Carcassonne. Photo courtesy of hsivnon on Flickr.

Carcassonne, a medieval walled city in Languedoc, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site just an hour and a half from Montpellier, the region’s capital, and three hours from Bordeaux – either way, a fantastic day or even overnight trip that gives visitors an interesting look at French history.

The site of the city has roots that go back to Celtic times, but it was the Romans who built the hill into a fortress that has never been taken (although there has been at least one surrender in its storied battle history. Today, when you’re visiting Carcassonne, you’re actually visiting two cities – first you’ll walk through the ville basse, or lower city, which compared to the walled city is relatively modern; and the walled city itself, which is called the Cité de Carcassonne.

Once you’re in the walls of the city, you can walk the ramparts, wander the streets, and visit the museum that tells of the history of the fortress. There are also jousting tournaments twice every day for visitors – a favorite among kids, and authentic enough to impress adults. Oh, and there’s another museum as well – the Musée de la Torture, which is exactly what you think it is, and not for the faint of heart but pretty awesome nonetheless.

If you want to stay overnight, there are hotels within the walls, which makes for a unique lodging experience once all the day trippers go home. But there are also hotels outside the walls with a view of the city, which is brilliantly lit at night.

- Contributed by Christine Cantera

The Medieval City of Carcassonne from France Things to Do

France in the Summer. Photo courtesy of Šarūnas Burdulis on Flickr

So much of the travel advice you read and hear will tell you to avoid France in the summer. After all, it’s the most visited country on the planet, and summer is the high tourist season. So it’s a no-brainer that you’d want to wait until it was a little less crowded, right?

Well, that can hold true for major destinations in France. But the thing is, there is so much in France to see and do, and no one seems to know about it! Which means that once you get away from, you know, directly under the Eiffel Tower in the middle of July, you may just be pleasantly surprised to find you practically have the country to yourself, at any time of year.

So, why choose France in the summer? Frankly, because France puts on quite a show as the days warm up. This is when there are outdoor concerts and fireworks at Versailles. It’s when Paris dumps a metric ton of sand onto the banks of the Seine and creates a beach for its residents. It’s when the first day of summer brings Fête de la Musique, a nationwide music festival where there’s literally a band or DJ on every corner. It’s when you can see the lavender in Provence, smell the sea along the French Riviera, and taste the chilled rosé anywhere you wish.

In short, France knows how to have a good time, and they don’t leave summer fun for the kids to enjoy. No matter where you go in France, you will be delighted by the dozens of events going on in every part of the country every week.

The only caveat to my plea is the month of August. This is when Europe goes on vacation, and boy do they! It is the only true full high-season month of the year, which means everything will be a bit more expensive than you’d like, and a bit more crowded than you’d like. Also, some of the smaller mom-and-pop places that make traveling s special may be closed for a length of time surrounding August 15, which is the big summer holiday. So, you might want to choose June first, and then July.

- Contributed by Christine Cantera

Visiting France in the Summer from France Things to Do

Claude Monet’s Water Lilies at Giverny. Photo courtesy of feeby on Flickr

Impressionism was born in France, and remains the number one destination for fans of this artistic genre. Here are the top Impressionist sites and exhibitions in France.

The first subject ever painted in the Impressionist style was the port at Le Havre in Normandy, and as you could guess, it was painted by Claude Monet. Although much of Le Havre was rebuilt after WWII, you can still visit the markets and stroll around town, making sure to visit the Malraux Museum’s Impressionist collection, second only to the Musée d’Orsay for the sheer scope of masterpieces on display.

And speaking of the Musée d’Orsay, let’s move on to Paris. Many of the Impressionist artists of the mid to late 19th century made their home in Paris, and today you can take an Impressionist tour of Montmarte that includes a ticket to the museum, so you can experience the city the way these artists did, and then see their work within this context.

