France Travel: No, It Is Not Just Paris
France, a beautiful rich country, possessing so many features that attract millions of tourists each year, and it is the most visited country in the world with over 80 million visitors a year.
Usually, when we think about France, the first things coming to our minds might be baguettes, wine and the Eiffel Tower. But France is a whole world of its own that has a lot to be uncovered.
What to see in metropolitan France?
Obviously, Paris!
The most famous city in France is Paris. It is one of the most visited cities and capitals in the world, and has several important landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre-Dame cathedral, and a lot more.
Nice
Nice is one of France's bigger cities. It is located in Southeastern France. It attracts tourists in the summer with its beautiful and charming Mediterranean beaches. Here you can also go hiking in the Mont Boron Park, or visit the Castle Hill Park.
Just take a look:
Corsica Island
Corsica is the forth biggest island in the Mediterranean sea, which is located right north of Sardinia island (Italy). Even though the island is a great beach destination, it is also very mountainous with the highest peak (Monte Cintu) being 2,706 meters high. The mountains make it a fantastic destination for hikers.
Bordeaux
Wine lovers, pay attention! Bordeaux is a port city in Southwestern France. This is your ideal place if you love wine. The city is known as the capital of wine. It even has a wine museum. But it is not just this, the city has Europe's largest sand dune.
There are so many places to see and visit in metropolitan France, here are a few notable ones:
- Strasbourg
- Lyon
- Marseille
- Nantes
- Toulouse
Overseas France
France is not only located in Europe, but it also has territories in North America, the Caribbean, South America, Africa and Polynesia. These are some territories which are remnants from the French colonial empire. Just because they are not very popular, does not mean that they are not worth to be visited. Here are a few recommendations:
French Polynesia
You have probably heard of Bora Bora, a small island group, famous for its pristine beaches and one of the most visited parts among the overseas territories of France. It is located in French Polynesia, which is a group of different subgroups of islands and atolls, which are located in the South Pacific Ocean. The biggest city and capital of French Polynesia is Papeete, located on the biggest island - Tahiti.
French Guiana
The only French overseas department that is located in South America is French Guiana. It is the largest overseas department by territory. It is bordered by Brazil, Suriname and the Atlantic Ocean.This is not a popular tourist destination, but it is know for is its biodiversity as it is fully located in the Amazon rainforest. The two biggest cities are Cayenne and Kourou. Within the district of Kourou you can find Europe's space center.
Guadeloupe & Martinique
These are two French islands in the Caribbean. They are popular among tourists. The two regions are enjoyed by visitors because of their nice climate, delicious cuisine and creole culture.
New Caledonia
A beautiful and still not very popular destination is New Caledonia. It is located between Australia and Vanuatu. If you are looking for a tranquil and less explored place to visit, New Caledonia is the place. You can climb mount Panié, which has an elevation of 1,628 meters. You can also visit the capital Noumea, or the Isle of Pines.
Other overseas departments of France include:
- Mayotte (Africa)
- Réunion (Africa)
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon (North America)
- Wallis and Futuna (Polynesia)
- Saint Martin (Caribbean)
- Saint Barthélemy (Caribbean)
Overall, France is a rich and diverse country. It has different things to offer for travelers with different needs. From beaches, mountains, valleys, wine, amazing and diverse cuisine... the country has you covered with variety. Now you can consider and choose between some of these destinations in your future travels.
Would you like me to write about each region in a separate article?
© 2019 Tery Peta