France is visited by roughly 90 million tourists a year, and they come because the country is so beautiful. It's not hard to see why: It's a country full of culture, fashion, wine, and love. France is known for its art, history, and architecture and has something for everyone. The country also has famous landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the French Riviera.

It won’t be possible to visit all these places in one go, which sadly means you will have to visit this fantastic country more than once.

1. Eiffel Tower, Paris

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognized structures in the world, and when you are in Paris, you won’t be able to avoid it. Everyone who comes to Paris goes home with a selfie of themselves in front of it.

The best part is the top observation deck, from which you can enjoy unrivaled city views. The second floor has glass floors, which are different, but in our opinion, they are not as good as the top deck.

At the time of writing, it's decorated with the Olympic rings as Paris is about to host the 2024 Olympics. This looks especially special at night when it's all lit up.

Reserve your tickets online to avoid the queues, but watch out for dodgy sites that try to charge you double. You can also turn up without pre-booking.

Fun fact: Did you know that Paris residents couldn’t stand it when it was first built? Now they love it.

2. Louvre Museum, Paris

The Louvre is huge. If you wanted to see everything, it would take you 3.5 months, which only allows 3 seconds to see each item. Ideally, you need to plan your journey here beforehand and note what you want to see; otherwise, the day will disappear from you. The museum has three main wings; you could pick one wing for your visit.

Most people will head to the masterpieces here, such as the Mona Lisa, probably the world's most famous painting, and the Venus de Milo. 

The building itself is a work of art. It used to be a medieval fortress and a royal palace. A moat surrounds the building.

As you can imagine, the Louvre becomes very crowded, so our tip would be to arrive early and head straight to the main thing you want to see before the crowds arrive.

3. Palace of Versailles, Versailles

Is this the most famous palace in the world? If not, then it has to be up there. It gives you an authentic look into the luxury of French royalty. The rooms inside are fascinating, with lavish decorations, paintings, and artifacts.

The gardens are stunning and well-kept, and you won’t believe how big they are until you visit. They are so big that there are carts that can take you around the garden. Of course, these carts are not free, but we recommend you use them to visit Marie Antoinette’s “small palace.” The gardens open before the palace building, so that's an ideal time to take pictures before the crowds arrive.

We also recommend you download their free app with audio guides. These are good and save money; just remember to take your headphones. There are also official audio guides, which you can purchase.

4. Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy

You have no doubt seen some pictures of this famous landmark. It's a medieval abbey perched on a small, incredibly beautiful, rocky island. It makes for the perfect Instagram picture.

There isn’t just the abbey on the island (although it's what everyone heads here for). There is also a small village with shops, restaurants, and hotels.

We might sound like a broken record, but this is one place you should head to early, as the crowds can be overwhelming. It's one of those places where you want to take your time without all the crowds. Book your tickets in advance and get an early morning slot.

5. Côte d'Azur (French Riviera)

The French Riviera had to make our list, but there's a lot to it. There are probably 15 places we could talk about just for this section.

Highlights here are the beaches, yachts, food, landmarks, and a day trip to Monaco. The French Riviera is where you can feel like a celebrity for a few days.

We recently covered part of the French Riviera in an article about Paris or Nice (internal linking opportunity here).

6. Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris

As you probably know, Notre Dame suffered a really bad fire in 2019 and is currently closed to visitors. However, it is due to open in December 2024, so we have added it to our list.

It's also one of the most famous pieces of French Gothic architecture, dates back to the 12th century, and is actually where the famous book The Hunchback of Notre Dame is set.

It's still worth checking out from the outside if you are in Paris, just to say you have seen it. Hopefully, by the time you read this, it's back open, and you can. There is a 3D experience that you can do, and the money from that will help rebuild the cathedral.

7. Château de Chambord, Loire Valley

Château de Chambord is a fantastic example of French Renaissance architecture. French royalty used it as a getaway and hunting lodge.

One of the highlights is the double spiral staircase, which is where everyone wants to take a photograph. Once you enter, you will see why. Those with mobility issues might struggle as there are many steps and floors to cover.

Views from the top are fantastic, with a great exhibition about how items from the Louvre were stored here during the war so that the Nazis didn’t steal them.

Some people find the outside more interesting than the inside, and it is easy to spend a few hours just admiring the craftsmanship.

