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.

58. Picasso Museum (Paris)

The Musée Picasso, located in the Marais district of France in the imposing former Hôtel Salé, is an absolute must for lovers of modern art. It comprises over 5.000 works by Picasso himself, plus works by Matisse, Seurat, Cézanne, Dégas and others from Picasso’s private collection (donated after the painter’s death by his heirs in 1973 in lieu of taxes).

The Picasso Museum is located in the 3rd arrondissement , 20 minutes from the Gare du Nord (nearest metro stops “St. Paul” or “Chemin Vert”).

59. Palais Longchamps (Marseille)

The magnificent classical Palais Longchamps in the 4th arrondissement of Marseille houses the National History Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. Started in 1839, the building took over 30 years to complete. Comprising sculptures and paintings from the 16th and 19th centuries, a botanical garden (formerly a zoo) and an observatory which houses the largest telescope in the world.

60. Vulcania (Saint-Ours-les-Roches, Auvergne)

This educational theme park in Auvergne, central France, has volcanoes as its theme and is known as the “European Park of Volcanism”. At the time of its inception in 2002, the project met with criticism partly for reasons of conservationalism and partly because of the strong involvement of Giscard d’Estaing, the former President of France. Nonetheless, it now attracts around 350.000 visitors a year.

15 km North West of Clermont-Ferrand, which has its own airport, St. Ours is accessible in 13 minutes by taxi or rental car.

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