France is always, one might say, une bonne idée. La République and her lands have held the global cultural imagination in her manicured grip since time immemorial. The country and its symbols have starred in books, films, television shows, plays, and nearly every type of media you can think of; baguettes, berets, and the Marinière shirt have the hardest working agents in the biz. And naturally, Paris is on the perennial itinerary for many travelers, whether seasoned or aspiring; it's a capital of art and fashion, gastronomy and café culture, and literary and European histories. But take a closer look at its comparatively less populous, but no less important destinations—Lyon, the belly of France; Bordeaux, with its châteaux and vineyards; Nice, with surf and sun; Brittany, with its bracing coasts; Strasbourg, with its canals and tartes flambées—and you'll be rewarded with more and more places to add to your must-see list. France is not just escargots and the Moulin Rouge (though both are, indeed, essential). It’s viridian countrysides, lavender fields, azure waters, and every color in between. For some, France is a once-in-a-lifetime visit; for the luckier among us, visiting France will take a lifetime. —Matt Ortile, associate editor
France
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Our Ultimate France Travel Guide
Where to stay in Paris
- Hôtel Balzac$$$ | France, Paris, 6 Rue BalzacA sultry, modernist boutique with ties to that BalzacRead full reviewPowered By: Expedia
- Maison Barrière VendômeFrance, Paris, 17 rue du Mont ThaborWhen you want a truly restful night’s sleep in bustling Paris, this is where you stay.Read full reviewPowered By: Expedia
- First in: Hôtel Des Grands Voyageurs$$$ | France, Paris, 34 Rue de l'Abbé GrégoireA peek inside an elegantly minimalist hideout in the French capital's 6th arrondissementRead full reviewPowered By: Expedia
- Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris$$$ | France, Paris, 37 Av. HocheOne of Paris's more modern luxury choices, this hotel is all about art: Not only do they collect it and sell it (they have over 350 pieces), but they offer tours of it, too.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Gold List
Powered By: Expedia - Le Bristol Paris$$$ | France, Paris, 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-HonoréAn icon for all the right reasons, this Faubourg Saint-Honoré stalwart earns regulars who eventually feel like family.Read full review
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Powered By: Expedia - J.K. Place Paris$$$ | France, Paris, 82 Rue de LilleThe first overseas outpost of the famed Italian brand does Parisian-chic effortlessly.Read full review
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Powered By: Expedia - Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet's Paris$$$ | France, Paris, 46 Av. George VWhen it comes to Paris hotels, the suites are as roomy as they come.Read full review
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Powered By: Expedia - Fauchon l'Hôtel Paris$$$ | France, Paris, 4 Bd Malesherbes
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Powered By: Expedia - Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel$$ | France, Paris, 33 Av. George VA tasteful nod to a the 1920s Années Folles era in Paris, and a refreshing departure from much of the further-back looking competition.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Powered By: Booking.com - Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris$$$ | France, Paris, 31 Av. George VThis bucket-list hotel in the ever-so-chic eighth lives up to the hype (as long as you're prepared for the sticker shock).Read full review
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Powered By: Expedia - Shangri-La Paris$$$ | France, Paris, 10 Av. d'IénaDespite the grand setting, it's easy to feel at home at this Trocadero adjacent-hotel, thanks to the intimate vibe and the quiet surrounding area.Read full review
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Powered By: Expedia - Cheval Blanc Paris$$$ | France, Paris, 8 Quai du LouvreEnter into luxury within an iconic Parisian setting.Read full review
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Powered By: Expedia - Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal$$ | France, Paris, 4 Rue de ValoisMore like a series of private apartments, this understated luxury hotel is the only with direct views over the Palais Royal Gardens.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
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What to do in Paris
- The 27 Best Restaurants in ParisHow to decide where (and what) to eat in one of the world's most happening culinary hot spots.By Lindsey Tramuta and Sara Lieberman
- 42 Best Things to Do in ParisParis's cobblestone streets are lined with so much, it can be hard to plan an itinerary. Here's our list of what you simply can't miss.By Lindsey Tramuta and Julia Eskins
- The 24 Best Bars in ParisThe City of Light has no shortage of places where you can find a proper pour.By Lane Nieset and Lindsey Tramuta
- Christmas in Paris: The 10 Best Things to See and DoWhen the City of Light sparkles a little more.By Lane Nieset and Lindsey Tramuta
- A Local’s Guide to Paris, FranceChef Mory Sacko on the most exciting places to eat in the city right now.By Julia Webster Ayuso
- 15 Best Things to Do in Paris With KidsDinner boats, dragon slides, amusement parks: you'd think this city was built for little ones.By Daisy de Plume
Paris 2024 Summer Olympics: Everything You Need to Know
Whether you're heading to the City of Lights or watching from home, consider this your ultimate guide.
