Top 10 Tourist Attractions in France.These are enough to make you say “ooh la la”. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 French Tourist attractions and destinations.
For this list, we’ve chosen those monuments, buildings or
of France that
draw many
per year, as opposed to just specific cities that are popular for tourists to visit.
#10: LascauxFound
the village of Montignac in southwestern France, these caves
showcase from the late sStone age and are estimated to be over 17,000 years old. The subjects of the paintings
range from animals like
and horses to
and varied symbols. The caves were briefly open to the public in the mid-forties following their
, but this,
along with environmental factors quickly took their
toll; now,
wannabe cave explorers can visit the
facsimile that’s been constructed for their viewing
.
#9: Gorges du VerdonWhile we could have picked the
cliffs and
inlets of the Cassis, we
the Gorges du Verdon for this spot.
as one of the most
stunning of its kind in Europe, this
pristine river canyon runs for more than 15 miles in southeastern France and stands out due to the water’s distinctive turquoise-green color. Tourists are particularly
to the Verdon Gorge because it’s so
the
French Riviera, and because of the
activities
available there, like hiking, kayaking and
rock climbing.
#8: Arena of Nîmes
While it may initially remind you of the Colosseum, this Roman located in the southern French city of Nîmes is a sight in its own right. While the Pont du Gard is another Roman site to check out in France, it’s this arena built around 70AD, that grabs our attention. Used for diverse , including bullfights, the Arena of Nîmes gives us a taste of while also allowing us to watch our favorite bands – as its 16,000-plus capacity has often been used as a concert venue for acts like Rammstein and Metallica. #7: Normandy Beaches and D-Day SightsThese
in Normandy are
among the most recognizable sites of World War II, and for good reason. On June 6, 1944,
from the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and others joined together to launch Operation Overlord against the Nazis in Western Europe. The Allies ended up winning the
. Because of their historical importance, and the D-Day museums that have been set up in the country, the
has become and remains a
tourist attraction.
#6: The French RivieraKnown as the Côte d’Azur, this
in France’s southeast region is one of the most popular
resort destinations in the world – and it doesn’t take a rocket
to see why. Attracting artists,
and celebrities, as well as regular
tourists, the region
boasts a Mediterranean climate,
like the Cannes Film Festival, and water-based activities like
yachting and
cruising. Its biggest city is Nice,
though it also surrounds the
city-state of Monaco.
#5: Palace of VersaillesTalk about a big transformation: Versailles started off as a country village, but now it’s one of Paris’ most affluent
. It’s most famous for being the site of the Palace of Versailles, a
chateau with strong
roots in French history, as it was a major
hub for political
for Louis XIV starting in the late 1600s. It's grand building with multiple “appartements,” “salons” or rooms, and more, with The
being especially notable.
While the palace was converted into a museum in the mid-1830s, it is also now used for
functions.
#4: L'Arc de TriompheThis
landmark just screams Paris. One of the most famous and most
monuments in the city, l'Arc de Triomphe has got
from both the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, and was commissioned by Napoleon following France’s
at Austerlitz. With its
Roman design, representations of academic
and an eternal flame accompanying the
, it’s definitely something not to be missed especially if you’re near the western end of the Champs-Élysées.
#3: Notre Dame de ParisLocated in Paris’ fourth arrondissement, this catholic cathedral is one of the biggest of its kind in the world. Not only is the exterior of the cathedral
breathtaking, the interior boasts all the
makings of a classic
church. Even the
basement has a
history, as it has an
crypt to protect historical ruins. This is remarkable considering the cathedral was
during the French Revolution; fortunately, actions were undertaken to
it in the 1840s and it’s still quite a site to see.
#2: The LouvreThere’s not much to say about this
that you haven’t already heard. It’s one of the most distinctively Parisian landmarks and one of the most well-known museums in the world. Calling Paris’ 1st arrondissement home, the
institution houses a collection of works
ranging from antiquities,
, paintings and more – but it is, of course, most famous for the being the home of the Mona Lisa. With thousands of
, it’s no wonder The Louvre is the most visited museum on the planet.
Before we
unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Mont Saint-Michel, Carcassonne, - Château de Chambord, - Mont Blanc
- Dune of Pilat
#1: The Eiffel TowerNothing says Paris quite like this. Built in 1889 for that year’s world’s fair by
Gustave Eiffel, it’s become not only the world’s most-visited paid
but also an
of the country. Standing over 1,000 feet tall, the man-made
offers an observatory
restaurants, which can be
by stairs or an elevator. The
striking landmark might be
the cheesiest place for a
, but the Eiffel Tower remains a
bucket list item for many a traveller.
Do you agree with our list? Which French tourist attraction or destination is your favorite? For more entertaining top 10s published daily, be sure to
to WatchMojo.com.
