Matador's Ultimate Guide to France

There's a reason why France is at the top of everyone's bucket list ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [France]( Matador's Ultimate Guide to France Hi all, As it's Bastille Day this Thursday (July 14), it's only fitting we highlight France during its national holiday. If you're in Paris celebrating (or planning a future trip to the French capital), check out these guides below to get the most out of the City of Light: - [What You Need To Know Before Visiting the Eiffel Tower]( - [The Complete Guide To Paris' Train Stations]( - [The Best Events of the Summer in Paris]( - [How To Crush the Louvre in One Day]( - [Everything You Need to Know About Sacré-Coeur]( - [This 19th-Century Train Station Is the Second-Most Visited Museum in Paris]( And while Paris is dreamy and a must-visit for all, you'd be remiss if you didn't travel to the other incredible parts of France. From the Mediterranean cities of Nice and Marseille to the Instagram-worthy lavender fields of Provence to the charming Alpine cities like Chamonix and Annecy, [France has something for every traveler]( [EXPLORE FRANCE]( Get Inspired [Arc de Triomphe]( Flag, Flame, and Fantastic Views: What You Need To Know Before Visiting Paris's Arc de Triomphe The Arc de Triomphe, the massive arch at the very end of the Champs-Elysées, is one of the most recognizable French monuments, and here's everything you need to know to visit it. [READ MORE]( [Mont st. Michel]( This Is France’s Most Famous and Mysterious Island That You Can Visit This French island is not one where you can spread out your beach towel and go for a lazy swim in warm, turquoise waters. Mont-Saint-Michel, arguably France’s most famous island, is a huge rock off the coast of Normandy, where a village and an abbey have been standing for over 10 centuries. The islet looks like it’s straight out of a Disney fairy tale, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979 — two great reasons to plan a trip to this wonderful and mysterious location. [READ MORE]( [Marseille]( 10 Reasons Marseille Is the Most Underrated French City Marseille is a sunny, sultry melting pot, encircled by mountains yet open to the world. There’s a palpable buzz about the city, and it’s not something that’s been concocted for tourists. You’ll find all the culture, food, and art you crave here — but without the crowds and sky-high prices of Paris. [READ MORE]( [Versailles]( Tips and Tricks To Make the Most of Your Visit To Versailles To better understand the importance of Bastille day, go check out the opulence of Versailles. Versailles is an immense art piece. Everything on the 2,000-acre estate was thought out, designed, and built meticulously over 100 years (1683-1785) to become the outstanding place it is today. Every single nook and cranny of the estate, from the furniture in the palace to the groves and paths in the gardens, is worth seeing. [READ MORE]( [Eiffel Tower]( Stroll These Underrated Arrondissements for a Local Paris Experience Paris is made up of 20 distinct neighborhoods, or arrondissements, each with its own personality and charm. Many of the central arrondissements are famous among tourists for their monuments and museums, but outside the highly trafficked, often touristy arrondissements, there is a side of Paris that is completely underestimated. For those seeking a more local look at the French capital, take a trip to these seven arrondissements. [READ MORE]( [rooftop bar]( 11 Paris Rooftop Bars That Show Off the City's Iconic Skyline In Paris, you’re never far from a famous landmark. Outdoor cafes have long doubled as viewpoints for the city’s illustrious architecture, but there’s a new type of vantage point from which visitors can admire the French capital: rooftop bars. Quite a few of the most coveted Paris rooftop bars occupy prime real estate atop historic buildings. Others are a short walk from iconic monuments. These are the Paris rooftop bars to visit on your next trip to the French capital, whether you’re craving an aperitif, a digestif, or a night above the town. [READ MORE]( Nature + Adventure [Normandy]( 7 French Beaches Where the Locals Vacation When it comes to where French people vacation, why would they feel the need to go anywhere else when there are more than 2,600 beautiful beaches and over 3,400 miles of coastlines just a car ride or train trip away? While the summer exodus of French people from cities to seaside towns means that Paris is empty for all the tourists to enjoy in peace, visitors would be remiss not to leave the Louvre behind to test out the water and enjoy some sun tanning sessions on the most popular French beaches. [READ MORE]( [Bordeaux]( You Know Bordeaux's Wine, but It's Also an Epic Outdoor Destination Bordeaux is known as the Port of the Moon, thanks to its position in the curved nook of the Garonne River in southwest France. This UNESCO-listed city has more to offer than just quaffing — from gentle river cruises to tough climbs up Europe’s biggest sand dune. So put down your wine glass and strap on your boots. It’s time to explore Bordeaux’s stunning landscape from the water, sky, bike saddle, and sand. [READ MORE]( [Etretat cliffs]( These Views Are Why You Should Visit Normandy Instead of Paris As a first-time visitor to France, you cannot avoid spending time in Paris. You’ll want to visit the Louvre and Versailles, try out the best pastry shops and bakeries, have some decadent hot chocolate while sitting at the terrace of a typical café, etc. But once you’ve checked the big items off your must-do list, consider getting out of the French capital to make your way to Normandy and see the majestic Etretat cliffs. [READ MORE]( Food + Culture [Paris Restaurant]( 7 Essential Paris Restaurants Everyone Should Visit at Least Once It’s no secret that French cuisine is considered the most elegant, refined food in the world. Considered culinary masters, French chefs have established restaurants where people have traveled far from home just to get a table. Bedecked in chandeliers and adorned with flowers, these restaurants don’t just offer meals – they offer unforgettable, life-changing experiences that embody the glamor of Paris. [READ MORE]( [black restaurants]( 7 Must-See Museums in Paris That Are Not the Louvre Believe it or not, there’s more than one museum in the French capital. Below is a selection of seven museums in Paris, including the oldest and the newest museums in the city. You may never have heard of them, but they are guaranteed to add a touch of surprise and a serious dose of awe to your next visit to France. [READ MORE]( [bread]( Winner of Best Baguette in Paris Award Explains How To Find the Most Amazing Bread There’s a reason why the iconic baguette has been recognized as an intangible heritage of humanity UNESCO. Making bread is a straightforward process, yet not all bread is created equal, something that Damien Dedun, who received France’s top baker award in 2017, and whose baguette was voted the best in Paris in 2022, knows well. [READ MORE]( [cabaret]( The Sexiest and Most Provocative Shows You Can See in Paris Paris has more to offer than quaint cafés, strolls by the Seine, and long, cultured days in the Louvre — it has a sexy side. After all, Paris is home to the Moulin Rouge, the birthplace of the French cancan. It has a reputation to maintain, and it does so flawlessly. The French capital is home to a wide range of adult shows, from the gently provocative Paris cabaret to the full-blown erotic. There is something for everyone, no matter their preferences and their levels of shyness. [READ MORE]( Epic Stays Take the headache out of planning and check out our staff picks for places to stay [Paris accomodations]( [South of France]( [Maison Colbert]( [Marseille]( [hotel cave]( [Palmito Hotel]( Share with friends, get cool stuff! Have friends who love to travel? Share your unique referral link with them and earn points to redeem for rewards when they subscribe! 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