Explore France

France offers a vast array of great escapes, regions and cities to explore and world-leading visitor attractions. In this section you can find inspiration for everything from a grand day out to a holiday to remember.

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Got a question about where to visit in France? Get in touch at news@connexionfrance.com

Brown cat and white cat on fallen tree in woods, brown cat is sitting looking up as white cat stretches over the top to pass

See France through the eyes of a cat

American cat lover Teresa Kaufman enjoys countryside walks and has spent 18 years travelling the country with her two cats

Tomb tales restore life to France’s buried past

The cemeteries of France offer more than a brief history of people’s lives, as The Connexion discovers

Architecture of France: Collège de Combrée

School’s out, so what next for abandoned Collège?

Strike up a note-perfect, melodious tour de France

Photo: Musée Hector-Berlioz – Département de l’Isère

Discovering new areas of France is always a joy, and following a theme can open doors to unexplored places and people you might not otherwise discover

A gardeners’ garden in the Loire

All photographs on this page (c) Eric Sander

Jane Hanks looks at the diverse array of green-fingered goodies available year-round on the fabled banks of the Loire

There will be cafes at France's sculpture parks

... as well as culture, laughter and good times in a single package, writes Samantha David

Architecture of France: Périgord Noir

Hammering home beauty

Happy birthday to Paris's 130-year-old Iron Lady

French local history – November 2019

France’s favourite village an ancient English landing site. The Connexion looks back at the war-trodden history of picturesque coastal town Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, not far from Cherbourg

Secret history of France: Mont St Michel

Millennium of miracles, faith and tourism: in her series revealing the hidden histories of France’s cultural hotspots, art historian Julia Faiers turns the spotlight on Mont-Saint-Michel

Art for refugees' sake with the 'notorious' Saype

French artist named by Forbes as one of the world's most influential people under the age of 30

Paris’s necropolis is major tourist attraction

The Cimetière du Père-Lachaise is the final resting place of more than 1million people – including Chopin, Piaf, Morrison, and Wilde. The Connexion tours the tombs.

Secret history of France's cities: Albi

In the second of a series revealing the history of France’s cities, art historian and medievalist Julia Faiers visits Albi, in the Tarn

French local history – October 2019

The last earthly remains of villages that died for France - The Connexion recounts the history of nine Meuse villages that were destroyed in the First World War, but live on in French memory

Architecture of France: remarkable modern architecture

Architecture lovers, draw up!

Crowdfunder-saved chateau enjoys first tourist season

La Mothe-Chandeniers is now owned by nearly 28,000 'châtelains'

France’s love of horses knows no bounds

From the Camargue to Chantilly, a guided tour of the country with lovers of all things equestrian in mind

Secret history of France's cities: Rouen

In the first of a series revealing the hidden histories of France’s cities, art historian and medievalist Julia Faiers turns the spotlight on Rouen in Normandy

French local history - September 2019

Grand tourists who built Paradise in the Pyrenees - The Connexion's Jane Hanks charts the long history of Vernet-les-Bains, which was known to the Romans – but made by 19th-century Britons

Architecture of France: Le Havre

This is no concrete jungle

Holiday across France with go-anywhere vans

Living in France means all of Europe is in your lap for holidays so campervans and motorhomes make it just a drive away. This month sees the giant SVL leisure vehicle exhibition in Paris and Ken Seaton had a look at the market

Agri-tourism network gives taste of the country

Anyone wanting to find a new side to the country should try France Passion, a website and guide where farmers, vineyards and local artisans offer free 24-hour stopovers.