Tourism

France is renowned for its historic sites, its beautiful villages, beaches, museums, places of interest, tourist attractions. Here you will find a selection of great places to visit. Occitanie, Provence, Corsica, Burgundy, The Loire Valley - browse and discover the different regions for your holiday.
© Pure France

22 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Nature , Tourism

Family friendly Gruissan beach

Visit this large and uncrowded Languedoc, Occitiane beach. Just 10 minutes, East of Narbonne and easily reached from the motorway, Gruissan plage is a lovely family friendly beach. The huge wide flat expanse of Gruissan beach means you will never struggle to find a spot on the sand, and the calm waters make for safe swimming for all ages.

© Pure France

21 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Holidays, Nature , Sports and leisure, Tourism

La Franqui beach

The lovely unspoilt beach resort in the Languedoc, La Franqui beach is a hidden gem, half an hour from Narbonne. Visit for a relaxed vibe and a lovely, large sandy beach. La Franqui has remained unspoilt and not overdeveloped. You will find a huge sandy beach which is never crowded even in the height of summer.

© Pixabay

21 April 2021  |  Amélie Roca  |  Tourism, Holidays

The essential sites of Hérault

If you are on vacation for a short or long stay in Hérault, we have prepared a list of must-see sites for you. The Hérault is rich in its geographical location... and in its many curiosities, not to be missed. The Gorges de l'Hérault, Cirque de Navacelles, Le Pont du Diable, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Sète...

Gerald Fauvelle, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

20 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

Gouffre de Padirac

Descend 100 metres into Padirac cave (Gouffre de Padirac) this summer. The added fun of an underground boat trip makes this our favourite cave in the Dordogne, bring the family and don't forget your jumper! Our favourite cave in the Dordogne, the Padirac cave (Gouffre de Padirac) is a really great family day out.

© https://unsplash.com/@joaching

19 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

Promenade des Anglais on the Côte d'Azur

The Promenade des Anglais in Nice is 7 kms in length and stretches from the airport on the west to the United States Quay. It's a popular location for cyclists, roller-skaters and families to enjoy the beach front and numerous palm trees, kiosks, pergolas and Mediterranean azure blue Sea views of the Baie des Anges.

© https://www.chateaudeblois.fr

19 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

Château Royal de Blois

New sound and light show at the Château Royal de Blois. History and the château like no one has ever really seen them! One of the first sound and light shows to be created in the courtyard of a French château, the Story of Blois (Ainsi Blois vous est conté) has been illuminating the site for more than 25 years.

Jean-Marc Rosier from http://www.rosier.pro, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

18 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism, UNESCO

Palais des Papes

In Avignon in the South of France is one of Europe's largest medieval Gothic style buildings. Consisting of two buildings, the old and the new Palais. It's library houses over 2,000 volumes. Construction design was done by Pierre Peysson and Jean du Louvres. The building was classified by the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

No machine-readable author provided. Tim Pope~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

17 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

The exotic gardens of Monaco

Visit and explore the Exotic gardens in the world famous city of Monaco the summer. Visitors can walk along paths and up and down steps amongst the many exotic species of plants including cacti plants, admiring their colourful flowers. Enter into a green house and discover a variety of succulents, sources from the many dry regions, around the world.

© https://pixabay.com/images/id-3847679/

17 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

Marseille Cathédrale

This summer visit Marseille and discover the Cathédrale La Major (Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure de Marseille) with its Romanesque-Byzantine style architecture. Marseille Cathedral was designed by architect Léon Vaudoyer and Henri-Jacques Espérandieu and constructed between 1852 and 1896 in a 'Latin cross' configuration on the original foundations of the 'old Major’ that dates back to the 12th century.

© https://pixabay.com/images/id-1087923/

17 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

Le Grau Du Roi

The old French fishing village of Le Grau Du Roi in the Gard is a popular modern seaside resort, enjoying a Mediterranean atmosphere. Its streets with bars and restaurants are lively with tourist during the summer months. The Mediterranean coast offers a range of water-sports and beach bars.

© https://unsplash.com/@nunchakouy

16 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

Visit ancient Avignon

An absolute gem of a city on the Rhône river in Provence. A charming city with a small-town feel and well worth visiting not only for its famous bridge, the Pont d'Avignon. Take the time to visit the city of Avignon in Provence and you won't regret it.

© https://pixabay.com/images/id-2176553/

15 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on the Côte d'Azur

Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild who inherited from her father, Alphonse de Rothschild his immense fortune, purchased land overlooking the Bay of Villefranche and the Bay Beaulieu in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the French Riviera. In 1907 construction of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild began, managed by the chosen architect, Jacques-Marcel Auburtin.

© https://pixabay.com/images/id-1704580/

15 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism, UNESCO

Saint-Émilion

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Saint-Émilion is one of the most famous and prettiest wine-producing towns in the world. Lovely restaurants and wineries. The town is blessed with impressive Médiévale architecture, including an entire church carved out inside a hill.

