Tourist attractions France

Don’t be put off this modest climb (60m to get to an altitude of 2 860m), since the view over the southern Alps which awaits is exceptional: north to Queyras, Mt Viso and l’Ubaye; northwest to the Pelvou massif; west to the upper Verdon; south to t..

From this isolated spot there is a splendid view (from the bend to the left) of the Meije massif (orientation table at 1 834m). Continue to the village of Chazelet , renowned for its balconies. Heading back down the valley, continue to the Ventelon..

Mont Revard (1 537m) offers magnificent plunging views over Lake du Bourget and Aix les Bains. There are interesting views fom the cable car: westwards over the lake and the dent du Chat – through the gap of the Chat pass, the glimmering waters of th..

Sharing the distinction of being the most famous route in the French Alps with that of the Iseran Pass, and linking the Maurienne to the Briançonnais, this steep incline with views over the Maurienne leads from the bottom of the Arc Valley to its tri..

Reached by cable car from Pierrafort, there is a fine view from this summit, taking in the Valmorel Valley surrounded by the Cheval Noir, the Grand Pic de la Lauzière and, beyond, the Belledonne range. On the other side is the Belleville Valley: the ..

The route traverses a wild landscape dotted by mountain communities which thanks to its isolation retains its charm. Among the more spectacular sites, don’t miss the Collet de Vaujany for its view of the west face of the Grandes-Rousses; the Combe..

The Transarc cable car (from Arc 1800) passes over the col du Grand Renard and arrives at the base of the Siguille Grive, at a height of 2 600m, from where the view takes in the Aiguille Rouge, Mont Pourri, the Aiguille du Saint-Esprit, La Grande Mot..

From the top of the Puy Mary the view takes in the Cantal mountains, Europe’s biggest volcanic range. Originally a gigantic volcano, it has been worn down by millennia of erosion. The puys have taken on various shapes: Puy Griou appears like a peak; ..

The horn-like shape of this puy is due to glacial erosion during the Quaternary Era. The path on the northwest side takes you to the summit (1 787m). A signboard explains the grandiose landscapes, with the gigantic fan of the range’s glacial valleys ..

The biggest regional park in mainland France is located in the heart of the Auvergne, extending across close to 400 000ha around Riom-ès-Montagnes. The park is made up of five separate regions: the Puys de Dôme chain; the Dore mountains in the Massif..

Between Beuil and the Var Valley, the River Cians has cut through red schist and limestone to create some of the most beautiful steep gorges in the Alps. Its powers of erosion are increased tenfold in the weakest places, and thus the river has carved..

A more effective trip back in time than any epic movie, the enchanting, beautiful estate of Puy de Fou (composed of 50ha of woodland) is the backdrop for historical shows featuring incredible special effects. Covering the years 1000 to 1900, severa..

From Cassis, head towards La Ciotat on the Route des Crêtes , dotted with panoramic viewpoints created to enjoy the mountains in the Cap Canaille massif, with spectacular cliffs (the highest in France) overlooking the sea. The word ‘‘canaille’’ come..

The Pyrenees National Park covers a mountainous strip of land along the border that is 1-15km wide and 100km long, between the Aspe Valley to the west and the Aure Valley to the east. It takes in six valleys, four of which are in the Hautes-Pyrénées:..

Aspin Pass offers a sweeping panorama in spite of its lower altitude compared to the three other major passes on the Route des Pyrénées between Eaux-Bonnes and Bagnères-de-Luchon (Aubisque, Tourmalet, Peyresourde). The position of the massifs, and th..

The flora and fauna in this nature preserve at the entrance to the Gaves Valley are really interesting: Corsican mountain sheep and izards sharing their habitat with nesting birds of prey on the high limestone cliffs covered with moors and meadows. T..

There is a magnificent panorama (with a viewpoint indicator) from Saint-Pilon in the heart of the Sainte-Beaume massif: to the north, of the Hôtellerie de la Sainte-Baume in the foreground, Mont Ventoux in the distance, the Luberon , Montagne de..

From the terraces there is a spectacular and unique view: lanterns, chimneys, staircases and dormer windows mingle, hewn by the sculptor’s chisel. The royal imagery is extensive: François I’s monogram, crowned salamanders, flaming candelabras, fleurs..

Displayed in Angers Castle , the Apocalypse Tapestry is believed to have been created between 1373 and 1383. Originally 133m long and 6m high, it was composed of 6 sections, each comprising a figure seated on a dais looking onto two cycles of 7 scen..

Who hasn't dreamt of one day traversing the Alps from end to end, from pass to pass, from one sea to the other, from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean? The southern part of the route begins at the Col du Lautaret and continues into the southern Alps..