9:00 PM on Wednesday and Friday); closed Tuesday
- Entry Fee: Ticket price €22/ INR 2300 (advance booking recommended), set aside 2 to 3 hours for exploration
3. Palace of Versailles
Louis XIV transformed a hunting lodge into a 2,300-room palace that screamed French power and artistry. The royal court moved here in 1682 and never looked back. The Hall of Mirrors alone holds 357 mirrors facing seventeen windows, flooding the gallery with sunlight every afternoon.
Beyond the main palace, Marie Antoinette’s private estate sits about twenty minutes away on foot. She built a working farm and thatched cottages here to escape the endless formalities of court life. The 800 hectares of gardens surrounding everything could take an entire day to explore properly.
- Google Rating: 4.6/5
- Location: Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, France
- Timings: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM (Palace); 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM (Gardens); closed Monday
- Entry Fee: €25/ INR 2700 (Palace); €32/ INR 3400 (Passport – full estate access), set aside 2 to 4 hours to explore the palace
4. Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris
Fire nearly destroyed the Notre-Dame Cathedral in April 2019. After five years of careful restoration, Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024. Craftspeople rebuilt the oak spire, cleaned centuries of grime from stone walls, and restored stained glass windows to their original brilliance.
Entry remains free for all visitors. Booking a time slot through the official website or app avoids long queues that form throughout the day. The restored interior feels brighter than before the fire. Cleaned limestone and improved lighting reveal details hidden for generations under layers of soot.
- Google Rating: 4.7/5
- Location: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France
- Timings: Monday – Friday, 7:50 AM – 7:00 PM; Thursday until 10:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday 8:15 AM – 7:30 PM
- Entry Fee: Free (Treasury €12/ INR 1300; Crypt €9/ INR 950), set aside 1 to 2 hours for exploration
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5. Mont Saint-Michel
The Mont Saint-Michel abbey sits at the summit, reached by climbing narrow streets lined with shops and restaurants. Construction began in the 8th century and continued for 500 years. Gothic spires, Romanesque arches, and fortified walls layer atop one another in architectural complexity.
Visiting during the low season reveals the island without crushing crowds. Summer months bring over three million annual visitors to streets barely wide enough for two people. Staying overnight on the island transforms the experience after day-trippers depart.
- Google Rating: NA
- Location: Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy
- Timings: Abbey 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (varies seasonally)
- Entry Fee: €13/ INR 1400 (Abbey); island access is free, so plan for a full day to explore this area
6. French Riviera
This Mediterranean coastline between Saint-Tropez and Monaco attracts yacht owners, film stars, and sunbathers alike. Nice serves as the main hub with its curved Promenade des Anglais running seven kilometers along the waterfront. Pebble beaches line the shore instead of sand.
Cannes hosts the famous film festival each May. Red carpets roll out along La Croisette boulevard, where luxury boutiques and grand hotels face the sea. Monaco packs casinos, a royal palace, and the famous Grand Prix circuit into just two square kilometers.
- Google Rating: NA
- Location: Southeastern France, Mediterranean coast
- Timings: Beaches and promenades open 24 hours
- Entry Fee: Free (beach access); museums vary, set aside at least a full day to explore this area
7. Loire Valley Châteaux
French royalty built pleasure palaces throughout this river valley during the Renaissance. Over 300 châteaux dot the landscape within easy driving distance of each other. Gardens, forests, and vineyards surround these architectural treasures.
Chambord stands largest with 440 rooms and a double helix staircase, possibly designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Chenonceau spans the River Cher on graceful arches. Villandry features gardens arranged in geometric patterns representing love, music, and vegetables.
- Google Rating: NA
- Location: Loire Valley, Central France
- Timings: Most châteaux open 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (varies by property)
- Entry Fee: Prices vary based on château (combination passes available), set aside 1 to 2 hours per châteaux
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8. Provence Lavender Fields
Lavender blooms paint Provence purple from mid-June through early August. The Valensole plateau offers the most photographed fields with endless rows running toward the horizon. Harvest typically begins in late July, so timing matters for peak color.
Sénanque Abbey sits surrounded by lavender planted by monks who still reside there. Visiting requires silence and respect for the working monastery. The village of Sault hosts a lavender festival each August 15th with parades, markets, and demonstrations of distillation techniques.
