City: France
Top Things to do in France
Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in France, France
– in Europe (green & dark grey)
– in the European Union (green)
Restaurants in France
1. Musee d'Orsay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65,765 reviews
This beautiful museum, once a railroad station, now houses a staggering collection of Impressionist art, as well as other items created between 1848 and 1914. In 2011, the museum is running a renovation of the top floor (impressionist gallery). Only ground and medium floor are accessible. The top floor will re-open on the 20th of October. Meanwhile, some impressionist masterpieces are not visible.
Reviewed By 576elizabethc576 - Montpelier Station, United States
Excellent museum, incredible use of old train station space, loads and loads of lovely and important French art, easy to walk, large open spaces, good cafes, perfect light. We walked right in in June, no waiting, arrived at opening. Highly recommend.
2. Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,746 reviews
This huge cathedral, Strasbourg's most famous landmark, is an intimidating example of 13th-century Gothic architecture.
Reviewed By garryh702 - Port Coquitlam, Canada
From your first glimpse of the magnificent structure from blocks away to the breath-taking view when you enter the square surrounding this gigantic almost-eerie Gothic monument, it is truly overwhelming and awe-inspiring. My opinion is that it surpasses it's namesake - Notre Dame in Paris. Inside, the huge rose window, the pipe organ, the astrological clock all are simply amazing - especially when you consider they are all 5 or 6 centuries old.
3. Musee du Cinema et de la Miniature
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,980 reviews
This stately old building is located in Vieux Lyon.
Reviewed By Peta_and_Stu - Hobart, Australia
Please don't miss this fantastic museum. If you love movies and enjoy learning about the behind the scenes then you will enjoy this. The miniatures were outstanding, so realistic.
4. Memorial de Caen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,519 reviews
Located in the immediate vicinity of the D-Day Landing beaches, the Mémorial de Caen visitor centre is among the essential sites focusing on the Battle of Normandy and 20th century history. From the origins of the Second World War to the end of the Cold War, museographical displays tell this terrible side of 20th century history. Indeed, Caen, bombarded during the summer of 1944, a liberated yet martyred city, deserved a tribute well worthy of the suffering it endured. This is precisely the purpose of the Mémorial de Caen, but via a continuing perspective and action aimed at reconciliation.
Reviewed By nlansdell - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
This excellent museum charts the beginnings of, and causes behind, WW2 and the invasion of France - before detailing the events that led to its eventual liberation. It’s focus is on Normandy and Caen itself but it provides a good over view of the war in full and covers both the Pacific and African theatres. It also covers the holocaust. The material does not shy away from its subject and there are some graphic images of what took place and this includes film and pictures of dead combatants, hangings and executions - so please consider this if you are taking children. A film lasting 20 minutes brings everything together very well and I would recommend that not only that you do this at the end but that that you allow time for it. Your tickets last 24 hours so if you run out of time you can always pop back the next morning!
5. Saint Catherine's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,954 reviews
This famous 15th-century cathedral is the largest surviving wooden church in France.
Reviewed By LondonMatt75
Right in the heart of town in a beautiful square. Separate bell tower and amazing structures made from wood by original ship builders. Sitting inside you feel as if you are in an old ship.
6. Palais des Papes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,840 reviews
The residence of the soveriegn pontiffs in the 14th century is the largest Gothic Palace in the world. 25 areas to visit : ceremonila halls, chapels, cloister, the Pope's provate apartments with their priceless frescos, as well as a scenographic area, the Musée de l'Oeuvre, wich presents the development and history of the building since it was build. Ranked as UNESCO world heritage.
Reviewed By YairBarZohar - Qiryat Ata, Israel
After going through some of Avignon's other sites, you finally reached the highlight - the Pope's Palace. The palace, built between 1335 and 1352, is the largest Gothic palace in the world. This palace served as the residence of the popes in the 14th century and was also the place where six closed meetings were held, under which six popes were elected. This important site entered the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1995. As part of your visit to the Pope's Palace, you can tour more than 25 rooms open to the public. One of the highlights of the visit is the opportunity to see the Pope's living rooms from the time he lived here. Also, be impressed by the spectacular fresco paintings, which adorn a large part of the halls and chapels. You can hire an audio guide at the entrance. If you wish, you can choose to visit the Pope's Palace as part of a guided walking tour of Avignon, which includes a queue entrance to the Pope's Palace. Admission is reasonable. Children 8 and under come in for free. The card can be used with the San Benza Bridge. Opening hours: from April to the end of June and September to the beginning of November from 9:00 to 19:00, November to the end of February from 9:30 to 17:45, March from 9:00 to 18:30, July to 9 : 00-20: 00, August 9: 00-20: 30. How long should you visit? Between two and three hours. The Pope's Palace is adjacent to Avignon Cathedral to the south.
7. Musee de l'Hotel-Dieu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,051 reviews
The Hôtel-Dieu is a former hospital founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor of the Duke of Burgundy, and his wife, Guigone de Salins. It is only when you step into the main courtyard that you see the flamboyant roof with varnished tiles, a shining symbol of ducal Burgundy and now world famous. A classified historical monument : Take an audioguide and let Nicolas Rolin and Guigone de Salins walk you through the unique history and day to day life of the Hôtel-Dieu, from the 15th century to the present day! Their crowning achievement, this richly endowed hospital fondation, stays true to their original mission and still provides care for the sick. Museum / Cultural shop / Prestigeous area to hire out
Reviewed By BrookeMorales - London, United Kingdom
Took the tour of the museum, here in this small and charming town. The building is well preserved, stunning, painted roof tiles, a lovely courtyard and replicas of the hospice inside the museum. Very interesting how people were cared for, after a war, the sleeping areas, medical treatment and kitchen can all be seen in the museum.
8. Basilique Saint-Sernin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,434 reviews
Reviewed By KateJourney - Exeter, Canada
When we decided to explore Toulouse, we headed directly to the Musee d'Archaeologie ...and found it right beside the basilica...so after the museum we toured it as well. A lovely church with and interesting crypt with reliquaries...always great to immerse in local history.
9. Cathedrale Saint-Gatien
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,090 reviews
Reviewed By 590JackK - Lebanon, United States
While there are many sites to behold in the city of Tours, be sure to visit this cathedral. It took four hundred years to build, and was listed as an historic monument in 1862. Everything about it is astonishing to see, from the portals of the facade to the stained glass windows. The two towers each hold something significant in them: the north the royal stairs; the south the cathedral's bells. Aside from other Parisian-style gothic architecture, there are also the tombs of Charles VIII and Anne de Bretagne's children, all in the south chapel. There are plentiful cathedrals to visit when visiting this region; I'd make this one of them.
10. Musee Departemental Arles Antique
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,590 reviews
Reviewed By Razorfish - Little Rock, United States
My wife and I visited the Musee Departemental Arles Antique during our two day trip to Arles this past March. It is a wonderful museum with a large number of archeological pieces (statues, sarcophagi, base reliefs, mosaics, etc.). The best feature is the Roman barge that was dug out of the Rhône River and the video of its restoration. It is well worth spending 2 or 3 hours in to gain a better understanding of historic Arles.
