Top 10 Things to do in France

November 2, 2017 Dorsey Hagwood

France from Europe region, is best know for Zoos. Discover best things to do in France with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in France

1. Parc de la Tete d'Or

Place General Leclerc, 69006, Lyon, France +33 4 72 10 30 30
Excellent
66%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Parc de la Tete d'Or

Come enjoy a moment of relaxation in family in a wooded and natural setting. A double course of 18 tracks awaits you. Young and old alike will share an unforgettable moment on the playful and amazing trails of mini-golf. Both children and parents will find happiness. A little introduction to the practice of mini-golf will be provided if you wish.

Reviewed By Michele B - Sydney, Australia

We are so lucky that we are staying quite close to the beautiful Parc de la Tête d'Or. We walk there almost every day and discover something new every time. The park is large, about 117 hectares, and has many different activities within it. There is a large lake and boats can be hired, and there are bikes as well, but we prefer to walk around the lake, stopping to feed the many ducks and geese who call the park home. A zoo is located within the park, with many different endangered animals - lions, deer, primates, bears, even a giraffe. Mini- golf can be played, there is a velodrome and playing courts, pony rides, petit train and another small train on its own line. We hope that the award-winning rose garden has some blooms before we leave and there is a large Conservatory and botanical garden that is just starting to show Spring growth. Joggers love this park and I imagine it could get crowded in some parts in Summer but it is so large that it is always easy to find a secluded spot to relax in the tranquility of this superb bit of Paradise.

2. Le Puy du Fou

85590 Les Epesses, France +33 820 09 10 10
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 11 reviews

Le Puy du Fou

The Puy du Fou features a multitude of spectacular shows, adventures for the whole family and new astonishments every year. Experience different centuries surrounded by unspoilt countryside and an even more exciting time staying in one of the Puy du Fou's four original hotels. At the Puy du Fou, history is waiting for you!

Reviewed By Sinag - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

In its 40th anniversary, le Puy de Fou comes as a very pleasant surprise for me - a non-French visitor.
Rich in colour, creativity and artistry, the theatre troupes that form the different spectacles of the Puy de Fou attraction park are all very impressive and performed their roles wonderfully.
All the spectacles are so well-organised. The ushers are great in controlling what could be a maddening crowd!
Vikings, ballet of the birds, the spectacle with the Romans’ and The Gauloises were among the ones we watched. It’s a real pity we could not watch more!
In typical french fashion, bringing your baguette, fromage and charcuterie to make sandwiches are OK. Just don’t bring s knife :0).

3. Walt Disney Studios Park

Marne-la-Vallee, France +33 825 30 02 22
Excellent
54%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

Walt Disney Studios Park

A new addition to Disneyland Paris that celebrates cinema.

Reviewed By Amy H

We went to both parks but I have to sat that the Disney park was better than the Walt Disney Studios park. My favourite part of this park was the Art of Animation display.

4. Old Town (Vieille Ville)

Vieux Nice, 06000 Nice, France +33 6 25 63 28 30
Excellent
62%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Old Town (Vieille Ville)

This historic part of Nice feels like a medieval village with narrow streets curving between old buildings with red-tile roofs, small restaurants and open-markets.

Reviewed By suej159 - Conwy

A lovely part of Nice to wander around by day or night . In the day it is a quaint bustling area of little shops and stalls and cafes. Very narrow streets that you could wander around for hours getting lost and seeing something different everytime . By night it lights up and all the cafes and bars are open and has a lovely atmosphere. A must do if your in Nice

Avenue Rene Monory, 86360 Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, France +33 5 49 49 30 80
Excellent
36%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
5%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 10 reviews

Futuroscope

With more than 50 million visitors since it opened, Futuroscope is one one of France’s most popular amusement parks and the only one of its kind in Europe. Futuroscope is the ideal place to relax in, with 60 hectares of tranquil green countryside and 25 original experiences you won't find anywhere else: films in giant format, thrill-filled attractions, 3D rides with 4D effects, games, live shows, open-air activities, and more. The spectacular theatres inside Futuroscope are gigantic sculptures and their futuristic lines blend in smoothly with the surrounding landscape. Discovery and thrills guaranteed for everyone, young and old!

Reviewed By Pat042 - Geneva, Switzerland

We were lucky to visit the park a day where less than 5000 people were in. Which means ... no waiting time at attractions and of course this change completely the experience in an attraction park. But anyway, this park is a fantastic combination between technology, shows, discoveries and attractions ... Nicely done (perhaps now a bit obsolete versus the future, which was the original idea) but a great time to spend. Diversity in the attractions (from magic show, to 4 D experiences and a 3D movie). To be done !

6. Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde

Rue Fort-du-Sanctuaire, 13281 Marseille, France +33 4 91 13 40 80
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde

Reviewed By daveDerbyUk - Derby, United Kingdom

Don't walk up catch the number 60 bus to the top from the old port and enjoy stunning views from the church it's very striking inside and out and when you've done walk back down to Castellane down steps etc which is signposted all the way which is a nice part of Marseille

7. Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel

Bp 22, 50170 Mont-Saint-Michel, France +33 2 33 89 80 00
Excellent
69%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel

The Benedictine Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most remarkable examples of mediaeval religious and military architecture and was one of Christianity's most important pilgrimage sites from the 8th to the 18th century.The Abbey comprises a superb ensemble of clerical buildings including the abbey church, the cloister, the refectory, the monks' ambulatory and the Gardens of what has been known as the ""Merveille"" (Marvel) since the 12th century. In summer, the Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel is best seen in all its splendour after sunset during the special “sons et lumières"" shows. Designated world heritage site by UNESCO. Open: > 2nd May to 31st August: from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. > 1st September to 30th April: from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last admission 1 hr before closing time. Closed: > 1st January, 1st May and 25 December. Admission fees: Adults : 9€; Concessions (18 to 25) = 5,50 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups

Reviewed By Tommyg2230 - Tysons Corner VA

My expectations of the abbey MSM were wildly exceeded. The tour is absolutely worth a couple of hours of your time, if not for the history then for the views across the channel on one side and the French countryside on the other.

8. Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg

1 rue Rohan, 67060, Strasbourg, France +33 3 88 21 43 34
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg

This huge Cathedral, Strasbourg's most famous landmark, is an intimidating example of 13th-century Gothic architecture.

Reviewed By GirdleTheEarth - Southend

This Cathedral is apparently the second most visited Cathedral in France, after Notre Dame de Paris. I am not surprised. the building is a mellow red, and the exterior is literally covered with high Gothic carvings. I have never seen anything quite like it. You could spend years studying these statues, and the mind boggles at the skills of the craftsmen who produced them. My husband climbed to the viewing platform and even on a rather dull wintry day enjoyed the views, although with nearly 350 steps be prepared for quite a hike!

9. Palace of Versailles

Place d'Armes, 78000, Versailles, France +33 1 30 83 78 00
Excellent
59%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

Palace of Versailles

Palace, trianon palaces and the estate of marie-antoinette : open daily except mondays and certain public holidays. Gardens and park : open daily.Commented tours, independant visits, musical fontains shows, shows, bowboats, little train, bicycles, bookshop, shops, restaurants...

Reviewed By AlexJames102 - London, United Kingdom

It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to visit the Palace of Versailles and I went with no pre-conceived expectations. In fact, I heavily researched for my visit; which I knew would be busy, being the Easter weekend.
My review is going to be overwhelmingly negative, so I feel it’s important to begin with the positives.
Versailles is simply a marvel; one of the most luxurious and jaw-droppingly beautiful palaces I’ve seen. The Hall of Mirrors is spectacular. The architecture is bedazzling. The interiors are special.
That said, I feel I must warn people about my overall experience visiting the palace. I have no agenda at all except to inform.
Despite arriving at around 10.30am, we queued for over two hours with pre-paid tickets bought online. This massive queue finishes at the actual entrance- a tiny little door. I simply cannot believe that, with the quantity of visitors (10m a year), the Palace can’t organise a better influx into the Palace. There are, after all, a huge number of spacious exits. I know the Palace is world famous and attracts hordes, but the queue is simply outrageously long; with no staff in sight to advise, and poorly managed.
To say that Versailles is overcrowded would be an understatement. It’s claustrophobic, and restricts one’s ability to appreciate the rooms. This, coupled with cameras being shoved in and around one’s person constantly, severely damaged my ability to absorb the splendours of the Palace properly.
And this is where my main criticism lies: the management of the Palace. Elements of the online ticket are simply a scam. Nowhere on the website does it say that two thirds of the house and accompanying estates are closed. Nowhere does it say that even if you buy an e-ticket including access to the Gardens (!) you still have to queue and pay extra to access them on a Saturday. There is, in fact, no live information online detailing day to day details. Let me give an example: the Trianon estate is currently closed for refurbishment. That is not stated clearly on the website. I couldn’t find it anywhere, in fact. But they still charge ticket bundles for it, that cost extra. That is simply a scam.
The staff were unhelpful, and often rude when I asked for specifics. I speak very good French as well. This attitude bore all the hallmarks of a tourist site unconcerned with customer care as they didn’t need to be polite- they will never be short of visitors and ergo don’t face scrutiny.
Versailles was a massive disappointment- and I consider myself a patient and understanding visitor respectful of local culture. I wanted to write a Trip Advisor specifically to warn people.
If you want to visit what is absolutely a fabulous palace, go at 9am, off season, and call to check what’s open and what’s not, and expect queues and people everywhere.

10. Musee d'Orsay

1, Rue de la Legion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France +33 1 40 49 48 14
Excellent
79%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 55 reviews

Musee d'Orsay

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 sargent0 - Swindon, United Kingdom

On our last full day in Paris we visited Musée d’Orsay. We got there early (and thank god we did) arriving at 09:40 just after opening to join a huge queue which stretched to the corner of the block. It took us just over an hour to get in, but it was worth the wait.
Also being the first Sunday of the month, entry was free which was a real bonus though the full price ticket is only €12 per adult.
On arrival we head straight up to the 5th floor to the only cafe which was open at the time. Worth noting that until 11:45 they only serve tea, coffee, cake and desserts so we ordered tea, a pint of cola and my husband had a Belgian waffle. Once lunch could be ordered I had the Salade Parisian and my husband the Fois Grais.
Both of which was very nice and all in all cane to around €45
We started our visit on the 5th floor after our lunch and it is without a doubt the best section.
With a huge collection of Monet, Renoir you would not be disappointed by the majority of Exhibitions. I particularly liked the Sisley collection.
Having arrived at 11:15 we departed around 14:30.
It’s a stunning museum with a collection which I am sure would have something for everyone.
I’ll be honest, I was very surprised by how much of the art work I really liked. I would never have classed myself as a fan of the Impressionists as our personal art collection is very modern day while quite eclectic to say the least but there were a number of the Monet and Sisley pieces which I found quite stunning.
For €12 each you cannot go wrong with a visit to this beautiful museum which in itself is a piece of art, originally an old railway station, this old building is something to be admired in its own right.
Would absolutely recommend if you can stand the queues.

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