- Google Rating: NA
- Location: Valensole, Luberon, and the surrounding Provence regions
- Timings: Fields accessible dawn to dusk (peak bloom mid-June to late July)
- Entry Fee: Free, set aside at least a full day to explore this area
9. Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Paris
This white basilica crowns Montmartre hill at Paris’s highest natural point. Romano-Byzantine architecture differs sharply from Gothic churches elsewhere in the city. Construction began after France’s defeat in the 1870 Franco-Prussian War as a gesture of national penance.
The view from the steps stretches across all of Paris on clear days. Inside, a massive mosaic depicting Christ covers the ceiling of the apse. Perpetual adoration has continued here since 1885 without interruption except during World War II.
- Google Rating: 4.7/5
- Location: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, France
- Timings: 6:30 AM – 10:30 PM daily
- Entry Fee: Free (basilica); €8/ INR 850 (dome access), set aside 2 to 4 hours for exploration
10. Bordeaux Wine Region
The city of Bordeaux underwent a transformation in recent decades. UNESCO listed its historic center in 2007. The Cité du Vin museum uses interactive exhibits to explain global wine culture without favoring any single region. A tasting session at the rooftop belvedere concludes each visit.
Visiting châteaux requires advance booking at prestigious estates. Smaller family wineries welcome drop-in guests more readily. Harvest season in September and October brings festivals and special tours. Things to do in France for tourists should include at least one vineyard visit.
- Google Rating: NA
- Location: Bordeaux region, Southwestern France
- Timings: Cité du Vin 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; wineries vary
- Entry Fee: Cité du Vin €22/ INR 2400; winery tastings €10 – €50/ INR 1100 – INR 5300, set aside at least a full day to explore this region
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FAQs
When is the best time to visit France?
Spring, from April through June, and autumn, from September to November, offer pleasant weather and manageable crowds. Summer brings peak tourist numbers and higher prices, but longer daylight hours. Winter suits ski resorts and quieter city exploration. Lavender blooms require visits between mid-June and late July.
How many days should I spend in France?
Ten to fourteen days covers major highlights comfortably. Paris alone deserves four to five days for proper exploration. Adding Versailles takes another day. Provence, the Loire Valley, or the Riviera each need three to four days. One week works for focusing on Paris and one additional region without rushing.
Is France expensive for tourists?
Costs vary significantly by location. Paris and the Riviera rank among Europe’s priciest destinations. Budget €120/ INR 12,700 to €180/ INR 19,000 daily for mid-range accommodation, meals, and attractions. Smaller towns and rural areas cost considerably less. Picnic lunches with bakery bread and market cheese stretch budgets further.
What language is spoken in France?
French serves as the national language. English work at major tourist sites, hotels, and restaurants in cities. Rural areas and smaller towns require basic French phrases. Learning greetings and polite expressions earns appreciation from locals. Translation apps help bridge communication gaps.
Is public transport good in France?
France operates one of Europe’s fastest rail networks. TGV trains connect Paris to Lyon in two hours and Marseille in three hours. Paris Metro covers the city efficiently with sixteen lines. Regional buses fill gaps between train stations and smaller villages. Renting cars makes sense for countryside exploration.
What food should I try in France?
Croissants and pain au chocolat belong at breakfast. Coq au vin and boeuf bourguignon represent hearty regional cooking. Crêpes come sweet or savory throughout Brittany. Cheese courses follow main dishes at proper French meals. Macarons from Ladurée or Pierre Hermé make perfect edible souvenirs.
Can I use credit cards everywhere?
Cards work widely at restaurants, shops, hotels, and attractions. Small establishments and markets sometimes prefer cash. Contactless payments have become standard in recent years. ATMs operate throughout cities and towns. Notify your bank before traveling to prevent card blocks.
Is France safe for tourists?
France maintains standard safety levels for a Western European country. Pickpocketing occurs in crowded tourist areas and Metro stations. Keep valuables secure and stay aware in busy locations. Emergency services respond to 112 calls. Medical facilities meet high standards throughout the country.
What are the best things to do in France for first-time visitors?
Start with three to four days in Paris covering the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Montmartre, plus a day trip to Versailles. Then pick a second region like Provence for lavender fields, the Loire Valley for châteaux, or the French Riviera for beaches. This mix gives you the iconic things to do in France while showing you how different each corner of the country feels.
