France

There’s a reason why France is called the ‘city of romance’-the rich culture, enviable beauty, refined architecture, cultural sophistication, and infectious romance. If it’s your first international trip, then let France be your first international spot and we bet you won’t regret. You’d want to dive into the richness and diversity of this country. You’ll get so attached to this place that even a thought of bidding goodbye would bring tears down your cheeks. Be it the world-famous Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame or Versailles Palace, you’re sure to fall in love with France. Just so you don’t get bewildered when you step in the country, we’ve listed a few of the most incredible places in the country to pay a visit to. But still, an itinerary won’t work in a place like France, because all you do here is follow your heart.

1. Cathedrale de Chartres: maintaining its reputation since the late 12th century, Cathedrale de Chartres is the last of the five monuments around the same place which has managed to survive for so long. The UNESCO has designated Cathedral as a World Heritage Site, calling it "the high point of French Gothic art" and a "masterpiece." The monument stands intact with all the grace and beauty, even after surviving the deadly fire that broke out in 1194 and damaged the whole area around. The soaring spires, the glowing stained-glass windows, and the porches detailed sculptures of the French Gothic art still adorns the beauty of the Cathedral.
2. Abbey du Mont Saint Michel: being able to make its way to the UNESCO World Heritage listing, Abbey de Mont is one of the special places of France that can leave anyone awestruck. Abbey lies on the top of a rocky tidal island as a symbol of the French national identity and heroic resistance to English attacks during the Hundred Years' War. The magnificent walls of the monument almost get dispersed in the village on its foot and give a view that’s worth gazing upon. Try to be here around spring and experience a view that you can’t even dream of.
3. Musee du Louvre: being on the top of the list of ‘the most visited museums in the world,’ Musee de Louvre is one to hypnotize you with its beauty and art. You’ll get a sample of what’s coming from the main entrance only. As you enter the premises, you’ll be welcomed by the riches of world's most exquisite artistic legacy, from Egyptian mummies and Code of Hammurabi to Venus de Milo and Leonardo's Mona Lisa. Over the centuries, the museum has indeed gone through many transformations and additions, but has always managed to show the beauty and vastness of human mind under one roof, making it accessible to the common visitors, and therefore, becoming a potent symbol of French sensitivity and finesse.
4. Versailles Palace (Chateau de Versailles):: the one to have history or royalty, Versailles Palace is none other than a living masterpiece and a souvenir that our rich kings left behind. The palace, constructed even before 1682, kept the kings and everyone amazed because of its beauty, fine art, sculptures, paintings and astonishing architecture. The sad part is that those kings are no longer existing to keep investing in the betterment of the palace but the best thing is that since there is mo royalty in the palace, it’s become open for visitors and kept maintained ever since. The gilded royal apartments, breathtaking Hall of Mirrors, intimate cabinets, the dazzling enfilade of other rooms, and well-manicured garden make for the best example of an awe-inspiring symbol of absolute monarchy and artistic creation. Things like these make it one of the most visited places in France, keeping the flavor of love and history entangled.
5. Le Val de Loire (The Loire Valley): The landscape of rolling hills and rocky protrusions of Loire Valley are sure to provide a soothing spectacle of nature, and set stage for a stupefying fit of architecture. You’ll be amazed to find fabulous land of vineyards and blooming flowers with more than a thousand of elaborate chateaus, and as you follow the 280 kilometer long route from Sully-sur-Loire in the Loiret to Chalonnes-sur-Loire in Anjou, you can't help but agree the valley deserved its UNESCO recognition.
6. Arenes de Nimes: By far the best preserved Roman amphitheater in the world, the arena has been dominating the city of Nîmes for nearly 2,000 years, bearing a testament to the genius of Roman engineers. It is down to the enviable degree of perfection they achieved that we can today enjoy numerous contemporary events, from two annual bullfights to congresses and popular concerts, in so venerable a setting. Most importantly, the amphitheater rests in the close vicinity of Orange and the Pont du Gard. What of feast of antiquity!
7. Notre Dame Cathedral: Victor Hugo's novel and the hugely touching characterization of the hunchback, Quasimodo, has served the cathedral's popularity well, but no attention seeking was necessary at all. No measure was spared in conceiving of a church that would reflect the capital's prestige, and the result proved to be incredible. The lofty archways, rose windows of stained glass, ornate spires, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and the indispensable Gargoyles all constitute the essence of Gothic at its most exquisite. A witness to historic events, an inspiration for artists, and a major landmark, Notre Dame de Paris deserves a place in anyone's itinerary.
8. La Valle de Chamonix (The Chamonix Valley): Backdropped by the monumental wall of Mt Blanc, the Chamonix valley is a year-round paradise not only for enthusiasts of outdoor sports, but for anyone who appreciates a speck of history wrapped in heart-melting vistas. Lifts transport visitors into the heart of the massif, endless trails unveil indescribable panoramas, mountain torrents challenge rafters, and cozy hotels warm up frozen limbs. Add to it an exploding calendar of events in downtown and you have a comprehensive holiday multi-pack. Unforgettable fun guaranteed.
9. Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel): Built to mark the centennial celebration of the French Revolution, it lays claim to being the most visited paid monument in the world. On a gloomy morning you may not even find it attractive - a mere pile of welded metal. Yet standing on its top observation deck on a cloudless afternoon and gazing at the infinite panorama, you are likely to change your mind to the point of calling it awesome. Even better, when the night catches you on Champs de Mars and the construction suddenly starts to twinkle with millions of multicolored lights, you immediately realize why it is by far one of the most popular proposal spots on Earth. But regardless of weather and time of day, the Eiffel Tower is a mighty symbol to all Frenchmen alike, and symbols don't have to be beautiful. Their task is to unite, commemorate, and stir emotions. La Tour Eiffel does all that and more.
10. Disneyland Paris Park: A paradise for kids and an opportunity for adults to be kids again, Disneyland Resort Paris is the second one to open outside the United States. As you enter the "Happiest Place on Earth, you are immediately possessed with the magic you so happily yielded to years ago. Scream, chant your favorite Disney songs, and shuttle between Captain Hook's Pirate Ship and Sleeping Beauty's Castle. Two theme parks, a retail, dining and entertainment district, and seven Disney-owned hotels provide for so much fun that even the most die-hard grouches can laugh their head off and have their hearts melted.