5 Icons of France (that you need to visit)

Bonjour!

Whether it’s your first or your millionth time in France, there’s no doubt that there are plenty of places and monuments worth visiting throughout the country. After all, why limit your time only to Paris when there’s Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Strasbourg, and so much more?

Besides venturing out of the French capital to other cities, it’s also worth a go at some notable sites scattered all over France. Sure, the Eiffel Tower is iconic, but there are so many other great monuments that are sure to take your breath away. If anything, I’d choose to plan out an itinerary that would hit all of the country’s hot-spots!

Having lived in France for nearly four years, I’ve done my fair share of traveling to several of the country’s renown historic monuments. Some big, some small, they were all nevertheless impressive, let alone emblematic of France’s long and rich history.

That’s why I decided to compile a short list of the top-five monuments deemed “iconic” to France’s history and culture, as they’re world-renown and draw plenty of foreigners to their sites. While this list is by no means comprehensive of the hundreds of other great sites in the country, these are sure to be the famous ones to first visit.

Without further ado, here are the five iconic places in France that are worth visiting:

1. The Eiffel Tower. 

It’s no secret that la tour Eiffel is the first thing that comes to people’s minds when they think of France. After all, it’s tall, distinctively-shaped, and gives off a romantic charm that only Paris, it’s home city, can pull off. While locals, expats, and even frequent travelers like myself might consider it overrated, I believe it’s overrated for a good reason– you don’t necessarily have to pay (or wait) to go up the tower, but just seeing it in person will sure to inspire awe, even in the most cynical!

2. Le Mont St. Michel.

With the often-overcast weather, this notable monument in the Normandy region appears to be shrouded in mystery, although its history is long and well-documented. I lived in Normandy for two years, and I can say that le Mont St. Michel is certainly the region’s pride and beauty! While it might not be easy to get there without a car, the journey is all the more worth it once you reach the seemingly floating island, before paying a visit to the abbey at its summit.

3. Carcassonne.

Heading south of France, we reach the small city of Carcassonne, with its distinctive citadel looming in the upper part of town. Especially for medieval buffs, they’ll be sure to fall in love with the fortified city within a city, as they can stroll through the narrow, cobblestone roads and passages, all the while climb on top of the walls for views of the snow-capped Pyrénées on a clear day. Along with Bordeaux and Toulouse, the city of Carcassonne is a solid introduction to the French Southwest, rich in its sun, people, and history.

4. Pont du Gard.

Going even more south is that of the Pont du Gard. If you’re looking for a bit of Roman history (or simply, you’re an architectural lover), this imposing aqueduct is worth a visit. While there are plenty of aqueducts all over France, this one stands out for its historic importance during the Roman Empire, and for its three-tiered structure, which I think takes it to a whole new level. Similar to le Mont St. Michel, this aqueduct isn’t so easy to access without a car, but there are ways to make it over– once you do, you’ll be glad that you did!

5. Les châteaux de la Loire.

Heading back up north, we reach the hundreds of châteaux, big and small, in the bucolic Loire Valley. You have the famous ones like Chenonceau and Chambord, along with the small ones like Beauregard or Cheverny. All the same, they’re architecturally stunning, and they’re bound to make you feel like royalty once you step inside the estate. Especially on a beautiful, cloudless day, the châteaux look like the historical paintings you see in art galleries, and you can’t help but be blown away.

*bonus!* the French Riviera

…and we’re returning to the south! While there isn’t any particular monument I’d like to mention, I still think a trip to the port cities of Marseille, Cannes, and Nice are worth it for a bit of that Mediterranean sun. While you get the chance, you may even pass through the sweeping lavender fields in Provence, which are definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

What are some places you’d like to see in France? Let me know!