France is big and varied. Here are six regions, what each one is best for and when to visit.
France is the largest country in the European Union, and its regions feel very different from each other. You can rarely do it all in one trip, so the best approach is to choose the regions that suit you. Here is a short guide.
Best for: art, history and city life · Best months: April to June, September to October
The capital has world-class museums, cafés and architecture. Nearby, the Palace of Versailles and the gardens of Giverny make easy day trips. Give Paris at least three days.
Best for: markets, villages and lavender · Best months: May to September
Hilltop villages, Roman ruins, olive groves and Saturday markets. The lavender fields bloom from late June to July. Avignon and Aix-en-Provence make good bases. Our Flavors of Provence itinerary covers this region.
Best for: beaches and coastal towns · Best months: May, June and September
Nice, Antibes and Cannes sit along a coast of pebble beaches and blue water. Nice has a lively old town and is a good base for trips along the coast. The summer months are the busiest and the most expensive.
Best for: châteaux and wine · Best months: April to October
A river valley with hundreds of castles, including Chambord and Chenonceau. It is easy to explore by car or bike, and the region is known for its white wines and gentle landscapes.
Best for: villages and Christmas markets · Best months: May to October, and December
Half-timbered towns such as Colmar and Strasbourg, set among vineyards along the German border. The Alsace Wine Route links small villages, and the Christmas markets in December are among the best in Europe.
Best for: coast, history and seafood · Best months: June to September
Normandy has the D-Day beaches, the white cliffs at Étretat and the abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel. Brittany is wilder, with rocky coves and fishing harbours. Both are cooler and greener than the south.
Tip: France's high-speed trains make it easy to combine regions. Paris to Lyon or to Strasbourg takes only a few hours.