Next on the list for Impressionist fans is a tour of Claude Monet’s gardens in Giverny. Just a short day trip from Paris, and you are immersed in the world of the Father of Impressionism – all the more so when you see the actual garden and lily pond that was the subject of his most famous paintings. His home in Giverny is open to the public, and serves as a museum of his life and works.

Speaking of the subject of famous paintings come to life, Reims is another destination. A Reims tour guide can put you in the exact spot where Monet sat when he did his studies of the cathedral.

And if you want to find out more about Impressionism in Normandy, than this is the summer to do it; the Normandy Impressionist Festival runs from April through September of 2013, and features more than 600 events and exhibitions that will satisfy even the most hardcore follower of this impressive school of painting.

- Contributed by Christine Cantera

Impressionism in France: Major Sites and Exhibitions from France Things to Do

Tour de France 2007. Photo courtesy of Roger Tutusaus via wikimedia.

To those of us outside Europe, it’s hard to imagine how big a deal the sport of cycling is. The Tour de France, cycling’s premier event, attracts a staggering number of spectators throughout its annual three-week race – and that’s not even counting the people following it on TV or online around the world.

If you’re not tuned into the cycling calendar, however, happening to plan your France vacation at the same time as the Tour de France can cause some headaches. Fortunately, most of them are avoidable if you do a little homework in advance.

Here are some things to know about the Tour de France that will help you better plan your own France trip – plus a few reasons why you might want to check the race out in person. (And you can find out more on the Tour’s official website here.)

The Tour de France happens every year in July, and lasts for three weeks.

The specific dates of the Tour de France change every year, as does the route, but if your trip to France is in any part of the month of July you should look up the race route. This way you’ll know right away whether your itinerary crosses paths with the race, or if you’re always on the opposite side of the country, and can plan accordingly.

Sometimes the Tour de France doesn’t stay in France.

While the bulk of the three-week event takes place in France, sometimes the course strays beyond the borders. Race organizers often plan for the Tour to start in another country (usually one that neighbors France), and if that’s the case it might continue in that country for a few days before finally getting to France. In other cases, roads that snake along the border may cause the race to go back and forth between two countries several times before the finish.

Roads along the course are closed on race days, sometimes even a day in advance.

Those of you who plan to drive through France will want to make special note of the race route, since roads are (necessarily) closed to everyone but riders and Tour de France support vehicles on race days. On some stages, particularly those in the mountains, the roads may be closed to motor vehicles a day or more ahead of the race day. Spectators on these stages park further down the mountain and hike up to the spot where they’ll camp – and, later, cheer on the riders.

Hotel rooms get booked quickly along the race route, especially in start and end towns.

Many die-hard cycling spectators camp along the bulk of the race route – you’ll see more campervans on race days than you ever thought possible on one road – but that doesn’t mean hotels aren’t at full capacity. Between cycling teams, media, and VIPs (not to mention plenty of spectators), hotel rooms can get snapped up as soon as a race route is announced. This is especially true in the towns along the route where the race starts or ends each day. Again, if any of these towns are on your itinerary and you’ll be there at the same time as the Tour de France, you might want to alter your itinerary a bit (or at least be aware that you should book a room ASAP).

Mountain stages and time trials are probably best for newbie spectators.

You don’t need to be a cycling aficionado to enjoy watching a Tour de France stage – but there are a couple types of stages you might want to focus on. In both cases, they’re good for newbie spectators because the action is either in slow motion (mountain stages) or on repeat (time trials). On mountain stages, riders are going uphill at a much slower pace than they do on flat ground – so you get to see them for a longer period of time. Not only that, the field of riders gets spread out fairly quickly because of the difficulty of the mountains, so the race isn’t one big clump of riders that zips by in half a minute. With time trials, each rider sets off by himself – it’s a timed event, one man against the clock. So when you stake your spot on the race route, you get to watch individual riders go by at regular intervals (albeit quickly) for hours.

Watching a Tour de France stage is an all-day event.