© https://unsplash.com/@hansma63

14 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

The cobbled streets of Sarlat-la-Canéda

Featuring the highest concentration of medieval, Renaissance and 17th century facades of any town in France, Sarlat-la-Canéda with its prosperity was a reflection of the privileged status it was granted in return for loyalty to the French Crown during the 100 years war.

© Pixabay

14 April 2021  |  Amélie Roca  |  Pure France, Tourism

Holiday rental homes in Collioure

Collioure is a fantastic place for your holidays. It's a charming fishing village, very popular with tourists. With its medieval heritage, discover many traditional houses in bright colors that reference the summer and the Mediterranean. Beautiful harbour and great choice of lovely restaurants.

Arnaud 25, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

13 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

The Palais Longchamp in Marseille

A monument set in a park in Marseille, the Palais Longchamp houses the Musée des beaux-arts and Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Marseille. Close to the port of Marseille, the Palais Longchamp constructed 1862 and opened to the public 15 August 1869. It's notable gardens are recognised by the French Ministry of Culture.

© https://pixabay.com/images/id-5814314/

13 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

Château-des-Baux in Provence

Château-de-Baux has a long and rich history, dating back to the 10th century with early texts documenting the château original name as being Château Balcio and the residence of Lord Pons le Jeaune. In the 14th century the câateau became home to the Lord of Baux, who famously became known as 'the scourge of Provence', because he defied and rebelled the court of France and the pontifical power during his rein.

© https://pixabay.com/images/id-2013496/

12 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

Château d'If in the Bay of Marseille

Located in the Bay of Marseille, 1,5km off shore lies the Island of If. The uninhabited island with its high ramparts has the 3 storey 16th century fortress, Château d'If at its centre. Tourists can visit the château, its courtyard and view its original prison, made famous by Alexandre Dumas' novel 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.

© https://pixabay.com/images/id-2022123/

12 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism, UNESCO

Cathédrale Saint-Front in Périgueux

In the heart of Périgueux, named after Saint-Front, the first bishop of Périgueux, Cathédrale Saint-Front is the only Romano-Byzantine architecture of its kind in the world. Since 1998, the cathedral has been classified at World Heritage and a historical monument since 1840.

© https://unsplash.com/@kovacsz1

12 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism, UNESCO

The Pont du Gard in Occitanie

The UNESCO listed Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard is sure to impress. Built in the 1st century AD and towering nearly 50m above the riverbed, this should be a firmly on your daytrip list when visiting the Languedoc-Roussillon, Occitanie. Built as part of a series of aqueducts supplying the then Roman city of Nîmes, the Pont du Gard is now a well deserved UNESCO world heritage listed site.

Rbeaud, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

11 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

Château de Brézé in the Loire Valley

A unique 11th century medieval fortress with 1km of underground tunnels. Visit Château de Brézé in the Loire Valley and take a guided tour in the underground passageways, just 10 minutes from Saumur. With history dating back to the 11th century and having been completely transformed in the 16th and again in the 19th century, Château de Brézé now produces wine from the local vineyards.

Chiugoran, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

11 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism, UNESCO

Pont Saint-Bénézet in Avignon

Also known as the Pont d’Avignon, this famous medieval bridge was built over the Rhône river between Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and the town of Avignon in the 11th Century. Only four arches, the gatehouse and the Chapel of Saint Nicholas sitting on its second pier survived. They can be seen at the Avignon end.

© https://pixabay.com/images/id-582139/

10 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

Château de Saumur in the Loire Valley

Visit the 11th century Château de Saumur which overlooks the lovely town of Saumur in the Loire Valley. Discover how the château has been a fortress, a prison and a residence for important local figures and complete you visit by exploring the museum that houses wonderful works of art.

© https://unsplash.com/@guillaumedegermain

10 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

Lérins Islands near Cannes

Take the 15 minutes or so boat trip from Mandelieu-La Napoule in Cannes, across to the two Lérins Islands. The larger of the two, Sainte-Marguerite island offers its visitors 22 kilometres of pathways to explore. On Sainte-Marguerite island is the Royal Fort, a prison that once imprisoned 'the man in the iron mask', made famous by novel written by the author Alexandre Dumas.

© https://pixabay.com/images/id-1595649/

09 April 2021  |  Lee Jones  |  Tourism

Sénanque Abbey near Gordes

Visit the Cistercian Abbaye, Sénanque Abbey, situated near the famous village of Gordes in Vaucluse, Provence, today managed by monks. Sénanque Abbey was founded in 1148 and features Romanesque architecture. Tourists can visit the Abbey church, walk under its cloister and explore the chapter house, once used to hold large meetings.


Villas & Châteaux in France

 Find your perfect French holiday home...


© Pure France.™ All rights reserved.

Choose language