It would seem that the easiest job in the world would be that of the French Tourism Minister. Okay, so the job they do is about more than inviting people to visit the country, but “come to France” can’t be a hard sell, can it?
Sure, not everybody is a Francophile. Indeed, you’ll find few people more ready to criticize the place than the French themselves. But if we’re honest for just one moment, we each have to admit that there is at least something about France that holds an attraction for us.
It’s easy to list the things France does well. Food, wine, and fashion – that’s clear. French cinema is widely regarded as some of the best – and inspired more than a few Hollywood remakes. Its sport, music, and literature all have their devotees in the English-speaking world. So if you haven’t visited yet, what’s keeping you?
Paris: Cliched, Perhaps. But Also Chic.
If there were a count kept of all the “standard” tourist selfies in different cities, then only New York or London could hold a candle to Paris. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Elysees all go without saying.
Even if cliches leave you cold, Paris will have something that gets under your skin. If you can’t find the grave of someone you idolize in Pere-Lachaise cemetery, maybe you need better idols. And if you just want to enjoy a meal in a cafe or a show, there are endless options within moments of stepping off Paris airport transfers.
Nice: Yes, It Is.
Of course, unless you want to mark yourself out as a tourist instantly, it’s worth remembering that it’s pronounced “Niece”.
A short bus ride away from Monaco – the playground of the rich and famous – Nice does not demand to see your bank accounts before letting you play. Its gorgeous beaches and the palm-tree lined Promenade des Anglais are enough to put a smile on any face.
For the art lovers, a stop at the Musee Matisse will be inspiring and enthralling in equal measure. And if you get tired from walking around the many chic boutiques, there are world-class restaurants around every corner.
Marseille: Passion By The Sea.
While Paris dominates the center of France and much of everything else, Marseille has a claim to be the capital of the South. Often when people talk about a city having passion and soul, they mean “don’t walk anywhere after dark”. In Marseille, they mean it has passion and soul.
Take a walk around the Vieux Port and see the Phare (Lighthouse) de Sainte-Marie. Enjoy the great park at the Palais Longchamp. Do not leave the city without having tried seafood by the harbor; you won’t taste the like anywhere else.
Mont St. Michel: Not A Typical City, But A Trip To Remember.
While many other French destinations are cities of varying age and culture, Mont St Michel is an anomaly. It seems to sit outside time, perhaps not least because it is a walled city built around a monastery.
Set out on a peninsula, you may expect it to be short on convenience and amenities, but it isn’t. The perfect split of monkish solemnity and cheerful modernity, there are stores and cafes here that will keep you coming back.