Unless the Tour de France happens to be going by your front door, you aren’t likely to pop down to the race course just before the riders show up. Locals and visitors alike make a day of it – they bring sumptuous picnics (including, typically, plenty of beer and wine) and enjoy what is usually fine weather along the roadside as they wait for the race to come by. Even before the riders show up, there’s a parade of publicity and sponsor vehicles known as the “caravan” that comes through – they throw candy and souvenirs, blast music, and (sometimes) have dancing girls. There’s hardly a chance to be bored with all the people-watching.

 -Jessica Festa

Tour de France from France Things to Do

Monaco Grand Prix. Photo courtesy of Arrr! on Flickr

If you’ve been to any major city during a festival or city-wide event, you know that it can take over the streets. But the Formula 1® Monaco Grand Prix literally takes over the hairpin turns of the streets along the port, with thousands of spectators watching and cheering in grandstands set up on the course. So, how can you get in on the action? We’ll tell you.

First, can you see the race from the streets? Sadly, no. Covered fencing and other barricades are erected along the entire course, so unless you’re 12 feet tall, you’re not going to see anything just by strolling around. There are some places where you can stand on a concrete pylon or maybe peek through a tear in the covering, but these opportunities are too few and far between to make it a part of your Grand Prix viewing game plan.

Your obvious choice, then, are Monaco Grand Prix tickets for the grandstand seating. Depending on whether you attend a practice race, the qualifying race, the big event on the last day or several races, as well as where along the course you prefer, tickets can range from $100 to over $5,000. And they sell out fast, with the cheap seats being snapped up within minutes of going on sale. (The good news is that kids get in for under $2 on the first day!)

If that seems a little steep, then there are other ways to see the Monaco Grand Prix – and they all cost money, but usually less than a ticket and with more perks. For example, you can rent one of the hundreds of hi-rise apartments whose balconies overlook the course. There are also restaurants, bars, yachts and hotels that throw viewing parties on their terraces with similar (and closer) views. They’re pretty swanky, but they’re a lot of fun.

And finally, there’s another event entirely that happens earlier in the month that allows you to see a race and be a part of the scene, but for a fraction of the price. It’s the Historic Grand Prix, which is the same race but with vintage race cars. Tickets are still several hundred bucks, but the apartments and the parties are cheaper, and just as fun.

Remember to bring ear plugs – those cars are LOUD! And note that if you do want to attend, it’s best to stay in Nice and take a day trip to Monte Carlo; parking is super expensive (and sold like race tickets), most roads are blocked, and traffic is a nightmare.

The 2013 Formula 1® Monaco Grand Prix is from May 23-26.

- Contributed by Christine Cantera

How to See the Monaco Grand Prix from France Things to Do

Long Distance Walks In France. Photo courtesy of Sara Goldsmith on Flickr

The Grandes Randonnées (GR) of France is a network of hiking trails that allow walking enthusiasts to see the country while enjoying the great outdoors. They’re safe, well-marked, and worth sidetracking your itinerary for a long-distance walk through some of the most gorgeous scenery you’ve ever seen.

The GR routes are numbered; for example, the GR5 route pass down the entire eastern side of France, from near Nancy straight down to Nice. It’s part of the European Route (ER) 2, which goes through five countries and is a whopping 1,400 miles long. Of course, you can choose to hop on and off wherever you wish, so don’t worry!

The Institut Géographique National (IGN) of France has Cartes Tourisme et Découverte available for hikers, which show walking and biking paths throughout the country. These maps can be bought at the IGN office in Paris, or can be ordered online. This site gives a comprehensive list of all of the ones in the network, even a couple on Réunion Island, one of France’s overseas departments in the Indian Ocean!

But, the GRs don’t just take you through forests and other uninhabited areas. They often go through villages and even larger towns, so you can sightsee, grab a bite to eat, or stop of the night without being weighted down by camping gear and rations. If you’re physically fit, long distance walks in France are truly unique – even if you do just a portion of one of the routes as a day trip.

