258 Best Sights in France

Enjoy a time-out in the social center of the Old Town, where a symmetrical forest of plane trees shades cafés and restaurants, skateboarders, children, and grandfatherly pétanque players. Also called Place Carnot, the square becomes a very affordable feast for both eyes and palate during the morning Tuesday and Saturday markets. At night, a café seat is as coveted as a quayside seat during the day.

Toward the Vieux Port area, boutiques line Rues Sibilli, Gambetta, and Clemenceau (where you can taste the most decadent tarte tropézienne at Marcel & Cavazza)—you never know when that photographer from Voici will be snapping away at the trendoisie. If you're here on the first weekend in May, check out Les Chefs de Saint-Tropez's ( www.leschefsasainttropez.com) three-day fêtent les producteurs event featuring local produce, culinary demonstrations, tastings, and a chef's pétanque competition.

Surrounded by grand vaulted arcades stuccoed in rich yellow, this square could have been airlifted out of Turin. In the center, the shrinelike fountain sculpture of Garibaldi seems to be surveying you as you stroll under the very attractive arcades and lounge in the surrounding cafés. Les Artisanales, the market for local crafts (jewelry, ceramics, leather goods, clothes, accessories) sets up the first Sunday of the month (9–7), and an antiques market takes place on the third Saturday of every month (7–5). Behind Place Garibaldi is the so-called Antique Quarter, with important antiques stores and emporiums like the Puces de Nice along the streets Antoine-Gautier, Emmanuel-Philibert, Catherine-Ségurane, Martin-Seytour, and Foresta.

Stand on the site of Van Gogh's residence in Arles—the famous Maison Jaune (Yellow House), which was destroyed by bombs in 1944. The artist may have set up his easel on the Quais du Rhône, just off Place Lamartine, to capture the view that he transformed into his legendary Starry Night. This and nine other sites featured in one Van Gogh canvas or another are marked on the city's Van Gogh Circuit.

As Cours Saleya is the heart of the Vieille Ville, so this impressive and broad square is the heart of the entire city. It's framed by early-17th-century, Italian-style arcaded buildings, their facades stuccoed in rich red ocher. The lively and boisterous space hosts an event—from Carnaval to the Christmas market—at least once a month, and Promenade du Paillon runs through it. Nespresso has a boutique here if you need a free coffee to perk you up.

Not far from the Commune quarter, the Old Town invites you to explore its streets lined by a mix of shops, galleries, restaurants, and bakeries. Aim to wind up on Place Nationale, the site of the Roman forum. It's a pleasant place for a drink under the hackberry trees, which allow for the right amount of shade in summer and sunshine in winter.

A 19th-century statue of the father of the fleur-de-lis reigns under shady pollards on this square with a mellow village feel, a welcome retreat from the clutter of souvenir shops on surrounding lanes. The pretty, bare-bones Église Notre-Dame des Sablons, on one corner of the square, has a timeless air (the church dates from the 13th century, but the stained glass is modern), and the spectacular Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs and Chapelle des Pénitents Gris are Baroque-era marvels.

This sandy beach west of Juan-les-Pins is popular thanks to its size and is thus also known as La Grande Plage. It offers a mix of public and private sections. The private areas provide amenities such as sun loungers, chairs, and umbrellas, typically available for daily rental fees. The beach is family-friendly, with gentle slopes into the Mediterranean Sea, making it suitable for swimmers of all levels. The surrounding area features a variety of cafés, restaurants, and shops. Amenities: showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

This family-friendly haven with a 2 km (1¼-mile) sandy beach is in the 333-acre Base Nature François Léotard and is backed by nature reserve lands rather than by a main road, though there is parking nearby. In addition to picnic, play, and fitness areas there are accessible pathways (including those good for cycling), showers, and restrooms equipped for those with disabilities. Areas for swimming and those reserved for watersports are sign posted. Amenities: lifeguards (in summer); parking (fee in summer); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Nestled in the village of Agay, a 15-minute drive northeast of Saint-Raphaël, this tranquil sandy stretch is popular with locals and has stunning views of Cap Dramont. Less crowded than city beaches and more sheltered from the wind, it's an ideal spot for a peaceful swim. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking; sunset.

Thanks to its perfect oval bay, the finest, softest sand on the Riviera, magnificent views that stretch out to Antibes, and relatively calm waters, this northeast-facing beach is a real jewel—and the first in the country to impose a "No Selfie" zone (albeit for only a season). Getting the Gucci-clad spillover from the Hôtel du Cap–Eden Roc, the high-end private beach clubs here open onto the sand. Quieter folk stick to the public section at the other end. There are also two snack bars. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

Sandy shores and free parking make this public beach popular with families and, when the east wind blows, with windsurfers, too. It was a key site in the 1944 Allied landings of World War II. An M4 Sherman DD tank, unearthed in 2011, stands at the entrance to the car park as a poignant reminder of its wartime past. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (in summer); parking (free); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking; windsurfing.

