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.

7. The Louvre (Paris)

Probably the most famous art museum in the world (and the second most-visited), La Louvre was established in the former 12th century Louvre Palace in 1793 as a museum to display the nation’s treasures. Today a surface area of 72,735 square metres houses nearly 35,000 objets d’art, paintings and drawings, ranging from prehistoric times to the modern day, undoubtedly the most famous of which being Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

La Louvre, which draws 15,000 visitors a day, is located in the 1er arrondissement on the right bank of the Seine. It is around 5 kilometres from the Gare du Nord: the closest metro stations are “Louvre Rivoli” and “Palais Royal Musée du Louvre”, both on Line 1.

8. Verdon Gorge (Moustiers Ste. Marie)

25 km long and 700 m deep, the stunning Verdon Gorge is widely considered to be the most beautiful in Europe. It was cut by the Verdon river, whose distinctive emerald green colour – caused by microscopic algae – gave both the river and the Gorge their names (“vert” in French means “green”). Often referred to as “The Grand Canyon of Europe”, the Verdon Gorge offers many activities such as rock-climbing, kayak-canoeing, mountain-biking and camping, and the nearby 5th century town of Moustiers Ste. Marie is the perfect place to relax after such strenuous activities.

Moustiers Ste. Marie is pretty remote, so make sure you have the right travel gear to go by car. The nearest larger town is Castellane (44.5 km), the nearest big city Nice (150 km) which has its own airport. (Take a map and a French dictionary, because this one is likely to be an adventure!).

9. Palace of Versailles

Perhaps more than any other building in France, the resplendent Palace of Versailles embodies the huge chasm between the extravagance of the aristocracy and the extreme poverty of the working classes which was to lead to the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789. Originally conceived as a hunting lodge in 1623, it went through two major phases of expansion in the 17th and 18th centuries, becoming even more opulent then than it is today.

Particularly famed for its hall of mirrors and its chapel, the Palace of Versailles is well worth a visit; long queues are to be expected, however. Versailles is located 44.5 km southwest of Paris in the Île-de-France region. The Palace is within walking distance of the railway station “Versailles Rive Gauche” (12 minutes).

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