- Contributed by Christine Cantera

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s France tours and things to do, France attractions, and France travel recommendations, or book a private tour guide in France for a customized tour!

Long Distance Walks In France from France Things to Do

The Most Beautiful Villages in France – Gordes. Photo courtesy of levork on Flickr

There are so many beautiful villages in France that there’s actually an association that was founded with the goal of listing and managing them – Les Plus Beaux Villages de France keeps track of more than 150 villages that live up to the title of being among “The Most Beautiful Villages in France.” Let’s take a look at them and see if you won’t be rerouting your itinerary!

Domme

The Most Beautiful Villages in France: Domme. Photo courtesy of dynamosquito on Flickr

Made of blonde-colored stone and featuring large, sunny squares, Domme is due west of Bordeaux and has a gorgeous panoramic view of the Dordogne River.

Baume-les-Messieurs

The Most Beautiful Villages in France: Baume-les-Messieurs. Photo courtesy of stephanemartin on Flickr

Baume-les-Messieurs, just south of Dijon in the Burgundy region, is watched over by towering limestone cliffs and anchored by the Baume Abbey, which dates back to the early 700s.

Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert

The Most Beautiful Villages in France: Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. Photo courtesy of miss_rogue on Flickr

Another village that is in a sheltered valley among high hills, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, is only 45 minutes from Montpellier. The monastery’s cloister may seem familiar if you’ve been to the Cloisters in New York; part of them came right from here!

Conques

The Most Beautiful Villages in France: Conques. Photo courtesy of flissphil on Flickr

Conques is equidistantly north of Bordeaux, Toulouse and Montpellier, and the St. Foy abbey-church was a stop on the original Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage. The surrounding countryside is a favorite with hikers, and affords stunning views of the village as well.

Beuvron-en-Auge

The Most Beautiful Villages in France: Beuvron-en-Auge. Photo courtesy of jfgornet on Flickr

If you’re looking for an overnight stop along Normandy‘s Cider Route, you can’t do better than Beuvron-en-Auge. Its half-timbered homes and overflowing flowerpots are a feast for the eyes.

Apremont-sur-Allier

The Most Beautiful Villages in France: Apremont-sur-Allier. Photo courtesy of westher on Flickr

None of the villages on this list are widely visited, and this one doubly so, as it is in the least-visited region of Centre. So if you really want to get away from it all, this town is yours for the taking. The barely-contained landscaping and lush gardens are sublime (don’t miss the Turkish pavilion!), and the Château d’Apremont sur Allier rivals any of those in the Loire.

Yvoire

The Most Beautiful Villages in France: Yvoire. Photo courtesy of patrick_nouhailler on Flickr

Yvoire, on the France side of Lake Geneva, has all the beauty and charm of a French lakeside village, with the efficiency (and flowerboxes!) of Switzerland. Apart from the newer boats along the shore, this fortified village is largely unchanged from the 14th century.

Eguisheim

The Most Beautiful Villages in France: Eguisheim. Photo courtesy of Michel Osmenda on Flickr

Located near the German border, Eguisheim is unique among the villages on this list – and among France in general – for being a riot of color, every street seeming to be descended directly from a rainbow. it’s also a great base from which to discover the vineyards of Alsace.

Gerberoy

The Most Beautiful Villages in France: Gerberoy. Photo Courtesy of William Schmitt on Flickr

The color in Gerberoy, north of Paris, is confined to the timbers of the half-timbered homes, but that doesn’t make this town any less adorable. Go in the summer to see the ivy-covered walls in full bloom, and to attend the Rose Festival.

- Contributed by Christine Cantera

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s France tours and things to do, France attractions, and France travel recommendations, or book a private tour guide in France for a customized tour!