This picturesque sandy beach is divided into four distinct zones. The family-friendly area, closest to the St-Aygulf parking lot, features three small bays sheltered by dams. The naturist zone lies close to the heart of the protected Villepey Ponds natural area. For pet owners, the dog-friendly section is toward the Argens River. At the Fréjus end, swimming is prohibited in the dedicated kitesurfing zone. Amenities: parking (fee in summer); toilets; showers; water sports. Best for: swimming; nudists; windsurfing.

At the southern base of the Citadelle and past the cemetery, the closest public beach to the town of St-Tropez is easily accessible on foot (it's part of the coastal walkway, or sentier du littoral) and the most family-friendly. At the east end, you can rent loungers (€30 plus extra for an umbrella) from the restaurant Les Graniers. There are no public toilets or showers, but if you are a client of the restaurant you can use its facilities. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: swimming.

Named after the Allied landings that took place in the area in August 1944, this is a sand-on-top-of-red-stone beach has great views of the Île d'Or, a private island. From town, head northeast toward Agay until you reach Le Dramont, where you'll see signs for the beach. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: swimming.

You can rent a sunbed at the city's main (and largest) sandy beach, which also has access for people with disabilities. There are lots of cafés nearby, and, from the Old Port, you can take the Bateaux Bleus shuttle to St-Tropez. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

Almost at the end of the promenade and in front of Old Town, this basic stony stretch is a popular spot, with a melange of tourists and locals of all ages all day. In summer it has sandy volleyball courts. Keep an eye out for jellyfish. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); toilets. Best for: snorkeling; sunrise; sunset; swimming.

Legend has it that the 12th-century Pont St-Bénezet—featured in the song “Sur le Pont d’Avignon" (l'on y danse, l’on y danse)—was built after a shepherd boy received orders from heaven. There’s less space for dancing today: although this UNESCO World Heritage site once stretched all the way to Villeneuve, less than four of its original 22 arches remain. It's also a bit narrow for dancing "tous en rond" (round and round), and, besides, the traditional place for dance and play was under the arches. You can, however, climb along its high platform for broad views of the Old Town ramparts. The ticket price includes an audio guide or tablet, and the latter (for which you'll need to show your passport or driver’s license) illustrates how the bridge appeared in medieval times.

In 1750, the Duke of Savoy ordered a port to be dug to shelter the approach of the city's maritime traffic. It's still a safe harbor for freighters, fishing boats, and yachts, and its redevelopment has made it easier to take in the area's Genoese architecture or peruse the antiques at the Puces de Nice emporium and other shops along Rue Robilant, near the large Port Lympia parking lot. From June to mid-October (daily 10–7), the free shuttle boat Lou Passagin ferries you across the port from the Quai Lunel to Quai d’Entrecasteaux. 

The unique Port-Musée combines maritime-theme museum displays with open-air exhibits. Along the wharves you can visit the workshops of boatbuilders, sailmakers, and other old-time craftspeople, then go aboard the historic trawlers, lobster boats, and barges anchored beside them. On the first weekend in May you can even sail on an antique fishing boat.

To immerse yourself in the city's history and enjoy a panorama of the river and the rooftops of the old quarter, climb to the uppermost floor of this 115-foot gateway, built in 1494. At the top, an exhibition introduces you to some of Bordeaux's medieval citizens.

Running behind Old Town, this 50-acre park, known as the Coulée Verte (Green Belt), offers a playground for kids, a refuge for adults enjoying free Wi-Fi, and a venue for the city's annual and one-off events. Nice’s green lung is undergoing a major extension set to complete by the end of 2025, stretching from the Promenade des Anglais to the Palais des Expositions. This urban forest will feature over 1,500 newly planted trees, enhancing biodiversity and reducing atmospheric pollutants by an impressive one tonne (approximately 2,200 pounds) annually.

Stroll the length of Menton's famous beachfront along the Promenade du Soleil: broad, white, and studded with palm trees, from Plage du Fossan in front of the covered market Marché des Halles westward to Plage de la Piscine, next to the indoor municipal swimming pool Les Bains du Cap (€7.50 entry). A little farther along the seaside walkway, Le Paradis de la Glace ice-cream parlor is a reward any time of year.

Beaulieu's small beach attracts families with children, and you can rent paddleboards and jet-skis during high season. On the Promenade Maurice-Rouvier, a paved pedestrian path that begins not far from the Villa Kerylos, you can stroll the waterfront, past grand villas and their tropical gardens, all the way to St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The 30-minute walk winds along the Baie des Fourmis (Bay of Ants)—whose name alludes to the black rocks that appear to be "crawling" up from the sea—and has great views of the sparkling Mediterranean and surrounding mountains.