By Paris Wilson and Jessica Chapel
Where to stay in the South of France
- 15 Best Hotels in the South of FranceOur summer selection of the most brilliant places to stay, from St. Tropez to Marseille.By Sarah James and Lanie Goodman
- 12 Dreamy Villas in the South of FranceThe ultimate addresses to take over this summer.By Lanie Goodman and Lauren Burvill
- 20 Best Airbnbs in the South of FranceIncluding French screenwriter Jacques Prévert's former home, which dates back to the 12th century.By Caitlin Morton and Alex Erdekian
- The Best Hotels in Saint TropezHedonism awaits in elegant hotels with glittering spas and beachfront locations.By Rosalyn Wikeley
- 9 Best Hotels in the French RivieraCôte d'Azur resident Lanie Goodman shares her address book of secret places to eat and sleep.By Lanie Goodman
- The Best Hotels in BordeauxWhere to stay for a weekend of wining and dining in this charming port city.By Monica Mendal
Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Cannes
With boutique hotel openings and revived iconic landmarks, the little city on the Riviera is reborn just in time for its iconic film festival and the 2024 Olympics.
By Caitlin Gunther
What to do in the South of France
Inspiration
The French Riviera: 8 Must-See Spots on the Côte d'Azur
By Oneika Raymond and Lindsey Tramuta
Style & Culture
Designer Thom Browne Scours the St.-Tropez Market for Antique Stemware
By Chadner Navarro
Editor-recommended French rentals
All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Paris pied-à-terre with a library
$197 Shop at Airbnb (starting price)
Luxury farmhouse in St-Remy
$2299 Shop at Airbnb (starting price)
One-bed with a private terrace & Eiffel Tower views
$181 Shop at Airbnb (Starting Price)
15th-century tower in Toulouse
$205 Shop at Airbnb (starting price)
Luxurious four-bedroom villa in Paris
$1340 Shop at Airbnb (Starting Price)
Dazzling villa in Cassis
$613 Shop at Airbnb (Starting Price)
Château de Courtomer in Courtomer
$1958 Shop at Vrbo (Starting Price)
Belle adresse in Vincennes
$116 Shop at Airbnb (Starting Price)
Hot List properties
- Hôtel Dame des Arts$$$ | France, Paris, 4 Rue DantonThe right stuff, on the Left BankRead full review
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Powered By: Expedia - Capelongue$$ | France, Bonnieux, Les Claparèdes, 550 Chemin des CabanesA neo-provencal estate takes on a resolutely modern slant with three restaurants, two dreamy pools and an abundance of organic local wine in the South of France.Read full review
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Powered By: Expedia - The Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel$$ | France, Cannes, 58 Bd de la CroisetteAn exclusive look inside a reimagined grande dame hotel on the French RivieraRead full review
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Powered By: Expedia - La Nauve Hôtel & Jardin$$ | France, Cognac, 12 Rue de la NauveAt last, the hotel Cognac has been waiting forRead full review
Hot List
Powered By: Expedia - Hôtel Le Grand Mazarin$$$ | France, Paris, 17 Rue de la VerrerieA Wes Anderson meets Alice in Wonderland literary-salon vibeRead full review
Readers Choice Awards
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Powered By: Expedia - 1, Place Vendôme$$$ | France, Paris, 1 Pl. VendômeChopard’s ultra-private crafted gem opens in Paris’ mythologised squareRead full review
Hot List
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Gold List properties
- Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc$$$ | France, Antibes, 167-165 Bd J. F. KennedyAn emblem of hyphenated hotel-world majesty, of sun-struck Riviera grandeur, of dreams of open-top two-seaters and swaying palms and broken banks at casinos and Champagne corks a-popping.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Gold List
Powered By: Booking.com - Ritz Paris$$$ | France, Paris, 15 Place VendômeAs long as you're prepared for the sticker shock, this Place Vendôme palace is a must-stay for history buffs and hotel junkies.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
Gold List
Hot List
Powered By: Expedia - Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel$$$ | France, Paris, 10 Pl. de la ConcordeOne of Paris’s best-loved palace hotels has been utterly transformed, and its sass and zing have pulses racing.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
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Powered By: Expedia - Le Meurice, Dorchester Collection$$$ | France, Paris, 228 Rue de RivoliImagine 18th-century opulence presented through the filter of a Salvador Dalí painting, and you’ve got Le Meurice.Read full review
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Powered By: Expedia - Domaine des Etangs, Auberge Resorts Collection$$ | France, Massignac, Domaine des EtangsA home turned hotel offers more than a playful take on French hospitality.Read full review
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Powered By: Expedia - Hôtel Du Palais Biarritz - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt$$ | France, Biarritz, 1 Avenue de l'ImpératriceThrow open the windows, breathe in the ocean air, and watch the spectacle.Read full review
Readers Choice Awards
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My Favorite Airbnb Experience: Riding in a Sidecar Through Bordeaux
Zipping through golden vineyards in a sidecar, the wine region adventure reaffirmed my confidence as a solo traveler.
By Emy Rodriguez Flores
More France travel inspiration
The Best Things to Do in Brittany
With stylish new hotels, a rich culinary heritage, and miles of coastline, Brittany’s uncrowded Emerald Coast is more alluring than ever.
By Caitlin Gunther
7 Cities for Discovering the Real South of France
From wine-soaked Languedoc to surf-haven Basque Country, le sud is filled to the brim with history, culture, and scenic outdoors that go well beyond the glitzy beach scenes.