9 Of The Most Beautiful Villages In France from France Things to Do

France in Spring. Photo courtesy of Dimitry B on Flickr

France in spring is a lovely thing – it inspires one to poetry! But seriously, spring is arguably the best time to visit – not too touristed, not too hot, not too cold, and the earth yields a riot of colors and loamy smells. If you’re keen to get out of Paris and into the rest of the country, you can’t do better than springtime.

In terms of weather, March is the most iffy, with rain a definite possibility, improving through April, and May being ideal. But as the weather improves, the crowds increase in kind. You might have to use an umbrella in March, but you’ll be the only one around, so it’s a decent trade-off.

As far as holidays go, March sees the coming of Lent, ushered in with Mardi Gras. Nice has their world-famous Carnaval, although every city has their own version, ranging from cocktail hours to all-out street parties. Easter is next, of course, with Easter Monday as a major holiday and the French on vacation for the week after.

May is also chock full of holidays; Labor Day, May 1, is as big a holiday as Christmas in terms of closings. And depending on when Easter falls each year, every weekend in May is a holiday, whether it’s Ascension Day or Pentecost or another day on the Catholic post-Easter calendar.

May has plenty of festivals as well – there is the Cannes Film Festival, and the Grand Prix in Monaco is a must-see. If something a bit slower is your speed, the Paris Marathon is in April. And although it isn’t a festival, vineyards around the country “celebrate” spring with wine tastings and tours.

- Contributed by Christine Cantera

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s France tours and things to do, France attractions, and France travel recommendations, or book a private tour guide in France for a customized tour!

France in Spring from France Things to Do

The Arenas de Nimes. Photo courtesy of Wolfgang Staudt via Flickr.

No, we didn’t make a mistake with that photo – when visiting the Arènes de Nîmes in the South of France, you’ll find this Roman-era arena that is definitely worth a visit. Let’s find out why!

Nîmes is a town in the Languedoc region, about a half-hour from Montpellier, the region’s capital. It was built in the first century AD, and unlike the Colosseum in Rome, frequently hosts live concerts and even bullfights during the Feria de Nîmes each summer. And the concerts are huge, too; Metallica’s live DVD Français Pour Une Nuit (French for One Night) was filmed there, and the Festival de Nîmes brings in some of the best names in music (in 2013, Green Day, Patti Smith, Neil Young, Depeche Mode). So if you’re visiting the Arenes de Nimes during the warmer months, it’s worth it to see if you can score some tickets.

One way that the Arènes de Nîmes is like Rome (and unlike many Roman sites in France) is that it is smack in the center of town, so you can spend the day seeing Nîmes as well, which is a fun town in its own right. And it’s a major stop on the TGV from Paris as well as from Marseille, so transportation is never an issue. It’s a worthwhile trip if you’re visiting France.

- Contributed by Christine Cantera

Visiting the Arenes de Nimes from France Things to Do

Grenoble Jazz Festival. Photo courtesy of Theilr on Flickr.

Tourists may cite Grenoble’s famous cable cars as the best thing to do in town, but the Grenoble Jazz Festival has been bringing the hottest jazz music to the Rhône-Alpes region of France since 1973, which means it’s top on every cool cat’s list.

The festival now lasts for almost three weeks, and usually takes place at the end of March through the first weekend in April. There are over a dozen venues and scores of artists to choose from, and the genre has grown from just straight-up jazz to improvisational music, world music, and artistic crossover. So there’s something for every music fan.

Grenoble is just three and a half hours from Paris by train, so it’s an easy overnight trip and there’s plenty to do in town while you’re waiting for the next gig. Besides the fun “Bubble” cable cars that climb Bastille Hill to the 19th-century fortress at the top. There is also hiking and seasonal skiing in the area, as Grenoble is considered the “Capital of the Alps.”

- Christine Cantera

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s France tours and things to do, France attractions, and France travel recommendations, or book a private tour guide in France for a customized tour!

Grenoble Jazz Festival from France Things to Do