14 Best Sights in France

An abandoned iron foundry in the hip 11e arrondissement is the soaring backdrop for Culturespace's feast for the eyes and the senses, where visitors are invited to actually step into the midst of some of the great masterpieces of 19th- and 20th-century painting (many found in famous Parisian museums). More than 100 video projectors cast vivid scenes of gorgeously colored artwork on the walls, ceilings, and floors, accompanied by a dynamic soundtrack for total immersion into a 30-minute explosion of color and sound.

Built during World War II as a German U-boat base, this eerie series of underground water-filled artificial caverns has been re-created as an astounding echoing event and exhibition space for conceptual art. More than 100 computer-controlled projectors splash huge images inspired by the work of artists as diverse as Gustav Klimt, Ego Schiele, Salvador Dalí, and Antoni Gaudí onto the interior surfaces of the four chambers, reflected in the deep still water that half-fills them. The music of contemporary and classical composers accompanies the ever-shifting images, creating an immersive and overwhelming sensory experience. Dress warmly; it can get chilly in there.

This vast old limestone quarry has 66-foot-high stone walls that make a dramatic setting for a multimedia show in which thousands of images are projected onto the walls. Exhibitions change yearly, but past showings have showcased the life and work of Picasso, Van Gogh, Dalí, and Cézanne, and more recent ones have featured Monet and Rousseau.

Part of the Culturespaces network of museums and monuments and one of Aix's top cultural attractions, this art center is housed in the Hôtel de Caumont, a spectacular 18th-century mansion. It hosts two world-class art exhibitions per year in beautifully conceived spaces, and there are daily screenings of the film Cézanne in the Aix Region. The elegant gardens have been painstakingly restored to their original layout, and you can enjoy a drink, light lunch, or dessert in the garden restaurant. The indoor Café Caumont is easily Aix's most elegant. The center also hosts a series of jazz and classical music performances.

Le Centquatre (meaning "104") takes its name from its address in a rough-around-the-edges corner of the 19e arrondissement, near Parc de la Villette. The former site of the city morgue, this soaring art hub is home to an offbeat collection of performance venues, shops, and studios (artists of all genres compete for free studio space, and sometimes you can get a peek of them at work). Contemporary art exhibits, some of which charge a small admission, are presented here, as are all manner of concerts, dance performances, performance art, films, and other events, many of them interactive. On-site you'll also find a restaurant, a café, a bookstore, a vintage shop, and a play area for children. There's much to see and do here for the whole family, so check the website before you visit to confirm what's on.

This arts center focuses on the pioneers of contemporary art and culture, bringing together sculpture, painting, dance, philosophy, literature, gastronomy, sustainability, and design. It has several spaces used for cutting-edge exhibitions and workshops geared toward art lovers and the curious of all ages, and its Frank Gehry building, a twisting silo sheathed in glittering silver scales, is spectacular.

This striking movie theater has a circular screen—actually nine curved screens synchronized to show a 20-minute film titled The 100 Days of the Battle of Normandy, which tells the story of the D-Day landings through previously unseen archival footage; the presentation comes courtesy of the team behind a popular French television series on the war, Apocalypse. The film is screened every 20 or 30 minutes, depending on attendance.

This eye-catching metal-and-glass tower by architect Jean Nouvel cleverly uses metal diaphragms in the shape of square Arabic-style screens to work like a camera lens, opening and closing to control the flow of sunlight. The vast cultural center's layout is a reinterpretation of the traditional enclosed Arab courtyard. Inside, there are various spaces, among them a museum that explores the culture and religion of the 22 Arab League member nations. With the addition of elements from the Louvre's holdings and private donors, the museum's impressive collection includes four floors of Islamic art, artifacts, ceramics, and textiles. There is also a performance space, a sound-and-image center, a library, and a bookstore. Temporary exhibitions usually have information and an audioguide in English. Glass elevators whisk you to the ninth floor, where you can sip mint tea in the rooftop restaurant, Dar Mima—Ziryab, while feasting on one of the best views in Paris (reservations are essential).

The only Swedish cultural center outside Sweden, this is a favorite Marais hangout for those in the know, not only for its picturesque location, tucked away in a beautiful 18th-century mansion, but also its program of Swedish contemporary art, open-air cinema, and concerts. Its best-kept secret is the Café FICA, where you can feast on healthy, affordably priced Swedish sandwiches, salads, and snacks indoors or in the charming cobbled French garden.

One of Paris's younger and more exciting contemporary-art venues combines innovative exhibits with live musical performances and a multimedia space that features a library, movies, and free video games. Think of it as a smaller, more interactive Centre Pompidou. La Gaîté Lyrique occupies three floors of a 19th-century theater—remnants of which are visible in the café upstairs.

Dijon's contemporary arts center spills over two remarkable buildings: a former cassis factory and a newer modern wing designed by architect Shigeru Ban of Pompidou-Metz fame. The museum holds temporary exhibitions throughout the year, with recent successes that included the likes of Joe Bradley, Alex Israel, Brian Calvin, and Shara Hughes. There's also a small permanent collection, a library, a gift shop, and live concerts. Guided tours are offered weekends, and are included in the ticket price.

Tapestries have been woven at this spot in southeastern Paris, on the banks of the long-covered Bièvre River, since 1662. The Galerie des Gobelins stages exhibitions on two light-flooded floors, highlighting tapestries, furnishings, timepieces, and other treasures mostly drawn from the state collection. Guided Wednesday-afternoon visits to the Manufacture (in French, by reservation only) allow a fascinating look at weavers—from students to accomplished veterans—as they work on tapestries and rugs that take years to complete. Also on-site is a highly selective school that teaches weaving, plus a workshop charged with repairing and restoring furnishings belonging to the French government, which are also stored here in a vast concrete warehouse.

The MO.CO. art center, housed in a 19th-century building, hosts three temporary exhibitions a year. These contemporary art exhibitions are often themed, and can include sculptures, paintings, photos, videos, and installations from local, national, and international artists. The garden is also worth a visit; it's composed of plant species from around the world centered around a quirky fountain of watering cans.

The go-to address for some of the city's liveliest exhibitions, the Palais de Tokyo is a stripped-down venue that spotlights provocative, ambitious contemporary art. There is no permanent collection: instead, cutting-edge temporary shows are staged in a cavernous space reminiscent of a light-filled industrial loft. The programming extends to performance art, concerts, readings, and fashion shows. Night owls will appreciate the 10 pm (midnight on Thursday) closing. The museum's chic Bambini trattoria and cocktail bar—serving delicious authentic Italian cuisine and Neapolitan-style pizzas—is a regular haunt for locals, especially for cocktails, dinner, and late-night cravings, thanks to its wraparound terrace and Eiffel Tower views. But there's also a small café area at the restaurant entrance for a quick bite and glass of wine or cup of coffee. Visit the offbeat bookshop for colorful souvenirs that are as edgy and subversive as the exhibits.