So it’s been almost a year, and I’m reflecting back on trips I took, things I loved to do, and places which stick out in my mind. One of the things that sticks out to me, after travelling with my American friends in Europe, is how much people leave France to see other countries nearby: Germany, Luxemborg, Italy, etc. The fact is that there are some absolutely stunning places in France which you should not miss. I did not get too see everything I wanted to see, but I can give recounts of where I went, as well as some suggestions based on what I heard from other people.
The first place in France that you absolutely must see is Paris. Many people really don’t like Paris that much, and I’d say that if you just go visit the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysee, that’s completely understandable. Maybe you won’t like it even after you tramp around and see everything. However, Paris really is a city you NEED to see. My suggestions:
- See the museums. Figure out what type of art you like, and go explore! The Louvre is amazing, and if you like painting than the Musee D’Orsay is also cool. There are many, many others, such as the Rodin museum and the Musee Branly. Don’t go see what you don’t want to: if you have specific tastes, go find them! If you don’t know what you like, then go to the Louvre and find out.
- Eat. A lot. But, DON’T go just anywhere. Use guidebooks and websites to find legitimately good food. In Paris, it’s very easy to go somewhere expensive and crappy. The worst meals I had while in Paris were when my friends and I just decided to walk and find somewhere to eat.
- Wake up early (at least by 8am) and go get bread. The Boulangeries are amazing. I can guarantee you that you will eat some of the best bread you have ever–and probably will ever–eat.
- The gardens are also amazing. Tuileries near the Louvre is pretty amazing, as are many others around the city.
- Finally, go find random cool things to see! There is one of the oldest and best Taxidermy shops in Paris, as well as a pastry maker called La Duree which makes the world’s best Macarons. Go find something you’d want to see, and go see it
The second place I’d say is a must-see is Normandy. This part of France is beautiful, resembling the Northeast of the United States. They make amazing hard cider, and the food and crepes are delicious. But, most importantly, you can go see the World War II landing sites and the US gravesite at Omaha Beach. It’s a powerful scene, and an experience that all Americans who get a chance should have. I’d highly suggest renting a car, because there are no metro stations and the buses stop around 5:30. You can stay in Caen or Bayeux. We found a hostel in Ouistreham which was cheap and close to the beaches (actually located on Juno beach), but was far away from anything else.
The third place you should see is the Loire Valley chateaux. Chenonceau is beautiful, spanning a small stream, and Chambord is huge and magestic. The gardens are also spectacular if they’re in bloom. Finally, many of the small villages are really cool to walk around. If you’re feeling athletic, you can rent bicycles at many of the towns near the chateaux, which a friend of mine and I did. The rides are beautiful, on back roads through fields and past vineyards.
As honorable mention (aka places I did not get to see personally), Aix En Provence is supposedly very beautiful. It’s the small village in the south of France where all the rich Paresians go for the summer. Also consider Toulouse and Marseille. Finally, we travelled to Lyon and it was a great city, easy to get to and very easy to walk. Plus, Lyon is supposedly the gastronomic capitol of France.
That’s it for my “places to see in France.” I’m sure there are many more.
