Keys to Exploring France: To Paris & Beyond

France is a popular bucket list destination for many people. You may be dreaming about sitting at a cafe in Paris or skiing in the French Alps. How do you decide where to start? Let’s talk about the keys to exploring France: Paris & beyond!

Why Visit France? 

France is a beautiful destination with something for everyone. It is a country rich with history, known for its culinary offerings, and diverse topography from stunning beaches to incredible mountain views. Whether you prefer to explore the wineries of Burgundy, see where the world changed on D-Day in 1944, taste your way through the city of Lyon, or take your kids to hug their favorite Disney friends at Disneyland Paris, it’s all at your fingertips!

France is also one of the hubs in Europe. It’s easy to navigate to a variety of different countries and destinations from France. It’s easy to see why this country is a popular item on many travel bucket lists!

How to Experience France

What does your ideal vacation look like? There are many options to choose from as you consider your visit to France. Each of these options offers a slightly different, but wonderful, vacation experience.

FIT Vacation

A FIT vacation is a customized itinerary that includes the destinations of your choice. Typically, flights, accommodations, and transportation are also included in these packages. Tours and activities can also be added depending on your interests but these vacation packages are largely self-guided. You have the flexibility to enjoy the destination at your own pace and choose where you go. If you have a FIT vacation to France, you may include multiple cities in the country. For example, you might start in Paris and head south to Lyon or Marseille.

Alternatively, it’s easy to experience other countries in Europe as well. For example, you may want to start in London and take the train to Paris. Maybe you’d prefer to start in Paris and head east to Strasbourg and then to Germany! Your Key to the World Travel advisor is here to help you bring your dream vacation to fruition.

Group Tour

If you prefer to have more structure in your vacation, a group tour is also an option. There are several ways to explore France on a guided tour! Like a FIT trip, you can choose from several destinations. However, guided tours offer more structure with a pre-selected itinerary and activities.

Most of these tours have age requirements and some options are for adults only. For example, there is an Adventures by Disney itinerary that includes Paris and London. There is also an Adventures by Disney River cruise on the Seine River. Both of these itineraries require children to be at least 5 years old but both options also offer adult-exclusive itineraries on select dates. Some group tours will explore specific areas of the country, such as Paris and Normandy.

Cruising

Whether you prefer the ocean or the rivers of Europe, France has many opportunities for cruising. Cruising is an amazing choice for your vacation if you do not want to move around to different hotels but still want to see different parts of the country.

Southern France has several port cities and well-known cruise lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Disney all make stops in this area. Some cruises also have stops in northern France that include visits to Pars.

If you are worried about seasickness or prefer to see parts of the country that are more inland, river cruising is the answer! The Rhône and Seine Rivers each have river cruises that visit several ports in France. In addition, the Rhine River has river cruise itineraries that often include a stop in Strasbourg.

All-Inclusive Resorts

If you prefer an all-inclusive resort like the ones found throughout the Caribbean and Mexico, you will love some of the options available in France. From all-inclusive beach destinations to ski resorts with amazing views of the mountains, you have options here!

Many of these resorts have everything that you need for your vacation right at your fingertips! From activities for the whole family to dining and drinks, it’s all taken care of so that you can enjoy your vacation! Many resorts have the option to add excursions too. However, your Key to the World Travel advisor is also here to help you set everything up for your vacation, including excursions!

Where to Go

Paris

In the words of Audrey Hepburn, “Paris is always a good idea”. Paris is located in the north-central region of France known as the Île-de-France. This is one of the most visited regions in the country and there is something for everyone here.

There are well-known attractions in the city such as the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe, as well as many hidden gems. With 20 different arrondissements, or districts, each one has a different vibe and there is some much to explore!

If you go a little further outside the city, don’t miss Disneyland Paris or the Palace of Versailles. There are guided tours available to these regions and other popular tourist attractions.

Normandy

The Normandy region of France is a popular tourist destination and weekend getaway from Paris. It is a region rich with history, from World War II to the Impressionist Movement. In this region, visit the birthplace of Monet, Giverny, and his beautiful gardens that inspired some of his artwork. In addition, the D-Day Landing Sites and Memorials are located here.

This area of France is also very well-known for an apple brandy called Calvados. This brandy can only be produced in this region and guests can find tours and tastings of the beverage. It’s a great experience to tour an orchard and many are family-owned.

Provence

This is another of the most visited regions of France. From beautiful beaches and blue water to lavender fields and medieval villages, there is something for every visitor here!

It is home to the Côte d’Azur, also known as the French Riviera. Here, find luxury resorts and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea in cities such as Nice. Head to Cannes for the film festivals and possible celebrity sightings!  It’s easy to head to Monaco too and see the famed Monte Carlo too!

If you travel a little further north, be sure to make a stop in Arles, the home of Vincent van Gogh, and the ancient city of Avignon where you can stroll through a covered market or visit the Palace of the Popes.

Lyon

This incredible city is the third-largest by population in France and is found in the Auvergne – Rhône – Alpes region of France. It is a foodie’s paradise and is filled with history. Several districts within the city are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The food in Lyon is truly at another level and a Lyon food tour is a must! The Beaujolais vineyards are also close by and tours are available if you are not planning to have a car.

Lyon is rich with over 2,000 years of history too. A walking tour where you learn about the hidden traboules is a must. This city was the hub of the French Resistance in World War II and the resistance fights used these traboules, or hidden walkways, regularly. You will find a memorial and a museum honoring those Resistance fighters as well.

Burgundy

Officially known as the Bourgogne – Franche – Comté, this region in Eastern France is a wine lover’s dream! It is home to some of the best vineyards in France as well as incredible food, beautiful castles dating back to the Medieval times, and charming villages.

A road trip in this region would be an incredible way to explore the wine routes and picturesque countryside. Make sure that you make time to stop in the villages along the way too and enjoy the delightful French cuisine!

Grand Est

This region of Eastern France combines the Alsace, Champagne- Ardennes, and Lorraine areas of the country. When you visit this region, you are bound to feel as though you’ve stepped back in time…or into a Disney movie! In fact, the village in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast was inspired by the villages in this region. If you are familiar with the movie, you will quickly recognize the timbered buildings that are common across the region, in both France and Germany.

One of the most well-known cities in this region is Strasbourg. Known for its Christmas Market, the charm of this city is incredible, especially during the holiday season. This city is a must for the history lover, as the Alsace region has an interesting history from World War II, all the way back to the Roman Empire. You can see the dueling French and German cultures as you walk through the city and there is even a language with German influence, known as Alsatian, recognized as a regional language in France.

If you visit Strasbourg, look out for storks! They are known for nesting in the trees along the streets. In addition, make sure that you walk through La Petite France with houses dating back to the 16th century and try some of the Alsatian cuisine too! The Strasbourg Cathedral is another must-see with incredible stained glass windows and a beautiful Astronomical Clock with intricate details throughout.

Planning Your Vacation

If you are planning a vacation to France, it’s important to book early! The 2024 Summer Olympics are in July 2024 and accommodations are already filling up! You may be wondering about the best time to visit and the answer to that question depends on what you are looking to do. France is beautiful throughout the year, from springtime in Paris, the beaches in the summer, a river cruise in the fall, or skiing in the winter months!

Your Key to the World Travel advisor is here to help you find the best fit and put all the pieces together!

Are you considering a trip? Having a travel advisor means someone there to have your back in any occurrence. There is no additional cost to you and you have peace of mind knowing that your vacation is in good hands.

Contact your Key to the World Travel® advisor for your next trip, or send us a quote request to get started.