8. Disneyland Paris

Experienced by 15 million people each year, Disneyland Paris is one of the most visited attractions in France. It's the only Disneyland in Europe, so if people don’t want to travel to the US, they come here.

It's a magical place loved by children and adults. For adults, it will bring back memories of Disney shows they watched as kids. It's all about the rides, parades, and meeting your favorite characters.

This won’t be a frugal place to visit, as the ticket prices, food, and everything else you buy will add up. However, you will create memories that will last a lifetime.

9. Pont du Gard, Occitanie

The Pont du Gard is an iconic Roman aqueduct you must visit in the South of France. It was built almost 2000 years ago, and the photographs you see won’t do justice until you see them with your own eyes. You have to wonder how they built it back then without all the technology we have nowadays.

Our tip would be to rent a kayak or canoe and get right underneath it. This will give you a different perspective that most people won’t see.

It is hard to get here, as there are only a few buses, and these get very busy. The best way to get here is to hire a car. If you are a frugal traveler, you will be pleased to know this attraction is free.

10. Strasbourg Cathedral, Strasbourg

Did you know there isn’t just one Notre Dame in Paris, but eight across France? One of the best is the Strasbourg Cathedral, which dates back to the 13th century and took 424 years to build. Inside, it is full of sculptures and stunning stained glass work,

Visiting here around Christmas is extra special as it's where they hold the Christmas markets.

Entrance to the cathedral is free, which is always nice. For a small fee, you can go to the top of the dome, which gives great views over the city.

One of the highlights is to watch the astronomical clock every day at 12:30.

11. Carcassonne Medieval City

If you want to feel like you have stepped back in time, then Carcassonne Medieval City has to be on your list. It is like something out of Game of Thrones, and it is all so well-kept.

Inside the walls is an amazing castle that you should definitely visit, as this will give you great views over the area. There are loads of shops, restaurants, and little cobbled streets in which to get lost and explore.

If you want to learn more about the city, there are lots of organized tours that are worth it. Just make sure you wear your comfiest shoes, as the ground is bumpy and uneven.

Think of it as France's version of Dubrovnik. We think it might be even better; it just isn’t talked about as much.

12. Château de Fontainebleau, Fontainebleau

If you are staying in Paris, Chateau de Fontainebleau is the perfect place for a day trip. It only takes about 45 minutes on a train and a quick 20-minute bus ride, and you won’t be disappointed. This was the country retreat for the French kings and Napoleon.

If you are stuck between here and the Palace of Versailles and hate crowds, this could be the perfect choice. It's equally as stunning. It’s just not as popular, but just as good, so getting around is much easier, and you won’t have to be here at the crack of dawn.

Audio guides are available, and the entry fee is 12 euros, which we think is reasonable.

Fun fact: Did you know that Versailles was inspired by Fontainebleau, which belonged to the King's finance minister?

13.  Arc de Triomphe, Paris

Apart from the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe is probably the most famous landmark in Paris. It was built in 1806 on Napoleon's orders to celebrate his victories. It can be found at the end of the Champs Élysées (the most famous road in France), where 12 roads meet, so it's a very busy area.

It's worth climbing to the top if you can. There are around 300 steps, so it's not for those with mobility issues, and many people are not aware you can go inside it. The views at the top are worth the time and effort, and the queues are pretty small.

14. Gorges du Verdon, Provence

If you love the outdoors, Gorges du Verdon could be your place. You don’t need to spend a long time here. Highlights here are the Gelatas bridge and the lovely blue water that will take your breath away.

The best thing to do here is to rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak, which allows you to explore the gorge at your own pace without a thousand other people getting in your way. A pedalo is also another good choice.

It can get very busy during peak tourist season, so head here in the morning as usual.

15. Palais des Papes, Avignon

Palais des Papes was once the largest palace in the world and the residence of seven popes in the 14th century. Inside are the popes' apartments, chapels, cloisters, and ornate frescos.

The self-guided tours are excellent. You are given an iPad to hold up and see what the building was like years ago, and you can explore at your own pace.

Final Thoughts

Most people will head straight to Paris, and that's totally fine. But we hope our article has shown you that if you venture out of the capital, there's so much more to see.

We know France isn’t the most frugal of places, but it's still possible to visit without emptying your savings account. Visit between October and April to save money on hotels. The weather will still be nice, and hotels will be cheaper.