Around the Palais National in the Haute Ville (Upper Town), it is a joy to wander through the tiny alleys of the Quartier de Chiostra. To take it all in, first head south following the signs to the Belvédère, a stone observation deck that offers a 360-degree panorama of Corte, its Citadelle, and the majestic surrounding peaks. Follow the cobblestone path (as you look down) to the right from the Belvédère, bearing right and across at the Chapelle St-Théophile. Coming into the tiny square on your left, don't miss the open stone staircase on the opposite wall or the prehistoric fertility goddess carved into the wall to the left. Farther downhill you will rejoin the ramp leading into Place Pasquale-Paoli.

Walk along Quai Suffern where the statue of the Bailli de Suffren, an 18th-century customs official, stands guard. Continue past the quayside streets lined with famous cafés to the Môle Jean Réveille, the harbor wall, where, if the wind isn't too strong, you can walk out for a good view of Ste-Maxime across the sparkling bay, the hills of Estérel, and, on a clear day, the distant Alps. Retrace your steps along the digue to the 15th-century Tour du Portalet, and head onward to the old fishermen's quarter, the Quartier de la Ponche, just east of Quai Jean Jaurès.

Here you can find the Port des Pécheurs (Fishermen's Port), on whose beach Bardot did a star turn in And God Created Woman. Complete with gulf-side harbor, St-Tropez's Old Town is a maze of twisting, narrow streets—designed to break the impact of the mistral—that open to tiny squares with fountains. Trellised jasmine and wrought-iron birdcages hang from the shuttered windows, and many of the tiny streets dead-end at the sea.

The main drag here, Rue de la Ponche, leads into Place l'Hôtel de Ville, landmarked by a mairie (town hall) marked out in typical Tropezienne hues of pink and green. Head up Rue Commandant Guichard to the baroque Église de St-Tropez to pay your respects to the bust and barque of St-Torpes, every day but May 17, when they are carried aloft in the Bravade parade honoring the town's namesake saint.

If you're an even more committed nature lover, venture into this intensely protected area at the very heart of the Camargue, where a central pond called Le Vaccarès is mostly used as a site for approved scientific research. The wildlife (birds, nutria, fish) is virtually undisturbed here, and you won't come across the cabins and herds of bulls and horses found elsewhere in the Camargue. Made up mostly of vast ponds and marshland, access to this area is limited to horseback, bike, and foot. Paths around its perimeter permit views of the birds and other wildlife. Maps detailing these paths can be downloaded from the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue website. They're also available from tourist offices in Arles, Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer, and Port Saint-Louis, as well as bike rental shops in Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer. 

Two blocks behind La Croisette lies this attractive high-end shopping street. At its western end is Rue Meynadier, packed with trendy clothing boutiques and fine-food shops. Not far away is the covered Marché Forville, the scene of the animated morning food market. Rue Hoche, behind Rue d'Antibes and down from Galleries Lafayette, has lots of boutiques and cafés.

As you wander along these streets, you may feel you have been transported to a Moroccan souk (market). Shops that serve the needs of Marseille's large and vibrant North African community have open bins of olives, coffee beans, tea, spices, chickpeas, couscous, peppers, and salted sardines. Tiny shoebox cafés sell African sweets, and the daily Marché de Noailles in the surrounding maze of streets is the city's most vibrant and colorful market.

Serving as the main commercial artery of the Vieille Ville, Rue St-Michel is lined with shops, cafés, and orange trees.

The famous seaside footpath, the Sentier des Douaniers starts up at the west end of the Trestraou beach in the resort town of Perros-Guirec, 3 km (2 miles) east of Trébeurden; from there this beautifully manicured, fence-lined, and gorgeously scenic path provides a two-hour walk eastward, through fern forests, past cliffs and pink granite boulders to the pretty beach at Ploumanac'h. If you keep an eye out, you might even spot one of the mythical, 900-year-old Korrigans—native sprites with pointed ears, beards, and hooves, who come out at night from seaside grottoes to dance around fires. From Perros-Guirec you can take a boat trip out to the Sept Îles, a group of seven islets that are bird sanctuaries. On a hillside perch above Ploumanac'h is the village of La Clarté, home to the little Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Clarté, built of local pink granite and decorated with 14 stations of the cross painted by the master of the Pont-Aven school, Maurice Denis. During the Pardon of la Clarté (August 15), a bishop preaches an outdoor Mass for the Virgin Mary, village girls wear Trégor costumes, and the statue of the Virgin Mary wears a gold crown (she wears a fake one for the rest of the year). On Ploumanac'h's pleasant beach, Plage de la Bastille, you'll find the Oratoire de St-Guirec, a rose-granite chapel lodged in the sand with other rocks; facing the beach is the neo-medieval, 19th-century Château de Costaérès, where Henryk Sienkiewicz wrote Quo Vadis. Unfortunately, the magical castle-by-the-sea—whose image graces many postcards—is private property (you can, however, rent it for €15,000 per week).