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.

34. Château d`If

The Château d’If, 1,6 km off the shoreline from Marseille, was originally a fortress and then a prison. It became famous as the setting for Alexandre Dumas`book “The Count of Monte Cristo”. Political prisoners, Protestants and Communards were imprisoned here, as was the famous revolutionary hero Mirabeau. The castle was closed as a prison in 1890 and opened for the public.

The Château d’ If is only accessible by ferry from Marseille (around 20 minutes).

35. Nice

With its warm and sunny location on the mediterranean southeast coast of France, the popularity of Nice as a holiday resort is understandable. Part of the Riviera, it is also the second largest city on the mediterranean coast and the fifth largest in France. Nice boasts wonderful beaches where you can swim and work on your mediterranean tan, but also ancient churches, parks and lovely walks. Particularly interesting to the cultured are the Marc Chagall Art Museum and the Russian Orthodox Church.

Nice is 155 km from Marseille and 154 km from Turin in Italy (where it is known as Nizza). It is only 20 km from Monaco and has its own airport.

36. Monaco

A haven for the rich and the famous (largely due to its tax laws), at just over 2 square kilometres in size and a population of nearly 40.000, Monaco is the most densely-populated country in the world. Located on the southern coast of France on the Mediterranean, Monaco is a sovereign state which has been ruled by the Grimaldi family since 1297. It is estimated that around 30% of its population consists of millionaires.

For high class boutiques and high end car dealers and just shopping generally, Monaco is hard to beat. The harbor with its multi-million dollar yachts has to be seen to be believed, restaurants and hotels are excellent, the old town is beautiful and both France and Italy are less than 20 km away. Monaco has great casinos, too. The country lies around 20 km east of Nice (30 minutes by road or rail).

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