The best things to do in France

The City of Lights… and romance

For many visitors to France, Paris is the first port of call. It’s not hard to understand why – this is a grand capital with a timeless and unmistakable aura. Wander the Parisian streets to uncover modernity sitting side by side with tradition, where Avant Garde galleries nestle close to quirky bistros, peppered with iconic landmarks known the world over.

The Eiffel Tower dominates the skyline and retains its swoon-worthy symbolism. Gustave Eiffel’s masterpiece wows from inside and out. Climb the steps to the top for the city’s best view or dine in style at one of the restaurants on the lower floors. At night, the view across Paris is the stuff of lifelong memories.

Art lovers are in their element in Paris. The vast Louvre, with its peerless collection of art, is the main draw, but don’t overlook the Musee d’Orsay in a sensational old train station. Take a boat along the Seine and hop off at Notre Dame, or explore the old artistic area of Montmartre, topped off by the majestic Sacre Coeur.

Paris even thrills below ground – descend into the catacombs for a ghostly afternoon or wind your way through Pere Lachaise cemetery in search of the graves of Chopin, Balzac, Maria Callas, Proust, Piaf and Jim Morrison.

The Cote d’Azur

From Perpignan to Nice, the southern stretch of French coastline charms with a mixture of out-of-the-way resorts and big-hitting cities and towns. They all have a couple of things in common - oodles of glamour and stunning views of the shimmering Mediterranean as it laps the golden shoreline.

Marseille is the largest city in the south and combines urban grit with portside flair. Grab a bowl of bouillabaisse down by the fishing boats, explore the old town and climb up to see the wonders of the Notre Dame de la Garde basilica.

Further along the coast, Cannes has its Croisette and Nice has the Promenade des Anglais. These waterfront walks are truly iconic - follow in the footsteps of countless other visitors, including the many celebrities that vacation here each year.

France equals food

French cuisine is legendary around the world - and you can sample all the Gallic staples when visiting. Even better, you can spot the local differences as you travel from region to region, with each area drawing on their produce and traditions.

Paris is home to numerous Michelin star restaurants, where every meal feels like an event. But you’ll also find unpretentious bistros that come complete with a refreshingly warm, rustic vibe. In Normandy, opt for moules marinières, then sample the distinct Flemish influence in Nord-pas-de-Calais.

It’s hard to escape the German touch on menus in Alsace – the choucroute and ‘flammekeuche’ (Alsatian Pizza) are a must try. Meanwhile, Lyon is the place for carnivores, with a focus on nose-to-tail eating and sumptuous sausages.

In Provence, indulge in its signature ratatouille and Nicoise salad, while boeuf bourguignon is top of the list in Burgundy. Add in a road map of local cheeses, and the chances of you leaving France lighter than you arrived is virtually non-existent - but with food this good you won't mind one bit.

The D-Day landings & Mont St. Michel

North of Paris, you’ll find a cluster of fascinating villages and towns close to the English Channel. This is where you can find out about the D-Day landings.

Troops from the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division were among those that landed on Juno Beach, close to Caen, and their sacrifice is commemorated at the Juno Beach Centre - a World War II museum complete with memorial.

Beyond this, Normandy itself is a place of rugged landscapes and deep history. View the Bayeux Tapestry in the town of the same name, marvel at the medieval quarter in Rouen and gasp at Mont St. Michel, northern France’s most stunning sight.

This island, surrounded by water at high tide, is topped off with an ancient monastery created back in the 11^th century. A dramatic setting of huge strategic importance through countless wars, it's a must-see.

Wine and wonder

Any wine connoisseur worth their salt will have a tour of French wine country on their bucket list. If you’re driving, park up your car and spend the night so you can enjoy the fruits of the local vineyards without worrying how to get home.

For Champagne, head east of Paris to the Ardennes and Aube, and other locations such as Reims and Epernay. Further east in Alsace and Lorraine you’ll find the Germanic wines such as Riesling and Pinot Gris, while Burgundy is famed for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Head south for Rhone wine country, west for the Loire Valley with its romantic chateaux and to Bordeaux itself for Bordeaux.

The latter is part of a south-west stretch that meets the Atlantic Ocean and includes superb locations such as Bayonne and Biarritz. Bordeaux is a brilliant city and home to an 11^th century cathedral, beautiful architecture and the City of Wine centre, close to the River Garonne. Inspired by the image of a decanter, it pays tribute to the city’s most famous export.

From here you can hug the coast as you enter the Basque region, with France separated from Spain by the mighty Pyrenees mountain range. Swing back east for ‘La Ville Rose’ – Toulouse – a swish and stylish place. Further on you'll find Carcassonne, a walled city that, from afar, looks like it hasn’t been touched by time since the Middle Ages. It’s a sign of how France cherishes and preserves its storied past, here in the heart of the old world.

Visit beaches, mountains and cities, while enjoying some of the finest cuisine in the world, as you tour France in your Hertz rental car.