Things To Do In France

Paris has a large number of museums and while there is probably at least a small one covering a topic that is of interest to you, this author recommends a visit to the immense, tried and true, Louvre. This former royal palace exhibits 30,000 works of art from the Middle Ages to the mid 19th century, from many cultures. Whether or not you become captivated by a piece, the visit is worthwhile because of I.M. Pei’s glass pyramids in the courtyard as well as the opportunity to come (almost) face to face with the Mona Lisa (called Joconde in French); you’ll probably be surprised when you see the real painting versus the way you’ve imagined it. A more fun, modern and interactive museum is the Centre Pompidou, a building built “inside out.”

Also visit Notre Dame Cathedral on the Ile de la Cité; it’s amazing to see a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture finished in 1345, sitting on its own little island, in the middle of all the liveliness that is Paris. Lastly, as if it was necessary to remind you, visit the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, two larger-than-life monuments, known around the world, that are awesome to behold with your own eyes.

For the Athletic

For those interested in outdoor sports, consider visiting the French Alps and/ or the southern Atlantic coast. The Alps offer mountain sports in winter and summer, and the beaches around Biarritz are the best ones to surf. There are over two hundred ski resorts in the Alps with cross-country and downhill runs for skiers of all levels. Once the snow melts, the larger resorts offer hiking trails, rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding and ice skating, rock climbing, paragliding and even skydiving. If you prefer being at sea level and want to surf, check out Biarritz for some of Europe’s best surfing. If you’re on a budget you can camp or stay at the youth hostels in Biarritz or Anglet—Anglet’s beach is the first one you’ll want to visit.

Visiting Castles

Castles were built in France from the time of the fall of the Roman Empire—when order was replaced with chaos—into the 18th century. Along with Cathedrals, they symbolize a key aspect of French identity. In its history, France has been a land of great ideas, advanced technology, but also one of imbalances in power. French castles embody both the best and worst aspects of French culture. Versailles, near Paris, was vastly expanded by the (in)famous Louis XIV and is the ultimate example of the marvels built for French kings at the expense of the entire nation. This castle is not of the fortified type; it’s a pure display of power and wealth that you have got to see to believe. The palace is a showcase for elaborate ornamentation using expensive building materials and complicated techniques. The palace grounds hold immense gardens that are testaments to humans’ ability to modify the natural environment. Hills, marshes and forests were moved in order to lay out flowerbeds, paths, fountains and statues.

Another way to visit castles is to bike the Loire Valley, which became over centuries a “neighborhood” of castles. There one can see castles built from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, some of France’s most splendid and famous (Chambord, Chaumont, Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau). The Loire is approximately two hours from Paris by train. The region is rather flat, making it ideal for cycling… if you can handle a 30-mile round trip between points of interest. Bikes can be rented for varying lengths of time in the region’s larger towns.