France is full of romance, history and beautiful landscapes throughout its land. With multiple rivers running straight through and out of France, it makes an excellent stop on a European river cruise. Whether you are wanting to visit wine country, the multitude of museums, majestic castles, the bounty of shops or savor the culinary arts; France offers you an experience that will leave you in awe.
There are multiple reasons to visit France, perhaps it is on your bucket list, or have been wanting to go to the Louve, or Versailles, or maybe the Eiffel tower. The fact of the matter is, there could be a post all in itself about Paris and its amazing sights. However there are many places to visit that many haven’t really thought of. That being said, here are a two of our favorite regions you should see the next time you find yourself in France.
Our Favorite Regions to Visit
Alsace
The region of Alsace is known as the “Chocolate box Region”, it is full of history, beauty and amazing culinary experiences. Right inside this region is a town called Colmar, the houses here date back to the Medieval and Renaissance era. This is a great place to go on a romantic boat tour, or see the original Statue of Liberty. Visit “Petite Venice” if you wish to explore this little village full of mansions and unique events and tours going on throughout the year. If you happened to bring your walking shoes on your vacation, visiting Fort Schoenenbourg is an excellent choice. Be sure to wear warm clothes though, this military fortification is kept at cool temperatures all year long.
It is important we do not forget about the amazing wine culture in France, and the region of Alsace has a perfect place to go for wine lovers, the Route des Vins. Explore this wine country through tastings, bike rides or pleasant strolls throughout the route. Another fabulous place to visit in Alsace is the small town of Obenai, which is probably best seen around the holiday season. This medieval town’s Christmas Markets is full of gastronomic experiences, exciting festivals and fantastic ice-skating rink.
Normandy
If the words rural and romance go hand in hand with you perhaps a trip to Normandy is an excellent choice. Even for wine lovers there are a few spectacular vineyards that are sure to impress although Normandy is more popular for cidre and calvados. Head to Bayeux and visit the Musée de la Tapisserie to see the Bayeux Tapestry, a unique work of art mix with a historical document. Within this beautiful embroidery is the events which led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Afterwards go back to the 17th century in the Abbey of Saint-Georges de Boscherville, containing more than 900 years of history its gardens, art, and architecture tell the stories of monks dating back 2000 years. Then go to one of the prettiest ports in Europe, Honfleur to see when many painters, composers and writers once lived.
Want to explore more opportunities in travel? Be sure to download our river cruise guide for this upcoming year.
