11 Best Experiences in France

These are the best Experiences in France, so you can have an authentic, fun, and exciting trip to the country without missing a thing.

France offers plenty of things to see and do but there are many experiences in France that you must have.

Whether you are heading up the Eiffel Tower, taking a scenic Seine River Cruise, or discovering the lesser-visited towns and villages of the country, these French experiences will leave you impressed and wanting more.

There are many reasons to visit France but either way, planning a trip to France is a must, at least once in our lifetime.

Discover the country from a different point of view, and make the most of your visit to France.

Best experiences in France

Visit the Eiffel Tower at Sunset

Paris is the number one thing to do on your France bucket list.

To discover Paris at its most enchanting, visit the Eiffel Tower at sunset. In the early evening, the gentle lighting has an ethereal effect. The golden glow on the horizon lends a romantic quality at this particular time of day (from late afternoon until dusk). 

The panoramas become even more spectacular as the sun goes down, with the city’s monuments illuminated and the Seine River reflecting the stunning colors of sunset.

The dining rooms of both restaurants feature breathtaking views of the Paris cityscape. You may request a window seat when reserving Le Jules Verne. If you love Online Keno, you can access a strong internet around the Eiffel Tower. 

Cruise the Seine River

Cruising the Seine River is an incredible way to see the best things to do in Paris, while enjoying a relaxing experience.

The Compagnie des Bateaux-Mouches offers scenic boat tours, sailing past the Place de la Concorde, the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and other landmarks along the way.

You can opt for various Bateaux-Mouches experiences, which include daytime boat tours, brunch or lunch cruises, romantic dinner cruises, and cabaret shows.

The monuments along the Seine are illuminated, creating a genuinely alluring impression at night.

Explore the Charming Old Quarters of Paris

The Quartier Latin, the Île Saint-Louis, and Le Marais are charming neighborhoods where visitors can explore the aura of medieval Paris.

You can explore the Left Bank in the Latin Quarter, the city’s university quarter, cross the Seine River at the Petit Pont bridge, and head to the Île de la Cité to admire the façade of Notre-Dame Cathedral begin exploring the Left Bank in the Latin Quarter.

The Pont Saint-Louis bridge leads to another island from the Île de la Cité, in the Seine River, the Île Saint-Louis, an area brimming with old-world charm. 

You must visit the Eglise Saint-Louis en l’Île, a lovely Baroque church dedicated to Saint Louis (King Louis IX), and then enjoy a treat from the nearby Glacier Berthillon ice cream parlor.

This is also one of the best free things to do in Paris, ideal for those visiting the city on a budget.

Visit Mont Saint-Michel

The Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel appears like a heaven vision soaring above its perch on a rocky island off the Normandy coastline.

Mont Saint-Michel is recognized as the “Pyramid of the Seas.” The island’s glorious Gothic abbey has been a stop along the “Way of Saint James” pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela since the 11th century.

Explore the Artists’ Villages in Provence

Many famous painters fell in love with Provence’s quaint medieval villages and sun-drenched seaports, representing the fantastic scenery in colorful works of art. The legacy of this cultural heritage is seen in the numerous museums and art galleries scattered throughout the region’s towns.

This is one of the most beautiful cities in France to visit and makes for a romantic break in the country.

Tour the Burial Place of the Kings of France at Saint-Denis

The Basilica-Cathedral of Saint-Denis is the burial place of the Kings of France from the 12th century to the 19th century. This magnificent building also represents the birth of Gothic architecture in France.

The Basilica-Cathedral of Saint-Denisis was the first French cathedral to use techniques like the pointed arch, the pointed ribbed vault, or stained glass windows to get more light inside.

Located in Saint-Denis, a few kilometers north of Paris, the Basilica-Cathedral of Saint-Denis makes for an easy half-day trip from the French capital.

Spend a Day at the Louvre Museum

You cannot afford to miss Visit the Louvre, the world’s best museum. The Louvre was the place of the throne of the French Kings for many centuries until King Louis XIV shifted it to Versailles.

You can visit the Louvre’s medieval moats and walls, Napoleon iii’s apartments, the royal galleries, and more!

Spend A Royal Day in Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is a wonder of French baroque architecture and one of the most magnificent places to see in France on any holiday to Paris.

You can visit the fabulous rooms and halls inside the Palace, home to three French kings and their courts. You can also explore the magnificent French-style gardens, with beautiful fountains and grooves, and the grounds around the Grand Canal.

The Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches

The Normandy Landing Operations was the largest seaborne invasion in history.

The charge took place on the beaches of Normandy on Tuesday, 6 June 1944, by the Allies, and it was the beginning of the liberation of German-occupied France from Nazi control.

The Normandy D-day Landing Beaches is one of the most popular day trips from Paris.

If you have the time, you can explore the area on a multi-day road trip to visit the beaches and some war cemeteries and memorials. Another option could be to travel from England to France on an organized trip to visit Normandy.

The history here makes Normandy worth visiting on your trip full of experiences in France.

Spend a Night in a French Château

Spending a royal night in a French château is one of the outstanding experiences that you cannot forget for the rest of your life.

Interestingly, France has over 40,000 châteaux of all periods and styles. As you know, some of these French châteaux are home to nobles or rich people, while others have been beautifully restored and turned into boutique hotels, and they are best for a relaxing weekend getaway in France.

Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu or Château d’Ermenonville are two captivating examples near Paris.

Try to Cook Classic French Cuisine 

Each area of France has its distinctive culinary style. Still, the Burgundy region boasts some of France’s most famous regional dishes: escargot, gougères (cheese puffs), Coq au Vin (chicken stew), and Boeuf Bourguignon (Beef Burgundy).

Suppose you have a keen interest in culinary arts and enjoy trying to cook different cuisines. In that case, Katherine Frelon’s Culinary School offers seven-day culinary vacations at a 400-year-old farmhouse, La Ferme de la Lochere, in the village of Marigny-le-Cahouet.

It can be hard to decide what to do in France because France has many exciting regions, beautiful landscapes, and endless French landmarks scattered throughout the land.

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