By Caitlin Gunther
17 Best Beaches in France
The Riviera is just the beginning—here are top beaches for surfing, sailing, or sunbathing.
By Matt Ortile and Caitlin Morton
Storybook-Like Small Towns in France
From wine country to the Alps, these destinations are as charming as it gets.
By Caitlin Morton
Retracing Julia Child’s Footsteps Through Paris
A food writer shares what it was like to eat, cook, and shop in Paris as Julia Child knew and loved it.
By Layla Khoury-Hanold
13 Books That Will Transport You to France
From thrillers to food memoirs, these captivating titles could inspire your next big French adventure.
By Matt Ortile
Places to Stay
14 Family-Friendly Paris Hotels That Set a New Bar for Kid-Focused Amenities
Traveling with children in tow? These are the Parisian hotels ready to cater to every situation.
By Luciana Bellini and Rosalyn Wikeley
Destinations
The Best Time to Visit Paris
Paris is always a good idea, but here’s exactly when to go and how many days to spend there.
By Matt Ortile
Places to Stay
The Cheapest Nicest Hotels in Paris
Our favorite chic Parisian stays for under $250 a night.
By Lauren Burvill
Destinations
31 Luxury Hotels in Paris to Bookmark for Your Next Trip
Luxe suites, top-notch dining, and five-star service abound.
By Lindsey Tramuta and Sandra Ramani
Places to Stay
The 21 Most Charming Airbnbs in Paris
Plus, family-friendly spaces, Eiffel Tower views, and tastefully designed stays in the City of Love.
By Paris Wilson and Meredith Carey
Inspiration
The Best Things to Do in Bordeaux, a Land of Wine and Castles
For those planning a trip to Bordeaux, France, here’s what to see, eat, and drink (wine, duh).
By Jessica-Belle Greer
Destinations
The 21 Best Pâtisseries in Paris
The best places to kick-start sweet adventure.
By Lindsey Tramuta
Places To Stay
The 50 Best Hotels in Paris
Whether you’re in town for business or pleasure, there’s a hotel for you.
By Lindsey Tramuta
Shopping
How to Shop in France Like a True Parisian
A local shares her essentials for a day of shopping at the local fromagerie, boulangerie, and more.
By Rebekah Peppler
Destinations
The 17 Best Museums in Paris
From the Palais de Tokyo to yes, of course, the Louvre, these are the French capital’s must-do museums.
By Lindsey Tramuta
Family Travel
How Traveling With Family Made a Familiar Route in France Feel New Again
Taking her husband and kids on the road, writer Jo Rodgers learns how additional travel companions can transform a place you thought you knew.
By Jo Rodgers
Destinations
Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Lake Annecy, France’s Hidden-Gem Ski Destination
The offbeat ski towns around Lake Annecy are ideal for rubbing shoulders with locals.
By Michael Venutolo-Mantovani
Destinations
Notre-Dame Is Reopened for Visitors—Here's Everything You Need to Know
A brief explainer on what happened, how to visit, free tickets, nearby hotels, and more.
By Olivia Morelli
Places to Stay
The Best Ski Resorts in France
These French ski resorts are worth a stay.
By Teddy Wolstenholme
Inspiration
Thanksgiving in Paris Is One of the Most American Things You Can Do
Six years after a memorable Thanksgiving in Paris, writer Matt Ortile returns to France for “Mercigiving.” Here’s where and how to celebrate.
By Matt Ortile
Are Plane Crashes Actually Happening More Frequently?
We asked aviation experts to walk us through the statistics.
By Jessica Puckett
15 Airbnbs Across the US That Are Perfect for a Bachelorette Trip
Find our top picks in Scottsdale, Nashville, East Hampton, and more.
By Taylor Mead
A New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of Collaborations
Among the coolest: resort wear from Bloomingdale's and Away's raffia bags.
By Paris Wilson
The Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in Italy
For the sun-kissed, sea-washed sweet life, nothing beats a trip to Italy’s towns on the coast.
By Matt Ortile
What to Expect at the National Parks After Their Staff Layoffs
About 3,000 positions in the National Park Service and US Forest Service were eliminated by the Trump administration. Here’s what that could mean for travelers.
By Elissa Garay
Are Plane Crashes Actually Happening More Frequently?
We asked aviation experts to walk us through the statistics.
By Jessica Puckett
15 Airbnbs Across the US That Are Perfect for a Bachelorette Trip
Find our top picks in Scottsdale, Nashville, East Hampton, and more.
By Taylor Mead
A New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of Collaborations
Among the coolest: resort wear from Bloomingdale's and Away's raffia bags.
By Paris Wilson
The Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in Italy
For the sun-kissed, sea-washed sweet life, nothing beats a trip to Italy’s towns on the coast.
By Matt Ortile
What to Expect at the National Parks After Their Staff Layoffs
About 3,000 positions in the National Park Service and US Forest Service were eliminated by the Trump administration. Here’s what that could mean for travelers.
By Elissa Garay