France is the number one tourist destination worldwide, and it is not difficult to see why. Quite apart from the diversity of its national monuments – many but by no means all of which are to be found in the capital city of Paris – it offers culture, tradition, fascinating history, romance and charm as well as fantastic cooking and first-rate wines.

It is interesting to note, when you are visiting France, that the French are extraordinarily nonchalant about the beauties and treasures in their wonderful country, almost as if they took them for granted. They live, eat and sleep with them in a completely different way to the rest of the world. For that reason, it is often difficult to find information about the lesser-known gems of antiquity or beauty hidden away in the remoter regions of France. This list of the best things to do in France will shed light, not only on the attractions and monuments with which everyone is acquainted, but on other equally beautiful or significant attractions which are all but unknown.

10. Gard Bridge (Nîmes)

The “Pont du Gard” is huge, 3-tiered ancient Roman aqueduct spanning the Gardon river, which was built in the first century AD to channel water from the Fontaine d’Eure near Uzès to Nemausus (Nîmes). Even after it had ceased to be used as an aqueduct, it continued to be maintained as a toll bridge, surviving three severe floods in the course of the last century which destroyed many other bridges.

Today the bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the top five tourist attractions in France. It can easily be accessed from Nîmes (22 km) or Avignon (25 km).

11. Moulin Rouge

Birthplace of the (for the times) scandalous “can-can”, the Moulin Rouge was founded by Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler in 1889. It was the first cabaret music-hall of its kind and rapidly became successful, sparking off similar cabarets all over Europe and inspiring even such geniuses as Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec. Distinguished by the red windmill on its roof which gives it its name (“moulin rouge” means “red windmill” in English), the building was destroyed by fire in 1915, but was rebuilt 10 years later. Today it is as popular as ever, attracting 600,000 guests a year.

The Moulin Rouge is just under 2 kilometres from the railway station Gare du Nord. The closest subway station is “Blanche”.

12. Ronde des Vins d’Alsace

The Alsatian wine route, or “Ronde des Vins d’Alsace” as it is known in France, is a winding trail of some 170 kilometres through the legendary, 1000 year old wine-growing region of Alsace in eastern France. Roughly speaking, the trail leads from Thann in the south to Marlenheim in the north, embracing wine museums, grape-harvesting techniques and (of course!) wine-tasting as it goes.

The region and its villages are highly picturesque and a number of cycle routes are available for those who would like to explore them in their own time. Coach and bus tours can also be booked by the less adventurous. The closest airport/railway station to Marlenheim is Strasbourg, just over 20 kilometres away; the bus (line 230) takes half an hour.

Source: https://www.jenreviews.com/best-things-to-do-in-france/