France is famed for its wine, food, and romance, but there’s so much more to this country at the heart of Western Europe other than Paris. Dig a little deeper and you’ll start to uncover a land filled with historical significance on both a local and international scale. A few key locations and regions reveal the tapestry of this country’s great story. The best way to experience many of them is on your choice of luxury vacations in France. With this guide, we’ll share some of the unmissable spots for history enthusiasts.
#1. Loire Valley
Widely regarded as the “Garden of France”, the Loire Valley is one of the most famous wine-producing regions in the world. However, there’s just as much history to savour with a trip to this part of the country. The significance of the Loire Valley lies in its relevance to the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods where waves of cultural, artistic and philosophical influences swept through much of Europe.
As a result, this region is adorned with over 300 châteaux boasting magical architecture with surrounding landscapes to match. The Château de Chambord is perhaps the most famous, with somewhere in the region of 440 rooms, 83 staircases and an elaborately designed double helix staircase said to be the work of the great Leonardo da Vinci.
#2. Provence
Bordered by Italy to the east and stunning Mediterranean shores to the south, Provence is a region that doesn’t need much selling. It’s a sensationally diverse part of the world, with majestic mountain peaks, sublime sandy beaches, rolling lavender fields and troves of history to explore. With its proximity to Italy and the influence of Roman rule, ruins in cities such as Nîmes, Arles, and Orange provide spectacular insight into the annals of this region.
The ruins of structures such as amphitheatres and aqueducts highlight the engineering prowess and cultural influence of the Romans at the height of their empire. One unmissable sight is the Pont du Gard, a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site. Besides Roman history, you’ll find Provence’s landscapes have been influential for some of the most famous artists the world has ever seen, including the likes of Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso.
#3. Normandy
Few regions are steeped in history as much as Normandy. From Viking invasions to the D-Day landings of World War II, these shores have many brutal stories to tell. The Normans, descendants of Viking invaders in France, launched a conquest into England in 1066. The Bayeux Tapestry is a piece of medieval embroidery that depicts this campaign, offering a vivid narrative of warfare, politics and culture.
At 70m long and half a meter tall, it’s a must-see record of French history. The beaches of Normandy, codenamed Omaha, Utah and Juno for the D-Day landings, serve as a sombre reminder of the sacrifices made during the largest seaborne invasion in history that helped defeat Nazi Germany during WWII.
#4. Mont-Saint-Michel
Off the Normandy coast lies one of the most breathtaking sights in all of France. Mont-Saint-Michel is a medieval fortress abbey perched on a tidal, rocky island. At high tide, it’s completely cut off from the mainland. To see it rising out of the water is a magical sight and one that’s attracted pilgrims from all over the world. Its history is one of religious significance and, later, military fortification. Walking the winding streets and reaching the crowning abbey must be on your to-do list while in this part of France.
What about you, have you ever been to any of the historical sites in France? Feel free to share any tips & advice below!
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ABOUTME
We overland. We eat plants and fungi. We live outside as much as possible. We are all connected. A female travel blogger overlanding and writing about ecotourism, ethical and sustainable travel, socially conscious travel and housesitting. An online travel magazine since 2015.
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